Audio Messages:
Pastor Wade Burleson

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Ephesians 5:1-7 (English-KJV)

1. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2. And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
3. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4. Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

1. Your Love is to be Different (vs. 1-2) . . . "walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us"
   What kind of love for others are we to have? The same kind of love Christ has for us.
   "He has given himself for us and offering and a sacrifice to God . . ."
   1. Christ loved us when we were His enemies . . . (Eph 2:5; Romans 5:10; John 15:13)
      You are to love your enemies . . ."But I say unto you, love your enemies" (Matt. 5:44)
   2. Christ’s love is more than an emotion . . . "He gave himself for us." (Ephesians 5:2)
      You are to love by giving . . . "When compelled to go a mile, go two" (Matthew 5:41)
   3. Christ loves because He is love . . . "God is love" (I John 4:8)
      You are to love like this because of who you are . . "children of God " (Ephesians 5:1)
2. Your Life is to be Different (vs 3-4) . . . "let (these things) not once be named among you"
   Paul says that there are six things that are not ever to be associated with the children of God.
   In that which we will not do . . .
   1. Fornication --- sexual relationships outside of the marriage covenant
   2. Uncleanness --- abnormal sexual relationships (Romans 1:24 "homosexuality")
      In that which we desire . . .
   3. Covetousness --- living life to satisfy the senses; making an idol of your desires
      In that which we will not discuss . . .
   4. Filthiness --- obscene, vulgar, or crude language
   5. Foolish talking --- empty thoughtless chatter; mindless conversation
   6. Jesting --- clever, witty talk that has a sinful spin or double-meaning
      Jesting comes from a word that means "to turn"
      Paul says that these things are "not to be once named among you, as becometh saints"
      But, as children of God we are to be "continually giving thanks"
      How is "putting on" the giving of thanks the opposite of "putting off" the list of things above?
      Thanksgiving means contentment and trust in God; the opposite of making passions your idol.
3. Your Logic is to be Different (vs. 5-7) . . . "Let no man deceive you with vain words . . ."
   1. The lost argue against the truth . . . They say "God is not angry with me!"
      The Bible says, " the wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience." (v. 6)
   2. You know what the truth is. . ."no idolater has any inheritance in God’s kingdom" (v.5)
   3. Therefore, don’t be partners with them . . . (v. 7)