LIFE IN THE SPIRIT (1-21)
A. Forsaking the .
1. Walking in . (1-2)
1 Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, 2 and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.
1 Peter 1:15-16 CSB – 15 But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; 16 for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.
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2. not fitting for the Christian.
3 But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints. 4 Obscene and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable but rather giving thanks.
Philippians 1:27 CSB – 27 Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel,
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3. The of conduct. (5-7)
5 For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things. 7 Therefore, do not become their partners.
Galatians 6:7-8 CSB – 7 Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap, 8 because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.
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4. to light. (8-12)
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light — 9 for the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth — 10 testing what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret.
John 12:46 CSB – 46 “I have come as light into the world so that everyone who believes in me would not remain in darkness.
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B. in the Light.
1. The Spirit-filled life is marked by the presence. (13-14)
13 Everything exposed by the light is made visible, 14 for what makes everything visible is light. Therefore it is said: Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.
“The man who is asleep does not care what becomes of his neighbors; how can he while he is asleep? And oh! Some of you Christians do not care whether souls are saved or damned… It is enough for them if they are comfortable. If they can attend a respectable place of worship and go with others to heaven, they are indifferent about everything else.” (Spurgeon)
1 Corinthians 15:34 NASB20 – 34 Sober up morally and stop sinning, for some have no knowledge of God. I say [this] to your shame.
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2. The Spirit-filled life is marked by in wisdom. (15-17)
15 Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk — not as unwise people but as wise — 16 making the most of the time because the days are evil. 17 So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Philippians 1:27 CSB – 27 Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel,
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3. The Spirit-filled life is marked by the of the Holy Spirit. (18)
18 And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit:
Proverbs 23
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4. The Spirit-filled life is marked by and . (19-20)
19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Colossians 3:17 CSB – 17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
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5. The Spirit-filled life is marked by submission. (21)
21 submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.
Philippians 2:3 CSB 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.
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Walk in the Light NOT in the DARK
COMMUNITY LIFE GROUP QUESTIONS (NEW FORMAT)
1. Ephesians 5:1-2, calls believers to be imitators of God and walk in love as Christ did. How can we practically imitate God’s love in our daily lives, and how does this challenge our attitudes toward others, especially those who don’t share our faith?
2. Ephesians 5:8-12, Paul describes believers as having passed from darkness to light. What are some specific “works of darkness” that we are called to avoid, and how do we expose or avoid them in our own lives?
3. Ephesians 5:15-17, encourages us to walk wisely, making the most of our time because the days are evil. What does it mean to “make the most of the time” in the context of living as Christians in a fallen world?
4. Ephesians 5:18, Paul contrasts being drunk with wine (leading to reckless living) with being filled with the Spirit. How does being filled with the Holy Spirit affect a believer’s choices and actions, particularly regarding substances or behaviors that seek to control us?
5. Ephesians 5:21, highlights the importance of mutual submission in the body of Christ. How does mutual submission in the church challenge the norms in our culture?
How can we pray for you?