1. EPHESIANS 5 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. 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 Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

2. EPHESIANS 5 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. With who? “the sons of disobedience” Who are they? How do we recognize them? Is this person a son of disobedience: We cannot tell by looking at the outward appearance. We need to look at their fruit. How do they act? Verses 3-5: Are they fornicators, idolaters, full of lust, do they have a dirty mouth, are they caught up in greed?

3. EPHESIANS 5 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 Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. “darkness” and “light” When you were in darkness the things of God and the truth were foolishness to you. Once you came to know Christ – He enlightened you! You could not understand the word of God, but now through the power of the Holy Spirit, He reveals the truth to you. You also should be convicted by sin. Jesus is the light of the world and, if you are His, you are one with Him – you are now light. When you walk into a room full of darkness (i.e. full of the sons of disobedience) they should see the light of God shining out of you. Your presence should reveal to them their sin. Is that your effect? Are walking as a child of light full of goodness, righteousness and truth?!? How is your walk? Do you shine like a beacon, revealing what is acceptable to the Lord? Or do you just blend in as one of the guys?

4. EPHESIANS 5 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. We should not be a part of the evil of this world. We should not lie, or even twist the truth. Do you ever just change the facts a little bit when you are trying to keep yourself from getting into trouble? Like: “Well dad I know when I left I was wearing that nice “modest” outfit and when I came home I had on that tight spaghetti string top and a mini skirt. Well, … I spilled my drink on my outfit and had to borrow some cloths from Ruthie!”. Or: “I didn’t mean to hit junior with the Little Tikes golf club, he just got in the way.” Or: “Boss, really, I am feeling sick today.”

5. EPHESIANS 5 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. We are supposed to speak the truth and expose lies. We are supposed to walk in righteousness and expose unrighteousness. We are not supposed to accept the evil deeds of this world or speak of them as if they are just the way it is. We should be angry about the depravity and speak out about wrongs! Read 1 Corinthians 10:1-12. Also 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1.

6. EPHESIANS 5 14 Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Are we asleep, or truly a light in this dark world. Are we really different? In what ways? Is our speech crude, rude, alluring or demanding? Or is it kind and edifying (seasoned with salt)? Are we walking “circumspectly” (diligently or accurately (carefully))? Are we wise or being foolish? We need to be careful with who we walk since evil company corrupts good morals. We need to be careful where we walk since temptations are all over the place – the days are evil. Redeem the time – making the most of what little we have! (Vapor)

7. EPHESIANS 5 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God. What is the will of God? 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8. Keep His commands – control your lusts and your actions - love. Rom 13:11-14 Cast off our old ways. A child of the light can walk in darkness.

8. EPHESIANS 5 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 “Do not be drunk with wine” Proverbs 23:31-35 Instead we should walk “circumspectly”. We should walk in the Spirit and we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. When a person is a bit “tipsy”, are they more apt to fall into temptations, get loose in speech, brawl or argue, lust,…? We should confess our sins and ask God to fill us mightily with the Spirit so we can stand firm in this evil day; so we can walk in a manner that is pleasing to Him (should be a light).

9. EPHESIANS 5 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, What is our attitude? Do we look like this? If we go through the day with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs in our heart what will our attitude be??

10. EPHESIANS 5 19 19 singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God. JOYPRAISETHANKSGIVING ALWAYS! FOR ALL THINGS 1 Thessalonians 5:14-24. (Spencer – evil for evil)

11. EPHESIANS 5 How are you doing with the joy and praise and thanksgiving – always – no matter what the circumstances? What kind of witness are we for Christ? What has He done for us? Do we whine and complain (murmur)? Do we not like the path that God has given us? Well, Mitch, you just don’t understand what I am going through!!!!! I just lost my loved one! My child has severe problems! We are almost destitute, we can hardly afford food! Nobody seems to understand me or care about me! Where is the focus? On the Lord or on our circumstances? On the storm - or on Christ – the master of all things? (He is in the boat with us, isn’t He?)

12. EPHESIANS 5 Now does this mean we hold in our problems and pain? No! We need to share our problems so that others in the body can pray and help. But we also need to walk in thanksgiving and rejoicing in the hope that we have in the Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing happens by chance. The Lord has a plan. It may still hurt, but He understands pain and suffering and rejection and death. It is but for a time. Psalm 30:45, “Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

13. EPHESIANS 5 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God. In every Christian relationship we should consider others before ourselves. If we are walking in bitterness, we will pour out a wake of anger and harsh words as we go. Walking in selfishness - wake of complaining. Walking in lust - wake of anger and discontentment. Mitch My effect

14. EPHESIANS 5 Let’s each walk as a child of the light! If we are walking in love and our wake will be that of comfort, encouragement, kindness, compassion, rejoicing, hope,….! Are people around you uplifted? Are they encouraged? Are they comforted? Do they feel like they are important? This is accomplished by yielding our will to God’s will. We must die to our own life and live for God. We cannot love in our own strength. If we try it will only lead to frustration. We need to let the Spirit of God work His mighty power in us. Pray without ceasing that God take control of your life, your thoughts and your desires. Truly let go of this world. If you are patient and sincerely desiring His lordship, He will accomplish this in you!