Dear Brothers and Sisters,

You are invited to come to the Wednesday evening prayer meeting and pray for the church (and other things -- 7:00 PM Wed., LHF time).

Text: Eph. 5:3-14

In this passage the apostle Paul gives the Ephesians, and also us, further direction on how to live as believers. In verse 3 he refers to us as God's holy people -- as saints: "But among you there must not even be a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for GOD'S HOLY PEOPLE." We are God's holy people -- his saints. In verses 6 and 7, Paul also contrasts us, God's holy people, with those who are disobedient: "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things -- (that is, sexual immorality, impurity, greed, obscenity, foolish talk and coarse joking) -- God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them." Do not be partners with THEM. Paul is contrasting God's holy people (us) with those who are disobedient (them). This is an "us and them" situation.

Paul again makes the "us and them" contrast in verse 8: "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light." In this verse, not only does Paul make the "us and them" (light and darkness) contrast, but he points out that we who are "light" were at one time also counted among "them" -- those who are "darkness". We are now "light" because of Jesus Christ -- "You are light IN THE LORD," says Paul.

I pointed out these things a couple of weeks ago and will probably point them out again. We are saints. We are children of light. Even, we are obedient -- but not because we have kept ourselves from immorality, impurity and greed, et cetera, but rather because we have believed in Jesus Christ. He is the light. HE IS the Light. We are children of God through faith in Jesus Christ (which, incidentally, is also the gift of God given by his grace for our salvation). Amen.

Now, as I have also pointed out in the past, because we are children of light, we will be convicted by the preaching of the word of God. The Holy Spirit will do his work and we will be sanctified. (2 Thess. 2:13 says: "But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth." Jesus says, "I am the way and the TRUTH and the life.") So having said all of that, let's look at what Paul, through the gifts God gave him, is preaching to the saints -- us.

First, he says that there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed among us. Most of us have an idea of what sexual immorality is. Strictly speaking, it sex outside of marriage. But Paul says that we must not allow there to be even a hint of sexual immorality or any kind of impurity among us. (Or, more literally, these things must not even be named. -- see NASB) There is certainly more than a hint of sexual immorality and impurity all around us. It shows up in entertainment, advertising, the way people dress and in actual practice. It's hard not to take it for granted. I don't want to spend a lot of time talking about this issue now, but we have to consider it carefully and pray about it. Remember, there must not even be a hint.

Also, there must not even be a hint of greed among us. It is not proper for God's holy people. Do we have a hint (or more than a hint) of greed among us? I never hear people talking about it. Does that mean that, even though we may still have a problem with some of the other sins Paul mentions, we have completely overcome greed (the KJV translates it covetousness). Greed or covetousness is a very serious sin. It is idolatry (v5). Paul (by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) says that we must not even associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but does not repent of the sin of covetousness. (see 1 Cor. 5:11) In considering whether or not we have a problem with covetousness, consider that a large percentage of advertising appeals to covetousness. Is it possible that we have become so completely hardened that we don't even notice covetousness among us. I think maybe the answer is "Yes, we have." Let's consider it carefully and pray about it.

In verse 4, Paul say that there must not be any obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking among us. That covers a lot of ground, but I'll consider just one application. Do you ever treat sin or evil lightly or use it as a basis for humor? Do you enjoy jokes or cartoons where the humor is based on sin or on the evil in men's hearts? It doesn't have to be a dirty joke. Just take a look at the comics in the newspaper and see how many have humor that's based on something that's evil. Sin is not something to laugh at. Neither is someone else's misfortune. Instead of obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking there should be thanksgiving (v4). Let's think about it and pray about it. Verse 7 says, "Therefore do not be partners with them." We must not be partners with those who are disobedient.

We are children of the light. That light is the light of the life of Christ (John 1:4). "The fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth." (v9) Jesus is all goodness and righteousness and truth. We are told to have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather to expose them (v11). How? By living as children of light. Everything is exposed by the light and becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. We can expose the deeds of darkness simply by being the Church and living as children of light.

     "Wake up, O sleeper,
       rise from the dead,
     and Christ will shine on you."

Pray for us to wake up and live as children of light. Christ will shine on us and we will bring light to the darkness. Christ is shining on us and we are bringing light to the darkness.

Come on Wednesday and pray for the Church. The Church is the overflowing abundance, the wealth beyond measure and the full and perfect nature of God who fulfills and completes everything in every way.

Grace and peace,
Dean Svoboda

PS: You can also bring you own prayer requests and pray for them with your brothers and sisters in Christ (i.e., with the Church). Bring your requests to God with thanksgiving and receive his peace.

PPS: Pass this invitation along to others in your household or to someone who doesn't have an e-mail address in the LHF directory