SERMON NOTES (Apr 17, 2016): The Light of the Word- Eph 5:6-13

The Light of the Word

Eph 5:6-13

When we walk with the Lord in the light of his Word
What a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will, he abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Intro: Have you ever wondered why God left us a book? Why not an angel each generation? Etc.

ILL. KJV only; Biblioatry – book magic.Nothing matters about the form of the book if the book doesn’t get into the heart.

*Every Successive Generation Has a Deeper and Deeper Need for God’s Word and yet are being drawn further and further from the truth (See 2 Tim 3:13-17) But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, ¹⁵ and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; ¹⁷ so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. – Ps 119:105

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. -  Heb 4:12

I.                  The Bible Keeps Us from Empty Words (vs. 6)

EXP: “let no one deceive you with empty words” –  kenos: purposeless, truthless, containing nothing. Like the thugs in Jesus’ parable who beat the vineyard owner’s sent servant & sent him away “empty” without anything. Stripped & Robbed. There are Theological Thugs who attempt to strip away the truth of God’s Word & replace a recipient with empty philosophy.

Deception vs. Good Theology

Romans 12:2 - And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Ill. Shift in moral perversion in America – “Transgender Minister” – became “woman” then a minister because women should not be excluded.

II.               The Bible Keeps Us from a Dark Walk (vs. 8)

Darkness vs. Confused Behavior

EXP: “walk as children of Light” – Jesus is the LIGHT of the World. We walk in the Light as He is in the Light (1 John 1:7).  2 Cor 6:14- What fellowship does light have with darkness? 2 Cor 6:17 – Come out from among them and be separate.

Ill. Walk in the World but not of the World by walking in the light of the Word.

Ill. Vance Havner – Sermon “Getting Used to the Dark” :

"We're living in the closing chapter of an age dominated by the prince and powers of darkness. And men do love darkness rather than light. I want to warn you tonight the best way I know how. Of a slow and subtle and sinister brainwashing process."

“We are laughing about things that we ought to be crying about.”

“People get so used to the dark that they think it's growing brighter. It's possible to fraternize with unbelievers until false doctrine becomes less and less objectionable.”

Rev. 18:4 - I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues.”