Sermon Manuscript: Ephesians 5:1-15

Series: Text Messages

Title: Shadow Puppets

Date: 10.16.22

Ephesians 5:1a (NLT)

Imitate God, therefore,

Ephesians 4:25-32 (NLT)

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, 28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. 30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT)

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Point number 1 in your Notes:

All actions of all Christians reflect Jesus.

John 8:11a (NLT)

“No, Lord,” she said.

John 8:11b (NLT)

And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

John 5:14b (NASB)

“Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore”

Point number 2 in your Notes:

Non-Believers can see a loving God when Christians distance themselves from sin.

John 13:12-15 (NLT)

After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.

Ephesians 5:3 (NLT)

Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.

Ephesians 5:3 (ESV)

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.

Point number 3 on in your Notes:

Christians are God’s people. They are saints. There is no place for sin amongst God’s saints.

Colossians 3:5 (NLT)

So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

Exodus 20:17 (NLT)

“You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.”

Ephesians 5:4-7 (NLT)

Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. 6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do.

Ephesians 5:8-9 (NASB)

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 in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),

1 John 1:5-7 (NASB)

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

John 8:12 (NASB)

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

Point number 4 in your Notes:

A Christian’s life should never eclipse God’s Light.

Ephesians 5:10-15 (NLT)

Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. 15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.