Ephesians 5:7-10 “Therefore do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.”
Pastor Herk continues: The word “partakers” in our sermon passage (above) is the Greek word “symmetochos”, meaning a joint-participant, partaking together. The followers of Jesus Christ are not to participate in the immorality, impurity, inequity and immaturity that characterizes the dark, godless culture around us. There are some Believers who take this principle to the extreme and isolate themselves completely from unbelievers. Jesus told us in Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Christ’s call in the Great Commission commands His followers to go and make disciples of all nations by being light-bearing witnesses of the Gospel of Salvation through the Savior of the world and to advance the kingdom of God. Conversion from lost sinner to saved and sanctified souls is the goal; reducing the population of Hell.
The Lord Jesus proclaimed in John 3:3, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.” In 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 the Apostle Paul writes, “I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people — not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people [who are pretenders of the faith, not contenders of the faith].” When we become born-again Believers in and followers of Jesus Christ, God leaves us here on this Earth for the very purpose of being the light for truth in this world, point to Salvation at the foot of the Cross through the Blessed Messiah - Jesus Christ.
The Apostle explains in Romans 10:13-15, For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord [in prayer] will be saved.” But how will people call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher (messenger)? And how will they preach unless they are commissioned and sent [for that purpose]? Just as it is written and forever remains written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine! Disciples make disciples that make disciples. It is impossible to tell those in this lost and dying world about the Good News of Jesus Christ if we have no contact or interaction with unbelievers and those with a counterfeit faith on the wide road to destruction in Hell. The Apostle John confirms in 1 John 5:11-13, “God has given us eternal life [Believers already possess it], and this life is in His Son [resulting in our spiritual completeness, and eternal companionship with Him]. He who has the Son [by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior] has the life [that is eternal]; he who does not have the Son of God [by repentance of sin and personal faith] does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God [which represents all that Jesus Christ is and does], so that you will know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that you [already] have eternal life.”
The Apostle Peter instructs us in 1 Peter 3:15, “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect.” We are supposed to interact with dead in sin unbelievers living in darkness with the light of sound biblical doctrine in order to win resurrected souls for Christ, knowing that the Holy Spirit prepares hearts in advance to receive the Gospel message. Be prepared to share the Gospel message with our fellow men and women around us by walking the talk and talking the walk. People watch Christians and see how they walk, talk and live. By seeing the Fruit of the Spirit [godly spiritual love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control] in the Believer’s life that they do not have but value and desire greatly, they are going to ask us about our faith and where it comes from. Does your light shine, dispelling darkness and gives light to all who are in the house?
Let's continue Pastor Herk's message in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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