Teaching summary
In this teaching, Pastor Leonard Rola unpacks Ephesians 5:1-11 with a focus on identity, grace, and how believers should imitate God by living in love. He emphasizes that Paul’s instructions only make sense when seen through the lens of the believer’s new nature, created in true righteousness and holiness. The sermon highlights that sinful behaviors are part of a former identity and no longer define a believer. Instead, we are now light in the Lord, called to walk in alignment with our new creation nature.
Bible verses referenced
- Ephesians 5:1- "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children."
- Ephesians 4:23-24- "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
- 2 Corinthians 3:18- "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
- 1 John 3:2- "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."
- Ephesians 5:2- "And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour."
- Ephesians 5:3- "But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints."
- Romans 6:1- "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?"
- Ephesians 5:4- "Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks."
- Ephesians 5:5- "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God."
- Romans 6:14- "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."
- 1 Corinthians 15:56-57- "The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
- Romans 5:8- "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
- Ephesians 2:4-7- "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."
- Titus 2:11- "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men."
- Ephesians 5:6- "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience."
- Ephesians 5:7- "Be not ye therefore partakers with them."
- Ephesians 5:8- "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light."
- Colossians 1:13- "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son."
- Ephesians 5:9- "(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)"
- Ephesians 5:10- "Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord."
- Ephesians 5:11- "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."
Teaching notes
Table of Contents
- Introduction: Rooted in Grace and Identity
- Understanding the Context of Ephesians
- Be Ye Followers: Mimicking Christ
- Walk in Love: A Sweet-Smelling Savor
- Past Identity vs. Present Reality
- Righteousness, Not Rules
- Clarifying the Wrath of God
- Walking as Children of Light
- Proving What’s Acceptable
- Reproving Darkness Without Fellowship
Introduction: Rooted in Grace and Identity
Pastor Leonard begins by sharing his heart for preaching the gospel of grace. He reminds listeners that our qualification before God comes solely through Jesus Christ’s finished work. Ephesians 4:23-24 says, "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." This truth sets the stage for understanding how we are to live.
Understanding the Context of Ephesians
Hermeneutics matters. Pastor Leonard cautions that reading Ephesians 5 without the foundation of earlier chapters will lead to misinterpretation. He emphasizes Paul’s consistent theology across letters, where context reveals that transformation comes by faith, not works.
Be Ye Followers: Mimicking Christ
Ephesians 5:1 states, "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children." The Greek word implies imitation. This “therefore” ties back to Ephesians 4:23-24. We imitate God by renewing our minds to our new identity, not by striving through works.
Walk in Love: A Sweet-Smelling Savor
Ephesians 5:2 says, "And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour." Pastor Leonard teaches that embracing Christ within us results in love being our lifestyle. Love becomes a natural outflow of understanding who we are.
Past Identity vs. Present Reality
Ephesians 5:3-4 highlights behaviors like fornication and uncleanness that “once were named among you.” These are not present traits of saints. Romans 6:1 supports this: "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" These reminders help believers walk in their present identity, not their past.
Righteousness, Not Rules
Legalistic translations mislead believers into thinking Paul is setting new rules. Pastor Leonard clarifies that Paul reminds the Ephesians of their transformation. Romans 6:14 assures, "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."
Clarifying the Wrath of God
Ephesians 5:6 is often misused to preach fear. Yet Romans 5:8 says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." God's wrath targeted sin, not people, and was satisfied at the cross. Titus 2:11 echoes, "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men."
Walking as Children of Light
Ephesians 5:8 reads, "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light." Colossians 1:13 supports this, saying, "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son." Paul contrasts old identity with new light-filled living.
Proving What’s Acceptable
Ephesians 5:9-10 states, "(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord." Pastor Leonard explains that believers’ lives are already acceptable to the Lord through their identity in Christ. Good fruit flows from understanding this.
Reproving Darkness Without Fellowship
Finally, Ephesians 5:11 says, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." Paul advises that while we remain in the world to reach others, we should not form communion with darkness. Darkness should be exposed, not embraced.
We hope this article has blessed you. Share this teaching with friends and family so they too can walk in the light of their new creation identity, free from guilt and full of grace. For more teachings, visit Leonard Rola Ministries on YouTube.