HARVEST || The Fruit of the Light
Ephesians 5:1-14 English Standard Version
5 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.
HARVEST Requires that You Walk BOLDLY in the Light
Ephesians 5:9 Good News Translation
9 for it is the light that brings a rich harvest of every kind of goodness, righteousness, and truth.
You can only be SURE of what you are HARVESTING when you walk and work in the LIGHT
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REAP A FULL HARVEST WHILE WORKING IN DARKNESS
John 9:4 English Standard Version
4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.
You might damage the harvest
You might get in the way of other workers
You might leave some of the harvest behind
You might harvest the wrong fruit
There is a NEED in the Body of Christ for DISCERNMENT
Ephesians 5:8(b)-10 English Standard Version
…walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
DISCERN - DOKIMAZO (G1381)
to test, examine, prove, scrutinize (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals
to recognise as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy
IT SEEMS AS IF THE CHURCH IN THE WEST CAN NO LONGER DISCERN BETWEEN:
Good and evil
Right and wrong
True and false
Lawlessness and righteousness
What is the Fruit of the Light?
The Fruit, or “Result,” of walking in the Light is all that is GOOD, RIGHT, and TRUE
Ephesians 5:9 English Standard Version
9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),
It is the ability to DISCERN, or recognize by the Spirit, all that is…
GOOD - AGATHOS (G18)
of good constitution or nature
useful, salutary (beneficial)
good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy
excellent, distinguished
upright, honorable
***Somethings is GOOD when it embodies, God’s intended design***
RIGHT - DIKAISOYNE (G1343)
in a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God
the doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain a state approved of God
integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting
in a narrower sense, justice or the virtue which gives each his due
***Something is RIGHT when it is acceptable to God and in right relationship with His created order***
TRUE - ALETHEIA (G225)
Objectively
what is true in any matter under consideration
of a truth, in reality, in fact, certainly
what is true in things appertaining to God and the duties of man, moral and religious truth
the true notions of God which are open to human reason without his supernatural intervention
the truth as taught in the Christian religion, respecting God and the execution of his purposes through Christ, and respecting the duties of man, opposing alike to the superstitions of the Gentiles and the inventions of the Jews, and the corrupt opinions and precepts of false teachers even among Christians
***Something is TRUE when it faithfully reveals God’s nature, ways, and design for creation***
… as well as the boldness to EXPOSE what is NOT!
Ephesians 5:11 English Standard Version
11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
EXPOSE - ELEGCHO (G1651)
to convict, refute, confute (to disprove)
by conviction to bring to the light, to expose
correct
IS IT UNKIND TO EXPOSE THE DARKNESS?
Only if you’re immature, or actively CHOOSE be unkind, critical, or slanderous
Not if you believe the Gospel of the Kingdom is actually GOOD NEWS
Not if you believe ETERNITY is in the balance
Matthew 13:36-43 English Standard Version
36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, 42 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
No, it is UNKIND to leave people in the DARKNESS
When DARKNESS is exposed by the LIGHT (allows itself to be brought to the light), convicted, and is corrected, the darkness becomes LIGHT
Ephesians 5:13-14 English Standard Version
13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.
SONS and DAUGHTERS of God Became LIGHT in this Way
Ephesians 5:8(a) English Standard Version
8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord…
WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE? || OUR TESTIMONIES!
We used to live in DARKNESS
Unable to discern between GOOD & evil, RIGHT & wrong, TRUE & false
The light of Christ through Holy Spirit and the word of God shined upon us
REVEALING what is GOOD, RIGHT, and TRUE to us
EXPOSING and CORRECTING our blindness and unfruitful works of darkness
We were TRANSFORMED when we
Recognized and accepted God’s design and purpose for our live
The Gospel of the Kingdom
Became acceptable to God and in right relationship with His will for creation
Through the cross, body, and blood of Jesus
Now we are able to faithfully reveal God’s nature, way, and will for creation
Through our lives we live in the LIGHT
Through our BOLDNESS in sharing what is GOOD, RIGHT, and TRUE
Since We Are Now Light in the Lord, We Must WALK as Children of Light!
Ephesians 5:8 English Standard Version
8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
How Do We WALK as Children of Light?
1. Live by the HOLY SPIRIT
Ephesians 5:9 New King James Version
9 (for the fruit of the [light]Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),
HOLY SPIRIT IS EVIDENCE THAT YOU ARE A CHILD OF THE LIGHT
Romans 8:12-14 English Standard Version
12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
THE ENEMY WORKS SO HARD TO CONVINCE US THAT HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS ARE NOT FOR US
A spirit of RELIGION - The baptism of the Holy Spirit and His gifts are not for believers today
A spirit of OFFENSE - This ministry is deceiving and hurting people in the name of the Holy Spirit
A spirit of PRIDE - I never experienced it so it isn’t real
HOW CAN WE LIVE BY THE SPIRIT?
Daily Secret Place
Hear, Connect, Obey
2. AIM to PLEASE the Lord
Ephesians 5:10 English Standard Version
10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
HOW DO WE DISCERN WHAT PLEASES THE LORD?
We resolve to become SACRIFICES and STUDENTS
LIVING SACRIFICES PLEASE THE LORD
Romans 12:1-2 English Standard Version
12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
THE WORD REVEALS WHAT PLEASE THE LORD
2 Timothy 3:15-16 English Standard Version
15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
HOW DO YOU AIM TO PLEASE THE LORD?
Die to YOURSELF daily
Allow the word of God to transform you!
If the word contradicts your life, your life changes
If the word contradicts your opinions, your opinions change
3. STOP PARTICIPATING in WICKEDNESS
Ephesians 5:11(a) English Standard Version
11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness…
PART - SYGKOINONEO (G4790)
To become a partaker together with others, or to have fellowship with a thing
Joint participation in unfruitful works of darkness
THOSE WHO FELLOWSHIP WITH DARKNESS SOW INTO THEIR FLESH AND REAP/HARVEST DEATH
Galatians 6:7-9 English Standard Version
7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Stop attending, participating in, and enjoying WICKEDNESS
What you watch, listen to, share
The places you go
The events you participate in
As children of God, NOT JUST LEADERS, we attach the name of God to everything you participate/partake in
Whether in PUBLIC or in PRIVATE
Ephesians 5:1-8 English Standard Version
5 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
Will You BOLDY Walking as a Child of Light?
Be BOLD in PRIVATE
A CORPORATE HARVEST IS THE RESULT OF MANY PERSONAL HARVESTS
Matthew 7:3-5 English Standard Version
3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
You CAN’T expose and correct the sin in the community/culture if you haven’t done it in yourself
This is why so many Christians are SILENT in the face of evil, perversion, and falsehood
Matthew 7:3-5 isn’t to deter Christians from judging right from wrong, it is a word of wisdom to EMPOWER and EQUIP us to do it in health
There is a HARVEST of the fruit of BLESSING in each and every one of our lives that we will only reap if we walk in the LIGHT
Be BOLD in PUBLIC
Matthew 5:14-16 English Standard Version
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
THE WORLD IS IN DARKNESS
So many people walk in darkness but WANT to see the light
So many people are hungry for what is GOOD, RIGHT, and TRUE
Will you GO?
Your TESTIMONY is the Easiest Way to WALK BOLDLY in the LIGHT
Revelation 12:11 New Living Translation
11 And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.
YOUR TESTIMONY HAS THE POWER TO OVERCOME THE DARKNESS!
I used to BE that too, but JESUS!
I used to DO that too, but JESUS!
I used to THINK that too, but JESUS!
I used to WANT that too, but JESUS!
HOW TO SHARE YOUR TESTIMONY
THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB || Focus on Jesus (He is GOOD, RIGHT, and TRUE)
YOUR TESTIMONY || Share how the Lord revealed what was GOOD, RIGHT, and TRUE to you
Share how Holy Spirit EXPOSED, convicted, and corrected what was NOT
NO FEAR OF DEATH || Love the LIGHT more than your LIFE!
Don’t fear death, discomfort, rejection, man, etc.
