Sunday School Lesson
Lesson: John 1:1-5;Ephesians 5:1-2,6-14
Golden Text: “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children” (Ephesians 5:1).
INTRODUCTION. Christmas lights remind us, or at least should remind us that as God’s children, we ourselves are exhorted in God’s Word to be lights for Jesus. We are also told to shine our lights for Jesus. We are told to shine the light of the gospel with our lives and our lips. The heart of this week’s lesson from John 1 and Ephesians 5 is to remind us to live in the Light. That is, we are to reflect Christ, who is the Light of the World, the One who wants to shine through us in this sinful darkened world. This week’s lesson should remind believers that Jesus is the Light of the World as it calls upon us to walk (or live) as children of light.
THE PROVISION (John 1:1-5)
A. Jesus’ pre-existence (John 1:1-2).
1. (vs. 1). The Apostle John opened his gospel with “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” By using the phrase “In the beginning,” John probably wanted his readers (both Jews and Gentiles) to think about the Creation account in Genesis 1:1. His point was that Jesus, also called “the Word” was already in existence when the Creation took place. The term “Word” is best understood to mean the expression of God. Just as we use words to express what we are and think, so Jesus Christ fully expresses the nature of God (see Hebrews 1:1-3). John indicates that Jesus is the expression of God for three reasons:
a. First, Jesus is an expression of God because of who He is---God. Being God He had pre-existence. John wrote that “In the beginning was the Word.” The word “was” is in the past tense indicating that the “Word” existed at the time the heavens and earth were created and still continues. No matter how far back we push “the beginning,” Christ already existed (see John 17:5).
b. Second, Jesus is an expression of God because He “was with God.” This describes a face to face communion and fellowship between the “Word” and His Father. Since Jesus Christ was in fellowship with God, He knew the Father’s innermost nature and thoughts and was therefore qualified to reveal Him to man (see John 17:21-26). This also proves that Jesus is a separate Person and indicates that there is more than one Person in the Godhead.
c. Third, Jesus is an expression of God because “the Word was God.” Jesus was and always has been divine. All the essence of deity belonged to Him; therefore He could reveal what God was like.
2. (vs. 2). The further statement “The same was in the beginning with God” was John’s way of reemphasizing what he had just said so there could be no misunderstanding. The words “The same” could be translated as “this one.” This One who is Deity in the fullest sense was in the beginning with God.
B. Jesus’ pre-incarnate work (John 1:3-5).
1. (vs. 3). Is it possible that the “Word,” the pre-existent divine Person was at some point in eternity past created by His Father? Of course not! John stated in this verse that “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” Jesus is the creator. Absolutely nothing has come into being without Christ’s creative work (see Colossians 1:12-16). Scripture also declares that Christ’s power continues to sustain, or keep that which He has created (see Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3). We tend to think of God as the Creator of the universe, and He is, but Scripture makes it clear that He created through His Son.
2. (vs. 4). Christ, the Word, not only created all things but also provided for man all that is essential to his existence. John said “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” “Life” has resided in Christ from all eternity. John does not say that life was created, because it already existed in the Godhead at the time of Creation. Jesus is the source of all forms of life, including eternal life. Our physical existence is due to the life we have received from Him. Again, the word “was” indicates a continuous condition. In other words, Christ was always life. Note: “Life” is a key word in John’s gospel. It means more than man’s physical, earthly existence. It includes a spiritual quality of existence that flows from God. The life that resides in Christ is also “the light of men.” Not only do we have life through Christ, but we also have light along with it. Here the word “light” refers to spiritual understanding and moral insight. These qualities enable people to comprehend God and what He presents about Himself in His Word. This light is available to everyone, but by choice many ignore or reject the light and live without God. The result is the continued absence of light or a life of darkness.
3. (vs. 5). John goes on to say “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” The light that comes from Christ’s divine life “shineth in darkness.” The word “darkness” in Scripture often refers to evil and satanic opposition to God (see John 3:19: Colossians 1:13). The word “shineth” is in the present tense indicating that even in this hostile world, the light keeps on shining. Even though the light invaded the darkness, “the darkness comprehended it not.” The term “comprehended” can be taken in two ways: grasping in order to understand or embrace, or grasping in order to do harm. Because of Satan’s active opposition to Christ, the second meaning seems better. In spite of all the weapons available to the powers of darkness, they are unable to put out the light. The verb tense of “comprehended” is past tense indicating a point when a concerted effort was made to extinguish the light. This was probably when Christ was on earth (see Luke 22:52-53).
III. THE CHALLENGE (Ephesians 5:1-2, 6-7)
A. Imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1-2).
1. (vs. 1). Our lesson turns to Paul’s letter to the Ephesian believers. In this verse he writes “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children.” Paul urged believers to be “followers of God.” This exhortation is based on the preceding call for kindness and forgiveness in the light of God’s forgiveness of us in Christ (see Ephesians 4:31-32). The word “followers” literally means mimics. We are to imitate God in the way He treats people. The word “be” at the beginning of this command is a present tense verb which means continuous action. In other words, our imitation of God is to be daily and lifelong.
2. (vs. 2). Paul continued to say “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 sweetsmelling savour.” To “walk in love” is a defining mark of one who imitates God. Love should be the feature characteristic of our conduct, just as it was with Christ who “also hath loved us.” The Greek word for “love” here is “agape” which refers to a covenant love that is unconditional. Jesus’ love was a self-sacrificing love as shown by His death on the cross. The command here is for us to live with a deep covenant love toward other people, just as Christ demonstrated deep covenant love toward us. Paul also said that Christ “hath given himself for us.” No one took His life, He willingly gave it up for our benefit (see John 10:17-18).Paul described Jesus’ offering of Himself as “a sweet-smelling savour.”In the Old Testament, when Israel offered their sacrifices, the smoke ascended upward, as if going into the presence of God and causing Him to be pleased with the aroma.Paul also used the sweet-smelling savor analogy about Christians when he wrote to the Corinthians “For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?”
B. Sons of disobedience (Ephesians 5:6-7). In verses 3-5 which are not part of our printed text, Paul listed a number of sins that believers are to avoid as they imitate God’s character and walk in His love. Included in that list was fornication, all uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking, jesting and idolatry. The apostle then told his readers that anyone who practices those things has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
1. (vs. 6). Paul here says “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” The Ephesian believers were warned not to let anyone deceive them with “vain words.” This refers to empty or worthless words: that is language that does not edify. Paul’s words “for because of these things” refer back to verse 3-5 where he mentioned several sins as being part of the lifestyle of those who don’t know God. He describes those people as “the children of disobedience” and their behavior brings “the wrath of God” upon them. Unbelievers, along with their evil practices can expect God’s wrath.
2. (vs. 7). Referring to the children of disobedience in the previous verse, Paul here said “Be not ye therefore partakers with them.” Because those who continue to practice sin can expect God’s wrath, believers are warned against becoming “partakers with them.” We have no business identifying ourselves with unbelievers in their sinful activities. The word “partakers” means to be a co-participant or someone who indulges in the same things being done by the sons of disobedience. As believers, we must avoid all sinful activity because as God’s children we have a much higher calling. Note: I’m sure we all have heard people say at one time or another “God hates the sin but loves the sinner.” However, if a sinner continues to reject God and live in unrepentant sinfulness, God’s wrath remains on that person. We can’t live completely separate from unbelievers, but we are not to take part in their sinful activities.
IV. THE CHANGE (Ephesians 5:8-14)
A. Walking as children of light (Ephesians 5:8-10).
1. (vs. 8). In this verse Paul said “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.” The apostle reminded the Ephesian believers that they “were sometimes darkness,” meaning that before they received Christ they were in darkness. The word “darkness” can mean evil, sin, or ignorance of God’s Word. The interesting thing is that Paul didn’t say believers only walked in darkness; he said that believers were “darkness.” In our former condition before we received Christ, we not only lived in darkness or sin, but darkness or sin lived in us (see Ephesians 4:18-19). But now that we have received Christ Paul said “now are ye light in the Lord.” We are no longer “darkness” but in Christ we are now “light.” Speaking to His disciples, Jesus said “Ye are the light of the world” (see Matthew 5:14). We are not to hide our light, but we are to let it shine to the glory of God (see Matthew 5:15-16). We are able to do this as we “walk as children of light.” We are to conduct our lives in a way that allows Christ’s light to be clearly seen. Note: Contrary to what many believe, people are not basically good. Those who are ignorant of God’s Word are identified with the evil of this world and thus are the embodiment of darkness. However, that all changes when that natural darkness is dispelled by the light of the truth as found in the gospel.
2. (vs. 9). In this verse Paul parenthetically adds “(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)” Because we possess Christ’s light we can exhibit “the fruit of the Spirit” in all “goodness and righteousness and truth.” These qualities ought to be present and growing in anyone who claims to be walking in the light (see I John 2:9).
3. (vs. 10). This verse actually picks up after verse 8. Paul says as we walk as children of light we are “Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” The word translated “proving” means to examine, to put to the test, or to verify. Here it implies paying careful attention to what God desires, and confirming His approval by faithfully obeying His Word in all matters.
B. Exposing the works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11-12).
1. (vs. 11). In this verse Paul wrote “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” As children of light, we are not to have any “fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.” The Greek word for “fellowship” means “to share company.” To be “unfruitful” means to be of no profit or benefit to anyone. The “works of darkness” are immoral and wicked deeds, some of which Paul listed in verses 3-5 (not printed in our text). Unlike fruits of righteousness, sin bears no fruit that benefits anyone. Sin may be pleasant for a season but yields only death. Believers are to have “no fellowship” or share company with those who commit acts of moral and spiritual darkness (see I John 1:5-7); instead Paul said we are to “reprove them.” Here the word “reprove” means to expose something, to show it for what it really is. It is not enough just to abstain from sin; we are also to expose it. Christians expose sin for the evil it is by demonstrating the light of Christ-like conduct.
2. (vs. 12). Referring back to the “unfruitful works of darkness, Paul in this verse said “For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.” Exposing sin does not necessarily mean talking about it. There are things done in secret today that if we knew about them would horrify us. Believers are to avoid becoming fascinated with what goes on in people’s private lives. Such fascination can only bring harm. Note: God wants people who will take an active and vocal stand against sin in all its forms (see Leviticus 19:17). Believers must speak out for what is true and right in love. In other words, it’s not what we say to expose sin; it’s how we say it.
C. Manifesting the means of light (Ephesians 5:13-14).
1. (vs. 13). Referring back to verse 11, Paul here says “But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.” When sinfulness is “reproved” or exposed, it is done so “by the light.” The word “manifest” means to reveal, to make something evident or clearly seen and understood. Christ’s light in the believer makes sin evident and clearly seen by those who practice it when it is “reproved” or exposed. We don’t have to participate in activities of darkness in order to expose them. What we need to do is consistently live as those who know and understand God’s standards and expectations. This means that there will be many times when certain things are taking place and we must take a stand and not be part of them. This is one way that the light of Christ in us can “manifest” or make evident the sins being committed.
2. (vs. 14). Paul concludes our lesson by saying “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” The phrase “Wherefore he saith,” introduces a quotation that bears some similarity to passages such as Isaiah 51:17 and 60:1. However, this quotation cannot be matched precisely with any Old Testament passage. Most commentators consider the words Paul quoted here to be part of an early Christian hymn, perhaps based on Isaiah 60:1. The meaning of this quotation is open to different interpretations. The language is clearly metaphorical and appears to apply the picture of physical resurrection to the spiritual life. The Greek term used for sleep in the phrase “Awake thou that sleepest” can refer to literal sleep or to a state of spiritual apathy or unawareness (see Mark 13:36; I Thessalonians 5:6-7). This phrase then could be a call to awake from the sleepy stupor of sin. The phrase “arise from the dead” seems to add intensity to the call. Paul had earlier described the Ephesians’ former lives in terms of spiritual death (see Ephesians 2:1, 5). In Christ, they had risen from that death to new life (see Romans 6:4). Therefore, this verse 14 most likely is a call to unbelievers to trust Christ and be raised from the deadly grasp of sin. It is also quite likely that Paul included Christians as well, urging them to come out of their sleep and arise and withdraw in every way from the company of the wicked spiritually dead. Note: A much simpler way to understand Paul’s quote may be that it expresses the truth that when sin has been exposed and a person becomes a believer, he awakens from his or her spiritual darkness and arises from his or her spiritual death. The final part of this quote says “and Christ shall give thee light.” In other words, once a believer makes a clean break from his or her old ways, they can expect the light of Christ to shine on them, enabling them to live joyfully for God.
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