SERIES: EPHESIANS: THE CALL AND CONDUCT OF THE CHURCH, WEEK 38

TITLE: NOT EVEN A HINT!

TEXT: EPHESIANS 5:3-4

INTRODUCTION: (1) WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY THAT IS IN A MORAL TAILSPIN.

* NOW I’M NOT GOING TO GIVE YOU ANY STATISTICS TODAY TO PROVE MY POINT, FOR I DO NOT NEED TO PROVE MY POINT, IT IS OBVIOUS.

** FOR ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS TURN ON A T.V., LISTEN TO THE RADIO, READ THE NEWSPAPER, GO ON THE INTERNET, OR LISTEN TO A CONVERSATION OF PEOPLE WE ARE AROUND AT WORK OR IN THE COMMUNITY.

*** WE ARE BOMBARDED WITH IMMORALITY. WE ARE INUNDATED WITH PERVERSION AND WE ARE TOLD EVERY DAY IN MANY WAYS THAT IT’S O.K. TO FULFILL OUR LUSTS.

**** IN FACT OUR LUSTS ARE USED TO SEEING THINGS IN ADVERTISEMENTS ON BILLBOARDS TO MAGAZINES, TO POP UPS ON THE INTERNET. SEX SELLS.

(2) OUR SOCIETY USES IT AS A PART OF OUR ECONOMY. THE STANDARD OF OUR SOCIETY WHEN IT COMES TO MORALITY IS BELOW LOW.

* SO THE QUESTION COMES UP AT THIS POINT, “WHAT IS GOD’S STANDARD WHEN IT COMES TO LUST?”

** HOW MUCH LUST DOES GOD WANT US TO ALLOW IN OUR LIVES?

*** THE ANSWER IS NOT EVEN A HINT!

**** THAT’S RIGHT. NONE, ZERO, NADA, ZIP, ZILCH.

(3) NOW I’M NOT TRYING TO BE OVERDRAMATIC, BUT TO GET ACROSS AN IMPORTANT POINT.

* A LITTLE IMMORAL LUST IS NOT O.K. (IT’S A WRONG DESIRE).

** SO WE’RE TO FLEE FROM IT ON EVERY FRONT AS CHRISTIANS – HENCE – NOT EVEN A HINT.

*** I PETER 2:11 SAYS: (READ IT). ALSO READ I THESSALONIANS 4:3, II TIMOTHY 2:22 AND

I CORINTHIANS 6:18.

**** NOW WE AS CHRISTIANS ARE NOT TOLD TO FIGHT SEXUAL SIN AND IMMORAL DESIRES BUT TO FLEE FROM THEM.

(4) AND AS JOSH HARRIS SAID IN HIS BOOK TITLED, “NOT EVEN A HINT” – “PART OF THE CHALLENGE CHRISTIANS FACE IN A LUST-FILLED WORLD IS REMEMBERING THAT NEITHER SEX NOR SEXUALITY IS OUR ENEMY. LUST IS OUR ENEMY AND HAS HIJACKED SEXUALITY.”

* “WE NEED TO KEEP REMINDING OURSELVES THAT OUR GOAL IS TO RESCUE OUR SEXUALITY FROM LUST SO WE CAN EXPERIENCE IT THE WAY GOD INTENDED.” (END QUOTE)

** AND GOD INTENDED IT TO BE EXPERIENCED IN MARRIAGE BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN, READ HEBREWS 13:4, MARK 10:6-9.

*** AND BELOVED, IF WE EVER EXPECT TO FIND VICTORY OVER LUST, WE MUST BELIEVE WITH OUR WHOLE HEART THAT GOD IS AGAINST OUR LUST, NOT BECAUSE HE IS OPPOSED TO PLEASURE, BUT BECAUSE HE IS SO COMMITTED TO IT.

**** JOHN PIPER WRITES IN HIS BOOK “FUTURE GRACE” – “WE MUST FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE. THE FIRE OF LUST’S PLEASURES MUST BE FOUGHT WITH THE FIRE OF GOD’S PLEASURES. IF WE TRY TO FIGHT THE FIRE OF LUST WITH PROHIBITIONS AND THREATS ALONE – EVEN THE TERRIBLE WARNINGS OF JESUS – WE WILL FAIL.”

(5) “WE MUST FIGHT IT WITH THE MASSIVE PROMISE OF SUPERIOR HAPPINESS. WE MUST SWALLOW UP THE LITTLE FLICKER OF LUST’S PLEASURE IN THE CONFLAGRATION OF HOLY SATISFACTION.” (END QUOTE)

* AND HERE’S ANOTHER WAY OF THINKING ABOUT THIS, GOD ISN’T KEEPING ANYTHING GOOD FROM US. HE’S NOT JUST SAYING NO. HE’S ACTUALLY SAYING YES TO THE GOOD.

** GOD IS NOT A COSMIC KILLJOY. GOD DOESN’T PROHIBIT CERTAIN THINGS TO BE MEAN, FOR WHAT HE FORBIDS IS BAD FOR US AND WHAT HE SAYS YES TO IS GOOD FOR US.

*** AND AS OUR PLEASURE IS CENTERED AROUND HIS GLORY AND HOLINESS, WE ENJOY WHAT HE GIVES TO THE FULLEST WITH A THANKFUL HEART.

**** SO NOT EVEN A HINT IS FOR OUR OWN GOOD.

(6) AND AS WE COME TO EPHESIANS 5:3&4 TODAY, GOD FORBIDS IMMORALITY, IMPURITY AND GREED IN OUR LIVES, THERE IS NOT TO BE EVEN A HINT OF THESE THINGS IN OUR LIVES.

* AND HE ALSO COMMUNICATES THERE SHOULD BE NO FILTHINESS, SILLY TALK OR COARSE JESTING IN OUR LIVES, NOT EVEN A HINT.

** IN LIGHT OF THAT, I’VE TITLED MY MESSAGE TODAY, “NOT EVEN A HINT!”

*** AND UNDER THAT TITLE WE’LL LOOK AT 3 THINGS AS WE STUDY EPHESIANS 5:3&4.

**** NO. 1 WE’LL LOOK AT THE COMMAND OF NOT EVEN A HINT, V. 3; NO. 2 THE CONVERSATION THAT SHOULD NOT COME OUT OF OUR MOUTHS, V. 4A; AND NO. 3 THE CONTRAST TO FILTHY CONVERSATION, GIVING OF THANKS, V. 4B.

- AND WITH THOSE 3 POINTS AS OUR OUTLINE TODAY, LOOK AT V. 3 PLEASE WHERE WE’LL SEE OUR FIRST POINT, THE COMMAND.

I. THE COMMAND, (READ V. 3)

A. NOW THE FIRST WORD IN VERSE 3 “BUT” SETS FORTH A SHIFT, A CONTRAST TO WALKING IN LOVE IN VERSE 2.

* IN OTHER WORDS, WE MOVE FROM SACRIFICIAL LOVE IN V. 2 TO ITS OPPOSITE IN V. 3, SELF-INDULGENT SENSUALITY.

** FROM BEHAVIOR THAT IMITATES GOD AND WALKS IN LOVE IN VV. 1&2 TO A MANNER OF LIFE THAT IS DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED TO GOD IN VV. 3&4.

*** THE CONTRAST IS FROM SELF-SACRIFICIAL LOVE TO SELF-INDULGENCE, THE PERVERSION OF TRUE AGAPE LOVE.

**** TRUE LOVE IS SELFLESS WHEREAS PERVERTED LOVE, IMMORALITY IS SELFISH.

1. AND BECAUSE WE ARE TO WALK IN LOVE, DO NOT ALLOW SEXUAL IMMORALITY OR FORNICATION TO BE A PART OF YOUR LIFE, DO NOT ALLOW ANY IMPURITY TO BE A PART OF YOUR LIFE – BELIEVER, AND DO NOT ALLOW GREEK TO BE A PART OF YOUR LIFE.

* IN FACT DO NOT LET IT BE ONCE NAMED AMONG YOU AS SAINTS AS HOLY ONES IN CHRIST, THIS BEHAVIOR IS UNHOLY IN CONTRAST TO CHRISTIANS BEING SAINTS OR HOLY ONES IN CHRIST.

** AND THE VERB “NAMED” IS AN IMPERATIVE, A COMMAND, THIS IS NOT OPTIONAL. THIS BEHAVIOR IS UNBECOMING FOR THOSE MADE HOLY, THE SAINTS, SO NOT EVEN A HINT OF THESE THINGS SHOULD BE A PRACTICE OR EVEN A PART OF OUR LIVES EVER.

*** WE AS BELIEVERS NEED TO BE IMITATORS OF GOD AND TO WALK IN LOVE.

**** BUT IMMORALITY, IMPURITY AND GREED ARE THE ANTITHESIS, THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE, BECAUSE THESE BEHAVIORS ARE LUST BEHAVIORS, SELFISH AND DESTRUCTIVE, A DECEPTIVE COUNTERFEIT OF GOD’S LOVE.

2. FOR YOU SEE THIS KIND OF SO CALLED LOVE IS ALWAYS CONDITIONAL AND IS ALWAYS SELF-CENTERED.

* IT IS NOT CONCERNED ABOUT COMMITMENT BUT ONLY SATISFACTION; IT IS NOT CONCERNED ABOUT GIVING BUT ONLY GETTING.

** IT HAS NO BASIS FOR PERMANENCE BECAUSE IT’S PURPOSE IS TO USE, ABUSE AND EXPLOIT RATHER THAN TO HELP, GIVE OR SERVE.

*** THIS KIND OF SO CALLED LOVE LASTS UNTIL THE ONE LOVED NO LONGER SATISFIES OR UNTIL HE OR SHE DISAPPEARS, FOR SOMEONE ELSE (OR TRADE THEM IN FOR A NEW MODEL).

**** NOW WITH THAT IN MIND, THE 3 THINGS THAT ARE NEVER TO BE A PART OF OUR LIVES AS SAINTS, THINGS THAT ARE NOT EVER GIVEN A HINT TO ARE IMMORALITY, IMPURITY AND GREED, AND ALL THREE GO HAND IN HAND.

3. AND FIRST OF ALL THE WORD “IMMORALITY” OR “FORNICATION” IS THE GREEK WORD POR-NI-AH WHICH YOU CAN SEE ON THE SCREEN.

* AND FROM THAT GREEK WORD WE GET OUR ENGLISH WORD PORNOGRAPHY. AND BASICALLY POR-NI-AH IS A BROAD WORD ANY SEXUAL SIN.

** IT REFERS TO SEXUAL BEHAVIOR BEYOND THE LIMITS THAT GOD SETS, ANY SEX BEHAVIOR OUTSIDE OF MARRIAGE BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN.

*** NOW THE NEXT WORD IS “IMPURITY” OR “UNCLEANNESS” DEPENDING ON WHICH TRANSLATION YOU HAVE IS A MORE GENERAL TERM THAN POR-NI-AH REFERRING TO ANYTHING THAT IS UNCLEAN AND FILTHY.

**** JESUS USED THIS WORD IN MATTHEW 23:27 TO DESCRIBE THE ROTTENNESS OF DECAYING BODIES IN A TOMB, BUT IN IT’S OTHER USES IN 9 OTHER VERSES THE WORD IS ASSOCIATED WITH SEXUAL SIN.

4. IT REFERS TO IMMORAL THOUGHTS, PASSIONS, IDEAS, FANTASIES AND EVERY OTHER FORM OF SEXUAL CORRUPTION.

* AND THEN THIRDLY THE WORD “GREED” OR “COVETOUSNESS” IS USED IN V. 3.

** NOW WHAT DOES GREED HAVE TO DO WITH IMMORALITY? WELL, A LOT!

*** FOR GREED IS A DESIRE TO HAVE MORE, TO HAVE WHAT YOU DON’T HAVE, IT IS COVETOUSNESS.

**** AND IF YOU GO BACK TO GOD’S TOP TEN LIST IN EXODUS 20:17, THE 10TH COMMANDMENT TALKS ABOUT COVETING YOUR NEIGHBOR’S WIFE.

5. AND IMMORALITY AND IMPURITY ARE BUT FORMS OF GREED IN THE REALM OF SEXUAL SIN.

* GREED IS INSEPARABLE FROM IMPURITY. FOR EVERY FORM OF SEXUAL IMMORALITY IS AN EXPRESSION OF THE SELF-WILL, SELF-GRATIFICATION AND SELF-CENTEREDNESS OF GREED.

** DESIRE TAKES THE PLACE OF GOD, FOR IT, RATHER THAN HE, DETERMINES LIFE.

*** AND THIS GREEDINESS CONSUMES PEOPLE TO THE POINT WHERE THEY’LL SACRIFICE EVERYTHING FOR LUSTS. (AND IT’S NOT LOGICAL; OF COURSE SIN IS NOT LOGICAL).

**** FOR PEOPLE WILL DESTROY THEIR CHILDREN, THEIR SPOUSE, THEIR FRIENDSHIPS, THEIR HOME, THEIR JOB, THEIR REPUTATION…EVERYTHING.

***** WHY? BECAUSE THEY THINK THEY’LL BE FULFILLED. IT’S ALL A FANTASY, A LIE RIGHT OUT OF THE PIT.

6. AND I’VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY, “I WANT A DIVORCE BECAUSE I DON’T LOVE MY PARTNER ANYMORE. AND BESIDES, I’VE FALLEN IN LOVE (WHICH IS LUST) WITH SOMEONE ELSE.”

* WELL, GUESS WHAT? THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES DON’T JUSTIFY A DIVORCE, IN FACT THEY CONDEMN IT!

** PEOPLE DIVORCING FOR THOSE REASONS ARE JUST PILING ONE SIN UPON ANOTHER.

*** FOR FIRST OF ALL, THEY SIN IN NOT LOVING THEIR PARTNER AS GOD COMMANDS THEM AND THAT LOVE IS A COMMITMENT, NOT JUST A FEELING.

**** SECONDLY, THEY SIN IN COVETING WHAT ISN’T THEIRS. AND LOOK WHAT HAPPENED WHEN DAVID COVETED BATHSHEBA, ONE SIN KEPT LEADING TO ANOTHER IN II SAMUEL 11:1-12:23.

7. AND THAT SIN, LIKE OTHERS, LEADS TO ADULTERY, LYING AND EVEN MURDER IN DAVID’S CASE.

* SO GREED OR COVETOUSNESS HAS A CLEAR CONNECTION TO IMMORALITY. AND ALL THREE OF THESE SINS ARE NOT TO HAVE ANY PLACE IN OUR LIVES AS CHRISTIANS, NOT EVEN A HINT.

** WHICH LEADS US TO OUR 2’D POINT TODAY, THE CONVERSATION. WE GO FROM THE COMMAND TO NOT BE IMMORAL TO OUR CONVERSATION, OUR SPEECH. LOOK AT V. 4A PLEASE.

II. THE CONVERSATION, (READ V. 4A)

A. NOW IN V. 4A, PAUL CONTINUES HIS WARNING AGAINST THE PERVERSION OF WALKING IN LOVE BY MENTIONING 3 SINS THAT HAVE TO DO WITH OUR CONVERSATION.

* SO NOT ONLY SHOULD CHRISTIANS NEVER ENGAGE IN SEXUAL SINS OF ANY KIND, BUT THEY SHOULD NEVER BE GUILTY OF FILTHINESS, SILLY TALK OR COARSE JESTING, WHICH ALL OF THESE SINS OF THE TONGUE WILL BE CONNECTED TO IMMORALITY.

** AND THE FIRST ONE IS FILTHY TALK, FILTHINESS, TRANSLATED OBSCENITY IN THE N.I.V.

*** NOW THIS PARTICULAR GREEK WORD IS ONLY FOUND HERE IN THE N.T. NOW WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

**** WELL, ARNDT AND GINGRICH DEFINE ITS MEANING AS “UGLINESS, WICKEDNESS.”

1. THAYER DEFINES IT AS “BASENESS, DISHONOR.”

* VINE SAYS THAT IT REFERS TO “OBSCENITY, ALL THAT IS CONTRARY TO PURITY.”

** AND THEN SALMOND WRITES, “IT DENOTES SHAMELESS, IMMORAL CONDUCT IN GENERAL.”

*** AND AGAIN REMEMBER ALL OF THESE MEANINGS ARE APPLIED WITH THINGS THAT COME OUT OF OUR MOUTHS WHICH SHOW AN IMMORAL HEART.

**** FOR OUT OF THE ABUNDANCE OF THE HEART THE MOUTH SPEAKETH IN MATTHEW 12:34.

2. NOW THE NEXT FORM OF DIRTY SPEECH IS CALLED “SILLY TALK” OR “FOOLISH TALK”.

* AND THE GREEK WORD HERE AGAIN IS USED ONLY ONE TIME IN THE N.T. AND IS DERIVED FROM THE WORD MOROS FROM WHICH WE GET OUR WORD MORON.

** AND BASICALLY IT HAS TO DO WITH STUPID TALK. IT HAS NO POINT EXCEPT TO GIVE AN AIR OF DIRTY WORLDLINESS.

*** FOOLISH TALK THAT WOULD COME OUT OF A DRUNK OR THE GUTTER MOUTH, THE TALK OF FOOLS.

**** AND THE LAST PHRASE FOR DIRTY SPEECH IS COARSE JESTING OR COARSE JOKING WHICH IS PROBABLY THE BEST TRANSLATION.

3. FOR THE GREEK WORD LIT. MEANS “ABLE TO TURN EASILY”.

* AND YOU MAY BE THINKING, WHAT DOES THAT IDEA HAVE TO DO WITH DIRTY SPEECH?

** WELL, HAVE YOU EVER BEEN AROUND OR HEARD PEOPLE WHO CAN TAKE SOMETHING THAT IS SAID AND TURN IT INTO SOMETHING DIRTY, WHO TWIST THINGS THAT ARE TALKED ABOUT INTO INNUENDO? SURE YOU HAVE.

*** WELL, THAT’S THE IDEA OF ABLE TO TURN EASILY. THESE PEOPLE QUICKLY TURN SOMETHING THAT IS SAID OR DONE, NO MATTER HOW INNOCENT, INTO THAT WHICH IS OBSCENE OR SUGGESTIVE.

**** IT IS THE FILTHY TALK OF A PERSON WHO USES EVERY WORD AND CIRCUMSTANCE, HIS OR HER IMMORAL WIT, LATE NIGHT TALK SHOW HOSTS AND THE HOWARD STERNS OF OUR WORLD AND PEOPLE YOU WORK WITH AND POSSIBLY SOME OF YOU.

4. WELL, THIS KIND OF COARSE JOKING AND FILTHINESS AND SILLY TALK SHOULD HAVE NO PLACE IN OUR LIVES, NOT EVEN A HINT.

* FOR IT REVEALS A DIRTY HEART IF THAT IS THE KIND OF SPEECH THAT COMES OUT OF OUR MOUTHS.

** JOHN STOTT SAID, “ALL THREE REFER TO A DIRTY MIND EXPRESSING ITSELF IN DIRTY CONVERSATION.”

*** AND IT’S NOT PROPER TO LAUGH AT THIS KIND OF STUFF WHICH MANY OF US HAVE BEEN GUILTY OF AND WHEN IT IS DONE IN OUR PRESENCE, WE SHOULD WALK AWAY FROM IT AND LATER EXPRESS TO THAT PERSON ONE ON ONE OUR DISAPPROVAL OF IT AND WHY.

**** AND AGAIN THESE KINDS OF WORDS AND CONVERSATIONS SHOULD NEVER EVER BE A PART OF OUR LIVES.

5. BUT NOTICE IN THE LAST PART OF V. 4 THE CONTRAST OF WHAT SHOULD COME OUT OF OUR LIVES AS BELIEVERS, THANKSGIVING. SO LOOK BACK AT V. 4 WHERE WE’LL SEE OUR THIRD AND LAST POINT TODAY, THE CONTRAST.

III. THE CONTRAST, (READ V. 4)

A. NOW INSTEAD OF BEING INVOLVED IN IMMORALITY OR DIRTY SPEECH, THE BELIEVER’S MOUTH SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN THE GIVING OF THANKS.

* AND HERE IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THANKSGIVING IS AN ANTIDOTE FOR FILTHY SPEECH AND IMMORAL BEHAVIOR.

** THE REASON BEING IT ALL GOES BACK TO THE FOCUS OF THE HEART AND THE MIND. FOR THANKFUL SPEECH COMES FROM A THANKFUL HEART.

*** AND A THANKFUL HEART IS ONE THAT IS FOCUSED ON OUR GREAT GOD AND THE BLESSINGS OF GRACE THAT HE HAS FREELY BESTOWED ON US.

**** AND A THANKFUL HEART IS ONE THAT IS A FRUIT OF BEING FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT, READ EPHESIANS 5:18-20.

1. NOW GIVING THANKS IS A FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT FILLED LIFE. AND HOW DO WE OVERCOME THE DESIRES OF THE FLESH?

* THE ANSWER IS WALK IN THE SPIRIT, READ GALATIANS 5:16.

** NOW AGAIN A THANKFUL HEART WHICH MANIFEST ITSELF WITH THANKFUL SPEECH IS ONE UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE SPIRIT AND IS FOCUSED ON OUR GOD OF GRACE.

*** FOR WHEN WE FOCUS ON OUR GREAT GOD WITH GODLY THOUGHTS THAT COME FROM GRAFTING HIS WORD IN OUR LIVES.

**** WHEN WE DO THIS, OUR LOVE FOR GOD GROWS AND OUR HEARTS AND MINDS ARE MOVED AWAY FROM SELF-CENTEREDNESS AND SIN – IN THIS CONTEXT IMMORAL AND DIRTY SPEECH.

2. TO REAL LOVE, SELFLESSNESS AND SACRIFICE. THINK OF IT THIS WAY, IMMORAL SIN SPRINGS FROM INGRATITUDE AND A LACK OF CONTENTMENT WITH GOD’S PROVISION.

* BUT WHEN WE REALIZE THAT GOD HAS PROVIDED EVERYTHING I NEED IN MY SINGLENESS OR MARRIAGE, AND I THANK HIM FOR MY PRESENT STATE WHICH IS UNDER HIS SOVEREIGNTY, MY FOCUS AND HEART IS CHANGED.

AND AS I WRAP UP THIS TEXT TODAY (1) I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT THIS IN APPLICATION.

* THANKSGIVING IS AN ANTIDOTE FOR IMMORALITY, FOR IT IS DIFFICULT TO BOTH GIVE THANKS AND BE IMMORAL AT THE SAME TIME.

** I MEAN HOW CAN YOUR THOUGHTS AND HEARTS BE FOCUSED ON GOD AND ANY FORM OF IMMORALITY BE A PART OF YOUR LIFE?

*** THANKSGIVING TAKES OUR THOUGHTS BACK TO GOD FROM OURSELVES, TO LOVE OVER LUST.

**** AND TO ME I’VE NEVER MADE THAT CONNECTION IN THIS TRUTH UNTIL THIS WEEK IN MY STUDY.

(2) AND MY POINT IS SELF LOVE AND SELFISHNESS AND SELF-INDULGENCE AND THE WORLD’S LOVE IS LUSTFUL AND IS NOT CONTENT OR GRATEFUL FOR GOD’S PRESENT PROVISION.

* BUT WALKING IN LOVE BY WALKING IN THE SPIRIT LEADS TO SACRIFICIAL SELFLESS GODLY LOVE THAT WILL FORSAKE IMMORALITY AND LEAD US TO FLEE FROM IT AND FORSAKE IT.

** IMMORALITY IS A SELFISH SELF-CENTERED ACT! AND IT IS THE ANTITHESIS OF TRUE LOVE AND HAVING A THANKFUL HEART!

*** SO THE CHALLENGE OF OUR TEXT TODAY IS NOT EVEN A HINT OF IMMORALITY, IMPURITY OR GREED.

**** AND NOT EVEN A HINT OF SPEECH THAT IS FILTHY OR FOOLISH WITH COARSE JOKING.

(3) BUT IN CONTRAST GIVE THANKS! AND BELOVED THIS IS GOD’S WILL AS YOU REJOICE IN HIS SOVEREIGNTY. READ I THESSALONIANS 5:18.