Walk in Love,
Walk in Light, and
Walk in Wisdom
Ephesians, 5:1-2, 8-10, 15-16
Dr. William S. Epps, Senior Pastor
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Our Ushers are observing their 100th Anniversary.
Our Usher ministry has been operating for a century. Imagine the ushers who began, continue, and perpetuate this ministry. You heard the statement of occasion so eloquently presented with details of those who have exited this ephemeral reality and moved to that borne from whose shore no traveler returns, as well as those who are continuing the legacy of service in this ministry.
You find this idea of ushering in both the Old and New Testament.
In the Old Testament, ushers in the tabernacle and temple were called doorkeepers. The psalmist understood the importance of ushers when he said, “How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! Blessed are they that dwell in thy house. They will be still praising thee. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Psalms 84:1, Psalms 84:4, Psalms 84:10).
Jeremiah refers to one doorkeeper as a “man of God.” He said, “And I brought them into the house of the Lord, into the chamber of the sons of Hanan, a man of God, the keeper of the door” (Jeremiah 35:4).
In the New Testament the disciples acted as ushers on many occasions. They directed people who came to hear Jesus speak or be touched by His healing hands. On one occasion Jesus gave a sharp warning to the disciples (acting as ushers) who tried to keep children away from Him (Luke 18:16, Matthew 19:13). On another occasion, Jesus told the disciples to organize a large group of over 5,000 (Luke 9:13-17). Jesus supplied the unending loaves and fishes, but the disciples served the hungry multitude.
The character of these first deacons was clearly spelled out in the book of Acts chapter 6. They were men of good or honest report, full of the Holy Spirit, full of wisdom, and full of faith. Stephen, the first Christian martyr on record, was both a deacon and an usher.
Ushers minister to people as individuals. A word of encouragement or kindness may be the most significant ministry some people receive. Everyone can have an encounter with a good usher.
Consider what it means to be an usher - greeting and
welcoming people to worship.
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Our ushers have chosen a scripture from the Epistle of Ephesians, 5:1-2, 8-10, 15-16 which cites their theme: Walk in love, walk in light and walk in wisdom.
Paul wrote to the believers at Ephesus to remind them that, “...by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not the result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). Paul wants the readers to know that it was only because of the mercies of the Lord that we are saved by grace through faith and that faith is in Jesus Christ and that faith is a gift from above. Paul also wants to prepare believers for their walk with God and to know that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the principalities against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12), So we need to put on the full amour of God so we “may be able to withstand in the evil day” (Ephesians 6:13).
Consider what it means to be reminded that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the principalities against powers, against the rulers
of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness
in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
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Paul says, “therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for sweet-smelling aroma.”
Walk in love / Ephesians 5:1-2
The idea is simply that we make God our example as modeled in Christ Jesus.
Imitate God as dear children. Children are natural imitators. They often do just what they see their parents do. When we act according to our nature as children of God, we imitate God’s presence as expressed in Jesus. Jesus is the consummate expression of what God is like and the consummate expression of what we are to be as creatures made in God’s image and fashioned in God’s likeness. As we imitate God, we become representatives of God modeling for people what God is like.
Walking in love is walking in obedience to God. They are the same thing. True obedience to God is motivated by a love for the kingdom of Christ and God. If you love the kingdom, and love the king, then you will abide by the directives with the greatest diligence. You will ensure that what you think, what you say, and what you do, are all consistent with the love of God as expressed in Christ.
Remember Jesus’ response to the question, which is the greatest commandment in the law? Jesus said, “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-40
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:35
Consider what it means to be an imitator of God as dear children
modeling Christ by walking in love.
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Wednesday, April 27, 2022 |
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Walk in light / Ephesians 5:8-10
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
10and find out what pleases the Lord.”
Paul describes the world as darkness and light. The darkness is evil and the light is goodness and truth. Evil has an advantage because darkness conceals. But light has the greater advantage because it exposes and reveals what’s hidden. Jesus said in the sermon on the mount that “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 lamp stand so that it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine so that people will see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5: 14-16
You put your light on display with your behavior, demeanor, faithfulness, graciousness, hospitality, smile and service. The fruit of light consist of goodness, righteousness and truth.
Light puts on display what you can see. Display your friendliness, graciousness and kindness in your service as an usher providing for those who come for worship.
Paul makes an analogy of a simple fact. You can't see anything in the dark. You can see something only when it is exposed by the light. And even then, you don't really see the object itself, but only the light reflected from it. Some objects, however, emit their own light. They make the dark things visible and reveal them. So we are to shine as the Lord shines, to expose what’s hidden in darkness.
Consider what it means to walk in light displaying a radiant
glow that illumines all around you.
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Paul takes the analogy a little further to say something about the fruit of light. We all know that all the good fruit that we eat is a result of light. You cannot grow a fruit tree in a dark place. It needs light to grow and bear. Thus our light not only exposes what is hidden in darkness, but it produces the fruit that is good and right and true, fruit that is pleasing to the Lord. Produce the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Consider the fruit that is grown from the light of your life.
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Paul now comes to his third “walk”. He has said, "Walk in love" (Ephesians 5:2). and "Walk as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8). Now he says, "Walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise" (Ephesians 5:15).
Walk in wisdom / Ephesians 5:15-21
15Walk with due care and diligence. Don't be unwise, but wise. 16Redeem the time, because the days are evil. 17So don't be foolish. Rather, understand what the Lord’s will is. 18And don't get drunk with wine because that just wastes you. Rather, be filled with the Spirit. 19Speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make melody to the Lord with your heart. 20 Always, for all things, give thanks to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21Submit yourselves one to another in reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:15-21
Paul tells us not to live like fools, but to live wisely. What sort of attributes are featured in the lives of the wise? Paul gives us a potpourri of these:
- Being circumspect in life rather than following our own whims and lusts
- Redeeming the time instead of wasting it on shallow pursuits
- Understanding the Lord’s will and living to please Him
- Avoiding addiction and its consequences
- Being filled with the Spirit to bear His fruits
- Singing spiritual songs, making melody to the Lord with our hearts
- Giving thanks to God recognizing how the Lord blesses our lives and walks with us
- Submitting to one another rather than scrambling for supremacy over another
- Having reverence for Christ
Consider what it means to walk in wisdom.
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Ushers are often underestimated, but they should never think their ministry is unimportant. Any act of service that directs people into fellowship with Jesus is a worthy ministry. Thank you ushers, for your service is the price you pay for the space you occupy. Thank you for your continuing allegiance, commitment and devotion as an example of the love, light and wisdom of the Lord.
Conclusion
Walk in love
1Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2
Walk in light
8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord. Ephesians 5:8-10
Walk in wisdom
15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16
The Lord has need of workers, to till His field today,
So kindly He has led me to walk in wisdom’s way
I pray for grace to help me with all my heart to say,
O blessed Savior, count on me.
I count on Thee, dear Master, for cleansing in Thy blood,
For constant streams of blessing, a never-failing flood;
To ever-new fruition I see Thy mercies bud,
O blessed Savior count on me.
Now gird me for the battle when evil powers oppose,
And give me faith and courage to conquer over Thy foes;
I pledge Thee my allegiance, my soul no other knows,
O blessed Savior, count on me.
I’ll bear another’s burden along a lonely way,
Or teach that burden-bearer with confidence to pray;
In service ever loyal, at home or far away,
O blessed Savior, count on me.
Refrain: Count on me, count on me,
For loving-hearted service glad and free;
Yes count on me, count on me, O blessed Savior, count on me.
Consider what it means for the Lord to be able to count on you.
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2412 Griffith Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90011
Phone: (213) 748-0318
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