INTRODUCTION TO EPHESIANS STUDY , Ron Ward
FIND OUT WHAT PLEASES THE LORD
Passage: Ephesians 5:1~14  
Key verse: 10
5 1 Follow God’s example,(A) therefore, as dearly loved children(B) 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us(C) and gave himself up for us(D) as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.(E)
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,(F) or of any kind of impurity, or of greed,(G) because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk(H) or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.(I) 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater(J)—has any inheritance(K) in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a](L) 6 Let no one deceive you(M) with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath(N) comes on those who are disobedient.(O) 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
8 For you were once(P) darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light(Q) 9 (for the fruit(R) of the light consists in all goodness,(S) righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.(T) 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,(U) but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light(V) becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:
Footnotes
- Ephesians 5:5 Or kingdom of the Messiah and God
Cross references
- Ephesians 5:1 : Mt 5:48; Lk 6:36
- Ephesians 5:1 : S Jn 1:12
- Ephesians 5:2 : S Jn 13:34
- Ephesians 5:2 : ver 25; S Gal 1:4; 2:20
- Ephesians 5:2 : Heb 7:27
- Ephesians 5:3 : S 1Co 6:18
- Ephesians 5:3 : Col 3:5
- Ephesians 5:4 : Eph 4:29
- Ephesians 5:4 : S ver 20
- Ephesians 5:5 : Col 3:5
- Ephesians 5:5 : S Ac 20:32
- Ephesians 5:5 : S Mt 25:34
- Ephesians 5:6 : S Mk 13:5
- Ephesians 5:6 : S Ro 1:18
- Ephesians 5:6 : Eph 2:2
- Ephesians 5:8 : S Eph 2:2
- Ephesians 5:8 : Jn 8:12; S Lk 16:8; S Ac 26:18
- Ephesians 5:9 : Mt 7:16-20; Gal 5:22
- Ephesians 5:9 : Ro 15:14
- Ephesians 5:10 : S 1Ti 5:4
- Ephesians 5:11 : Ro 13:12; 2Co 6:14
- Ephesians 5:13 : Jn 3:20, 21
- Ephesians 5:14 : Ro 13:11
- Ephesians 5:14 : Isa 26:19; Jn 5:25
- Ephesians 5:14 : Isa 60:1; Mal 4:2
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
1. Be imitators of God (1-2)
As God's children, we should imitate our Father. Jesus shows us how. We grow in his image by loving others as Christ loved us.
2. Avoid immorality, impurity and greed (3-7)
No immoral, impure or greedy person has any inheritance in the kingdom of God. Immorality is specified as sexual immorality; impurity includes dirty jokes and foolish or obscene talk. Greed is equated to idolatry. God's people must strive for holiness.
3. Find out what pleases the Lord (8-14)
What pleases the Lord? He is pleased when we live as children of light. The fruit of light is goodness, righteousness and truth. Once we were darkness, but now we are light in the Lord. We are light because Christ shines on us. We cannot be pure by our own effort. But when Christ shines on us we can be light in a dark world and please God.
Prayer: Lord, shine on me today, so that I can live as a child of light. Help me to do what pleases you.
One Word: Find out what pleases God and do it