The Fruit of Light
A Sermon on Ephesians 5:9-10
Scripture
9(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Sermon Description
Christians are called to walk in the light of the Lord, but what is this light? How is it manifested? What is the difference between a good, moral person and someone who is a Christian? In this sermon on Ephesians 5:9–10 titled “The Fruit of Light,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shares that the Christian has a knowledge of the Lord that they lacked before— they now have a knowledge and understanding of spiritual truth. A Christian is one who knows God intimately, beyond mere intellectual assent to the truth of His existence. They also now have a heart that desires to know God more and follow His commands. They desire holiness. Next, this light is manifested in the will—rather than works of darkness, their life exhibits the fruits of righteousness. Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out a key fact about the difference between “works” and “fruit.” Fruit signifies growth, and it signifies that it is occurring naturally. Thus, Paul is writing that a believer will have a desire to please the Lord flowing out of themselves naturally because Christ is life. Fruit is the expression of that in which Christians are rooted, as a believer is rooted in Christ. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones illustrates the importance this can have for the Christian walk, and why it is such a tragedy that the church is often filled with more works than it is with fruit.
Sermon Breakdown
- Christians are fundamentally different from non-Christians. They have undergone a profound change from darkness to light.
- This change is not superficial but deep and profound. Unbelievers are darkness itself, while Christians are light in the Lord.
- The characteristics of light and darkness manifest in the mind, heart, and will. Darkness shows ignorance, dullness, and unfruitful works. Light shows knowledge, feeling, and fruit.
- Christians have a spiritual faculty that gives insight into spiritual truth. Unbelievers lack this and see spiritual truth as foolishness. Christians understand God, sin, Christ, salvation, and Scripture.
- Christians have hearts that respond to spiritual truth. They feel the power of the truth and are moved by it. They desire holiness, though they still sin.
- Christians produce fruit, not works. Fruit suggests growth, development, individuality, and an inner source. It is not imposed or artificial. Christians cultivate the soul, and fruit comes from within.
- Christians should not let others dictate or impose on them. They should not even force themselves. Guidance comes from an inward constraint, not just the mind.
- The church today focuses too much on works, activism, and production. Christians should focus on being "vessels for the Master's use" so they can produce fruit.
The Book of Ephesians
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.