Bring the Dark to Light | Matt Beasley

Ephesians 5:6–14 — Empty words can comfort you right back into the dark; in Christ, you were made to walk as a child of light. Lead Pastor Matt Beasley continues A Study Through Ephesians at Severns Valley.

Paul moves through three turns: do not be deceived, reflect the light, and expose the darkness. The "empty words" he warns about aren't harmless — they're persuasive, and they soothe us back toward the very sin Jesus rescued us from. But you were once darkness and are now light in the Lord, made to reflect Jesus into the places He pulled you out of — not by dimming the light to stay comfortable, but by letting it shine until the sleeping wake.

A few things to carry into your week: - Empty words aren't powerless — they're persuasive, and they excuse the things that harm us. Weigh every message against the whole of God's Word. - You're not light on your own; you're "light in the Lord." The Spirit shines Jesus on you and through you. - The fruit of the light is goodness, rightness, and truth — and goodness looks a lot like generosity with your time, your treasure, and your talent. - Discern what pleases God by examining your motive, not just the outcome — then let the light expose the dark instead of dimming it to keep the peace.

"Who in your life is still in the dark because you've kept your light dim?"

June 7, 2026

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