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ARE YOU WATCHING HOW YOU LIVE - Part 1 Daniel Patz, Lead Pastor Grace Church, Sunday Worship John 3:16 December 27th, 2009
Ephesians 5:15-21 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, (16) making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. (17) Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (18) And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, (19) addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, (20) giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (21) submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. INTRODUCTION The New Year – Retrospect, Resolutions and discipleship to Christ The main command – heading! “Look carefully then how you walk…” What does this literally mean? “Pay close and careful attention with a diligent investigative watchfulness on how you live your life…” (Ephesians 2:10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 4:1) I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, (Ephesians 4:17) Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. (Ephesians 5:2) And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:8) for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:15) Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, “Walk” is referring to our behavior in life – how we live our entire lives – words, attitudes and actions… He gives three contrasting statements that guide us on the path of watching how we walk: 3 Contrasts Contrast #1: “Not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil” Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward i outsiders, making the best use of the time. Ecclesiastes 12:1ff My paraphrase: “Don’t be unwise and waste your time letting opportunities to do good slip away with the fast moving current of this sinful and short life.” “But instead be wise by making the best use of your time in this short life and therefore fight against the strong current of sin and evil.” John 9:4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. This leads us to the question: What does using our time wisely look like? Contrast #2: “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Romans 12:1-2) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. “Will” in Ephesians refers to God’s salvation toward us: Ephesians 1:3-12 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, (4) even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love (5) he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, (6) to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, (8) which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight (9) making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ (10) as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (11) In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, (12) so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. My paraphrase: “Don’t be a fool by running after your own short-sighted and destructive will that is disconnected from the will of your Lord.” “But instead be serious about working out practically the implications of God’s written/revealed will for your life and live in pursuit of this will.” The Lord’s will is: § That we love God with all our heart § That we love one another § That we grow as a body and live in relationships § That we grow as disciples and make disciples § That we are pure § Etc. This leads us to the question: What is His will and what does it look like? Contrast #3: “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, (19) addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, (20) giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (21) submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Luke 1:15 – John the Baptist My paraphrase: “Don’t be intoxicated or controlled by alcohol or any other thing that leads you into a life of out of control living that is contrary to God’s will for your life.” “But instead be controlled by the Spirit’s work in everything you love and do which will guide you into a joyous and fruitful life of meaningful fellowship, passionate love and worship towards God, deep gratitude and faith in His will, and submission to God and others out of trust in God’s wisdom.” He gives for results or fruits from being filled with the Spirit:
(Galatians 5:22-23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Which will lead us to the next section: What does this look like in the home – wives, husbands, children and parents? How do we get filled with the Spirit? Drink! The Word Prayer Fellowship Obedience Not grieving the Spirit Honoring the Spirit as a person!
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