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Ephesians 5:15-21

Four Lessons For Wise Living

4 Wise Lessons•Wisdom? Remember “Karate Kid”?•Remember how bored Daniel was to “Wax-on, Wax-off” over and over again for hours?•We have the same need spiritually; to practice what we know•Bruce Lee said, “Knowing is not enough; We must apply. Willing is not enough; We must do.”

“15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;

20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.

Ephesians 5:15-21, NASB

Lesson # 1– Time •Vs 15-16, the word “therefore” connects this to Paul’s previous thought, that we are now “Light in the Lord”, called to “walk in light” and learning what is pleasing to the Lord in v8 and v10.•Greek word for ‘be careful how…’, “akribos” carries the idea of precision and accuracy– “walk carefully with exactness”, a military word

Lesson # 1– Time •To grow in wisdom in Christ means making the most of every opportu- nity that time provides•Greek phrase “making the most of… time” includes the idea of rescuing it from waste or abuse•Wasted time can never be redeemed…

Lesson # 2– Decision Making •V17, note the word, “understand”•Another Greek– means mental focus is required to discover and do the Will of God•Knowing God’s will is not a Magic 8-Ball game•Three rules of thumb for understanding God’s Will from this book

Lesson # 2– Decision Making •1. Chapter 1, To unite everything in heaven and earth under one Head – His Son, Jesus Christ•2. Chapter 2, accomplish this unity through reconciling people to Himself and to each other by the sacrificial death of His Son•3. Whole Book- Glorify His Grace in our lives: making reconciliation and unity possible

Understanding His Will…•Here are some steps to take---•1)PRAY with an OPEN heart.•2)READ His Word, the Bible prayerfully and intelligently.•3)SEEK the counsel of respected Christians.•4)WAIT, listening to His voice in the church’s teaching, in its songs, in wise counsel.•5) When we’ve discerned His will, OBEY it.

Lesson # 3– Control, Vs 18-19•I know I don’t have to tell you why being drunk is a bad thing•But understand, alcohol CAN’T make anybody happy; it’s a DEPRESSANT!•Also the Bible does NOT say be drunk with the Spirit as some charismatics will say•Being filled w/ the Spirit puts God in Control

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23, NASB

Lesson # 4– Submission•V21 is a natural setup for the next section; dealing with rela- tionships within the family and within the workplace•But it highlights the fact that humility plays an integral part in wise living•The church has to learn this lesson to survive: we can’t all have our way

Lesson # 4– Submission•We must practice this one with each other on a daily basis•The Greek word for ‘be subject ’ is ‘hupotasso’•Paul was chained to a Roman prison guard when he chose this word-put oneself under•Can you imagine a church where everyone practiced this? I’m not being funny now…

42 Calling them to Himself, Jesus *said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. 43 But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:42-45, NASB

“If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.

John 13:14, NASB

Lesson # 4– Submission•By our old natures we self-promote•But the Holy Spirit enables us to submit ourselves•The wise person, the one who acknowledges God in all his or her ways, will gently honor and serve others, because in doing so, Christ is honored

Take Home…•Time on Earth is limited: Use it wisely for the Lord, don’t waste it on worthless and ungodly things•Pray for God’s will in your life, receive it from His Word, obey it with all your heart•Fill our hearts and lives with the Holy Spirit ’s presence so– joy may overflow on others•When we Submit to others, the Lord is honored