The Call to Wise Living Ephesians 5:15-21

We need to live wisely because we are racing against the clock! Walk is a metaphor for live We are to live wisely We are to “buy up” the time i.e. make the most of our opportunities Because the end is approaching Galatians 1:4 “present evil age” 1 Corinthians 7:29 “the time is short” And people so easily misunderstand!

We need to live wisely because we are racing against the clock! In the early church believers: Served no visible gods, so they were called… Didn’t burn incense before the image of the emperor, so they were called… Would meet behind closed doors, so they were called… Participated in the Lord’s Supper, so they were called… Atheists, Unpatriotic, Immoral, Cannibals What would today’s labels be? Hypocritical, unkind, bigoted.

We need to live wisely because we are racing against the clock! There is already a lot that we do that can be misunderstood and taken the wrong way So we need to live as carefully as possible in all other areas James 3:13 “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.”

We need to live wisely because we are racing against the clock! 1 Thess 4:9-12 “Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you; so that you may behave properly toward outsiders”

We need to live wisely because we are racing against the clock! “The reputation of the gospel is bound up with the behavior of those who claim to have experienced its saving power.” F.F. Bruce

Wise living means paying attention to God’s Word! How do we know the will of God? Clearest way is through the Bible! 1 Thess 2:13 “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.”

Wise living means paying attention to God’s Word! James 1:21 “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” God’s will, revealed though His Word, is that we live wisely so that we can redeem the time God’s will, revealed through His Word, is for us to be filled with the Spirit!

Wise living means being filled with the Spirit! What does “filled” mean? Fullness in Ephesians United with God (1:23; 3:19; 4:10) Fullness in Scripture “sorrow has filled your hearts” “filled with joy” “filled your heart to lie” Filled = dominated/controlled John 16:6 Acts 13:52 Acts 5:3 Dominated = dominate characteristic

Wise living means being filled with the Spirit! It is a command It is a continual process Clarification “Baptism” of the Spirit is a one time event that happens at salvation 1Cor 12:13 “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into 1 body…” Galatians 3:26-27 “for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.“

Wise living means being filled with the Spirit! There is a contrast in verse 18 You can be dominated/controlled by alcohol, or by the Spirit of God Probably a reference to pagan feasts Argument Live wisely towards outsiders Follow God’s word Don’t engage in outside activities that are contrary to the Word of God!

Wise living means being filled with the Spirit! How do we display fullness? By making sure we build up others and bring glory to God! Instead of singing ungodly songs and engaging in pagan temple fellowship, sing: “Psalms”

Wise living means being filled with the Spirit! “a twitching of twanging of the fingers, i.e. a song sung to a harp” – could refer to any song with musical accompaniment, but probably refers to the O.T. psalms Hymns Songs of praise to God Spiritual Songs

Wise living means being filled with the Spirit! Used of any song, hence the term “spiritual” to make it refer to specifically Christian songs Revelation 5:9-10 “And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.’”

Wise living means being filled with the Spirit! By expressing thankfulness Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. When you are filled, God is in control, and you realize how much you have to be thankful for and how little you have to complain about

Wise living means being filled with the Spirit! By submitting to one another 1 Peter 5:5 “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” Fear/reverernce? Because God is the one calling us to submit! Called to be submissive to: authorities, pastors, parents, church leadership

Wise living means being filled with the Spirit! What does this mean? Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”