It’s About Time
Notes
Transcript
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Introduction
Opening Story - “Bucket List”
or “Bucket List”
“Bucket List”
Transition to...
Main Idea: It’s About Time We Give Our Time To The Lord
Main Idea: It’s About Time We Give Our Time To The Lord
In this passage, Paul is very clear to the church at Ephesus. They have been given the gift of time and they better not squander it. In fact, there are three specific ways he challenges them to use their time and we would be wise to learn these ways as well.
It’s About Time We Walk in HIs Wisdom (vs. 15)
Lead in - God gave us one life. One opportunity to walk through this world. We had better be careful...
Text
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
The word “expectation” is not a very popular word these days. Perhaps it has never been popular, but in these days especially, there seems to be a real aversion towards the concept of living up to anyone’s expectations but my own.
Nonetheless, there are expectations in life and there are certainly expectations in the Christian life. Not in regard to obtaining eternal life. We know that is something God lovingly, willingly and lavishly provides for ALL who repent of their sin and place their faith in Jesus.
But for those of us here that have the privilege of being called a son or daughter of God Himself, there are expectations for us. In fact, the opening verses of Ephesians chapter 5, lay out some pretty clear expectation for the church in Ephesus...
In verse one of Chapter 5, Paul give a clear admonition to the church in Ephesus...
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
In other words, for the follower of Jesus, are to act like Jesus because they are beloved children of God.
One way we can ensure that we act like Jesus is to walk like Him.
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
Paul challenges them on how they walk or live their lives. This is what he means when he uses the euphemism “how you walk”. In other words, “Look carefully then how you live your life, not as unwise but as wise…”
In other-words, look first so you to not make an unwise step! Be careful to consider your steps!
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
The KJV traslates it “Therefore look that you walk carfully”
At Christmas time, Trevor, our son, brought his dog Sadie to our home! They spent Christmas Eve and Christmas night with us! It was a wonderful time.
In otherwords, look first so you to not make an unwise step! Be careful to consider your steps!
Believers are not to be flippant and cavalier about how their live their lives. Those that are, that have a devil-may-care attitude, will find themselves in a great deal of trouble spiritually. This kind of approach to life may seem carefree and easy, but it is actually the way of the fool!
Of course we would let her out in the back yard to do her business.
I had to go out to the shed (located in the backyard) for something during those couple days and don’t you know I “LOOKED AND WALKED CAREFULLY” for obvious reasons!
If you take the wrong step you end up in a real mess.
Followers of Jesus are to carefully live their lives in a wise or skillful way. This is pleasing to the Lord!
Believers are not to be flippant and cavalier about how their live their lives. Those that are, that have a devil-may-care attitude, will find themselves in a great deal of trouble spiritually - A REAL MESS! This kind of approach to life may seem carefree and easy, but it is actually the way of the fool!
Proverbs on living as a fool...
2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. 3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace.
“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.” Plato
Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity
than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.
26 Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
Okay, so we do not want to STEP INTO foolishness. And so we are wise to listen to Paul’s challenge to the church at Ephesus!
“Don’t walk as the unwise walk, instead, walk as the wise do.
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
The wise - God’s people who take seriously God’s word, they are not hearers only, but doers of His Word. After all it is through the doing that we grow into maturity.
So, as we consider applying the knowledge of God‘s truth to our lives, will most asuradley grow.
It is the person who disregards God in his or her everyday thinking that leads to activities that are detrimental to their lives.
For example - God calls us to be good stewards or managers of the money He entrusts us with.
A wise way to live - Spend less than you make. However, if you consistently spend more than you make it is only a matter of time before you are running in the red on your personal balance sheet.
A wise way to live - The Golden Rule. Treat others the way you would want them to treat you. The result? A peaceful, fulfilled life with people treating you well.
A wise way to live - Husbands love your wives, wives respect your husbands. The result? Marital harmony and a long life together serving the Lord.
Now, unbelievers can apply these principles and reap the benefits. However, there is one act of wisdom that the unbeliever has yet to exercise. Placing their faith in Christ who is mighty to save…
11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.
10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.
9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.
14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
Illustrate - Grocho Marx - “Walk this way sir...”
2 Tim
Illustrate
Do you question what a wise walk looks like? Look no further than Christ and emulate Him!
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
A wise walk. A wise way for you to live the ONLY life you have been given is to imitate God, walk in love by giving up your life for God and others.
26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
Matt 1
Review - It’s about time we give our time to the Lord
Will you walk in His wisdom?
Here is another way to consider how we use our time...
It’s About Time We Are Honest About Evil (vs. 16)
Lead in…We live surrounded by evil and we are not careful, we can begin to take on it’s characteristics once again - as before we were followers of Jesus...
making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Text
Paul continues his thought as we move into verse 16 that exercising wisdom means we will become masters of how we use our time.
The harsh reality is the hourglass of our lives is constantly allowing grains of sand to fall. And each grain represents each moment of our lives.
There is a finality to every moment. We will never get them back. The very words that just came out of my mouth represent time that I can never redeem.
I don’t mean to be a downer, but there is a reality that we must all come to terms with this morning and it is that time is fleeting. The Apostle wisely is challenging the church in Ephesus to consider HOW they use their time and that they ought to use those fleeting moments in the best way possible.
postle
Angie and I were able to help celebrate Sam Sinnott’s Birthday the other evening. He is twelve years old. When we came to ABC 5 years ago he was 7! Next year Sam will be a teenager! Wow!
Time relentlessly marches on! And so we shouldn’t be careless about how we spend out time. Whatever we do, should have purpose, clarity and reason behind it.
Think about it this way...
“You can do things to generate more money, but you can never earn more time.” - Dr. Tony Beckett
Time is limited, it constantly flies on. It is diminishing. Just like the sand’s moving from the top of the hour glass to the bottom, so our time is running out.
And so one either manages the time they are given, or it manages you!
So, you are to use your time in the very best way possible - we are to make the right use of every opportunity.
And to help quantify how to best use our time, Paul give a very simply rationale.
“Because the days are evil.” What does he mean by saying this?
It is interesting to me that Paul doesn’t say, “making the best use of the time, because the days are short.” That would make sense. But he doesn’t say that. He says, “because the days are evil.”
He is making a clear point for followers of Christ. “Be careful how you live your lives, be wise not unwise, because even though Jesus Christ defeated Satan at the cross…evil is, for a time, still alive and well.
He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
And you as a Christian are still susceptible to its power and deceitful tactics. The powers of evil are still at work among us! And we are foolish to think otherwise.
So, don’t waste your time being influenced by evil and evil things, use the time you have been given by God in good and godly ways!
Believers then must become more and more discerning regarding evil.
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
Paul clearly addresses this in the first part of Chapter 5...
The Ten Commandments
3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
You shall have no other gods before Me.
3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.
You shall not make idols.
3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.
4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
7 Therefore do not become partners with them;
8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),
10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.
13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,
14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
These self-centered vices in how we act and how we talk are exactly opposite of how the believer is to be using his or her time. They are exactly opposite of the self sacrificing love that verses 1-2 talk about.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Eph 5
Honor your father and your mother.
Not guarding agains these can be seriously detrimental to our faith, testimony and those in out lives.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet.
Subtle Evil - Not guarding agains these can be seriously detrimental to our faith, testimony and those in out lives.
d
Job, money, power, prestige
Sex
Liesure
Personal Worship Time
Paul firmly warns the church at Ephesus that they are to abstain from such activities and attitudes because the people that are exhibiting them are not believers. And why in the world would believers purposely pattern their lives after those who reject our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?
Serving in your Local Church
5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Making a difference in your community for Christ
It makes little sense from Paul’s perspective for the believer to waste his or her time on following the lives of the unbelieving.
7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
My friends, today, do an inventory of your life. Challenge yourself and look closely, with great scrutiny on how it is you walk, how it is you spend your time. Is your life characterized with growing in godliness? Spending time with your Lord in extended and sweet time in prayer and personal worship? Is your life bearing the fruit of righteousness as you serve God and people in this local congregation…your family...as you serve people in our own community?
Or is your life about you?
It’s often been said that you can tell a lot about a person by looking at their bank statement. I would add to that. You can tell a lot about a person by looking at their web browser history.
Apply - Folks, we are called to offer our individual lives as a fragrant offering to God!
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
eph
You have one life to offer up here on earth. This is not heaven. Heaven is yet to come. We have a job to do here before we get there. Otherwise He would have taken us out of here the day He redeemed us. So! It’ about time we got our thinking clear on this.
Only One Life
By C.T. Studd
By C.T. Studd (Missionary - Mid to late 1800’s)
Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
My friends, grab an eternal perspective about your life. When you are on your death bed there are only two things that matter. First, do you have a saving faith in Jesus Christ alone?
Second, did you live for Christ by helping others to see their need for him? There is only one thing you can take to heaven - others!
This is what matters. He who dies with the most stuff still dies. He who dies in Christ LIVES!
Believe, refuse to be enamored with evil! Instead make the best use of the time given you - the days are evil and will distract you from what is truly important!
Review - It’s about time we give our time to the Lord
Will you walk in His wisdom?
Are you honest about Evil?
Transition - The last way we must consider regarding our use of time has to do with understanding God’s will...
It’s About Time We Understand His Will (vs. 17)
Lead in...
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Explain - Paul says, in light of what I have said in chapter 5, don’t be foolish!
To be foolish, from God’s perspective “Refers to being ignorant of God’s values, concerns, and authority.” (FSB)
For the unbeliever -
1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.
Psalm
Paul is telling the believers at the church at Ephesus, don’t be like the unbeliever, like you used to be...
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
But this is not longer you!
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
Now the World doesn’t get it. It believes anything to do with the God of the bible is foolishness...
18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
So the point is there is a clear demarkation between the true believer and the unbeliever. And so the believer is to walk away from the old life - To live like you used to live while unsaved, would be the height of foolishness! Don’t do that!
5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
Instead, when one becomes a follower of Christ. When the transaction is made, life is forever altered. It is different because one becomes reborn into someone new.
3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Paul says we are new creatures altogether...
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
To live like you used to be would be the height of foolishness! Don’t do that!
And because we are new creatures with new hearts and new minds we are to walk then in the newness of life. We are to pursue a new will for our life. Prior to our salvation we pursued our own will but now we have the privilege to know and do the will of our Heavenly Father. And although following His will may prove to bring about difficulty in our lives, we can rest assured that the Will of God is the Will of One who loves us and will bring about our ultimate good as He glorifies Himself in the process.
So, what is the will of God? Well, the bible is replete with this answer. For example...
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 thes 5 1
2 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.
15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;
But how do we pull this off without descending into a life of following rules for rules sake?
Well, the simply answer is for believers to be filled with the Spirit! This is Paul’s answer in verse 18...
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
So we see a negative command first - Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery. The NLT says, being a drunk “will ruin your life.” I other words a drunk’s life is characterized be being controlled by alcohol.
Instead, (the replacement command) - Be filled with the Holy Spirit and allow the Spirit to control you because when you submit to the empowering Spirit of God, you have no worries about if you will be doing His will or not.
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Because the increasing influence of the Holy Spirit in our lives brings about a glorious change because we will start exhibiting His fruit…
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
According to Paul in this passage, there is a tangible, beautiful result when the local body is cumulatively filled with God’s 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,
Singing to ONE ANOTHER is an amazing result! We sing to each other and to the Lord!
Another result of the filling of the Spirit?
Thankfulness - “giving thanks always and for everything to God...”
What is the point? If we are going to invest our time in something substantial, it should be understanding the Will of God! And it is God’s will that you are Filled with His Holy Spirit! Because when we are, it will result in the sweet melody of harmony within the body because we are thankful for not only what God is doing, but for each other as well!
Being a Christian is less about cautiously avoiding sin than about courageously and actively doing God’s will! - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Apply - Folks be a people who are filled with the Spirit. Confess and ask and He will gladly fill and empower you not only to say no to sin but to follow His Precious and Powerful Word!!
Review - It’s about time we give our time to the Lord
Will you walk in His wisdom?
Are you honest about evil?
Do you understand His Will?
Transition
Conclusion
What if every believer here this morning created a God saturated “Bucket List”?
A list that propelled you forward in being “Imitators of God, as beloved children.”
A “Bucket List” that reminded us that “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
I’m pretty sure that God would be glorified and we would become a powerhouse in this community for Jesus Christ.
Will you start that Bucket list today? I think that is something worth spending your time on!
Connection Group / Reflection Questions
What encouraged you from this passage of Scripture?
Why does the Apostle Paul challenge the church at Ephesus To “Look carefully then how you walk…?” What can we do to walk in wisdom?
What do evil days and good time management have to do with one another? What should we do in light of this verse?
What can we do to get rid of our inner fool?
How can we know the will of the Lord?
What commitments should you make regarding how you view time?
“Christ does not call you to Himself to make your life easy and prosperous, but to make you holy and productive. John MacArthur