Sermons
Sermons
Every act of obedience in the pursuit of being like Jesus is a wise move. Paul’s teaching thus far (4:1-5:14) reveals God’s wisdom; Paul continues his instruction: “What does living wisely look like?”
A. Wisdom is Seen in Being Careful regarding How we Live 15
- Keep a close watch on what is “Light”: purity & knowledge 3-14
(Enlightened = God has spoken clearly. Psa.119:105, John 8:12)
- Keep a close watch on Walking in the Light (Prov. 4:25-27 = focus)
B. Wisdom is Seen in a Readiness to Make the Most of Opportunity 16
= knowing we are to make the best use of time = good stewardship
- God sets opportunity before us to serve, represent Him, talk of Jesus
= awareness of great pressure to misuse time _ “the days are evil”
…Galatians 6:10; 1 Cor.7:29 – “the time is short”
C. Wisdom is Seen in Understanding what the Lord’s Will is 17 cf. 10
- “foolish” = moral stupidity in action
- need to know God, His Word, His Ways, and to Follow His will
D. Wisdom is Seen in Continuously being Filled with the Spirit 18-20
- Illustration 18: one controlled cannot help how he speaks, walks, etc.
- Evidence of Control:
1. Negatively: wine -> debauchery = unrestrained indulgence, wasteful
2. Positively: Holy Spirit -> empowers us to speak and walk as Jesus
- Joyfulness: overflow of song, “to the Lord”; 1 Thes.5:16-18
- Thankfulness: due to confidence in God to work His purposes
NOTE: we GRIEVE the Spirit when we practice things He does not
want us to 4:30
: we QUENCH the Spirit when we do NOT practice things He
wants us to = “put out the Spirit’s fire” 1 Thessalonians. 5:19
: NEVER told to be Baptized (1 Cor.12:13), or Indwelt with the
Spirit (1 Cor.3:16, 6:19; John 14:15-18) _both already done!!!
E. Wisdom is Seen as “Together” Believers Submit to One Another 21
