1. The Septic Tank Service
A older preacher said: When I was a young minister, a funeral director asked me to hold a grave side service for a homeless man with no family or friends. The funeral was to be at a cemetery way out in the country. This was a new cemetery and this man was the first to be laid to rest there. I was not familiar with the area and became lost. Being a typical man, of course, I did not ask for directions. I finally found the cemetery about an hour late. The back hoe was there and the crew was eating their lunch. The hearse was nowhere to be seen. I apologized to the workers for being late. As I looked into the open grave, I saw the vault lid already in place. I told the workers I would not keep them long, but that this was the proper thing to do. The workers, still eating their lunch, gathered around the opening. I was young and enthusiastic and poured out my heart and soul as I preached. The workers joined in with, "Praise the Lord," "Amen," and "Glory!" I got so into the service that I preached and preached and preached, from Genesis to The Revelation. When the service was over, I said a prayer and walked to my car. As I opened the door, I heard one of the workers say, "I never saw anything like that before and I've been putting in septic systems for twenty years." Everyone needs wisdom for life, both young and old preachers included. Wisdom will help us keep from making certain mistakes in life and especially, if we receive the wisdom that is from above.
2. There is no question that we need God’s wisdom to direct our steps
3. We have a choice in how we walk before God
4. Ephesians 5.15-20
I. We Can Be Wise or Unwise (5.15-16)
A. It is ALWAYS Wise to Imitate God (5.1-2)
General Grant was to be entertained at a banquet in the city of Houston, Texas. All that money could do to make the affair a success was done. The most notable men in the Lone Star State were present. After all were seated, the headwaiter approached the place where Grant was seated and was about to pour out the first glass of wine for the guest of the occasion. Quietly Grant reached forward and turned his glass down. With the true spirit of Southern chivalry, every Texan present, in the same quiet manner, reached forward and turned his glass down, and for once in the history of banqueting in the Southwest a famous dinner was served without a drop of alcoholic liquor being drunk. EVERYONE PRESENT IMITATED GENERAL GRANT.
1. Walk in LOVE
a. Not a mushy, emotional feeling – action
b. Sometimes God acts with “tough love” –
Money-Changers; Rain and Sun; Rebuking Disciples
To discipline – he gives what we want – Idolatry and Babylon; US without God
2. Walk with a Sacrificial Spirit
a. The new commandment – John 13.35 – Love as I love
b. Easy to love those who love you, but what about those who don’t? Sacrifice
c. Washing feet; Greater love;
3. Walk as a Fragrant Offering
a. Seen at the tomb – 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. John 19.39-40
b. An Example – For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 2 Timothy 4.6
c. US?
There was a factory in northern France where lavender for use in perfumes was produced. Each evening as the workers would head for home and walk the streets the little town, the whole village would be filled with the sweet aroma of lavender that had clung to the workers.
Triumphal Procession
Heroes, in Paul’s day, were usually great generals, leaders of mighty armies, and conquerors of nations. That is why we know who Julius Caesar or Alexander the Great were. These men whose fame and fortune came from desolated cities and enslaved people—were allowed what was called a “triumph.” A triumphal procession was arranged in their honor and this was the event for any Roman general. The general was received at the city gate by the nobles and wealthy of the city and was led through the streets of the city. The streets were crowded with shouting people and adoring fans.
The parade was in a very specific order. First, the older Roman Senators would walk and simply by their presence you knew what was coming was important. Then, other leading men of the city would follow behind them—leading merchants, government officials, and other politicians. Then, then came the trumpeters ringing out the huge sound above the crowds. They were announcing the real beginning of the celebration. Following the trumpeters, were carriages and wagons full of the spoils of war. The most beautiful and rare items were out on display for all to see. Look what this general has done! On a flat wagon, there might be a model of a fort or city that had been conquered. Then in cages, animals of the region would be on display. Gold and silver statues or perhaps articles dedicated to these defeated people’s gods.
Then, there were servants who carried censers filled with perfumes, burning incense, and other fine materials that sent a sweet smelling aroma into the air and onto the ground and into the crowds. The wonderful smell was everywhere. This would have been quite a change from the animal smell or the other aromas of so many people in such crowded spaces. The aroma filled the air.
But, the “triumph” was far from over. After the servants, came the conquered. They would march in chains, humiliated and defeated. These people were the leaders, conquered generals, and other soldiers who had been captured. Look at what this general has done!!
And then… Majestic white horses would come into view and here was the conquering hero. He would stand in this splendid chariot adorned with gold and silver and carried a royal scepter in his hand. After him would come his officers and honored soldiers. They would march all through the city until they reach the capitol building. Some captives would be killed. Some animals offered in sacrifice. But always, there was a great feast waiting. Look at what this general has done!
14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 2 Corinthians 2.14-16
4. Walk in a Timely Manner
a. Time is life – waste time, waste life
b. [Someone estimated that a 10 minute Coffee Break/day for 5 days a week is equal to 43.3 hours in a year or about one week of vacation
c. So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90.12
d. Reason for the emphasis on TODAY
B. It is ALWAYS Unwise to Imitate the World
1. We Need Help – Can’t do it on our own
I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself,
that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Jeremiah 10.23
2. We tend to imitate our surroundings – Jeremiah 10.1-3
Hear the word that the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel. 2 Thus says the LORD:
“Learn not the way of the nations,
nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens
because the nations are dismayed at them,
3 for the customs of the peoples are vanity.
A tree from the forest is cut down
and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman.
3. Avoid the empty words and deeds – 5.6
• Immorality
• Covetousness
• Filthy Talk
• A Waste of time
As a father came home from his work he saw his little daughter who had been playing in the mud. He said to her, “My, you’re pretty dirty.” In her childish way she replied, “Yes, I know daddy, but I’m prettier clean.”
The state of Pennsylvania once had a law that reads: “If any person shall willfully, premeditatedly and despitefully blaspheme, or speak loosely or profanely of Almighty God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, or the Scriptures of Truth, such a person, on conviction thereof, shall be sentenced to pay a fine, not exceeding $100, and undergo an imprisonment, not exceeding three months, or either, at the discretion of the court.”
II. We Can Walk In God’s Will or Waste Our Lives (5.17-20)
A. By Understanding the Will of the LORD
1. His ways are above our ways
2. His thoughts/will – above ours
B. With the Presence of the Holy Spirit
1. A man had trouble starting his car. After a few minutes of trying, he raised his hood to find that his engine was missing – stolen! That may be how it is for many Christians – the real power of our lives is missing in the HS
Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. Romans 8.9
2. How do we receive the HS? We ask!
13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11.13
C. With a Worshipful Attitude – 5.19
D. With Grateful Hearts (vv. 4, 20)
1. We can have “not as bad as others” gratitude
2. We can have a “this too shall pass” gratitude
3. We can have a gratitude in all circumstances
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4.4-7
1. Outstanding Soldier
I read the true story of GIs stationed on Leyte in the Philippines during WW II. Although the region was secure, sometimes the enemy tried to infiltrate their food storage area. One such adversary, dressed in GI clothing, had worked himself into the noontime chow line. But the camp cook spotted him, pulled a pistol from under the serving table and yelled for the MPs to come and arrest the man.
After it was all over, the soldiers asked the cook how he knew the man wasn’t one of them.
“I figured it wasn’t one of you guys, ’cause he was coming back for seconds.” (Reader’s Digest 5/93, p.46)
That enemy soldier “looked” like the other GI’s
He was dressed like them.
He walked like them.
He behaved like them.
BUT something gave him away
Something made him stand out.
2. Do We stand out or blend in?
a. In Gratitude
b. Wise or Unwise
c. Walking or Wasting?
