Intro: Today we honor our veterans. If we are to truly honor them then we will follow their example of sacrifice and service for the good of our nation.
Psalm 33:12 “Happy is the nation whose God is Yahweh, the people he has chosen to be His own possession!”
We will never be a nation whose God is Yahweh trying to make other people say “Merry Christmas.”
We will never be a nation whose God is Yahweh by expecting people who don’t even believe in Him to observe the holidays that are precious to us because of our Savior Jesus Christ.
We be blessed as God’s people when we no longer take God’s name in vain. Taking God’s name in vain doesn’t have to do simply with words. Taking God’s name in vain also has to do with works. WE don’t work our way to heaven. However if we are saved and the Holy Spirit of God has taken residence in our lives heaven should work out of us by way of our hands and feet. If we live in a way that is inconsistent with the character of Jesus we are taking God’s name in vain.
Paul talks about this when he challenges us to walk worthy of God in Colossians 1:10.
First understand there are some very clear ways that we walk unworthy of the Lord Jesus.
It is unworthy of the Lord for us to live in disunity, impurity, denial of His Lordship, in a society that doesn’t know Him in silence, hatred, bitterness, selfishness or any such attitude or action. What has happened is we have allowed our standard for our daily lifestyles to be lowered. (Worship/evil days)
I. A high standard (Col 1:10 “Walk worthy of the Lord”)
An old parable says “If a man shoots for the moon he will always shoot higher than the one who aims for the bush.”
The word of God sets the standard. The standard has to do with our walk. When the Bible speaks about our walk it is speaking about our life and lifestyle. It is not talking simply about being bowlegged or knock kneed. It isn’t talking about a long or short gait. He is speaking about the way we conduct ourselves before men.
We get a better understanding of this by looking at Colossians 4:5 “Act wisely towards outsiders making the most of the time.” HCSB. In the NASB it says conduct yourself wisely. It is the same word translated walk here in 1:10.
God is concerned with our conduct. Why? Because that is how people see Jesus.
What we have to understand is that this is a call to an ongoing direction not simply perfection.
Paul also tells us how we can keep ourselves in this direction that pleases God. Ephesians 5:18, Be filled, or controlled by the Spirit. Galatians 5:16 walk by the Spirit so you don’t fulfill the desires of the flesh.
This is the answer to how do I become a better husband, a better wife, a better employee, a better child, a better parent. Instead of attacking the problem from the outside God attacks it from the inside. Walk worthy of the Lord. If Christ is in live in the Spirits power according to God’s standard! Holiness, pleasing to God. Where do we find this? Again in God’s word.
What does the Bible say is walking worthy?
A worthy walk is a walk in...
the Holy Spirit (Ro 8:4-note, cp Gal 5:16-note, Gal 5:25-note)
humility (Ep 4:2-note)
purity (Ro 13:13-note; Ep 5:3-note)
contentment (1Co 7:17)
faith (2Co 5:7-note)
righteousness (Ep 2:10-note)
unity (Ep 4:3-note; Php 1:2-note)
gentleness (Ep 4:2-note)
patience (Col 1:11-note)
love (Ep 5:2-note)
joy (Col 1:11-note)
thankfulness (Col 1:12-note)
light (Ep 5:8-note, Ep 5:9-note)
knowledge (Col 1:10-note)
wisdom (Ep 5:15-note)
truth (3Jn 3, 4)
fruitfulness (Col 1:12-note)
This is a walk down the straight and narrow. This is a God centered way to live. So much of what is talked about today focuses on us. Reaching your full potential, your best life now etc. But History or His story is Jesus centered. If we seek to please God and live a life worthy of our Lord Jesus it will result in bearing fruit in every good work.
II. A fruitful life (bearing fruit in every good work)
A life that is pleasing to our Lord is one that is fruitful. A life that is fruitful requires a union with Jesus, wisdom, and spirit enabled diligence. A fruitful life happens as we abide in the vine Jesus. But abiding doesn’t mean inactivity.
According to John 15:8 “My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples” Fruit doesn’t make us disciples of Jesus but proves that we are!
The fruit we bear as disciples is directly related to growing in the knowledge of God. Many Christians unfortunately believe it is the pastors and preachers job to know about the things of God. All disciples are called to grow in the knowledge of God and the things of God.
Notice if we will grow in knowledge we will bear fruit in every good work!!!
There is no work too low for those that bear fruit in every good work.
Be aware, complaining is not a good work, not giving is not a good work, not serving is not a good work, bitterness is not a good work, anger is not a good work.
Serving in the nursery is a good work, teaching a SS class is a good work, taking food to a brother or sister in Christ or neighbor is a good work, feeding the homeless is a good work, sharing what you have is a good work!!
What good works? Any work that Glorifies God is a good work!
Alexander McClaren boldly states,
“Any declaration of faith that does not result in a changed life and good works is a false declaration.”
Ephesians 2:10 we are God’s masterpiece created in Christ Jesus for good works.
It is our good works that pave the way for our good words.
Why is it so important for us to make sure that our faith works out of our heart into our hands? There are plenty of defenders of the faith today Jesus is looking for some demonstrators of the faith!
The life that worships God is fruitful, knowledgeable and finally powerful
III. A powerful life (1:11 strengthened in all power)
Paul’s request for the ordinary Christian to be filled with God’s power. This is not a special experience, it is available to anyone who names the name of Jesus.
Alistair Begg, “God’s power has been given to God’s people so that God’s world may be drawn to God’s son.”
How can I continue to care for my loved one in the face of ongoing illness – God’s power
How can I continue to respond appropriately to a boss that is so unreasonable – God’s power
God wants to strengthen us to face what we face every day. That comes from seeking to please God, bearing fruit as we abide and remain in Jesus, and are strengthened as we bow down our lifestyle in worship to the God of the universe!!
God promises to strengthen us according to the resurrection power of Jesus. Death couldn’t keep Jesus down!
There is nothing that can defeat us if we are leaning on Jesus, learning of Jesus and living for Jesus. There will be pain, pressure, problems, problem situations, problem people.
But remember I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! Because as we keep before us this life isn’t about us!!
There would be untold ministries still coming out of this church if we realized this life is about Jesus and giving glory to God.
There would be money to do whatever God called us to do if we realized this life is about Jesus and giving glory to God.
There would be people to fill every position and need within this body if we realized this life is about Jesus and giving glory to God.
As the power of God fills our life and transforms us into servants of the most high we give joyus thanks because God is being glorified.
Conclusion:
Ephesians 5:15-16 Tells us to be careful how we walk. Also to redeem the time or make the most of the time because the days are evil.
The opportunities to become like are Lord come quickly and leave just as quickly. We redeem each opportunity by seeking to please God as our chief aim, by bearing fruit in every good work through His direction and powerfully living by His holy Spirit no matter the situation.
Making The Most Of Time
Ephesians 5:16
October 16, 2001
We tend to read Ephesians 5:16 as if Paul is calling believers to action because the days are short, but that's not what he meant. He said we are to make the most of time "because the days are evil."
Evil days are days of opportunity. The more evil our culture becomes, the more opportunities there will be to show and share our faith.
God controls human history—permitting the rise of nations, determining their geographical boundaries, and orchestrating their fall—so that men and women will "seek the Lord" (Acts 17:26, 27). History is "His story" of providing salvation for a lost world and pointing people to the Lord. Even the forces of evil are used in such a way that "all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord, You alone" (Is 37:20).
God may hold back His judgment for a time, allowing evil tyrants to have their day, upsetting people's well-ordered lives, presenting them with dilemmas beyond their understanding. Evil brings pain, but it is the genius of God to bring good out of evil (Romans 8:28).
Evil times, therefore, are not to be feared. They are times of unparalleled opportunity. That's why we must make the most of them. —David H. Roper
Lord, help us to redeem the time
You give us every day,
To take each opportunity
To follow and obey. —Sper
God can turn any difficulty into an opportunity.
