Series: Accounting [#17]
BE VERY CAREFUL
Ephesians 5:15-17
Introduction:
In Ephesians 5, Paul tells us to walk in love, walk in the light, and now he tells us to walk carefully. As we talk about our walk, remember that we are talking about how we live.
Ephesians 5:15a (NIV)
15 Be very careful, then, how you live.
Make sure you…
1. Watch your step.
I enjoy hunting and fishing. I also enjoy trying to the find the secret spot that no one has ever been to. (That hasn’t happened yet.) Because I am always looking for that special spot, I always end up in really rough terrain. I am walking through high grass, mesquite bushes, sand, etc… My dad and I have been reminded more than once that we need to watch our step. We have narrowly avoided stepping in holes, stepping on rattlesnakes, stepping on cactus, etc…
Spiritually, we have to be careful of each step we take. We have to be very careful how we live. Consider what you are doing before you do it. Pray about what you are going to do before you do it.
Ephesians 5:15b (NIV)
15 Not as unwise but as wise.
Make sure you…
2. Use your head.
You need to make wise decisions. If you are a person who just “shoots from the hip”, you need to change how you are doing things. Think about what you are doing. If you lack in wisdom, then ask God.
Ephesians 5:16 (NIV)
16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Make sure you…
3. Make the most of every chance you get.
The KJV says to redeem the time. That means to make the most of every opportunity you have. What does every opportunity mean? Every opportunity means you have to live like Jesus, lift up Jesus, and serve God at all times. God puts people in front of us, opportunities to serve others, opportunities to give God glory.
Ephesians 5:17 (NIV)
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Make sure you…
4. Understand what the Master wants.
Do not be foolish; but understand what’s God’s will. In last week’s sermon, our last point was about finding out what God’s will is. Today’s text says to understand what God’s will is. How in the world can we understand God’s will? We know God does not want any to perish. We know that God’s will for us is to be holy because God is holy.
Conclusion:
Each of us are to be careful how we live.
