Sermon Central
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Redeeming Time
Contributed by Edward Hardee on Jan 30, 2021 (message contributor)
Summary: A message about the importance of making the best of the time we have.
Redeeming Time (Speak to Yourself)
Theme:
Text: Ephesians 5:15-21
Ephesians 5:15-21 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, (16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (17) Wherefore be not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (18) And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (19) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (20) Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; (21) Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Introduction
The word walk is used three times in Ephesians 5 alone. First Paul says in
Walk in Love
Be imitators of God and Verse 2 “Walk in love” as Christ has loved us and given himself for us. We need to love sacrificially. We need to be willing to sacrifice ourselves. Notice that was is important is not what others think of us but what God thinks. And what God wants is a sacrifice that is “sweet-smelling aroma (savor)
Walk as children of the Light
In other words we need to walk as we are not in darkness and we can see clearly.
Walk Circumspectly
Finally we come to this passage and it tells us to “walk circumspectly”
Circumspectly means – perfectly, exactly, it means to be careful how we walk so that we don’t fall.
Circumspect means to look around. As the circumference of a circle.
Ephesians 5:15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Not as fools-not as people who walk clumsily. Not paying attention to where they are going.
Psalms 53:1 To the Chief Musician. Set to 'Mahalath.' A Contemplation [45] of David. The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; There is none who does good.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
(16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
God doesn’t’ have time for us to keep going through what we are going through. There is only a short span of time that we have. We have got to make the most of it. We live in an evil day. We live in a day where evil is a around us.
We don’t have time to dabble in it. We don’t have time to let the devil use us.
“don’t miss out on any opportunity”
Like a wasted gift card or coupon.
(17) Wherefore be not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Paul goes on to this idea of wisdom. He says that true wisdom is “understanding what the will of the Lord is”. Knowing what the Lord wants. When you know what the Lord wants then you can walk in wisdom.
How can a person know what the will of the Lord is? (from sermon on Ephesians 5 on Sermon Central)
? By knowing the Word of God—by knowing it so well that he can apply it to the situations that confront him every day.
"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32).
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15).
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16).
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" (Psalm 119:11).
? By being sensitive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" (John 14:26).
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16:7-8).
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you" (John 16:13-14).
