TIME, CONTROL, AND OBEDIENCE!

Ephesians 5:15-33

INTRODUCTION: Have you ever wished you could know God’s will and be able to do God’s will. If we will be careful to use our time wisely we will study God’s Word so we can know God’s will for our lives. As we yield to the Holy Spirit’s leading for our lives we will obey God’s will. Philippians 2:13.

I. BE CAREFUL HOW YOU CHOSE TO LIVE!

We are warned by our Lord to choose wisely how we will live our lives. That is because how we choose will make all the difference in the outcome of our lives: Ephesians 5:3-7. We must choose to walk through this life with godly people because: 1 Corinthians 15:33. We as God’s children are instructed to live as the children of light! Ephesians 5:8-14. We are told to live not as fools, but as those who have the wisdom of Christ in our hearts: Ephesians 5:15-17; Psalm 53:1-3; Luke 12:16-21. We as believers in Christ are called to live as wise people: Proverbs 9:10-13. Let’s ask ourselves: “Does the wisdom of God shine forth in our lives?” James 3:13-18. Satan wants to destroy your life: 1 Peter 5:5-10

II. WE ARE TO REDEEM THE TIME THE LORD HAS GIVEN US!

The King James Version tells us to redeem the time: Ephesians 5:15-17 KJV. To redeem means to buy back with the purpose of making something useful. Some good uses of our time that are commanded in God’s Word: Study God’s Word: 2 Timothy 2:15. Give praise to our God: Hebrews 13:15-16. Earn our own living and share with others: 1 Timothy 5:3-8. Stop worrying and start praying about everything: Philippians 4:6-7. We are to share our faith and disciple others: Matthew 28:18-20. We waste our time when we chase after the things and the pleasures of this present world: 2 Timothy 3:1-5. We are warned in God’s Word not to seek the wealth of this world: 1 Timothy 6:6-10. We are not to waste our lives going after drunkenness and drug abuse: Proverbs 23:29-35. We must not run after sexual sin! 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8..

III. WE MUST UNDERSTAND OUR LORD’S WILL!

The Bible makes it very clear that there is only one way you will ever truly understand and be able to do God’s will for your life: Romans 12:1-2. We are not to be controlled by our sinful flesh but by the Spirit of our God: Galatians 5:16-21. We must be controlled by God’s Holy Spirit in order to produce the fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22-26. We are commanded to praise our Lord continually: Ephesians 5:19. We are commanded to be a thankful people: Ephesians 5:20. How long has it been since you thanked God for going to the cross for your sins? John 3:16. How long has it been since you thanked God for putting you on your own cross? Philippians 1:29. Do you really believe that God will keep His promise to work all things together for your good? Romans 8:28-29. Obedience to these commands will allow us to know and do God’s will for our lives and see the fulfillment of some other promises as well: John 10:10. Stop sitting on the fence. Jump in with both feet to knowing and doing God’s will for your life. If we choose to obey the Lord then great things are in store for us! 1 Corinthians 2:9-12. Are you interested? Are you interested enough to obey God with all your heart?