God's People Are to Redeem the Time (Ephesians 5:15-17)
Introduction:
1. According to vs.15a, "God's people are to walk circumspectly." 2. To walk circumspectly we must: a. live wisely, not foolishly (vs.15b) b. redeem the time [make the best use of our time] (vs.16a) c. understand the Lord's will (vs.17). 3. This evening we are focusing on the admonition in vs.16 -- "God's people are to redeem the time." 4. To do this we must avoid foolish activities and pursue wise activities. 5. We are pointing out 5 foolish ways to use time and 5 wise ways to use time. Discussion: I. 5 FOOLISH WAYS TO USE TIME [ACTIVITIES TO AVOID]
A. #1: Looking back (Luke 9:62; 17:32) B. #2: Loving the world (2 Timothy 4:10; 1 John 3:15-17) C. #3: Listening to false teachers (1 John 4:1; Matthew 7:15-20) D. #4: Worry (Matthew 6:31-32, 34; Philippians 4:6) E. #5: Murmuring (Philippians 2:14; 1 Corinthians 10:10) II. 5 WISE WAYS TO USE TIME [ACTIVITIES TO PURSUE]
A. #1: Study and meditate upon God's Word (Psalm 119:97; 19:7-11) B. #2: Speak properly (Proverbs 25:11; Matthew 12:35-37) C. #3: Maintain proper priorities (Matthew 6:33) D. #4: Maintain a spirit of optimism (Philippians 4:13) E. #5: Think on the proper things (Philippians 4:8) Conclusion:
1. As Ephesians 5:16b says: "the days are evil." 2. Because we live in a time when evil is widespread, let us "walk circumspectly," and let us "redeem the time."
