THE CHRISTIAN'S PURITY PT 3

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

I. THE CLEANSED LIFE—vv. 15–17

1. Sanctification—vv. 15–16. Live holy each day – Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Look – walk – imperatives – this is a continual need for all of us

Peripateo – to make ones progress – use of opportunities

Making best use of your time – its intentional – your walk must be intentional

This is not our default nature nor is it our instinct to walk like this – it takes concentration – focus

Paul issues a similar imperative to the Colossians

Colossians 4:5 – Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

Walk not as unwise but wise – wisdom – wisdom only comes from God – so to walk wise is to walk with the Holy Spirit – Him guiding and leading you

Sophos – skilled, learned philosophers, orators, Jewish and Christian theologians

Make the best use of your time – redeeming your time – don’t waste it on unholy thoughts, words, actions peripateo – to make use of opportunities – regulate conduct oneself – redeem the opportunity to make Godly decisions and walk in His wisdom

Biblical Examples – Genesis 37-50 – Joseph dealing with his brothers after their betrayal

Paul regarding his imprisonment

Romans 16:19 – For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.

2. Seriousness—v. 17. Use common sense – Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

We are called to use God’s wisdom – to do His will – especially in these dark days – evil days

Do not be foolish – without reason, senseless, stupid, without reflection

Romans 12:2 – Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Proverbs 1:7 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 2:1-7 – My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

Colossians 1:9-10 – And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Galatians 5:16 – But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

When we live the cleansed life – it leads to the consecrated life

II. THE CONSECRATED LIFE—vv. 18–21

1. Spirit—v. 18. Be filled daily with the Spirit – And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

We should remain in control of our lives – being drunk leads to loss of control

Prominent manifestation in Paul’s time of foolish and stupidity – drunkenness

This is not a call to abstinence but a call to moderation and remaining in control

Being drunk – that is debauchery – tempted away from duty –

Another translation says - dissipation excessive self-indulgence

Proverbs 20:1 – Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

Proverbs 23:31-33 – Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things.

BUT …

Be filled – pleroo – abound, flourish, fill to the full

Allow God to fill you with His Holy Spirit – this is nothing you can do – but allow Him to fill to the full

Romans 8:9-11 – You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Galatians 5:25 – If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:17 – Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Be filled not just with His presence but allow His indwelling – so He is in control – He sets the direction

2. Singing—v. 19 – addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,

Do you want to live according to the Spirit – make the environment conducive to drawing close to the Spirit – addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,

Sunday Morning should not be the only time during the week for hymns, spiritual songs, making a melody to the Lord

Colossians 3:14-16 – And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The Greek word here is hymnos – song sung to praise a god or a hero

Are you on fire for God – does it permeate you even how you address others

3. Satisfaction—v. 20 – giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

When we fix our focus on God – and see who He is and what He has done – we develop a grateful heart – giving thanks always and for everything

Praise Him – make a melody to the Lord in your heart – Giving Him thanks always and for everything

Even when the answer is no – even when we face trials and loss

Tony –

Colossians 3:17 – And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Romans 8:28 – And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 – So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

1 Peter 1:6-7 – In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

4. Submitting—v. 21. Honor Christ by submitting – submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

IMPORTANT – only called to submit to other believers – those that you live out verses 19-20 with

Want to deepen your relationship with God – submit not only to Him but to one another – drop the selfishness and conceit of your way is the best way – submit

Philippians 2:3-5 – Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

Philippians 4:2 – I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.

Even Calvin said – God has so bound us to each other, that no man ought to avoid subjection. And where love reigns, there is mutual servitude. I do not except even kings and governors, for they rule that they may serve. Therefore it is very right that he [Paul] should exhort all to be subject to each other

Our walk is to be empathic and sensitive towards others – humility like Christ – lower ourselves to the point of servitude like Jesus did at the Lords Supper – washing of feet to dying on the cross

Our reverence for Christ calls us to this – our respect of Christ calls us to do this –

1 Peter 1:14-19 – As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

Where love reigns there is mutual servitude – submit to one another out of your reverence and love for Jesus Christ and His work on the cross and in your life