Are you walking in sync with the Savior? Part 2

Introduction/Recap

We have arrived at the first Sunday of a new year, the year 2025! It has been a quarter of a century since Y2K! Yet, as we closed out 2024 on Tuesday and began a new year on Wednesday, I ask the same question I started with last Sunday: How is your walk? The Apostle Paul writing to the church Ephesus has been encouraging them on their walk with Christ as they have been taken from the Kingdom of Darkness to God’s Kingdom of Light.

Are you being an imitator of God? Can others see Jesus in you and in me? Is there a family resemble when others see us?

Are you walking in love? Jesus said that the world would know we are His disciples by our love for one another. Are we walking in love?

Is our walk and talk matching? Have we put off and continue to put off the things of the world? The Lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life? Are we putting away the sins of the flesh and the tongue?

Are we walking as children of light? If we are God’s children, imitating Him, walking in love, and putting away the things of the flesh, we need to be an agent of change and children of light in this dark world.

Philippians 2:14–15 “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”

Let us shine those lights and not hide them under a basket.

The Apostle Paul continues to ask through this chapter, how is your walk?

Be Awake / Not Woke (v. 14)

When we left off last week, we were unable to get to verse 14. Let’s read that now.

Ephesians 5:14 “Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.””

The Apostle Paul concludes this section by quoting from a hymn that we do not exactly where it came from. Some believe it to be an early Christian hymn. Others believe he might be alluding to Job 14:12 “So man lies down and does not rise. Till the heavens are no more, They will not awake Nor be roused from their sleep.”

Come back from the dead! Turn from the things of this world! Be Awake! This world is changing around us and we need to adapt to this world, while staying firm on the Gospel. A term we hear often in our world is the “WOKE” culture. While the roots of the term go back to the 1930s to combat racial prejudice, the term in our culture is one of acceptance of sin and continuing to go further from the truth of God’s Word. We are living in a world where the Judeo-Christian values are all but gone including from most churches in America. We need to be wake-up to the world and shine the light of Jesus Christ. Awake, you who are asleep. Arise from the dead those who dead in your sins! Christ is the light of the world and He has called us to be His agents of light.

Make sure you are walking in sync with the Savior.

Are you walking circumspectly? (verse 15)

Ephesians 5:15–16 “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

The next question we must ask as we enter this new year is: Are you walking circumspectly? The word circumspectly is not a word we use very often. In fact only the King James and New King James use that term in this passage. Most Bible translations will use “carefully” or “careful”

Look carefully then how you walk (ESV)

See then that you walk carefully (MEV)

So be careful how you live (NLT)

The Apostle Paul begins with the command: See! or some will translate it as LOOK! It is a command in the Greek. It is a command to pay attention.

"cautious, wary," literally "looking about on all sides,"

Circum (circumference, circumnavigate) and Speck (observe) Looking all around you.

When I was learning to drive my parents and my driver ed instructor would often say: Pay attention to your surrounding and use your mirrors. When you are driving you are constantly keeping your eyes moving around. You are driving circumspectly. Coming here today if you are out on the roads you needed to drive circumspectly. Going home you need to drive circumspectly. Paying attention to the road conditions so you don’t hit a patch of black ice and go in the ditch.

The Apostle Paul is commanding we as believers to Pay attention to look around! Observe where we are at in this world. Going back to the previous verse he says to Wake Up! In the verses we looked at last week he said to walk in light, walk in love, and be imitators of God!

1 Corinthians 10:12–13 “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

Fall on November 16, 2024 scraping my knees

The key lesson when walking/running is paying attention to your surroundings.

Are you walking circumspectly? Are you being careful of your surrounding? Are you looking around where you are and where you are going? Are you walking in sync with the Savior?

Are you being wise? (verse 15)

The next area that Paul addresses in this verse is: are you being wise? He says to walk not as fools, but as wise.

The Scriptures often address wisdom and foolishness, including the book of Proverbs as the teens in the Academy are going through the book of Proverbs this year.

Wisdom is not just knowledge, but knowing how to carry it out in practice. You can have knowledge and wisdom, but not put it into practice and that is foolishness.

In this world as we walk circumspectly and paying attention to our surrounding all around us are we being wise with what is happening around us?

There are many people in this world that are very much aware of what is happening around them, but they could care less. They act foolish. Psalm 14:1 “The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.”

Solomon has many words to say about the wise and the fool in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.

Proverbs 10:14 “Wise people store up knowledge, But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.”

Proverbs 10:21–23 “The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom. The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it. To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom.”

Proverbs 24:7 “Wisdom is too lofty for a fool; He does not open his mouth in the gate.”

Jesus told His disciples and us to be wise also.

Matthew 7:24–27 ““Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.””

Matthew 10:16 ““Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

The Apostle Paul writing of the people of this world in Romans 1 writes:

Romans 1:20–23 “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.”

Yet, while the unbelieving world is certainly foolish, we as Christians can be foolish as well. Many of the letters that Paul wrote were to believers who were being foolish. They were not being wise. They were not walking in wisdom and being careful for what they did. They were not being imitators of God and walking in the light.

Galatians 3:1–3 “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?—Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?”

Do we get swept away in foolishness or are we walking in Wisdom?

Are we walking in sync with the Savior and walking in wisdom?

Are you redeeming the time? (verse 16)

Ephesians 5:16 “redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

The word for “redeem” is such a wonderful word.

It is the word for deliver, buy back, buy from. It is use four times in the New Testament. Two times it is used in Galatians to tell of what Christ has done for us.

Galatians 3:13 “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),”

Galatians 4:5 “to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

Colossians 4:5–6 “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”

Christ has redeemed us from the curse and from the law! He has bought us back! He has purchased us.

1 Corinthians 6:20 “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

1 Corinthians 7:23 “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.”

He paid for us.

Here in this context, Paul is telling the believers in Ephesus and us to Redeem the Time!

86400 That is how many seconds are in one day. If you are to live to be 25 you will have lived 2,550,000 seconds. You have to live to be almost 32 years old before you even reach one billion seconds. Yet, this pales in comparison to eternity. The clock is ticking. Tick-Toc. How are we redeeming the time.

We have a limited amount of time on this earth. We have no idea how long we have on earth. How often do you hear stories from history of a famous artist who’s painting was never finished. Or an author of a book like Toklien who didn’t finish his last book so his son helped to finish it. How much more so with the work that God has started in us?

Philippians 1:5–6 “for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”

James 4:14–15 “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.””

Sparkling Gems from the Greek 2: 365 New Gems to Equip and Empower You for Victory Every Day of the Year August 8: Is It Time to Recommit to Your Promises?

The word “redeeming” in this verse is the Greek word exagoridzo. The word agoridzo is the Greek word for a marketplace that’s cluttered with products and vast opportunities to spend more time and money shopping there than one ought to use. It was the same then as it is today. If a person isn’t careful, he can become lost roaming through the shops of the market, wasting precious time. But that word ex means “out” and is where we get the word exit. When ex is added to the word agoridzo to form exagoridzo, it paints the picture of finding what you need, purchasing it, and getting out of the marketplace quickly. In other words, do what you need to do, and then make an exit!

In this phrase “redeeming the time,” the word “time” is kairos. In this context, it refers to the brevity of time that we have available and our need to be time-conscious in the way we conduct our lives. It depicts someone who is learning to make full use of time because he is conscious that time is limited and he must use it wisely. Paul was saying that by implementing diligence and commitment, we can buy back time that we have frivolously lost along the way.

How much time do we waste? What are we living for?

Line and dot. What are we living for?

Only one life that will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last. CT Studd

We are here in 2025 on the 5th day of January. We have no idea how many people listening today here at this building, online, or on the radio will be alive on January 5, 2026. I have no guarantees and neither do you.

Ephesians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Believer’s Limited Privileges

Paul pleads for us to make the most of our time immediately after he pleads for us to walk wisely rather than foolishly. Outside of purposeful disobedience of God’s Word, the most spiritually foolish thing a Christian can do is to waste time and opportunity, to fritter away his life in trivia and in half-hearted service of the Lord.

Ephesians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Believer’s Limited Privileges

Napoleon said, “There is in the midst of every great battle a ten to fifteen minute period that is the crucial point. Take that period and you win the battle; lose it and you will be defeated.”

Romans 13:11–14 “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”

Why are we redeeming the time? The days are evil. Just between last Sunday and this Sunday we had death and destruction. The attack in New Orleans on New Years Day. The world around us is evil. We live in evil times, but as we looked at last week we are to be children of light in this dark world. As our theme verse for this year. Shine as lights in this world. We are redeeming and making the most of our time here, because the days are evil. We are to be agents of light, to be children of God.

As we are just beginning 2025, how are we redeeming the limited time we have on this earth? Are we redeeming the time? Are we walking in sync with the Savior?

Are you being wise or unwise? (verse 17)

Ephesians 5:17 “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Stressing back to verse 15 “not as fools but wise” Don’t be foolish

If we are walking circumspectly and redeeming the time we have on this earth we will be wise.

Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Psalm 111:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.”

Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

We want to be wise and understand and consider what the will of the LORD is in our walk and in our life.

We know our time is short in our evil world. If we have accepted the free gift of salvation found only in Jesus Christ we have a purpose. We have a mission, we have a commission.

Ephesians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Lord’s Purposes

When a person is saved, sanctified, submissive, suffering, and thankful, he is already in God’s will

God’s will almost 200 years ago was for a church to be planted in this community. Part of His will is for you to be here.

In 2025, how can your talents, skills, and spiritual gifts be used for God’s will. Have you accepted Christ, but have never been baptized to proclaim that message publically? Have you been attending this church, but have never really gotten involved beyond Sunday morning, maybe 2025 is a year to seek God’s will in becoming a member. We want to work together as a body. Ultimately, be wise and seek God’s will as we redeem the time.

Are you walking in wisdom and seeking God’s will? Are you walking in sync with the Savior?

Are you letting the Holy Spirit Control you? (verse 18)

Ephesians 5:18 “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,”

The Apostle Paul turns to an illustration where he contrasts getting drunk with wine and being controlled by the Holy Spirit.

Drugs and alcoholic beverages can change and control a person. We have all seen in some form or another the controlling presence of these items. How often we hear of a drunk or high driver crashing into a person and killing or seriously injuring them? The people that get drunk and get angry and beat spouses or children? It was this kind of behavior that caused many Christian women to start temperance movements in the 1800s that led to Probation.

Paul says that being drunk with wine is dissipation or debauchery. Being a drunken person leads to bad behavior. Lives are ruined in families, friends. Sin will take you down roads you don’t want to go and it will take you further than you want to go.

Yet, Paul is not only giving the warning about drunkeness, but he is using it as a contrast to the Holy Spirit’s power in our lives. Don’t be filled up with wine, but be filled with the Holy Spirit. Let the Holy Spirit control your actions. As drink and drugs can change you and take you down the wrong roads when it has power of you, so the Holy Spirit when He is leading you will take you down the right paths.

John 14:16–17 “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”

1 Corinthians 3:16 “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”

Ephesians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Meaning of Being Filled

First, being filled with the Holy Spirit is not a dramatic, esoteric experience of suddenly being energized and spiritualized into a permanent state of advanced spirituality by a second act of blessing subsequent to salvation. Nor is it some temporary “zap” that results in ecstatic speech or unearthly visions.

Second, being filled with the Spirit is not the notion at the other extreme—simply stoically trying to do what God wants us to do, with the Holy Spirit’s blessing but basically in our own power. It is not an act of the flesh which has God’s approval.

Third, being filled is not the same as possessing, or being indwelt by, the Holy Spirit, because He indwells every believer at the moment of salvation.

Ephesians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Meaning of Being Filled

Fourth, being filled with the Spirit does not describe a process of progressively receiving Him by degrees or in doses

Now just a bit word geeky. The phrase “be filled with the Spirit” is a command in the passive

Ephesians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Meaning of Being Filled

Be filled translates the present passive imperative of plēroō, and is more literally rendered as “be being kept filled.” It is a command that includes the idea of conscious continuation. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not an option for believers but a mandate.

Continue to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Be kept filled.

We are commanded to be imitators of God, to walk in love, to be agents of light, to be careful how we walk, to redeem the short time we have, and to do it by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Are we letting God the Holy Spirit lead us and guide us in our walk? Are we walking in sync with the Savior?

Are you being people of worship who encourage one another? (vv. 19-21)

Finally, the Apostle Paul transition from being filled with the Holy Spirit to how do share that with other believers.

Ephesians 5:19–21 “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.”

He echoes that in:

Colossians 3:16–17 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

The early church was being persecuted. They were in the evil world, just as we are. They were redeeming the time. Paul tells them and us to build one another up. Psalm, hymns, spiritual songs. How often we get music stuck in your head. If you remember my previous sermon about earworms to prayers, how often does a hymn or song get stuck in your head. How often does it bring encouragement to you or another brother or sister in Christ? Music was part of the early church and the people of Israel. How can we encourage one another? We are all in this walk together. How can we as a church family submit to one another knowing that God is our judge.

Are we walking as people of worship who encourage one another in our Christian walk? Are we walking in sync with the Savior?

Challenge for 2025

As we enter 2025, last week I encouraged you to pick up a packet of seeds and write the name of one or two people to pray for this year and plant seeds of the Gospel in their life. Share the good news.

Conclusion / Application

As we conclude this two part message from Ephesians 5, I want you to think over the lessons we have learned in this passage.

Are you being an imitator of God? If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, we are adopted into God’s family. If you have never accepted Jesus Christ, you are not part of His family. I can think of no better way to start of this year by becoming part of His family. If you are His child, is there a family remembrance in your walk, talk, thoughts, actions, and reactions? Are you walking in love? The world will know we are His children, by our love for one another. Are you walking in the light? Are you shining the light of Jesus in this dark world? How is your walk, are you being careful on the walk? Are you looking around you for things that might make you trip and fall? Are you being wise with all our resources including your time? Are you redeeming the time, because the days are evil and getting worse. This world needs Jesus. Are you letting the Holy Spirit control and lead you? Are you building up your brothers and sisters in Christ or tearing them down? In this year how can you redeem the time we have been granted? Let us walk in sync with the Savior!