Serving Under the Influence

The New International Version Chapter 5

15 Be very careful, then, how you livej—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity,k because the days are evil.l 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.m 18 Do not get drunk on wine,n which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,o 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.p Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanksq to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Instructions for Christian Households

5:22–6:9pp—Col 3:18–4:1

21 Submit to one anotherr out of reverence for Christ.

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15 Be very careful, then, how you livej—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity,k because the days are evil.l 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.m 18 Do not get drunk on wine,n which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,o 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.p Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanksq to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Instructions for Christian Households

5:22–6:9pp—

21 Submit to one anotherr out of reverence for Christ.

j ver 2

k

l

m ; ;

n ; ; ;

o See

p ; ; ; , ;

q ver 4; ; ; ;

r ;

The New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011. Print.

Text: 0

Title: Serving Under the Influence

Introduction

In Greenville, S.C. on Dec. 7, 2018 — The driver of a van that crashed...in rural Greenville County, killing four young children from one family, was charged [the following] Monday with a felony of Driving Under the Influence, [as reported [a] South Carolina Highway Patrol[man]. 

Initially, [the guilty party], was charged with three counts of felony DUI resulting in death and one count of DUI resulting in great bodily injury, but the last charge [was] upgraded to another DUI resulting in death after the fourth child died [the following] Sunday...

(DUI) means driving under the influence, and (DWI) means driving while intoxicated. A DUI is charged under the Texas Traffic Code and is only issued to minors (those under the age of 21). Accordingly, a minor may be charged with a DUI if they are driving with any amount of alcohol in their system, but are still under the legal limit (blood alcohol content of .08).

The goal of the sermon today is to encourage us to serve under the influence of not what, but who! He is the Spirit of God! So, what’s the evidence that a person is SERVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE?

Keeping in mind that Paul is speaking to the believers at Ephesus. “The Christian life in chapter 5:1–20 is shown to possess a distinctive ethos (spirit, character, atmosphere, climate) and pattern.

The Christian life in section 5:1–20 is shown to possess a distinctive ethos and pattern. It is set forth in a way intended to be both a challenge to contemporary society and a rebuke of it. We may note, however, that no mandate is offered for Christians to withdraw from the world as though they were ascetics or fanatics.

It is set forth in a way intended to be both a challenge to contemporary society and a rebuke of it. We may note, however, that no mandate is offered for Christians to withdraw from the world as though they were ascetics or fanatics.

Martin, Ralph P. Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon. Atlanta, GA: John Knox Press, 1991. Print. Interpretation, a Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching.

I. The Believer is Filled with Spirit (18)

Avoid Debauchery ( lavishness n. — the act of spending or using something excessively; especially that results in sinful license.)

lavishness n. — the act of spending or using something excessively; especially that results in sinful license.)

“Instead” meaning as an alternative or substitute; in the place of...

BE FILLED with the Spirit... to be filled (supplied) v. — to be or become generously supplied with;

Carries the idea of “on-going” or continuation.

(Illustr.) Week before last, I had been driving several places in my car. I mean going, going, and more going. When I was on my way to the church, I inadvertently looked down and there was this orange round light that popped up that signaled me that I was almost on empty. I was running low in fuel. That’s how it is with the Spirit, God gives us reminders when we are running low and in need of the filling.

to be filled (supplied) v. — to be or become generously supplied with; also in a metaphorical sense.

II. The Believer Fellowships (19a)

Speaking to one another. Literally, this would denote antiphonal singing, but this is rather an artificial idea for so simple times. It seems here to denote one person singing one hymn, then another another, and so on; and the meetings would seem to have been for social Christian enjoyment rather than for the public worship of God. In the Epistle to the Colossians it is, “Teaching and admonishing one another with psalms,” and this has more of the idea of public worship; and if it be proper to express joyful feelings in the comparatively private social gatherings of Christians, it is proper to do the same in united public worship.

Speaking to one another. Literally, this would denote antiphonal singing, but this is rather an artificial idea for so simple times. It seems here to denote one person singing one hymn, then another another, and so on; and the meetings would seem to have been for social Christian enjoyment rather than for the public worship of God. In the Epistle to the Colossians it is, “Teaching and admonishing one another with psalms,” and this has more of the idea of public worship; and if it be proper to express joyful feelings in the comparatively private social gatherings of Christians, it is proper to do the same in united public worship.

Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. Ephesians. London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1909. Print. The Pulpit Commentary.

III. The Believer Worships (19b-20)

The great thought is that this musical service must not be musical only, but a service of the heart, in rendering which the heart must be in a state of worship.

The great thought is that this musical service must not be musical only, but a service of the heart, in rendering which the heart must be in a state of worship.

“always” - giving thanks - our praise and worship is perpetual (never ending, never changing, ongoing)

(Illustr) Demonstrate “antiphonal music is performed by two choirs in interaction” similar to the what the seraphims did in crying HOLY, HOLY, HOLY! in an antiphonal rendition!

Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. Ephesians. London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1909. Print. The Pulpit Commentary.