Live Your Best Life

Live Your Best

FCF: Foolishness, disobedience to God

Propositional Statement: The Christian life is a call to follow the example of Christ to do the will of God and ignore the influences of the world.

Introduction:

Paul has been very clear about the attitude, actions and practice that every Christian should display. As he addresses this Church within the region of Ephesus he continues to focus on what God expects from each of them in their daily walk. Chapter four is filled with encouragement to live differently from the way they were before they knew Christ. He urges them to walk worthy of this call to Christianity in (v.4:1). He encourages them to practice humility, gentleness and patience. He further shows them how God has graced them with His gifts to equip them for expanding the Kingdom. (4:12-16)

Paul then exhorts them to treat one another graciously, by the way they talk to each other (4:29). He demonstrates the necessity to forgive one another as Christ has also forgiven them. (4:32)

But it is here in chapter five Paul begins to deepen his exhortations to this Church by describing how to put into practice the very essence of Christianity, by imitating the love of God (5:1-2), fleeing sexual immorality(5:3-7), and living a life and conduct that reflects Godliness.(5:8-14)

Transition: Today Paul as he continues this exhortation in verses 15,16, and 17 challenges every believer to live their very best for God. He begins by stating number one to live our best we must Conduct Ourselves Wisely

I. We Must Conduct Ourselves Wisely (v.15)

Ephesians 5:15 ESV

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

-- the Christian walk is a walk of wisdom. The life of a Christian is one of making the proper choices at the proper time for the proper reason.

-- the word carefully , is the word Akribos in the Greek which means be cautious, exact or deliberate. to strict conformity to a standard or norm,

-- In our speech

-- In our actions

-- In our decisions

- Proverbs 3:5-7,

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

7 Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

- Philippians 1:27,

"27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,"

Application: Be cautious in your speech. Be careful in how you respond and react. Make our decisions thoughtfully and without haste.

Transition: As we live our best by Conducting ourselves wisely we must recognize the necessity to Seize the Christian opportunity to Live our Best.

II. We Must Seize the Opportunity to Live Our Best (v.16)

Ephesians 5:16 ESV

16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

-- the opportunity is now, take advantage of the time you are given. The word used in the King James is REDEEMING. This word is a term which refers to recovering from the power of another by paying a price. Paul is saying be deliberate in the way we use the time given to us.

-- these are evil days

- seize the opportunity to worship God

- seize the opportunity to witness God

- seize the opportunity to serve God

- Joshua 24: 15, "

"15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

- Psalm 34:1,

"I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth."

Application: DO NOT WASTE TIME! Make a decision now to serve Christ. Decide now to influence others to live righteously by witnessing to others. Worship God with all your heart. Come to church prepared to worship. Make the worship of God about God. Worship Him at home. Get in a ministry and serve God through that ministry. Take advantage of every moment you have to honor God! Give God your best service, your best praise, your best worship, your best life!!

DO NOT WASTE TIME!

Transition: As we view and hear these admonishments from Paul we are should clearly begin to see that our best life is not really about us. Our best life is about God and Him getting the glory. So Paul states we can best glorify God when we Do God's Will.

III. Do God's Will (v.17)

Ephesians 5:17 ESV

17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Paul admonishes this church not to be foolish. He is pointing back to some things he pointed out earlier in the letter. He is reminding them not to live worldly and outside of the will of God. Do those things that are righteous.

-- understand His Will

-- accept His Will

-- Do His Will, do that which pleases God. Our objective must be to live willing to bring God joy . . .

- 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18, "See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Application: Decide to do God's Will regardless of the way people treat you. Come to prayer meeting and pray. Come to Sunday school and learn his will.