Live Your Best

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 your best you must Conduct Yourself Wisely

I. Conduct Yourself Wisely (Ephesians 5:15)

Ephesians 5:15 ESV

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

Paul challenges the members of this church in Ephesus to be cognizant of the life they live and be mindful that they are an example to others. He stresses, 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 (circumspectly in KJV), means to be cautious, exact or deliberate:

-- In their speech

-- In their actions

-- In their decisions

Transition: Paul’s point is clear, the person who claims to be a Christian is literally watching himself. He is making every effort to do what pleases God by demonstrating continuous attention to his actions.

Illustration: Growing up my mother would have a phrase she offered for our consideration when we went places, with the understanding that there would be consequences should we forget. She would say to us, “Be on your P’s & Q’s”

Transition: Likewise, as believers we are challenged to be mindful of our behavior.

Application: Do you consider your actions. Do you live your best. Are you cautious in your speech. How about this, how careful are you when you respond or react. Here is the challenge, Make the most of your life by carefully considering what will please God, daily in your life.

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

II. Seize the Opportunity to Live Your Best (Ephesians 5:16)

Ephesians 5:16 ESV

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 to this church, be deliberate in the way you use the time you have been given. Refuse to allow their time to become captives or slaves to evil. He says, and if it does bring liberty to it by doing the right thing.

- seize the opportunity to give God the best worship

- seize the opportunity to live the best witness

- seize the opportunity to render your best service to God

these opportunities also refer to what Chuck Swindoll refers to as “Kingdom Opportunities” those are the things that come up at inconvenient moments.

- seize the opportunity to help others when you don’t have the time

- seize the opportunity to talk to that person that may not be on your level or look like you but they really need somebody to hear them.

Transition: Don’t put it off seize it. Make your life exemplary for Christ.

Illustration: A story is told of the devil and his cohorts were devising plans to get people to reject the Gospel. “Let’s go to them and say there is no God,” proposed one. Silence prevailed. Every devil knew that most people believe in a supreme being. “Let’s tell them there is no hell, no future punishment for the wicked.” offered another. That was turned down, because men obviously have consciences which tell them that sin must be punished. The concave was going to end in failure when there came a voice from the rear: “Tell them there is a God, there is a hell and that the Bible is the Word of God. But tell them there is plenty of time to decide the question. Let them ‘neglect’ the Gospel, until it is too late.” All hell erupted with ghoulish glee, for they knew that if a person procrastinated on Christ, they usually never accept Him.

Galaxie Software, 10,000 Sermon Illustrations (Biblical Studies Press, 2002).

Application: Look don’t wait, seize it. 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. Lead your ministry by seizing the vision of the church. Take advantage of every moment you have to honor God! Give God your best service, your best praise, your best worship, your best life!!

- 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."

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 (Ephesians 5:17)

Ephesians 5:17 ESV

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

Foolishness is self deprecating. When one is foolish he is literally bringing destruction to himself. Paul emphasizes this by saying don’t be foolish. He is saying don’t bring yourself down but be lifted by the Will of God.

He is really playing on words hear by inferring when one is foolish he acts on his on but when one understands the Will of God that person becomes a model of christian hope.

-- 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."

Illustration: I discovered sometime ago that proper understanding can go a long way and keep you from looking foolish. I attempted to assemble a chair without first reading the directions for it. I attempted to make pieces fit that did not go together. It was not until I went back and read the directions that I I was able to assemble the chair.

Transition: Likewise, my brothers and sisters, we must not go through life attempting to assemble our lives with out direction from God.

Application: Become consistent in attending Bible Study. 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.

Conclusion:

We each can live our best life, When we determine to Conduct ourselves wisely. We can advance God’s Kingdom as we seize every opportunity to live pleasing God. We can demonstrate what it means to be a Christian when we Do the Will of God. Not our own.

Jesus said it best in Gethsemane as He looked into the bitter cup. “Not my will but thy will be done” He seized the opportunity on Calvary!

I’m reminded of Lucie Campbell’s Hymn:

If when you give the best of your service,

Telling the world that the Savior is come;

Be not dismayed when men don't believe you;

He understands; and say, "Well done."

Refrain:

Oh when I come to the end of my journey,

Weary of life and the battle is won;

Carrying the staff and the cross of redemption,

He'll understand and say, "Well done."

Misunderstood, the Savior of sinners,

Hung on the cross; He was God's only Son;

Oh! hear Him call His Father in Heav'n,

"Not my will, but Thine be done." [Refrain]

If when this life of labor is ended,

And the reward of the race you have run;

Oh! the sweet rest prepared for faithful

Will be His blest and final, "Well done." [Refrain]

But if you try and fail in your trying,

Hands sore and scarred from the work you've begun;

Take up your cross, run quickly to meet Him;

He'll understand; and say, "Well done." [Refrain]