Knowing The Will of God
KNOWING THE WILL OF GOD
TEXT: Ephesians 5:17
I. IT IS GOD'S WILL THAT WE ALL BE FOLLOWERS OF HIM (Ephesians 5:1)
A. That we walk (live) in love (Ephesians 5:2)
1. Christ is to be our example (Ephesians 5:2)
John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
2. This kind of love will keep us from the practice of sin
(Ephesians 5:3-7)
a) Our lives will be different from the unbeliever
B. That we walk (live) in the light (Ephesians 5:8)
1. That will cause us to resort to that which is acceptable with God (Ephesians 5:8-10)
John 1:5-7 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
2. This will cause us to refuse fellowship with those who practice sin (Ephesians 5:11)
3. This will cause us to reprove those who works deeds of evil (Ephesians 5:11-13)
C. That we walk (live) circumspectly (wisely) (Ephesians 5:14-15)
1. To walk wisely we must be on the alert The need is really great because of those who would deceive us.
a) The devil
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
b) Evil workers
Jude 1:1-4 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: Mercy unto you, and peace and love, be multiplied. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
c) Doctrine deniers
Romans 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
2. To walk wisely we must redeem the time (Ephesians 5:16)
II. IT IS GOD'S WILL THAT WE ALL BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT (Ephesians 5:18)
A. This will result in holy living
1. Holy living is the opposite of excessive sensual living
Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
B. This will result in happy living (Ephesians 5:19)
1. Obedience brings real joy
III. IT IS GOD'S WILL THAT WE ALL BE THANKFUL FOR HIS BLESSINGS (Ephesians 5:20)
A. We are to be thankful at all times (Ephesians 5:20)
B. We are to thankful for all things (Ephesians 5:20)
C. We are to give thanks through our Saviour Jesus Christ
Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
1 Peter 1:3-6 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: