Two Big Questions Ephesians 5:15-21 Rev. Paul Bucknell.

Two Big QuestionsEphesians 5:15-

21Rev. Paul Bucknell

Two Big Questions Ephesians 5:15-21

1) How do I know the will of God?

(Ephesians 5:15-17) Direction

in life

2) How is a person filled with the Holy

Spirit? (Ephesians 5:18-21)

Power for life

??

Principles for OvercomingEphesians 4:22-24

1) Lay aside the old self (22)

2) Be renewed in the spirit of your mind (23)

3) Put on the new self (24)

Will of God

Ephesians 5:15-17

Ephesians 5:15-17 (NASB)

15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Trust: He is involved in our lives!Love: He never makes mistakes!Comfort: He helps us each step!

God’s Plans for His people are good!

Sometimes we have made bad plans. We are suffering consequences.

A) Will of God (5:15-17)

Three guidelines

Cautious because of our weaknesses (15)

Resourceful because we are accountable (16)

Knowledgeable because we are God’s servants (17)

Cautious because of our weaknesses (5:15)

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise” (Ephesians 5:15).

It is easy to make wrong plans because of arrogance and wrong desires.

We seek the most comfortable life.We hear what we want to hear.We follow our fears rather than what is right.

Be carefulWalk wiselyReject foolish

ways

Resourceful because we are accountable (5:16)

“Making the most of your time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16).

Live strategically

• Limited resource

• Accountable to His purpose

Days are evil - 2 meanings

days are evil

Make most of

timebecaus

e

Knowledgeable because we are God’s servants (5:17)

“So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17).

Trust Him that He is very involved in your life affairs.

Trust Him that He can and will lead you.

Trust Him for the way He leads you.

Understand the will of the Lord

Foolishness blinds usDeliberately seek His will

Filled with the spirit

Ephesians 5:18-21

Ephesians 5:18-21 (NASB)18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.

Trust: God lives in you!Love: God blesses your life!Comfort: He strengthens you!

God Himself empowers His people

Sometimes we live without His power. We instead end up using only our limited resources.

B) Filled with the Spirit (5:18-21)

Ephesians 5:18-21 (NASB)

1. Speaking to one another (19) in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

2. Singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord (19)

3. Always giving thanks for all things ... (20) 4. Be subject to one another in the fear of

Christ (21)

Do not get drunk with wine.But be filled with the Spirit (18)

Do not get drunk• Wine in excess - a depressant• Drugs influence our perception and behavior• Over-drugged society• Drugs are used as a solution

Challenge to our lives

How do we respond?

✦ God is testing us✦ He wants us to grow✦ God’s prescription: Be filled with the Holy Spirit

Drugs?

Filled with the Spirit

(1) “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual

songs” (5:19)✦ Speak a song to one another - edification

✦ Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs

• Good words are critical

• Music must enhance the words

• Volume must not shout out the words

• Instruments must support the words

(2) “Singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord” (5:19)

✦ Sing & make melody to the Lord - praise

✦ “With your heart” or “In your heart”

✦ Great importance in worship

(3) “Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus

Christ to God, even the Father” (5:20)✦ What? Give thanks

✦ When? always

✦ For what? For all things

✦ To whom? to God, even the Father

✦ How? In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

(4) “Be subject to one another in the fear of Christ” (5:21)

✦ To one another

✦ Subject to one another

✦ In the fear of Christ

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Filled with the Spirit&

Summary

God’s desire for you is clear.

The will of God

direction

power

What is your desire like for God?

Ephesians 5:18-21 (NASB)1. Speaking to one another (19) in psalms

and hymns and spiritual songs, 2. Singing and making melody with your

heart to the Lord (19)3. Always giving thanks for all things ... (20) 4. Be subject to one another in the fear of

Christ (21)