Our Calling Is to Live Wisely in Christ! Three Imperatives of Walking with God: August 26, 2018

Sermon Notes

TITLE:  Our Calling Is to Live Wisely in Christ! Three Imperatives of Walking with God

TEXT:   Ephesians 5:15-20

Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Introduction

1. Live wisely, not unwisely!
2. Don’t be foolish, but understand the Lord’s will (what is it for me?)
3. Choose to be filled with God’s Spirit, not spirits which destroy

Conclusion:

Wake up, sleeper,

rise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you. Ephesians 5:14

QUOTES ON LIVING WISELY:

James 3:14-16   Live Well, Live Wisely

13-16 Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom. It’s the furthest thing from wisdom—it’s animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats.

This is a timely quote, fitting for the climate we experience in the nation’s capital. We often hear political leaders boast about their accomplishments or their achievements of greatness. Such banter about accomplishments has little to do with Godly wisdom. The author of James suggests that real wisdom is found in 1) living well, 2) living wisely and 3) living humbly.  These three elements are really about the internal and personal life of an individual more than any accomplishment. It is related to character. James asserts that mean-spirited ambition (often manifested in mean spirited words) is not wisdom at all. Indeed, perhaps the source of the ongoing gridlock and dysfunction in this city, in the political realm, may be better understood by reflection on this text.  Let us pray that after the elections this November there will be fewer things falling apart and fewer people at the throats of others.

• Don Kammer