Living Wisely: Embracing God's Transformative Work

Devotional

Day 1: Living Wisely Through Christ's Accomplishments

The foundation of the Christian life is rooted in what God has done for us through Jesus Christ, not in our own actions. This understanding should inspire believers to live wisely and intentionally, as children of light. By recognizing that our lives are a reflection of God's transformative work, we are encouraged to walk with purpose and clarity. This means living in a way that honors God, positively influences those around us, and serves as a testimony to the world. Our actions should be a response to the grace we have received, motivating us to live with wisdom and intentionality. [01:38]

Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

Reflection: In what specific ways can you live more intentionally today, reflecting the transformative work God has done in your life through Jesus Christ?

Day 2: Redeeming Time in a World of Distraction

Walking circumspectly means living with care, wisdom, and awareness of our surroundings. We are called to redeem the time, making the most of every opportunity to live rightly before God. In a world filled with distractions and challenges, it is crucial to be mindful of how we spend our time and the choices we make. By focusing on what truly matters, we can ensure that our lives honor God and reflect His light to those around us. This involves being proactive in seeking opportunities to grow spiritually and serve others, rather than being passive or complacent. [06:08]

Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV): "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you feel time is being wasted. How can you redeem that time to better align with God's purposes?

Day 3: The Empowering Presence of the Holy Spirit

Intoxication leads to wastefulness, but being filled with the Holy Spirit empowers us to live in a way that pleases God. This continual filling of the Spirit is essential for living out our faith. When we allow God's presence to fill the voids in our lives, we are equipped to face challenges and live in a manner that reflects His love and grace. A life filled with the Spirit is marked by worship, gratitude, and mutual submission within the body of Christ. These elements are crucial for maintaining a healthy and vibrant Christian community. [12:22]

Galatians 5:16-18 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to invite the Holy Spirit to fill and guide you more fully in your daily life?

Day 4: Worship, Gratitude, and Submission in Community

A life filled with the Spirit is marked by worship, gratitude, and mutual submission within the body of Christ. These elements are crucial for maintaining a healthy and vibrant Christian community. Worship and gratitude help us focus on God's goodness and faithfulness, while mutual submission fosters unity and cooperation among believers. Submission is not about erasing authority but about recognizing our roles within God's order and working together as a team. By embracing these principles, we can build a strong and supportive community that reflects God's love to the world. [19:08]

1 Peter 5:5-6 (ESV): "Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you."

Reflection: How can you practice mutual submission and gratitude within your community today, and what impact might this have on your relationships?

Day 5: Embracing Our Roles in God's Global Team

Submission is about recognizing our roles within God's order and working together as a team. We are part of a global and historical team of believers, united in our mission to live out the gospel. As we face increasing challenges, we must rely on the Holy Spirit's empowerment to walk wisely and fulfill our calling as part of God's team. By embracing our unique roles and working collaboratively, we can effectively share the message of Christ and make a positive impact in the world. [26:03]

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (ESV): "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many."

Reflection: What is one specific role or gift you can offer to your church community, and how can you begin to actively contribute to God's mission today?

Sermon Summary

In Ephesians 5:15-21, we are reminded of the importance of living a life that reflects the transformative work God has done for us through Jesus Christ. The foundation of our Christian life is not based on our actions but on what God has accomplished for us. This understanding should inspire us to live wisely and intentionally, walking as children of light. Paul uses the metaphor of walking to describe how we should live our lives, emphasizing the need to walk circumspectly, or carefully, with wisdom and awareness of our surroundings.

We are called to redeem the time because the days are evil, meaning we should make the most of every opportunity to live rightly before God. Our lives should honor God, reflect well on the church, positively influence our families, and serve as a testimony to the watching world. Additionally, living according to God's will benefits us personally, leading to a more fulfilling life.

Paul warns against intoxication, highlighting that it leads to wastefulness. Instead, we should seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit, allowing God's presence to fill the voids in our lives. This continual filling of the Spirit empowers us to live in a way that pleases God. A life filled with the Spirit is marked by worship, gratitude, and mutual submission within the body of Christ.

Submission is not about erasing authority but about recognizing our roles within God's order and working together as a team. We are part of a global and historical team of believers, united in our mission to live out the gospel. As we face increasing challenges, we must rely on the Holy Spirit's empowerment to walk wisely and fulfill our calling as part of God's team.

Key Takeaways

1. The foundation of the Christian life is what God has done for us in Jesus Christ, not our actions. This understanding should inspire us to live wisely and intentionally, walking as children of light. [01:38]
2. Walking circumspectly means living with care, wisdom, and awareness of our surroundings. We are called to redeem the time, making the most of every opportunity to live rightly before God. [06:08]
3. Intoxication leads to wastefulness, but being filled with the Holy Spirit empowers us to live in a way that pleases God. This continual filling of the Spirit is essential for living out our faith. [12:22]
4. A life filled with the Spirit is marked by worship, gratitude, and mutual submission within the body of Christ. These elements are crucial for maintaining a healthy and vibrant Christian community. [19:08]
5. Submission is about recognizing our roles within God's order and working together as a team. We are part of a global and historical team of believers, united in our mission to live out the gospel. [26:03]
** [26:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - Introduction to Ephesians 5:15-21
[01:08] - Foundation of the Christian Life
[02:10] - Walking as Children of Light
[03:10] - Metaphor of Walking
[05:07] - Walking Circumspectly
[06:32] - Importance of Living Rightly
[09:20] - Redeeming the Time
[10:18] - Walking Wisely
[11:07] - Avoiding Intoxication
[12:09] - Wastefulness of Intoxication
[14:04] - Being Filled with the Holy Spirit
[16:12] - Worship and Gratitude
[21:14] - Submitting to One Another
[26:03] - Teamwork in the Body of Christ
[30:59] - Invitation to Join Team Jesus

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 5:15-21

Observation Questions:

What does Paul mean by "walking circumspectly" in Ephesians 5:15, and how does it contrast with walking as fools? [05:07]
According to the sermon, why is it important to redeem the time, and what does this imply about the nature of the days we live in? [09:20]
How does Paul describe the effects of intoxication, and what alternative does he offer to believers? [12:09]
What are the characteristics of a life filled with the Holy Spirit as mentioned in the sermon? [19:08]

Interpretation Questions:

How does the understanding that the foundation of the Christian life is what God has done for us in Jesus Christ influence the way believers should live? [01:38]
In what ways does living wisely and intentionally as children of light serve as a testimony to the watching world? [08:23]
How does mutual submission within the body of Christ reflect the order and teamwork that God desires among believers? [26:03]
What role does gratitude play in a Spirit-filled life, and how does it contrast with a complaining heart? [19:08]

Application Questions:

Reflect on your daily routine. Are there areas where you can be more intentional about walking wisely and redeeming the time? What changes can you make this week to live more circumspectly? [06:08]
Consider the influence your life has on your family, church, and the watching world. How can you ensure that your actions reflect well on these groups and honor God? [07:54]
Have you ever relied on substances or distractions to fill voids in your life? How can you seek the filling of the Holy Spirit instead, and what steps will you take to pursue this? [12:22]
Think about your role within the church or your community. How can you practice mutual submission and teamwork to contribute to the collective mission of living out the gospel? [26:03]
Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle with gratitude. How can you cultivate a heart of thankfulness in that area, and what practical steps will you take to express gratitude daily? [19:08]
Reflect on your worship habits. How can you incorporate more worship and praise into your daily life outside of church services? What specific actions will you take to make this a regular practice? [18:22]
Consider the challenges you face in living out your faith. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit's empowerment to overcome these challenges and fulfill your calling as part of God's team? [31:46]

Sermon Clips

The core of the Christian life, the foundation of the Christian life, is not what we do for God. The core, the foundation of the Christian life is what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. Now, is it important for us to hear what we need to do in light of what Jesus has done for us? Absolutely. [00:01:32]

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise but understand what the will of the Lord is. Notice how he begins there in verse 15: see then that you walk circumspectly. [00:05:04]

How you live your Christian life makes a difference. It's important. Let me give you some reasons why it's important. It's important before God. If God has saved you, if God is your Lord, if Jesus Christ is the Lord of your life, shouldn't you live in a way that honors Him? [00:06:55]

The world around you looks at your life, and they will judge Christianity by looking at your life. Folks, I know it's true. We want to tell people, and there's some truth to it, we want to tell people don't judge Christianity by my life, read the Bible to judge Christianity. [00:08:19]

Does not the moment demand that we live committed, sold-out lives for Jesus Christ? If you don't think that that's the moment of the day, you need to reconsider. You need to take another look around at what's happening in the world today and say now is the time for us to press into Jesus more than ever. [00:09:34]

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit. Don't get drunk. If you're a believer, don't get drunk. Can I say it one more time? Don't get drunk. It's a sin. Be not drunk with wine or any other intoxicating substance. [00:10:46]

It's a waste to live your life getting intoxicated. It's a waste. It's a waste of your money, it's a waste of your time, it's a waste of your brain cells. Folks, I've had some people very near to me in my life labor under the bondage of addiction. It is so sad. [00:12:29]

That empty place in your life God wants to fill with His presence, with His Holy Spirit. That is what you're really aching for, even if you don't know it. Now, this idea of being filled with the Holy Spirit, in the grammar of the original language, it's very interesting. [00:14:12]

Today is a new day that you can be filled with the Holy Spirit. Today is a new day that you can walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. Today is a new day when you can have God's Holy Spirit come upon you, be in you, and govern over your life in a continual, glorious way. [00:15:06]

This is a worshiping congregation. I can see it, I feel it, I know it. You can't be among this congregation without seeing this is a worshipping country. So I think you all do just fine with this command that says singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs making melody in your heart and the Lord. [00:17:00]

We should have the idea that we as a church family, as we submit to one another, we say we are on a collective team, and we need to be a team player on that team. Do you have that sense? Friends, not everybody has that sense in God's family. [00:26:44]

You are part of this team. You belong to the same team as Peter and Paul and John. You belong to the same team as Polycarp and Athanasius and other great people in church history. You belong to the same team as a Calvin and Luther and Simmons and Ridley and Charles Spurgeon. [00:30:15]

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Living Wisely: Embracing God's Transformative Work

Devotional

Day 1: Living Wisely Through Christ's Accomplishments

Day 2: Redeeming Time in a World of Distraction

Day 3: The Empowering Presence of the Holy Spirit

Day 4: Worship, Gratitude, and Submission in Community

Day 5: Embracing Our Roles in God's Global Team

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Living Wisely: Embracing God's Transformative Work

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