Walking in Wisdom: Aligning Life with God's Will
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the theme of wisdom as presented in Ephesians 5:15-20. We began by emphasizing the importance of being careful in how we live, urging us to walk wisely and make the most of our time because the days are evil. This wisdom involves understanding and acting upon the will of the Lord, rather than being foolish. We also discussed the significance of being filled with the Holy Spirit rather than indulging in excesses like drunkenness, which impair our ability to exercise wisdom.
We then delved into the biblical concept of "walking" with God, tracing its roots from Genesis through the New Testament. Walking with God is a recurring theme that signifies a life lived in alignment with His will. We examined the life of Solomon, who, despite his divine wisdom, failed to walk consistently with God, leading to his downfall. Solomon's story serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that divine wisdom is no substitute for a faithful walk with God.
Paul's exhortation in Ephesians to "walk carefully" is a call to live a life of wisdom, making the most of our time and understanding God's will. This involves redeeming the time in the face of evil, acting wisely, and being filled with the Holy Spirit. The natural outflow of such a life is praise and thanksgiving to God.
### Key Takeaways
1. Walking in Wisdom: Wisdom is not just about knowledge but involves action and choice. It requires diligence and careful consideration of how we live our lives. Walking in wisdom means aligning our actions with God's will and making the most of our time in a world filled with distractions and evil. [33:16]
2. The Biblical Theme of Walking: The concept of walking with God is deeply rooted in Scripture, from Genesis to the New Testament. It signifies a life lived in close relationship with God, following His commandments and statutes. This walk is essential for a life of wisdom and spiritual growth. [37:47]
3. Solomon's Cautionary Tale: Despite his divine wisdom, Solomon's failure to walk consistently with God led to his downfall. His life serves as a reminder that wisdom alone is not enough; it must be accompanied by a faithful walk with God. Divine wisdom is no substitute for a life lived in obedience to God's will. [41:37]
4. Redeeming the Time: Paul urges us to make the most of our time because the days are evil. This involves more than just good time management; it means using our time wisely to act in ways that are pleasing to God. Redeeming the time is a way to shine a light in a dark world, demonstrating wise and godly conduct. [53:41]
5. Being Filled with the Holy Spirit: Paul contrasts being filled with wine, which leads to debauchery, with being filled with the Holy Spirit, which enhances wisdom. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live wisely, restoring the image of God within us. A life filled with the Spirit naturally overflows with praise and thanksgiving to God. [57:21]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:39] - Sunday School and Youth Kickoff
[01:22] - Acolyte Training and Midweek Series
[02:08] - Upcoming Events and Guest Speaker
[03:43] - Call to Worship and Prayer
[04:32] - Peace of God and Apostles' Creed
[08:56] - Prayer and Gratitude
[11:00] - Prayers for the World and Leaders
[12:48] - Prayers for the Persecuted Church
[13:46] - Prayers for the Nation and Community
[15:23] - Offering and Children's Time
[31:02] - Introduction to Ephesians 5
[33:16] - Theme of Wisdom
[34:46] - Walking in Wisdom
[37:47] - Biblical Theme of Walking
[41:37] - Solomon's Cautionary Tale
[53:41] - Redeeming the Time
[55:20] - Understanding God's Will
[57:21] - Being Filled with the Holy Spirit
[59:00] - Closing and Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 5:15-20 (NIV): "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he says to "make the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil"? ([33:16])
2. How does Paul contrast being filled with wine and being filled with the Holy Spirit? ([55:20])
3. What are the different ways Paul suggests we can express our thankfulness to God? ([57:21])
4. How does the story of Solomon illustrate the importance of walking consistently with God? ([41:37])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to understand what the Lord’s will is, according to Paul? How does this understanding relate to living wisely? ([55:20])
2. How does the concept of "redeeming the time" challenge our modern-day use of time and priorities? ([53:41])
3. In what ways does being filled with the Holy Spirit enhance our ability to live wisely? ([57:21])
4. How does Solomon's life serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of not walking consistently with God, despite having wisdom? ([41:37])
### Application Questions
1. Paul urges us to "make the most of every opportunity." What are some practical ways you can better use your time to align with God's will this week? ([33:16])
2. Reflect on your daily routine. Are there areas where you are indulging in excesses that impair your ability to exercise wisdom? How can you change these habits? ([55:20])
3. Solomon's downfall was partly due to his failure to walk consistently with God. Are there areas in your life where you are not walking consistently with God? What steps can you take to improve this? ([41:37])
4. Paul contrasts being filled with wine and being filled with the Holy Spirit. How can you seek to be more filled with the Holy Spirit in your daily life? ([55:20])
5. The sermon mentioned the importance of praise and thanksgiving as a natural outflow of a wise life. How can you incorporate more praise and thanksgiving into your daily routine? ([57:21])
6. Think about a specific situation where you need to "redeem the time." What practical steps can you take to act wisely in that situation? ([53:41])
7. How can you ensure that your actions and choices are aligned with God's will, especially in a world filled with distractions and evil? ([33:16])
Devotional
Day 1: Walking in Wisdom
Wisdom is not just about knowledge but involves action and choice. It requires diligence and careful consideration of how we live our lives. Walking in wisdom means aligning our actions with God's will and making the most of our time in a world filled with distractions and evil. This involves being intentional about our decisions and seeking to understand what pleases the Lord. Wisdom is demonstrated through our daily choices, reflecting a life that honors God and makes the most of every opportunity. [33:16]
Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV): "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."
Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you can make a wiser choice today? How can you align this decision with God's will?
Day 2: The Biblical Theme of Walking
The concept of walking with God is deeply rooted in Scripture, from Genesis to the New Testament. It signifies a life lived in close relationship with God, following His commandments and statutes. This walk is essential for a life of wisdom and spiritual growth. Walking with God means living in a way that reflects His character and values, consistently seeking His guidance and presence in our daily lives. It is a journey of faith and obedience, where we strive to stay in step with the Spirit and grow in our relationship with the Lord. [37:47]
Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: How can you intentionally walk with God today? What specific actions can you take to ensure you are living in alignment with His will?
Day 3: Solomon's Cautionary Tale
Despite his divine wisdom, Solomon's failure to walk consistently with God led to his downfall. His life serves as a reminder that wisdom alone is not enough; it must be accompanied by a faithful walk with God. Divine wisdom is no substitute for a life lived in obedience to God's will. Solomon's story teaches us the importance of not just seeking wisdom but also maintaining a close and obedient relationship with God. It is a call to prioritize our walk with God above all else, ensuring that our wisdom is grounded in a faithful and obedient heart. [41:37]
1 Kings 11:4 (ESV): "For when Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are relying on your own wisdom rather than seeking God's guidance? How can you ensure that your heart remains true to the Lord?
Day 4: Redeeming the Time
Paul urges us to make the most of our time because the days are evil. This involves more than just good time management; it means using our time wisely to act in ways that are pleasing to God. Redeeming the time is a way to shine a light in a dark world, demonstrating wise and godly conduct. It is about being intentional with our time, prioritizing activities that honor God and contribute to His kingdom. By redeeming the time, we can make a positive impact in a world that desperately needs the light of Christ. [53:41]
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: How can you make the most of your time today in a way that honors God? What specific actions can you take to ensure you are using your time wisely?
Day 5: Being Filled with the Holy Spirit
Paul contrasts being filled with wine, which leads to debauchery, with being filled with the Holy Spirit, which enhances wisdom. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live wisely, restoring the image of God within us. A life filled with the Spirit naturally overflows with praise and thanksgiving to God. Being filled with the Holy Spirit means allowing Him to guide and influence every aspect of our lives, leading us to make wise decisions and live in a way that reflects God's character. It is through the Spirit's empowerment that we can truly walk in wisdom and live a life that honors God. [57:21]
Ephesians 5:18-20 (ESV): "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: In what ways can you invite the Holy Spirit to fill and guide you today? How can you ensure that your life is a reflection of His wisdom and presence?
Quotes
1. "I just want to encourage everyone to continue reading through that and even commit it to memory. I have heard of people who've committed all three chapters to memory and said it's been the most transformational spiritual discipline that they have ever done. So I want to encourage you to continue to meditate on those words and those teachings of Jesus." [31:02] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So in short, what Jesus is implying there is that wisdom involves action. It involves a choice. It involves diligence. And I think that this is spelled out a bit in verse 15 of Ephesians 5. The translation that I read, just a moment ago, said, be careful then how you live. And that's a fine translation, but there's another one that I came across that I think gets it, gets the point across a little bit better. It says, look carefully then how you walk." [36:25] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Now, the very first book of the Bible, Genesis, begins referring to walking as something that people do with God, as well as something that God calls people to do. Genesis 17, God said to Abraham, I am God Almighty. Walk before me and be blameless. Deuteronomy chapter 10, Moses is addressing the people, the people of Israel. And in that address, he called them to fear the Lord your God and walk in all of his ways." [37:47] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I find it interesting, too, that Jesus rarely calls people to believe in him. He does occasionally, but more often, what does he do? He calls people to follow him. Follow me, Jesus says. Walk with me. So, do you see how prominent this walking theme is throughout scripture? Now, these are just a few examples. There's many others that could be made, but going back to Ephesians, I hope it's just a bit more clear now. Maybe there's a greater sense of urgency for us when we read Paul saying, watch carefully, then, how you walk." [39:36] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The gift of divine wisdom was no substitute for walking with God. The gift of divine wisdom to Solomon was no substitute for walking with God. You know, one of the best resources out there for biblical literacy and for understanding, you know, the depth of scripture is something called the Bible Project. And I've mentioned it before. I know Kalen's mentioned this resource before, and they have videos and podcasts and everything's free." [44:32] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "So the natural outflow of a life of wisdom, of carefully watching how we walk, is praise and is thanksgiving. You know, we have a little 10-month-old named Ivy, and she's just beginning to learn to walk. And it's fun to watch her. Because she'll take one step, maybe two, and then she'll fall. But you know what she's doing, is she's watching carefully the way she walks. That's how I feel like a lot of us are sometimes." [57:21] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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