Walking Wisely: Living Out Our Faith in Christ

 

Summary

In Ephesians chapter 5, we delve into the practical aspects of living out our faith, focusing on the theme of "Walking Wisely." The first three chapters of Ephesians provide deep theological insights, particularly about salvation by grace, while the latter chapters guide us on sanctification—living a life that reflects our faith in Christ. Walking wisely involves managing our time effectively, as time is a precious gift from God. This is not merely a simple task but a challenging one that requires intentionality and discipline. As believers, we are called to imitate God by walking in love, light, and wisdom. Walking in love means living sacrificially, as Christ did for us. Walking in light involves living in truth, righteousness, and goodness, exposing darkness rather than participating in it. Walking wisely requires us to seek God's wisdom, which is pure and from above, rather than relying on our own understanding or the world's philosophies.

The passage emphasizes the importance of being careful with how we live, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. This means avoiding foolishness, drunkenness, and other behaviors that grieve the Holy Spirit. Instead, we should be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and giving thanks to God. Our lives should be marked by gratitude, humility, and reverence for Christ. As we walk wisely, we become living testimonies of God's transformative power, compelling others to seek the light of Christ. This is especially crucial in a world filled with darkness and deception. By living intentionally and maximizing our time, we can fulfill our calling to be ambassadors of Christ, spreading His love and truth to those around us.

Key Takeaways:

1. Imitating God in Love and Light: As beloved children of God, we are called to imitate Him by walking in love and light. This means living sacrificially and truthfully, reflecting Christ's love and righteousness in our daily lives. By doing so, we displace sinfulness with gratefulness and expose darkness with the light of Christ. [03:03]

2. The Displacement Principle: Replace sinful behaviors with gratitude and praise. When we fail in our Christlike walk, we should turn to God with thanksgiving, allowing His light to cleanse and sanctify us. This principle helps us to live a life that is pleasing to God and free from the bondage of sin. [04:28]

3. Walking Wisely with Intentionality: Walking wisely involves being intentional with our time and decisions. We must seek God's wisdom, which is pure and from above, and align our lives with His will. This requires a mental perception of what is right and a commitment to live according to biblical convictions. [12:42]

4. Maximizing Time for God's Glory: As Christians, we are called to make the most of our time, recognizing that the days are evil. This means prioritizing prayer, Bible study, and witnessing, and avoiding worldly distractions that waste our time. By doing so, we can effectively serve God and fulfill our purpose in His kingdom. [28:20]

5. Living as a Testimony of Christ's Transformative Power: Our lives should be a demonstration of the change that Christ brings. By walking wisely and living holy lives, we become a testimony to the lost around us, showing them the power of the gospel. This compels us to live with conviction and indebtedness to those who have yet to know Christ. [26:22]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:03] - Imitating God in Love and Light
- [04:28] - The Displacement Principle
- [07:07] - Exposing Darkness with Light
- [11:07] - Walking Wisely with Intentionality
- [12:42] - Seeking God's Wisdom
- [13:45] - The Source of True Wisdom
- [14:58] - Prioritizing God's Kingdom
- [15:44] - The Danger of Humanistic Philosophy
- [17:25] - The Value of Wisdom Over Wealth
- [19:25] - Positive Affirmations for Walking Wisely
- [20:09] - Living a Life of Gratitude and Reverence
- [21:32] - Walking Intentionally
- [26:22] - Living as a Testimony of Christ's Power
- [28:20] - Maximizing Time for God's Glory
- [32:24] - The Joy of Walking with Christ
- [35:32] - The Power of Prayer and Witnessing
- [37:04] - Avoiding Worldliness and Walking Wisely

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Walking Wisely

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 5:15-21

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Observation Questions:

1. What are the three ways Paul instructs believers to walk in Ephesians 5, and how do they relate to imitating God? [03:03]

2. According to the sermon, what is the "Displacement Principle," and how is it applied in our daily lives? [04:28]

3. How does the sermon describe the importance of managing our time as believers, and what are some examples given? [28:20]

4. What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit according to Ephesians 5:18, and how is this reflected in our interactions with others? [20:09]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of "walking in love" challenge the way believers interact with those around them, especially in a world filled with darkness? [03:03]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that believers can expose darkness with the light of Christ, and what might this look like in practical terms? [07:07]

3. The sermon emphasizes the need for wisdom from God rather than relying on worldly philosophies. How can believers discern between the two in their daily decision-making? [15:44]

4. How does the sermon connect the idea of maximizing time with being a testimony of Christ's transformative power? [26:22]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current use of time. Are there specific activities or habits that you feel are not aligned with walking wisely? How can you adjust your schedule to prioritize spiritual growth and service? [28:20]

2. Consider a recent situation where you had the opportunity to expose darkness with the light of Christ. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in the future to be more effective in this role? [07:07]

3. Identify an area in your life where you struggle to replace sinful behaviors with gratitude and praise. What practical steps can you take this week to apply the Displacement Principle? [04:28]

4. Think about a decision you need to make soon. How can you seek God's wisdom in this matter, and what resources or practices can help you discern His will? [12:42]

5. Reflect on your interactions with others. How can you intentionally speak to others with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as mentioned in Ephesians 5:19? What impact might this have on your relationships? [20:09]

6. Consider the people in your life who do not yet know Christ. How can your life serve as a testimony to them, and what specific actions can you take to share the gospel with them this week? [26:22]

7. Evaluate your current spiritual disciplines, such as prayer and Bible study. How can you enhance these practices to ensure you are making the most of your time for God's glory? [32:24]

Devotional

I'm ready to present the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined:

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Day 1: Imitating God Through Sacrificial Love and Truth
Description: As believers, we are called to imitate God by walking in love and light. This involves living sacrificially, as Christ did, and embodying truth, righteousness, and goodness in our daily lives. Walking in love means putting others before ourselves, showing kindness, and forgiving as Christ forgave us. Walking in light requires us to expose darkness by living in truth and righteousness, not participating in sinful behaviors. By doing so, we reflect Christ's love and righteousness, displacing sinfulness with gratefulness and exposing darkness with the light of Christ. [03:03]

Ephesians 5:8-10 (ESV): "For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord."

Reflection: Think of a situation where you can show sacrificial love today. How can you bring light and truth into that situation?


Day 2: Replacing Sin with Gratitude and Praise
Description: The Displacement Principle encourages us to replace sinful behaviors with gratitude and praise. When we fall short in our Christlike walk, we should turn to God with thanksgiving, allowing His light to cleanse and sanctify us. This principle helps us live a life pleasing to God and free from the bondage of sin. By focusing on gratitude and praise, we shift our attention from our failures to God's goodness, enabling us to overcome sin and live in His grace. [04:28]

Colossians 3:15-17 (ESV): "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: Identify a sinful habit you struggle with. How can you replace it with an attitude of gratitude and praise today?


Day 3: Intentional Living Through Godly Wisdom
Description: Walking wisely involves being intentional with our time and decisions, seeking God's wisdom, which is pure and from above. This requires aligning our lives with His will and living according to biblical convictions. By seeking God's wisdom, we gain a mental perception of what is right and commit to living intentionally. This intentionality helps us navigate life's challenges and make decisions that honor God. [12:42]

James 3:17-18 (ESV): "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."

Reflection: What decision are you facing today that requires God's wisdom? How can you seek His guidance and align your choice with His will?


Day 4: Maximizing Time for God's Kingdom
Description: As Christians, we are called to make the most of our time, recognizing that the days are evil. This means prioritizing prayer, Bible study, and witnessing, and avoiding worldly distractions that waste our time. By doing so, we can effectively serve God and fulfill our purpose in His kingdom. Maximizing our time for God's glory involves being intentional about how we spend our days, ensuring that our actions align with His will and contribute to His kingdom. [28:20]

Psalm 90:12 (ESV): "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."

Reflection: How can you rearrange your schedule today to prioritize activities that glorify God and advance His kingdom?


Day 5: Living as a Testimony of Christ's Transformative Power
Description: Our lives should be a demonstration of the change that Christ brings. By walking wisely and living holy lives, we become a testimony to the lost around us, showing them the power of the gospel. This compels us to live with conviction and indebtedness to those who have yet to know Christ. As we embody Christ's transformative power, we draw others to Him, becoming living testimonies of His grace and love. [26:22]

1 Peter 2:12 (ESV): "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."

Reflection: In what ways can your life be a testimony to those around you today? How can you demonstrate Christ's transformative power in your actions and words?

Quotes



"But there must be no filthiness or silly talk or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. And so we see here in verse 4 that you are to displace the sinfulness in your life with gratefulness. And so at the point of where you are engaged in sin in your life, replace that particular time with gratefulness." [00:03:58] (23 seconds)


"And so we cannot remain silent, and we talked about how the fact that it is a qualification for a pastor, for an elder, synonymous terms there, to be one who is capable, able, and actively exposing that which contradicts true faith." [00:06:50] (17 seconds)


"And so they are now placing themselves as ones whom are indebted to the lostness around them. They feel compelled to live holy lives because it is an opportunity to be a demonstration of what Christ can do. It's beautiful. And so with this conviction and with this indebtedness, they now are walking circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise people." [00:26:05] (25 seconds)


"Verse 16 says, making the most of your time. A peculiar proof of wise Christian living is that they maximize their time. That's peculiar to me, that if you observe the lifestyle of a Christian, and you want to see proof of one whom is yielding to the Lord, then they have the urgency within their heart as ones who have been given the ministry of reconciliation to be calling people to be reconciled to God." [00:28:23] (39 seconds)


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Transcript
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