How to Live the Kind of Life that Pleases Our Lord

Ephesians 5:15-20

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”

Introduction: Pleasing our Lord should be #1 on our list. Right? Is it possible? How? Everyday? Failures, faults, and fears can block us. But inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul lays out to the Church of Ephesus and to us today, (5) ways to LIVE a LIFE that PLEASES the Lord:

1. Watch your step CAREFULLY! (Eph 5:15)
“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.”
• “Circumspect” – (Latin- means ” looking around”)
( Greek- means “accuracy & precision”)
• Cautious- yellow light

2. Use your time WISELY! (Eph 5:16)
” Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
• “Redeem”- buy back (wouldn’t you like to do that?)
• “Days are evil” – pulled by the world, flesh, devil

3. Fill your tank DAILY! (Eph 5:18)
” And be not drunk with wine wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”
• “Be filled” ( Greek word – plerusthe )
• Present tense- continuous action- go on being filled (we leak!)
• Plural in form- for everybody (not just Charles Stanley) me & you
• Passive in mood- can’t fill ourselves – need God

4. Sing from heart to the Lord JOYFULLY! (Eph 5:19)
“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”
• When praises go up….
• Blessings come down

5. Thank God CONTINUALLY! (Eph 5:20)
” Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
• Thanksgiving is thanksgiving
• Notice – “for all things”

Conclusion: I know what your thinking…. 3 out of 5 isn’t bad! Next: we can’t do that!Unachievable. No we can’t (in ourselves)…but if we
1. Admit we can’t
2. Believe & trust Him to enable us
3. Cooperate with the Holy Spirit
It is possible; otherwise, the Lord would not have had Paul to write it down for us.
Not perfection, but PLEASING!
 
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese