Walk in Wisdom - Pr. Antonio Nasser - August 2nd, 2009

Ephesians 5: 15-17
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,
16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

THE EVIL DAYS
1.Evil words against God’s people
Matthew 5:11-12 (NIV) 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

2.Evil dissimulation
Matthew 5:37 (NIV) 37 Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

3.Evil thoughts
Mark 7:20-23 (NIV) 20 He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' 21 For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.'"

GOD’S WISDOM IS FROM ABOVE
James 3:13-17 (NKJV)
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

WALK IN WISDOM
1. Watch your step… How do you live?
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,
Greek: akribōs
exactly :- circumspectly, diligently, perfect (-ly).

2. The Precious Time… How are you using it?
16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil
Greek – exagorazō
The root is from (agora); properly to go to market, i.e. (by implication) to purchase; specially to redeem :- buy, redeem.

3. God’s Will… our Goal!
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Ephesians 3:10-12 (NKJV) 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.

a) Jesus is the accomplishment of God’s Will

b) We have access to God, through Jesus, our Savior

c) We, the Church, through our life and testimony, must show God’s will to the world and to the principalities and powers.

d) We must be like Jesus! He is the Will of God for us!