Sermon Tone Analysis

Question Everything

Theme: The question we should bring to bear on every decision, invitation, and relationship is “What’s the wise thing to do?”

Text: Ephesians 5:15-17

Goal that they would ask the question : What’s the wise thing to do?”

ME: ORIENTATION: FIND COMMON GROUND WITH THE AUDIENCE

I am Excited about this Series, book and Sermon Series by North point Church, Andy Stanley

For the next six weeks, we’re going to discuss a question that will clarify your best option for 90 percent of the decisions you make in life, the question that answers just about everything, a question that has the potential to foolproof your relationships, marriage, finances, calendar, pace, and health.

It reduces complexity.

The reason we are going to spend six weeks is that I would like to convince you to make this a lifelong habit.

It will save you time, money, and tears.

You will carry around less regret.

And best of all, you won’t have to apologize near as much.

WE: IDENTIFICATION (MAKE IT CLEAR THAT YOU STRUGGLE)

I bumped into a similar thought years ago and a graduation party realizing that the decisions we make both open and close doors.

This cuts through emotions and desires.

AS: So here's my point, if you're not really a Bible person, you're kind of skeptic about the

whole thing, in fact, you're not even sure why you're in church or why you're even listening to this, I

get that.

So today, as we look at these verses, don't think, "Oh, well I don't believe the Bible," this

has nothing to do with you believing the Bible.

This has to do with you listening to a man who lived in the first century that believed maybe what you believed or used to believe what you believe about Jesus, who became a Christian, who became a person who went around convincing other people to follow Jesus, who was a friend of the people who knew Jesus.

And he wrote this like in the mid'50s, maybe 20-something years, maybe 20 years after Jesus lived.

So this isn't long, long ago in a

land far, far away, you know 100 years after the fact.

And he gives us this extraordinary,

extraordinary life insight.

And here's one more thing before we look at it; even if you don't take the Bible seriously,

and even if you don't take Christianity seriously, you should take this question seriously, because as

you're gonna see, this is something for all of us.

The good news is, if you're not a Christian, you get to decide whether or not you wanna ask the question; it's optional for you.

If you are a Christian, you have to ask it, okay?

This is required of us.

And I think as we unpack these verses together, you'll understand why it's so important.

So here's what happened, The Apostle Paul, he's writing a letter and he's writing it to a whole bunch of churches.

This letter just got labeled Ephesians, but we know this was a letter that went around to a whole bunch of churches around the Mediterranean Rim where he planted these churches.

And in this letter, he's telling Christians how to live their lives.

He saying, "Look, you used to be in darkness, now you're in light.

You used to get along just

deceiving each other and mistreating people, but now you're a Jesus follower.

You can't continue to

deceive other people and you can't mistreat other people.

Now you have to treat people not the way

they treated you, now you have to treat people the way your Heavenly Father treated you through

Christ."

As he is talking to them he talks about baby steps

GOD: ILLUMINATION (THE GOAL IS TO RESOLVE THE TENSION

I. Ephesians 5:15–17

A. The verses in question follow a list of things Christians are supposed to do and not do.

Predictable stuff.

But stuff we are all tempted to dabble in: greed, sexual immorality, dishonesty, unkindness, revenge.

B. He says, “Hey Jesus followers, you are part of God’s kingdom—kingdom of light and love.

You can’t keep living like you are in the dark.

Live as children of the light.”

C. To which we say, “That’s not easy!”

I’m still temptable.

I’m still susceptible to the same foolish decisions and relationships and spending habits as before.”

D. So, he gives us a bridge, a first step.

II.

Text

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, NIV

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—

Live – Lit: walk.

Every sphere of life.Careful

περιπατέω (peripateō).

vb. to walk.

This word generally means moving from one place to another on foot; it has a metaphorical sense of practicing a lifestyle.

You can see the same word used in Ephesians 5:8

8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.

Walk as children of light ESV

Look:

– Blepo-­‐ To perceive with the eye.

Observe.

Look at.

Pay attention to.

Examine carefully.Don’t be careless.Look back.Look around.Look ahead.

not as unwise, but as wise,Implication: Careless is unwise.

Careful is wise.Don’t live with your eyes closed, but eyes wide open, all the information on the table, seeking input from every reliable source, not dragged along by my emotions and desires.

Carefully:

pertaining to strict conformity to a standard or norm, w. focus on careful attention, accurately, carefully, well βλέπειν (POxy 1381, 111f [I/II]) Eph 5:15.

And as a result . . .

if you live carefully,

16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

This term carries the idea of occasion, period of time, era, or opportunity

Opportunity = Gk: Time = LifeYour most valuable assetThe way of wisdom yields the highest and best use of your

καιρός (kairos).

n. masc.

time, season.

An opportune period of time.

Less wasted time.Days are evil: There are always cultural currents dragging in a negative direction.

Move with certain currents of society and your regrets will stack up relationally, financially, socially . . .

17 Therefore do not be foolish, BUT understand what the Lord’s will is.

Foolish/unwise: “I know, that’s probably not the best thing to do, but I don’t care.”

Don’t be careless; be careful.BUT/alla – Foolish vs._______Understand!

Use your brain!

Face up to what you know God wants for you.

No more games.

No more excuses.

III.The Question: What’s the wise thing to do?

Let’s say it out loud.

Of every invitation, opportunity, decision . . .