Making The Most Of You
Making The Most Of You
Ephesians 5:8-20 (NIV) 8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lamentations 3:19-23 (ESV) 19Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! 20My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. 21But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 22The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Living as a child of light:
Because of who you are, make the best use of your life.
1. Your life is an offered opportunity.
2. Your life is a current opportunity.
Matthew 6:34 (KJ21) “Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
3. Your life is a valuable opportunity.
Ephesians 5:17-18 (Phillips) Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility, not as men who do not know the meaning and purpose of life but as those who do. Make the best use of your time, despite all the difficulties of these days. Don’t be vague but firmly grasp what you know to be the will of God.
Psalm 90:12 (KJ21) So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
John 19:30 (NIV) “It is finished!”
John 17:4 (NIRV) “…I have finished the work you gave me to do.”
4. Your life is a passing opportunity.
Your True Identity
You are loved!
John 15:9 (ESV) “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.”
Romans 5:8 (ESV) …but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
You are chosen!
Colossians 3:12 (NIV) Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
John 15:16 (NIV)“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”
You are forgiven!
Ephesians 1:7 (ESV) In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace…
Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV) He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Psalm 86:5 (ESV) For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
You are redeemed!
John 3:16-17 (NIV) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Ephesians 1:7-8 (NIV) In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.
You are adopted!
Ephesians 1:5 (ESV) …he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will…
John 1:12 (ESV) But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…
Growing Deeper Together (Group Discussion Questions)
Use these points throughout the week as part of your quiet time, in your small group, or over coffee with a friend to help you apply what you learned in today’s message.
Do you find yourself looking back at yesterday or toward tomorrow more than is helpful? Shane talked about being trapped by the past or taking something God hasn’t given to you yet. How can you let go of what is past and move forward? How can you stay in the present and focus on what God has given you for today?
Review the identity statements inside. Which do you struggle to accept? Which brings comfort or peace? Spend time in prayer and praise to the one who loves you and brought you into his family!