Grace Through Wisdom – Under the Yoke
Ephes.
5:8-17 (NIV)
For 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) [10] and find out what
pleases the Lord. [11] Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,
but rather expose them. [12] For it is shameful even to mention what the
disobedient do in secret. [13] But everything exposed by the light becomes
visible, [14] for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is
said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
[15] Be very careful, then, how you
live--not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the most of every opportunity,
because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand
what the Lord's will is.
Are you a tourist,
immigrant or ambassador in the world?
Ephes.
5:15 (NIV)
Be very careful, then, how you live--not as
unwise but as wise,
Ephes.
5:15 (NKJV)
See then that you walk circumspectly,
not as fools but as wise,
Chokmah – skillful and having a quick mind
Muwcar (moo-saw) – reproof, instruction and
discipline
Sakal – circumspect, prosper and to be successful
Chakam – to be wise-hearted; wise, intelligent,
skillful and artful
Tsedeq – knowing what is right and moral
Meyshar – knowing what is even, straight and right
`ormah – having discretion and a good sense
Mishpat – determining what is just and right
da`ath – knowledge
towkechah – correct reasoning, refutation, correct
argument and right refutation
biyn – to mentally distinguish and to understand
leqach – to mentally receive instruction and
learning
[17]
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
Proverbs
4:23 (NIV)
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is
the wellspring of life.
[15] Be very careful, then, how you
live--not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the most of every opportunity,
because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand
what the Lord's will is.
1.
Choose
to honor Christ by walking daily according to His leading, His
truths and depending on His grace
Matthew
11:28-30 (NIV)
"Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you and learn from
me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
[30] For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Sirach
6:19-31
Come to (Wisdom) like one who plows and
sows. Put your neck into her collar. Bind your shoulders and carry her...Come
unto her with all your soul, and keep her ways with all your might...For at
last you will find the rest she gives...Then her fetters will become for you a
strong defense, and her collar a glorious robe. Her yoke is a golden ornament,
and her bonds a purple cord.
Sirach
51:13, 17-21, 26 (NJB)
…in my prayers I asked outright for wisdom…Thanks
to her I have advanced; glory be to him who has given me wisdom! For I was
determined to put her into practice…My soul has fought to possess her… I
have directed my soul towards her…my very core having yearned to discover her, I
have now acquired a good possession…Put your neck under the yoke, and let
your soul receive instruction: she is hard at hand to find
1
Cor. 1:24 (NIV)
… Christ the power of God and the wisdom of
God.
2.
In a dilemma, ask God for wisdom accompanied by the faith that
God will give it
James
1:5-8 (NLT)
If you need wisdom—if you want to know what
God wants you to do—ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent
your asking. [6] But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to
answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven
and tossed by the wind. [7] People like that should not expect to receive
anything from the Lord. [8] They can't make up their minds. They waver back and
forth in everything they do.
3.
Instead of following an impulsive centered response, choose to wisely trust
and obey in order that we will later understand
I am grateful to Tim Keller, from whom some of this
sermon came from…