Wisdom from the Word and the Spirit

Sunday Worship

8:45 AM SERVICE 10:00 AM Sunday School & Adult EdUCATION 11:00 AM SERVICE

by: Pastor Eibel

09/29/2022

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Good morning, and a blessed Thursday to you.


Would you open up your Bibles for our devotion this morning to Ephesians the 5th chapter. I'd like to share with you this morning about the topic of being wise.  There’s a difference between earthly wisdom and heavenly wisdom. So we're going to talk about that heavenly wisdom that comes from God. Beginning at the 15th verse, the Apostle Paul writes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit:


15 “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise people but as wise,”


Then he gives the reason.


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


Ever since that fall into sin, all the way back to Genesis and our first parents Adam and Eve, and eating of the forbidden fruit; that turning away from God, their eyes being taken off of God, and turning upon themselves. Going all the way back to then, sin has entered into the world. Certainly we can give example after example after example of sin in the world, and sin in our own lives.


Paul gives some direct Council here:


“Making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”


Paul goes on to write:


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


How do we know what the will of the Lord is? How do we know that which is wise… that wise will the Lord?  We know that by turning to God's Holy Word. God’s Word comes to us, and God speaks to us His very words. In Holy Scripture He speaks to us and gives to us that which is His will; His wise will.


18 “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.” 


What Paul is getting at here, is in pagan religions, drunkenness was a key aspect in their religions. Paul is telling us not to be under the control of a substance like alcohol. Don’t get drunk like the pagans do in their religious rites.  

“Instead, be filled with the Spirit,” 


Remember the principle that we hear in Holy Scripture. There's no such thing as a wordless Spirit. In other words the Holy Spirit is always attached to the Word. No such thing as a worthless Spirit. So to be wise here, we turn to the Scriptures. God gives us His Word, and we are filled with the Spirit.  When one becomes a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ in the waters of baptism; when we are claimed, we’re filled with the Holy Spirit.  Or if we're brought to faith first, and the Spirit is given to us, and then we come to our baptism. Either way, inside of the believer dwells the Holy Spirit. Scripture says we are a temple of the Holy Spirit. And being that temple, we can say that as a believer, we already have the Holy Spirit. And yet, there is to be a continual filling of the Holy Spirit. And that continual filling comes through the Word, as we study that Word. 


Now back to verse 18:


18 “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,”


And what is the result of turning to the Word and being filled with the Spirit?  The result is worship.


19 “as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, 20 giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”


Turning to His Word, we hear of His wisdom. We hear of His promises for us. We are continually filled with the Holy Spirit. Being filled with the Holy Spirit expresses itself in worship. Or we can, as the Scripture says, “at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ give thanks,” as we understand that everything is under His sovereign control, for his glory and for our ultimate good. That's wise living, isn't it. Wise living… making the most of the time.


Let’s pray.  Gracious Heavenly Father, we give you thanks for this time in your Word. Your Word is truth.  We thank you, Lord, for the call to wisdom. And we thank You, how you use Your Word to that end. Fill us today, O Lord. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, as we study the Word. Fill us and send us forth to proclaim Jesus Christ crucified and risen. Send us forth to proclaim the glorious the gospel; that our sins are forgiven. Through the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ You have opened up heaven to all believers. Send us forth, O Lord, with that glorious, glorious message of your grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


Who is it today that needs to be encouraged? May you be that person that brings the encouragement of Christ.


Encourage someone.


Pastor Eibel

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Good morning, and a blessed Thursday to you.


Would you open up your Bibles for our devotion this morning to Ephesians the 5th chapter. I'd like to share with you this morning about the topic of being wise.  There’s a difference between earthly wisdom and heavenly wisdom. So we're going to talk about that heavenly wisdom that comes from God. Beginning at the 15th verse, the Apostle Paul writes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit:


15 “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise people but as wise,”


Then he gives the reason.


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


Ever since that fall into sin, all the way back to Genesis and our first parents Adam and Eve, and eating of the forbidden fruit; that turning away from God, their eyes being taken off of God, and turning upon themselves. Going all the way back to then, sin has entered into the world. Certainly we can give example after example after example of sin in the world, and sin in our own lives.


Paul gives some direct Council here:


“Making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”


Paul goes on to write:


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


How do we know what the will of the Lord is? How do we know that which is wise… that wise will the Lord?  We know that by turning to God's Holy Word. God’s Word comes to us, and God speaks to us His very words. In Holy Scripture He speaks to us and gives to us that which is His will; His wise will.


18 “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.” 


What Paul is getting at here, is in pagan religions, drunkenness was a key aspect in their religions. Paul is telling us not to be under the control of a substance like alcohol. Don’t get drunk like the pagans do in their religious rites.  

“Instead, be filled with the Spirit,” 


Remember the principle that we hear in Holy Scripture. There's no such thing as a wordless Spirit. In other words the Holy Spirit is always attached to the Word. No such thing as a worthless Spirit. So to be wise here, we turn to the Scriptures. God gives us His Word, and we are filled with the Spirit.  When one becomes a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ in the waters of baptism; when we are claimed, we’re filled with the Holy Spirit.  Or if we're brought to faith first, and the Spirit is given to us, and then we come to our baptism. Either way, inside of the believer dwells the Holy Spirit. Scripture says we are a temple of the Holy Spirit. And being that temple, we can say that as a believer, we already have the Holy Spirit. And yet, there is to be a continual filling of the Holy Spirit. And that continual filling comes through the Word, as we study that Word. 


Now back to verse 18:


18 “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,”


And what is the result of turning to the Word and being filled with the Spirit?  The result is worship.


19 “as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, 20 giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”


Turning to His Word, we hear of His wisdom. We hear of His promises for us. We are continually filled with the Holy Spirit. Being filled with the Holy Spirit expresses itself in worship. Or we can, as the Scripture says, “at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ give thanks,” as we understand that everything is under His sovereign control, for his glory and for our ultimate good. That's wise living, isn't it. Wise living… making the most of the time.


Let’s pray.  Gracious Heavenly Father, we give you thanks for this time in your Word. Your Word is truth.  We thank you, Lord, for the call to wisdom. And we thank You, how you use Your Word to that end. Fill us today, O Lord. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, as we study the Word. Fill us and send us forth to proclaim Jesus Christ crucified and risen. Send us forth to proclaim the glorious the gospel; that our sins are forgiven. Through the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ You have opened up heaven to all believers. Send us forth, O Lord, with that glorious, glorious message of your grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


Who is it today that needs to be encouraged? May you be that person that brings the encouragement of Christ.


Encourage someone.


Pastor Eibel

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