Is this True or False? Covetousness/Greed is a less grievous sin than sexual immorality. Join us as we discuss Lesson 9, Living Wisely.

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In Ephesians 5:18-20, Paul imagines Christians gathered to worship. What does he depict them as doing in that worship?

In his final argument in Ephesians 5:1-20, Paul urges believers to turn away from the mind-numbing use of wine and instead experience together the presence and power of the Spirit. Paul bans drunkenness (probably with a quotation from Proverbs 23:31 in the Greek version of the Old Testament), suggesting he has in mind the injunctions against the use of alcohol as seen in the wisdom literature (Proverbs 20:1, Proverbs 23:29-35).

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The evil things that come in the wake of drunkenness include crude, sexually explicit speech, mindlessness, immorality, and idolatry (Ephesians 5:3-14). These are to be exchanged for thoughtful, Spirit-inspired worship of God. Paul’s exhortation to be filled with the Spirit is a key one that is modified by a series of verbs in Ephesians 5:19-21 (“speaking”; “singing and making melody”; “giving thanks”; “submitting yourselves”).

Paul here applies the exhortation to “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18) corporately, imagining believers gathering in Spirit-inspired worship of God that nourishes unity (Ephesians 4:1-32) and that stands in contrast with egocentric, pagan behavior and worship (Ephesians 5:1-18). In this sketch of early Christian worship, musical praise dominates. It has been argued that the church was born in song; and this passage, together with Colossians 3:16, provides the best evidence for the claim (compare Acts 16:25, James 5:13).

There is a “horizontal” element to worship since, in singing, church members are in a sense “speaking to one another” (Ephesians 5:19, NKJV). However, the specific object of the musical praise is the Lord, which, as indicated in Ephesians 5:20, identifies “the Lord Jesus Christ” (compare Colossians 3:16). The thanksgiving of Ephesians 5:20, described in parallel to the musical praise of Ephesians 5:19, is to be offered “unto God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” In the phrase “spiritual songs,” the adjective “spiritual” (Greek, pneumatikos) highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in worship since the term describes songs that are inspired by or filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul’s sketch of early Christian worship, then, portrays all three members of the Godhead as active participants.

<–Wednesday Friday–>

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Paul concludes Ephesians 5:1-20 with two clusters of exhortations, Ephesians 5:15-17 and Ephesians 5:18-20, completing a section with sustained interest in sexual purity. The first cluster begins with the exhortation, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise” (Ephesians 5:15, ESV), restated as “do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17, ESV). In between is a call to make “the best use of the time” (Ephesians 5:16, ESV).

Consider Paul’s exhortations to live in a way that reflects prayerful, discerning wisdom (Ephesians 5:15-17). What is the difference between walking not as fools but “wise”? Also, what does “redeeming the time” mean?

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In Ephesians, Paul has repeatedly used the common Old Testament metaphor of “walking” for how one lives (Ephesians 2:2, Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 4:1, Ephesians 4:17; Ephesians 5:2, Ephesians 5:8). Here he uses the metaphor to encourage intentional discipleship. Just as you should “watch your step” when walking on a rough or darkened path, believers should “look carefully then how you walk” (Ephesians 5:15, ESV). Because Ephesians 5:15 finds a parallel in Ephesians 5:17, we may look there for a definition of what it means to live as wise people. We do not look within for wisdom. To be wise is to reach beyond ourselves, to “understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17, ESV).

Paul also encourages intentional discipleship with a vivid image. In the phrase “making the best use of the time” (Ephesians 5:16, ESV; compare “redeeming the time,” NKJV), Paul uses the verb exagorazo (compare Colossians 4:5). Drawn from the marketplace, it is an intensive form of the verb “to buy” and means “to snap up the bargains” on offer as we await Christ’s return. “Time” here is the Greek word kairos, which describes a moment of opportunity. The “time” until the end is a promising period to be used to the full. It is also a challenging time because “the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16, ESV; compare Ephesians 6:13, Galatians 1:4) and because “the course of this world” is dominated by “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2, ESV).

As believers look toward the return of Christ, they live in a difficult time, one that Paul portrays as a hazardous but rewarding marketplace. They are to be as attentive in their use of the time that remains as are bargain hunters during a brief sale that offers steep discounts. Though we can’t buy salvation, the imagery is still apt: take promptly what is offered us in Christ.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

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The book of Ephesians does show us “How to Follow Jesus in Trying Times”: 
Hymn 623 – I Will Follow Thee, My Saviour so that our actions will always speak louder than our words.

Work For The Night Is Coming – Hymn 375 portrays what is in our Memory Text this week: “making the best use of the time”.

There are a lot of hymns to help us with understanding thanksgiving, and here are two that enhance our Sunday study time: 
Hymn 559 – Now Thank We All Our God and 
Hymn 566 – Father, We Thank You.

To be “Walking as Children of Light” (Monday), it is wise to know that 
Christ Is The World’s Light – Hymn 234, 
Christ Is The World’s True Light – Hymn 345, 
The Lord Is My Light – Hymn 515 and then we will be able to state 
This Little Light Of Mine – Hymn 580.

We are aroused from our sleep and slumber on Tuesday: 
Hymn 576 – Awake, Awake To Love And Work, 
Hymn 611 – Awake, My Soul and 
Hymn 210 – Awake, Awake For Night Is Flying.

Our “Spirit-Filled Worship” is enhanced on Thursday in 
Hymn 262 – Sweet, Sweet Spirit and 
Hymn 584 – There’s A Spirit In The Air.

So, dear people, be encouraged to go forward and “
Lift up the trumpet and loud let it ring, Jesus IS coming again” – Hymn 213.

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org/Search and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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Key Thought In Ephesians 5, Paul contrasts what pagans and believers value. Believers need to forget about partying and focus on all that is good, right, and true.
August 26, 2023

1. Have a volunteer read Ephesians 5:1-10.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. In what sense does Paul intend believers to be imitators of God?
3. Personal Application: In what ways are Paul’s words about successful behavior applicable to your culture, wherever you live? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why does Paul say we are not to become partners or partakers with sinners? Aren’t we supposed to be in the woirld but not of the world? How can we influence people if we don’t spend time with them and do things with them?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Ephesians 5:11-14.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What powerful warning is Paul giving here, and how does it apply to our present situation?
3. Personal Application: How do you live the kind of lifestyle that can expose words of darkness for what they are? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “What does it mean to awake from sleep and arise from the dead? What light is Paul speaking about giving us?.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Ephesians 5:15-17.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What is the difference between walking not as fools but as wise?
3. Personal Application: Confronted today with a viral culture that pushes its values through media 24/7, how can believers adopt Paul’s high standards? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “What does it mean when Paul says we are to redeem the time?” How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Ephesians 5:18-20.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What does Paul imagine Christians gathering to do in worship?
3. Personal Application: How can we use music to enhance our own worship experience? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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