Sermon note - from CD
The Ultimate Question - Mike Fehlauer
Ephesians 5:
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
We all have times of regrets. They are in all parts of our lives. If we could rewrite them we would. We want to limit them in our lives. Verse 15 leads to this (NIV says: Be careful how you live). There are two types of people, careful and careless people. And the careless people are divided into two groups, they realize what they do and want to fix it and those who could not care about the problems.
The ultimate question is: Is it wise? There are a lot of choices we face that are not addressed in the scriptures, and we need to ask ourselves this question. All other question will not give us an answer that leads up to what the will of God will be. This is a Biblical principal, and keeps us from self deception. We become submissive to God.
Because the time we are living in is evil (v. 16), we need to tap into the will of God. It looks like Paul is commanding us to understand things in verse 17, but that is not possible, you can not command or force anyone to understand things. What Paul is saying is 'face up to the fact of God's will.' Many decisions we make and then regret we have been pointed what we should do and we rejected it. Do not follow your heart; your heart can deceive (Jeremiah). Face up to the facts that you already know.
Three areas to apply the ultimate question:
1 Is it wise in light of my past experiences?
Based on what you have experienced is it wise to do what you have done before. Are there things that are in your life that predispose you to certain temptations? You do not want to get near the edge so that you can fall off.
2 Is it wise in light of my current circumstances?
Am I in the best place to make a life changing decision? It may be a great deal but it might be the wrong time to do it.
3 Is it wise in light of my future dreams and hopes?
Is this where I want me, my family, etc to be in ten years. You need to understand the time of life that you are in and what the demands are at this time. What guidelines are necessary for the time of life that you are in? Though they may seem small, each choice that you make is life altering. They will affect you in time and the series of them can cause you problem. We create a path of destruction with many of our decisions and they do not seem so bad at the time.
An attribute of wisdom: Proverbs 8:22 - 30
22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. 23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. 24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: 26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. 27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: 28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: 29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: 30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; 31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
Wisdom is saying that he was with God in creation; I was beside Him (like a master craftsman). Wisdom, God's wisdom will create the things we need to have. (Marriages, life, etc.).
Notes are my interpertation of what the speaker said. All scriptures are King James Version.
