Targeted Life
Ephesians 5: 15-21 |
By now, you have either heard or seen “the crouching tiger and hidden dragon”. In the world of Kung Fu, we are probably quite familiar with “Wu Dan Pie”. Wu Dan Pie had its own code of ethics. Their disciples are expected to abide with them. In this movie, we have Li Mu Bai as the successor to Wu Dan Pie. His discipline and cultured mannerism formed a strong contrast to ??’s impulsiveness. In the real world, we too have certain expectations for different people in different positions. We expect the head of state to abide to certain code of ethics. When you child asks, “how come Johnny doesn’t have to do this in his family?” You probably will say, as long as your last name is the same as mine, you have to do it. Each family and each country has its own standards. Our identity dictates how we conduct ourselves and our behaviors reflect who we are or whom we belong to. This is what the book of Ephesians is about. In the first two chapters the emphasis is on our identity. We have been called by God to be his children. He has given us all kinds of spiritual blessings from heaven. He has made us into a new person and a new society. Then in chapters 3 and following, we are given the particulars on how to fully express this new identity in Jesus Christ. As a new society, we are to express unity in the midst of diversity. As a new person, we are to manifest God’s holiness and purity. Last time we learned that as children of light, as light, we are to do what is good, right and true. This morning’s study will be guided by a simple truth: Our identity in Jesus Christ dictates and directs how we live. I. As God's chosen people, we must be careful in how we live. If I come to your 1 room apartment or 7 room mansion, I will notice how careful you are in choosing your furniture and decorative items. I was in a house where the owner collects turtles. So on the coffee table, there were all kinds of turtles from all over the world. In another house I noticed the furniture was of the traditional Chinese style. These all reflect how careful you are in deciding how to present your dwelling place. Isn’t this also true with us? Since we are God's chosen people, his beloved children, and his dwelling place, Paul writes in vs 15a, “???????…”?Give some careful thoughts as to how you live. Previously, we do what we want. We only think of our own personal benefits, caring for our personal choices. But now it’s different; we belong to Christ. Therefore be very careful how we live. We don’t go through life either aimlessly or follow the 51% majority. Now, there is a new and different direction in life. The “???????…” is explained by 3 negatives of contrast. “??????,??????”, “??????, but..”, “????,??????;???????.” Now, let’s take a closer look at each of the three contrasts. II. As God's chosen people, we live as wise time managers. First we are to live as men with wisdom. How is this wisdom manifested? “?????,?????????.” Making the most literally means to buy up, buying up all the time or opportunity. There are many books showing us how to manage our time. This morning I want bring out another thought for you to consider. Studying Genesis One, we not only notice the orderliness of God's creation; but also, the balance of each day’s work. Each day is a different aspect of his creation and on the 7th day, he rested. Then came the fall. And because of this, orderliness and balance are distorted. Men had to work hard to make ends meet. So in both moral civil law, the Israelites are told to keep the 7th day as holy. For 6 years they are to plough the land and on the 7th year, the land also needs a rest. We see God's intent to restore order and balance in the use of time. Let’s take a look at Jesus’ life. Was he busy, sure. Sometimes he didn’t even have time to eat. Yet He knew when to be with others and minister to them. He also knew when to be alone, spending time praying to God. He was in control of his time. He did not allow his circumstances, including people to dictate what and when he should do what. His life was orderly and balanced. Here in the Ephesians passage, we are instructed to make the best use of every opportunity, so that our lives can be orderly and balanced, doing what is right, good and true. I am always encouraged to see some of you taking classes either in local bible school or colleges to further enrich yourself. And there are also those of you who are doing volunteer work in different agencies to enrich others’ lives. Then there are many of us who feel that we never have enough time. We are constantly very busy. If we find ourselves so busy with either work or ministry in a church that we have no time for prayer and reading of God's word, or that our spouses and children felt that we are seldom home with them, then we may want to reconsider our working habits. When we are too busy that we don’t have time for the real important things in life, then we are not making the best use of every opportunity. It is actually a sign of weakness, that we don’t know how to manage our time. I think of my psychologist friend in St. Louis. In order not to miss his youngest daughter’s first word and first step, he cancelled most of his out of town speaking engagements. He knew what was important in life. III. As God's chosen people, we are to discern his will. Vs 17, “??????,?????????.” Jesus prayed, “not my will but your will be done.” To Christians, nothing is more important than knowing God's will. Don’t we all want to know what is God's will for our lives? If I am to do a workshop on “7 steps to know God's will for your life.” I can guarantee you that it will be standing room only. High school, college students and mid life folks all ask this question. When you are approaching the retirement time, you search for God's will. But how do we know? First there is God's general will. This is God's will for all of us. For example, it is his will that we all are like Christ. How? The bible provides clear instructions and directions on what to do so we can be Christ like. God's general will for us is clearly written in his word. Secondly, there is God's particular will for individuals. Such as what job to take, where to go for school, or whom to marry. The bible does not tell you whether or not you should take this job. But there are general principles for us to follow. If taking this job or marrying this person will cause me to compromise my Christian principles and standards, then it clearly is not God's will. A young man in another country decided not to take the government job because it meant that he would have to take bribery. God will not have you do something that contradicts his principles. Then we also need to pray for our situations. Through prayer, we are to let the spirit’s inner peace guide us in decision making. Often it will be wise for us to seek the advise of more mature individuals. IV. As God's chosen people, we are to be filled with the Spirit. Vs.18, “????,……;???????.” Another instruction for Christian living is to be filled with the Spirit. To be filled with the spirit means to be controlled by the spirit. Martin Lloyd-Jones writes that When a person is drunk, he lost the control of his senses. He lost his self-control, wisdom, understanding, discrimination, judgment and balance; in other words everything that makes a man behave at his very best and highest. Being filled with the spirit has just the opposite effect, it brings out the best in a person: love, joy, peace……and self-control. Recently I read an article in a mission magazine which says, “when we’re filled with the Spirit, we lose our self consciousness.” I don’t think this is what the scripture says. Paul then continues on to explain what happens when one is filled with the spirit. First, 1. Fellowship with other believers. Vs19a, “??????????????.” This does not mean that when one is filled with the spirit, we stop talking to each other and begin singing to one another. It is hard to distinguish the differences between psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. In this context, it appears to indicate public worship. In our worship, there are songs that are directed to God; such as how “how Great Thou Art”, “Crown Him” and “To God be the Glory”. Then there are those that we sing to each other; such as: “???”, “???” or Psalm 95, “ ?, ????????…….” When we are filled with the spirit, we come into the Christian community for encouragement. 2. Worship vs.19, “…????????.” Here, singing is not to each other but to the Lord. It refers to a sincere and inner authentic worship. This should bring comfort to many who have difficulty carrying the right tune or synchronous body movement. This can be a silent worship, but with inner joy and melody. Both in this passage and in Jesus' teaching, “you are to worship God in spirit and truth”, the emphasis is on inner, authentic worship. When we are filled with the spirit, it leads to a worship that springs from our heart. 3. Gratitude Vs 20, “?????????????,??????.” When one is filled with the spirit, there is the mark of gratitude towards God. A grumbling spirit is not compatible with God. In the old testament, the Israelites sinned in the wilderness because they were grumbling and complaining against Moses and God. When the spirit is in control of our lives, one hallmark is that we are men and women of gratitude. Having said this, we need to avoid taking the word “everything” literally. In certain Christian circles, one is taught to give thanks for everything, including all those calamities and tragedies in life. One is taught to give thanks for that car accident or terminal illness. To do so, is to be insensitive to the pain that others are going through. Yes, we trust that God will work in all those adverse and even evil situations for our good, helping us to become more Christ like. God hates evil and we cannot thank him or praise him for what he hates. So this “everything” is to be qualified by “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” We are to thank God for everything that is consistent with God's loving fatherhood. 4. Submitting to one another. Vs.21, “?????????,????.” The word submit does not mean a sign of weakness. It means to put oneself under another person. Sometimes we see a person claiming to be filled with the spirit, yet he is aggressive and brash, refusing to listen to anyone. This is not right. When a person is filled with the spirit, he is submissive. For the holy spirit is a humble spirit. So those who are filled with him, manifest meekness and gentleness. In the Ephesian society, there was submission. But it was the slaves who submitted to their masters, the weak to the strong, the powerless to the powerful ones. But when they came into the Christian community, what a surprise. They were to submit to one another. Out of our reverence for Christ, out of our submission to Christ, we also submit to each other. Its hard, isn’t it. Especially difficult for the Chinese Christians in north America. We are all capable and intelligent. Many are leaders in your own professions. At work, you have others working under you, listening and submitting to you. But when we come into this Christian community, it is different. We have to learn to submit to one another. It’s a hard pill to swallow but a must if one is filled with the holy spirit. It is ironic to see individuals claiming to have been filled with the Holy Spirit, yet refusing to listen and submit to others, causing splits in many churches around the world. Here we have seen the wholesome picture of what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit. When one is under the control of the Spirit, it is not about supernatural experiences, such as speaking in tongues or healing. They can occur if God wills. But the more fundamental manifestation of the Holy Spirit is fellowship, worship, gratitude and submission to one another. Conclusion: Previously when we did not know God, our life style is self-centered. We do what is good for us. Our goal in life is to survive and have a good life. In order to survive, we use and manipulate others. It had been a way of life for many years. It has also become a very basic instinct within us. However, in these last several years, God has found and called many of us to be his children. Yes, we certainly enjoy the peace and joy that came with the salvation. We also enjoy the love we show towards and receive from each other in the Christian community. But sometimes, old habits are hard to change, isn’t it? Especially those values that have been ingrained in us for so many years. In our study of the book of Ephesians, we realize we are not the only one with such problems. This is the reason Paul used so many pages to remind the first century believers about who they are. Since they had been called and chosen by God to be a special and holy people, their behavior and life-style must then reflect such identity. Who they are dictates how they live. As God's chosen people, there is direction in life. We are to carefully consider how to live. As men and women of wisdom, we use our time wisely. As children of the wise God, we discern what is God's will for our lives. As his chosen ones, we are always thankful towards him. And as his children, we are to be filled with the Spirit. This is to be the direction in life. This is what makes us different from the rest of the world. Having said this, we all realize how difficult it is. We have all the good intentions but we find ourselves coming short of the standards most of the time. Sometimes we feel like giving up. I want to come back to the movie, “????” again. In the end, ?? felt guilty about what she did. She rebelled against her teacher, she caused the death of Li Mu Bai, rejection of ??’s love. With this guilt, she jumped down the mountain cliff. What an ending. And often in the world of Kung Fu, this is how one brings to an end one’s guilt. But in the real world, it is very different. Some 2000 years ago, another person, Jesus Christ died on the cross. He died for our sins, guilt and all of our short comings. Yet he was without sin. He died so that we don’t have to die. We don’t have to die for our failures anymore. Moreover, his spirit is constantly helping me to live a life that is consistent to his holiness.
Rev. William Hsueh Apr.22, 2001 Houston Chinese Church, Houston, Texas |
