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1. First impressions matter.

ILLUS – The first time I met my wife, Heidi.

2. What’s your story?
3. The fact that you and I are here means there’s more to be written.
4. In fact, each day is another page written in our stories.
5. So how do you want your remaining “Todays” to read?
6. Ephesians 5 gives us important insights for how to make each of our “Todays” count so that our stories glorify God and leave us without regrets.

Ephesians 5:15-17

Transition – The first principle from this passage is to Make Your Todays Count by. . .

I. Watching Your Walk (15)

• In the Greek, this is a present tense command which means that the Apostle Paul is telling us to “look and keep on looking.”
• It can also mean to “be alert and keep on being alert.”

A. Walk with your eyes wide open (15a)

ILLUS – Walking with my eyes wide open through the Ape Caves with my kids.

1. In essence, Paul is telling us to pay close attention to our priorities; make sure our priorities line up with God’s priorities.
2. Paul is also telling us to pay close attention to our choices; make sure our choices line up with God’s Word.
3. If we heed Paul’s counsel, then we will avoid the way of the unwise, or the way of the “fool.”

APPL – The devil has mastered the art of distraction.
• Pleasure, leisure, procrastination, and even fear are devices at his disposal which can lead the unsuspecting, distracted, and deceived to believe they can put off the weighty matters of life for another day.
• If we follow the devil’s way, we will get off course, we will miss the mark, and suffer the consequences; the loss of a valuable day.

APPL – Have you ever noticed that when it comes to life, often there’s a difference in perspectives between younger and older people?
• Many young people live for the moment without any concern or concern of consequences.
• While the seasoned citizens realize time is short.
o Many regret the foolish choices they made earlier in life because they feel the impact of those poor choices later in life.
o For some, they live with the consequences of their poor choices every day.

ILLUS – A truck driver’s response to my greeting.

1 Peter 5:6, Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

B. Walk wisely (15b)

Transition – The Bible reveals that certain characteristics are true of people who walk wisely.

1. First, wise people are humble people because wisdom begins with humility.

Proverbs 11:2, When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom.

APPL – Why is a wise person humble?
• Because a wise person knows that the God of the Bible exists and that He alone is God.
• Conversely. . .

Psalm 14:1, The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”

• A wise person honors God by giving God the highest place in their life.
• This means a wise person recognizes, welcomes, and submits to God’s authority.
• What is God’s response to those who humble themselves, welcome, and submit to His authority?
• He graciously gives them grace upon grace, over and over again.

James 4:6-7, God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Submit therefore to God.

2. Second, they are teachable because a humble heart is a teachable heart.

Proverbs 1:5, A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel

APPL – It’s also important to see that a wise person knows where to find wise counsel.
• They exercise care and discernment when selecting their source for counsel.

Proverbs 13:20, He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 14:7, Leave the presence of a fool, or you will not discern words of knowledge.

• May I recommend a proven source for wisdom; the inspired, inerrant, infallible Holy Bible, God’s written Word to us.
o Since God is all-knowing and all-wise, His Word is filled with nuggets of divine wisdom for our lives.
o The wise person knows that God’s Word is the best source for wisdom.
o They study God’s Word so that they may benefit by having it richly dwell within them.

Pastor Rich Jones
Pastor Matthew Dodd
Rich Jones Calvary Chapel
Calvary Chapel Worship Center
Calvary Chapel Hillsboro
Calvary Chapel Oregon
Calvary Chapel Beaverton
Calvary Chapel Portland

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