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1. First impressions matter.

ILLUS – I’ll never forget the first time I met my wife, Heidi.

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

Ephesians 5:15-17

Context
1. “Walk in a manner worthy of your calling” (4:1).
2. “Be imitators of God” (5:1).
3. Contrast Light vs. Darkness (5:3-14).

I. Today – Watch Your Walk (15)

A. Keep your eyes wide open (15a)
1. In the original language, this is a present tense command which means that the Apostle Paul was telling us to “look and keep on looking,” or to “be alert and keep on being alert.”
ILLUS – An adventure through the Ape Caves with my kids.

2. In essence, Paul was telling us to pay close attention to our priorities. We must make sure our priorities line up with God’s priorities.
3. Paul was also telling us to pay close attention to our choices. We must make sure our choices line up with God’s Word.
4. 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 lead the unsuspecting, distracted, and deceived to believe they can put off weighty matters for another day.
• But if we follow the devil’s way, we will get off course, we will miss the mark, and suffer the consequences, the loss of another valuable day.

APPL – Have you ever noticed that when it comes to life, often there is a difference in perspectives between young and older people?
• The young live for the moment without any awareness of consequences.
• The old, on the other hand, realize time is short. Often, they regret the foolish choices they made earlier in life because they felt the impact of those poor choices later in life.

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 there are certain characteristics which are true of people who walk wisely.

1. First, they are humble 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 God exists, and that God alone is God.

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 lives.
• This means a wise person recognizes and submits to God’s authority.
• What is God’s response to those who humble themselves and submit to His authority?
• He graciously gives them 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. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

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.
• God is all-knowing.
• God is all-wise.
• The wise person knows that God is the best source for wisdom and asks the Lord first, knowing that He will generously give wisdom when asked.

James 1:5, But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.


Pastor Rich Jones
Pastor Matthew Dodd
Rich Jones Sermons
Rich Jones Calvary Chapel
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