At The Movies Part 3: Be Careful How You Live

Ephesians 5:15-17(NIV)

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

Ways we are living as fools.

We live in a

• • John 14:6 (NIV) – “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'”
  • John 17:17 (NIV) – “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”

We live with a Pursuit of  

• • Romans 3:23 (NIV) – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
  • 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) – “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

Fools Lead with , not

• • Hosea 4:6 (NIV) – “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.”
  • Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Fools Without Thinking

• Scripture Reference:
  • Matthew 15:14 (NIV) – “Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
  • Galatians 1:10 (NIV) – “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

How can we start living wisely instead of foolishly?

Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV)

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

1.Understanding

• • Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV) – “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'”
  • 1 Corinthians 13:12 “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

2. Surrender your to God

• • Matthew 7:1-2 (NIV) – “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
  • “Your heart should be holy and set apart for the Lord God. Always be ready to tell everyone who asks you why you believe as you do. Be gentle as you speak and show respect. (NLT) 1 Peter 3:15

3. Focus on living . 

Psalms 90:12 (NIV) “Teach us to number our days,
    that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”