sophos

Making the Most of the Time We’re Given

Making the Most of the Time We’re Given

Dave Riddle - 1/15/2023

Key Passage:  Ephesians 5:15-17

Look (Ephesians 5:15)

  • Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk.

    • Literally “look carefully”

    • blepo (Greek: βλέπω) literally: to see. Metaphorically: to see with the mind’s eye. To turn the thoughts or direct the mind to a thing; to look at; to weigh carefully; to examine, consider and/or contemplate.

    • How you walk = peripateo (Greek: περιπατέω) literally: to tread all around, walk at large. Figuratively: to live, to make one’s way, to regulate one’s life, to conduct oneself

  • How? (v. 15)

    • Not as unwise people but as wise

    • sophos (Greek: σοφῷ) - Wise. To have skill or expertise. To best form plans and use the best means for their actual execution. 

  • Proverbs 1:1-7

    • If we don’t pay careful attention to the way we live our lives, then we are living as fools!

Seize (Ephesians 5:16)

  • chronos vs kairos

    • Greek: καιρός: No direct English equivalent 

      • The right time

      • The critical time

      • The opportune moment

    • Implies, not the convenience of the season, but the necessity of the time at hand.

    • “Kairos is when eternity steps into time”

  • To make wise and sacred use of every opportunity for doing good.

Know (Ephesians 5:17) 

  • So don’t be foolish, but understand.

    • syniemi: to put together (mentally) to comprehend, to set or join together in the mind. To understand and act piously. Having the knowledge of those thing which pertain to salvation.

  • How do we know the will of God? 

    • Romans 12:2 

    • Francis Chan: “What is God’s well for my life for the next five minutes?”

    • Jim Elliot: “Wherever you are, be all there; live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.”

    • MLK Jr. “It does not matter how long you live, but how well you do it.“ & “We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is always right to do right”

Wrapping Up Romans

Wrapping Up Romans

10/04/2020 - Dave Riddle

Key Passage: Romans 16:25-27

Now to him... be the glory forever! Amen.

  • Romans 16:25, 27

  • Glory = doxa (δόξα)

 Him who is able to strengthen you...

  • Romans 16:25

  • dynamos (δύναμαι)= able. to be able, have power whether by virtue of one's own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favourable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom

  • stērizō (στηρίζω) = strengthen. To set fast. To turn resolutely in a certain direction. 

Good News

  • Romans 16:25

  • euangelion (εὐαγγέλιον) = a good message. Good news!

Divine Revelation 

  • Romans 16:25-26

  • A secret or mystery revealed. Something that had been kept hidden.

  • Ours eyes have been opened to the truth of Jesus.

Divine Mandate

  • Romans 16:26

  • epitagē (ἐπιταγὴν) - an injunction , decree, command or mandate. By implication, authoritativeness.

...to the only wise God

  • Romans 16:27

  • We have no shortage of access to facts and opinions.

    • God is the only one who is wise.

  • sophos (σοφῷ) - Wise. To have skill or expertise. To best form plans and use the best means for their actual execution. 

How do we walk more deeply in this truth?

  • Understand his word better

  • Live empowered by the power of the Holy Spirit.

  • Walk together in community and unity.