Time: An Opportunity For Service Ephesians 5:16 I. Introduction. A. Most people desire to use their time in a manner that pleases them. 1. Such may be good or it may be bad. 2. Regulated by whom we are trying to please. B. Effective use of time is a concern of the Christian. 1. Accomplishing the tasks of a Christian certainly takes time--the proper use of time. 2. Includes: devotion, teaching people, setting an example, etc. C. Taking advantage of time should also be a concern of the alien. 1. Needs to recognize that one has time to obey the Lord. 2. Many regret they obeyed the truth(or had contact with truth) later in life. 3. Heard Christians express, "How I wish I could have learned the truth sooner." II. Body. A. Paul instructed: Ephesians 5:16. 1. Literally: "Buying up the opportunity." a. How many opportunities does one deserve? b. Apply to alien: at least one? 2. In this passage, speaking to disciples. a. Recognizes finding opportunity is not always easy. b. Occasionally: realize we passed up one; now too late. c. Need to pray for more when occurs. B. The context of Ephesians 5:16. 1. "Look carefully how we walk."(v. 15) a. Unwise versus wise refers to "whole round of activities of included"(Vine). b. Some unwise in the Lord's day: Mark 7:5. c. Note as these: Luke 20:46-47. d. Hence: I John 1:7. 2. "The days are evil."(v. 16) a. "Denotes evil that causes labor, pain, sorrow..."(Vine). b. A period of time in which "evil" is present: describes much of what is happening NOW. c. We live in an age that approves all kinds of immoralities. d. It is tough to be a Christian, but it was also tough in the days of the apostles. e. The disciple has chosen a life that makes his life good. 3. "Be not foolish, but understand the will of the Lord."(v. 17) a. Foolish: "Without reason...lack of commonsense perception"(Vine). b. It is foolish to ignore the word of God. c. Replace bad "habits of mind" with understanding: Matthew 16:11. 4. "Be filled with the Spirit."(v. 18). a. Not with worldly activities and worldly thoughts: these shut out the Spirit.(comment on spirit) b. Note: I Thessalonians 2:13. 5. "Speaking one to another."(v. 19) a. Singing and making melody together is time well spent. b. Never underestimate the value of association with brethren. (1 Claim the opportunity. (2 Contrast with time spent among worldly-minded people. (3 When brethren open homes: take advantage. (4. We can sing in our homes, as well as the regular assemblies. 6. "Giving thanks always for all things."(v. 20). a. What an effective use of opportunities! b. Note: Psalm 100:4. c. For the disciple: Colossians 3:15. d. How blessed are we--in so many ways: physical and spiritual. 7. "Subjecting yourselves one to another."(v. 21) a. Is this not humility? b. Consideration for others: their needs(mutual respect for each other). c. Takes humility: I Peter 5:5. d. The wise man: Proverbs 15:33. e. This is not easy! f. Comes from a military term: "to rank under"(Vine). g. Hence: Philippians 2:3. C. Put these principles in your life: a. As a Christian. b. As a mate(marriage). c. As a parent. d. As a child. III. Conclusion. A. All of these qualities take the efficient and proper use of time. B. The person who is not a Christian can redeem the time by obeying the gospel. C. The Christian redeems time by being faithful to the gospel.-JY