1. Focused Living Ephesians 5:15-18

3. The Call To Focus We are “Followers” We are “Followers” Our focus is no longer on ourselves Our focus is no longer on ourselves Luke 9:23 Luke 9:23 Luke 9:62 Luke 9:62 Luke 14:26 Luke 14:26

4. The Call To Focus 1.Not Unwise But Wise – Wisdom—concerned with practical living not so much intellectual information (1 Cor. 1:18) – 1:8-10/17-19 wisdom is related to God’s saving plan – 3:10 related to God’s work to develop His church

5. The Call To Focus 1.Not Unwise But Wise – Those who are wise redeem the time – They are eager to obey Jesus and advance His causes (Gal. 1:4; Eph. 2:1-2)

6. 2. Not Foolishly But Understanding Jesus’ Will The “fool” is related to themes tied to wisdom The “fool” is related to themes tied to wisdom Proverbs 10, 14—Fools live a careless life, a life devoid of real understanding, they despise wisdom Proverbs 10, 14—Fools live a careless life, a life devoid of real understanding, they despise wisdom The Christian focuses upon Jesus, and they seek to follow His will The Christian focuses upon Jesus, and they seek to follow His will

7. 2. Not Foolishly But Understanding Jesus’ Will Foolish LooksPersonality(Myers/Brigg) Sexually Compatible Good provider InterestsFamily Christian generally Understanding Lord’s Will True believer who gets it Person of prayer and commitment Want a marriage that reflects Christ’s love for Church

8. 3. Not Drunkards But Spirit Filled Text often used to promote abstinence Text often used to promote abstinence Certainly one of our historical convictions Certainly one of our historical convictions While important, not the central focus here While important, not the central focus here

9. 3. Not Drunkards But Spirit Filled Drunkenness characterizes this age Drunkenness characterizes this age Drunkenness means to be focused on the temporal Drunkenness means to be focused on the temporal Believers walk wisely, under the direction of the Spirit; participating in the age to come Believers walk wisely, under the direction of the Spirit; participating in the age to come