Understanding God's Will

This week we will be studying Ephesians 5:18-21 in the ninth message in our series Be Imitators of God. We learned last week that we imitate God as we Walk in Wisdom. Walking in wisdom includes understanding the will of the Lord. At the end of last week's message we looked briefly at 6 things that are God's will for believers and this week we will follow that up with 2 more things that we are told are God's will for us. When we understand these two things especially we will be confident that we are walking in God's will.

This message, titled Understanding God's Will will be available later today to listen to or download for free at the link provided. Until then, here is the outline I will be using as I preach:

Understanding God’s Will
Ephesians 5:18-21

Review: 6 aspects of God's will (from last week)

1. It is God’s will for His elect to be saved.
2. It is God’s will for His elect to be Spirit filled.
3. It is God’s will for His elect to be sanctified.
4. It is God’s will for His elect to be submissive.
5. It is God’s will for His elect to suffer.
6. It is God’s will for His elect to be thankful.

Now we learn that there are 2 more things included by positive command in God's will for us:

1. Do not be drunk with wine.
2. Be filled with the Spirit.

It is all about Control. We will learn that either the Spirit is in control, or sin is in control. One truth we must understand is that we are never in control! (Rom 6:12-13; 7:17)

1. Do Not Be Drunk With Wine (vs. 18)

a. Wine is a gift from God – Psalm 104:14-15; Prov 3:10
b. Wine can be used for Good – 1 Tim 5:23
c. Jesus turned water into wine for celebration and He drank wine! Luke 7:33-34; John 2:1-10; 19:29-30
d. Wine is deceptive – Prov 20:1; 23:21; 29-34
e. Drunkenness and addiction are always condemned – Eph 5:18; Prov 21:17; 1 Tim 3:3

2. Be Filled With the Spirit (vs. 18-21)
(what happens when we are filled with the Spirit?)

a. Worship

1) In Spirit and Truth – John 4:24
2) Giving Glory to God – 1 Cor 10:31
3) Singing Praises and Teaching Each Other – Eph 5:19
4) As a Way of Life – Col 3:16-17

b. Thanksgiving

1) In All Things - 1 Thess 5:18
2) For All Things – Eph 5:4, 20

c. Submission

1) In the Home – Eph 5:22; Col 3:18; Eph 6:1
2) In the Church – Heb 13:17; 1 Peter 5:5
3) In the World – Rom 13:1-7 ; 1 Peter 2:13-15
4) In Everything Submit to God – Acts 5:29; 1 Cor 11:3; James 4:7

d. The Fear of God

1) Is the beginning of wisdom - Ps 111:10
2) Is the beginning of knowledge - Prov 1:7; 2:5
3) Is to hate evil - Prov 8:13
4) Is a fountain of life and prolongs days - Prov 14:27; 10:27