Gospel Prism

Yesterday, Shua and I had the pleasure and privilege of hosting some of the singles in our church for a BBQ. What a blessing it was for us to bless them and interact with fellow brothers and sisters. I gave a talk entitled, “Make the Most of Every Opportunity” from Ephesians 5:15-16 which says:

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. (ESV)

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. (NLT)

I thought I’d share my outline:

Make the Most of Every Opportunity: How?

• Be careful how you live (v. 15)
  • From sexual lust (v. 3)
    • “To rightly embrace our sexuality we must bring it under the dominion of the One who created it. When we do so, we’re not fighting against our sexuality; we’re fighting for it. We’re rescuing our sexuality from being ruined by lust.â€? – Josh Harris, Not Even a Hint
    • Lust is a grave offense against God and also against our future spouse.
    • Lust and sexual immorality stunts our passion for Him because of the passions of our lusts
  • From material lust (v. 3)
    • From foolish talk and coarse joking (v. 4)
    • Silliness to look good and be accepted
    • Flirting
    • Bathroom humor
    • From false teaching (v. 6-9)
      • Secularism
      • Culturalism
        Going with the culture – “It’s ok if everyone else is doing it.�
        • Clothing
        • Words
        • Dating rituals
      • Legalism
      • Licentiousness
      • Materialistic Gospel
  • From empty works (vv. 10-14)
    • Works of darkness –things hidden from all
    • Works of self-congratulation
    • Works of merit before God
    • Works of laziness

• Be wise in how you live (v. 15)
  • See life through God’s lens
  • See beyond your years and stage of life

• Be singular in how you live (v. 16)
  • Don’t waste your life at all, not for a moment in…
    • Self-pity
    • Striving aimlessly
    • Trifle entertainments (our parents and wasting their lives in front of TV)
  • Be singular
    • Magnify Christ
    • Make other glad in Christ
    • Enjoy Christ and others
      

• Be thankful in how you live (v. 20)
  • Remember every blessing of God
  • Reflect on what life could be like
  • Resonate with the cross

• Be Gospel-centered in how you live (vv. 25-29)
  • Marriage is a symbol of the Gospel
  • Marriage will end, parenting will end, the Gospel will remain forever
  • Marriage is a treasure only if it is a symbol of the Gospel
  • Singleness is a treasure if it represents the Gospel

A Quote from John Piper on Singleness:

So now we end where we began with all this Scripture in our mind. God promises those of you who remain single in Christ blessings that are better than the blessings of marriage and children.

If someone asks, wouldn’t it be better to have both? The blessings of marriage and the blessings of heaven? There are two answers to that question. One is that you will find out someday, and better to learn it now, that the blessings of being with Christ in heaven, are so far superior to the blessings of being married and raising children and that asking this question will be like asking: Wouldn’t it be better to have the ocean and the thimble full? And the second answer is that marriage and singleness both present us with unique trials and unique opportunities for our sanctification. There will be unique rewards for each, and which is greater will not depend on whether you were married or single, but on how you responded to each.

So I say it again to all singles in Christ: God promises you blessings in the age to come that are better than the blessings of marriage and children.