[English Sermon 영어 설교]
Sunday, July 27, 2025 - Sermon by Rev. Jinkook (Danny) Sohn
Live as wise (Ephesians 5:15–21)
2025. 7. 27. 주일예배 설교- 에베소서 강해 18
본문: 에베소서 5:15–21
제목: 지혜있는 자 같이 하라
설교자: 손진국 목사
[Verse 15] Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise.
There are two types of people: the unwise and the wise. Let us be wise people.
Greeting: Let’s become wise people.
(Example – While in a surgery waiting room, someone says: “It’s my first time getting surgery, and I’m scared and nervous.” Another patient sitting nearby tries to comfort them: “It’s my first time too. But the Lord is with us, so I’m courageous. Let me pray for you.” Then, once in the operating room: “Doctor, this is actually my first surgery, and I’m quite scared.” The doctor, trying to reassure them, says: “Don’t worry. It’s my first time performing surgery too.”)
Even when comforting others, wisdom is necessary. This actually happened once. A church member was suddenly hospitalized, and when I went to visit them to pray, someone else in the room said, “Oh, that doesn’t look good. I knew someone who passed away suddenly with the exact same symptoms.” I was completely stunned to hear that...
In today’s passage, the Apostle Paul tells the believers in the Ephesian church to act wisely when doing anything. In other words, whatever you do, do it wisely. And he tells us what kind of person is a wise person. So, who is a wise person?
1. A Wise Person Redeems the Time
[Verse 16] Making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
He says to make the most of our time because the days are evil. The evilness of the times is a sign of the end times. It means the day of the Lord’s return is near.
“Redeem the time” – the Greek word "Exagorazo" means:
[1] “Use the given opportunity.”
Is opportunity something that is given? People often say, “In life, you get three chances.” So, when an opportunity comes, grab it. Hearing this, many people regret the past: “I should have started that business back then,” “I should have chosen that man,” “I should have gone there,” “I should have bought that lottery ticket...” If life gives you three chances, what about you? Some may think they’ve already used all three. Others may believe they have one left and are waiting not to miss it this time.
But opportunity is not something that will be given—it is given. It has been given, is being given now, and will be given again tomorrow. What does that mean? Just as water gushes out when you turn on a faucet full of water, opportunity is flowing even at this very moment.
So who is the wise one? The one waiting for a future opportunity? Or the one using the opportunity already given? Someone who keeps waiting, saying, “My chance will come one day,” is actually wasting time and ignoring the present opportunity—that’s a foolish person. A wise person is someone who sees that opportunity is already present and actively uses it.
Has opportunity been given to you or not? It has. Repeat after me: “I have been given an opportunity right now.”
"Exagorazo" – [2] also means “to buy back with money.”
John Calvin interpreted it as “recover the time stolen by the devil.” It means to reclaim the time when your mind and heart were taken by the devil and used for evil thoughts, evil words, and evil actions.
Who are you spending your time for? We can use our time either for God or for the devil. The surprising thing is, many people are stingy and full of excuses when it comes to spending time for God, but very generous and silent when spending time for the devil. There is plenty of time spent on pleasure, but very little time spent for God’s kingdom.
The phrase “making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” means that after the time given to each of us on this earth is over, we will give an account. Each of us will report in detail how we spent the time given to us.
The foolish person doesn’t consider that day of reckoning and wastes time living wickedly. But the wise person remembers the day of judgment and uses their time well, living righteously.
Moses’ prayer –[Psalm 90:12] Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. As we age, we begin to count the days. But they pass so quickly.
When we were younger, we didn’t count the days because we thought we had many. But once time passes, it cannot be reversed.
When opportunity comes, do good and love more actively. The person next to you might seem like they’ll be with you forever—but they may leave suddenly.
The opportunity to love, forgive, and understand may never come again.
While we are healthy, let’s serve and volunteer diligently. While our vision is still clear, let’s read the Bible eagerly. While we are given wisdom and understanding, let’s do much good. And when given material resources, let’s serve those in need with all our heart.
May you all become believers who do not waste time but redeem it—serving your family, church, and neighbors for the Lord.
[Application] Am I someone who waits for opportunities, or someone who uses the opportunity already given? Who must I love and serve today, and how will I do it?
2. A Wise Person Understands the Lord’s Will
[Verse 17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Can there be such a thing as coincidence for those of us who believe in Jesus and have become children of God? “Coincidence” means something that happens without any cause or reason—no explanation or purpose.
If something happens to us without reason, it would mean that God is unaware of what happens to us. But how can that be?
Coincidence could only exist if God is not present, is powerless, or doesn’t care.
Like saying, “When did that happen? I didn’t know.” Or, “That happened? I wasn’t really paying attention. Not really my concern.”
But the clear truth is this: God is alive, all-powerful, and loves us, keeping us as the apple of His eye. Do you believe this?
Then God knows everything that happens to us. There is a purpose in the good things, and there is a purpose even in the bad things.
Dear brothers and sisters, suffering is not misfortune—it is God’s providence.
To suffer means you are alive, your spirit is growing, and you are being led to God.
[Psalm 119:71] It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. Repeat after me: “There is God’s will in my suffering.”
Looking closely at verse 17, we see that there are foolish people who do not understand the Lord’s will. Why is that? Because they seek to understand their own will and are eager to fulfill it.
Have you ever heard this phrase? “There are more and more I-patients among Christians.” Not because of physical illness, but because they are “self-centered” instead of “Christ-centered.” They pray and go to church not to do God’s will, but to achieve their own desires—such people are “I-patient Christians.”
[Romans 12:2] Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Truly wise people are not those who follow worldly trends and pursue their own goals, but those who discern God's will and devote themselves to fulfilling it.
May all of you here be wise people who understand the Lord’s will.
[Application] What is the will of God that I have discovered through the events currently unfolding in my life? Am I a “l-patient” (self-centered), or a “King-follower” (someone who follows the King, our Lord)?
3. A Wise Person Is Filled with the Holy Spirit
[Versev18] Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
What is the key emphasis in this verse? It’s being filled with the Holy Spirit. However, many believers tend to focus more on “do not get drunk on wine” rather than “be filled with the Spirit.”
I remember when I first came to believe in Jesus, I used this verse to argue with others. I even said to a pastor, “It says don’t get drunk, so it’s fine as long as I don’t get drunk.” But later, as I listened to a sermon on Romans 8 about those who live according to the flesh versus those who live according to the Spirit, I came to realize that even though I believed in Jesus, I was still living a flesh-centered life. That realization led me to repentance, and I prayed, “Lord, I want to quit drinking. Holy Spirit, help me.” From that moment on, the desire to drink left me, and I began to reflect more on what it means to live by the Spirit.
Let’s read [Romans 8:5-6]: Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
Ask yourself—are you someone who follows the desires of the flesh or the Spirit? If you only think about fleshly things and not the things of God, you cannot please God.
[Romans 8:8] Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
I pray that all the members of our church will be people who live by the Spirit and please God. For that, you must earnestly seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
There is a commonality between someone drunk with wine and someone filled with the Spirit: both are trying to fill an emptiness inside. But with what? Wine or the Spirit? What is this emptiness? Blaise Pascal, a French theologian and mathematician, once said, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every person that cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God.” This inner void cannot be filled with wine or anything else—it can only be filled by the Holy Spirit.
Just like Jesus told the Samaritan woman, drinking regular water will quench thirst only temporarily, but you will be thirsty again. Only the living water Jesus gives will forever satisfy—and that living water is the Holy Spirit.
Why is this so? Because our bodies are temples of God.
[1 Corinthians 3:16-17] Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.
So, how can we be filled with the Spirit? We must remove anything that defiles the temple. [1 Thessalonians 5:22] Reject every kind of evil.
Things like alcohol, drugs, lust, hatred, jealousy, and bitterness have no place in the temple of God. To fill a cup with clean water, you must first remove the dirty water. It’s the same with the Holy Spirit. Remove all evil and fill your life with the Word of God. Through continuous prayer, love, joy, gratitude, and praise, we are filled with the Spirit.
“Be filled with the Spirit” is written in the imperative and present continuous tense. That means it’s not optional, nor is it a one-time event. It’s a continual process and a command.
I bless you in Jesus’ name to be wise, Spirit-filled people who reject evil and are continually filled with the Spirit.
[Application] Am I a person of the Spirit or of the flesh? What am I filling the temple of God—my heart—with?
4. A Wise Person Worships with Gratitude
[Verse 19-20] Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A wise person glorifies God.
As the Psalm says: [Psalm 50:23] Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation.
How do we glorify God? By offering our worship with thanksgiving. When we worship God with thankful hearts, He accepts our worship and reveals His glory to us.
Earlier we said that a wise person is someone who understands the will of God. God’s will for us is clearly stated in:
[1 Thessalonians 5:16-18] Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
May you be believers who fulfill God’s will by always rejoicing, praying without ceasing, and giving thanks in everything.
[Application] Do I long for worship? Is there something I am unable to be thankful for? Why?
Conclusion: A wise person makes the most of their time, understands the will of the Lord, is filled with the Holy Spirit, and gives thanks and worships God.
To become such a wise person, one crucial thing is needed: unwavering trust in the Lord and never letting go of His love.
Let me end with a story: There was a mother with two sons. One day, while playing rough, they entered their grandfather’s room and accidentally broke a precious porcelain vase. The mother, deeply upset, scolded them and gave each five strokes of a cane. The older son, afraid and resentful, yelled, “That really hurt!” and slammed the door as he stormed out. This only made the mother more upset. The younger son, after being disciplined, tearfully hugged his mother and whispered, “Mom… it hurts so much. If your legs were bleeding like mine, would you be okay with it?” The mother, moved with compassion, hugged him tightly and said, “I’m sorry, honey. It must’ve really hurt. Please try to listen to me next time,” and they cried together.
Some children respond to discipline by running away in anger. Others, even while hurting, run into their parent’s arms. The same is true with God. Some people run from God. But the wise—those who trust Him fully—draw near to His heart, even in trials.
May you be such wise children of God, who cling to His love and draw near to Him in all things. In the name of Jesus, I bless you all.
하늘소망교회(담임 손진국 목사)는 뉴질랜드 오클랜드 북부 실버데일에 세워진 한인교회로 '하나님의 마음으로 사람을 살리는 교회'입니다.
Hope of Heaven Baptist Church (Senior Pastor: Rev. Jinkook Sohn) is a Korean church established in Silverdale, Auckland, New Zealand. It is a church that saves people with the heart of God.