The Time Is Now

2022-11-06

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Today, more than ever it is important for Christ-followers to stand up and stand out. Our voices must be heard but our voices need to look less like the world and more like Christ. We have been called to be ambassadors for the Gospel and there has never been a more critical need for the hope of the Gospel than now.

Ephesians 5:1-16 (NKJV) Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.[1]

1. Look like Him

Vs 1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.

  1. We can no longer try to “fit in” to a culture which is running away from truth and God’s Word
  2. We must “stand out” and show the world an alternative to the evil around us

2. Love like Him

Vs 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

  1. Standing Out is not permission to attack those who believe differently than us
  2. It is a calling to reflect the love of Christ to a world that needs to be loved

3. Live like Him

Vss 3-4 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

  1. Live differently than the world so we can be an image of holy living
  2. While sin will always be a pull in our culture, holiness can always win out

4. Walk like Him

Vss 6-11 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

  1. Even many of those who claim to stand for truth distort truth for their own purposes
  2. Never allow false truth and false doctrine to sneak into your journey

5. Because the time is now

Vss 14-16 Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Vss 15-16 (NLT) 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.

  1. It has never been more important than now to speak up and stand out
  2. Our culture has entered a season where it has become a frontal attack on everything the Word of God teaches
  3. We have no option but to hold fast to the Word and to His Way

[1] The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Eph 5:1–16.

/by