"Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."
(Ephesians 5:14  -  16)
 
 

Our text records the walk of the believer as God's dear child.
 

  1.  It is a Walk in LOVE.
       (5:1  -  2)
 

  2.  It is a Walk in LIGHT.
       (5:8  -  14)
 

  3.  It is a Walk in LOGIC.
       (5:15)
 

It is important that every believer have a sincere walk with the Lord!  Abiding in Christ is the avenue of victory over sin.  In order to maintain this walk with Christ, one must practice the instruction found in verse 16, "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."
 

*Redeem  =  "To buy up, to ransom, or to improve the opportunity"
 
 

*We often think of the word "redeem" in light of salvation.  While it is true that Christ has redeemed us from our sins, the text reveals that saints need to redeem the time!
 

  1.  Time is PRECIOUS!
 

"Time is a talent given us by God for some good end, and it is misspent and lost when it is not employed according to His design"   (M. Henry).
 
 

  2.  Time is PASSING!
 

"BOAST not thyself of to morrow;  for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth."
(Proverbs 27:1)
 
 

"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow.  For what is your life?  It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."
(James 4:14)
 
 
 

  I.  Time is Running Out for LETHARGIC SAINTS!
 
 

*Lethargic  =  "Lacking activity, no emotion or interest"
 
 

          A.  Awake to the Scriptures!
 
 

"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep:  for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.  The night is far spent, the day is at hand:  let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light."
(Romans 13:11  -  12)
 
 

          B.  Awake from our Sins!
 
 

"Awake to righteousness, and sin not;  for some have not the knowledge of God:  I speak this to your shame."
(I Corinthians 15:34)
 
 

           C.  Awake for Service!

               (Ephesians 5:14  -  18)
 
 

 II.  Time is Running Out for LAZY SERVANTS!
 
 

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:"
(II Timothy 4:7)
 
 

         A.  Re-enlist in the Fight!

              "I have fought a good fight"
 
 

         B.  Recharge your Faith!

              "I have kept the faith"
 
 

          C.  Resolve to Finish!

              "I have finished my course"
 
 
 

III.  Time is Running Out for LOST SINNERS!
 
 
 

           A.  Hear the Loving Call!
 

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
(Matthew 11:28)
 
 
 

           B.  Heed the Limited Call!
 
 

"Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near"
(Isaiah 55:6)
 
 
 

"(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee:  behold, now is the accepted time;  behold, now is the day of salvation.)"
(II Corinthians 6:2)
 
 
 

"While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation."
(Hebrews 3:15)
 
 
 

*May God help us to remember that time is running out!