"Be Careful How You Live!"

Pastor David Layman

August 20, 2000

Ephesians 5:15-20

Paul wrote to the Ephesians: "BE CAREFUL THEN HOW YOU LIVE, NOT AS UNWISE PEOPLE BUT AS WISE, MAKING THE MOST OF THE TIME, BECAUSE THE DAYS ARE EVIL." When I was in high school, our lunch hour in the cafeteria could at times get rowdy and boisterous. The teacher who patrolled the cafeteria, Mr. Dietzman, wore a bow tie and a suit. Teachers did that kind of thing when I was a teen. To us, he looked like he was about 80 years old. I can only recall Mr. Dietzman saying one word:

"Careful, careful." That was it! He walked through the cafeteria, constantly cautioning students who were tempted to rush about and goof off a little, "Careful, careful." For some reason, it worked. I think we were afraid that if we accidentally bumped into or ran over Mr. Dietzman, he might die, and then wed be in lots of trouble. Paul wrote the Ephesians, and urged them "BE CAREFUL HOW YOU LIVE...MAKING THE MOST OF THE TIME..."

When we think of living carefully, the teenage years dont often come to mind, do they? In truth, many teenagers today live far more carefully than some who have told me stories of what they did when they were younger! Some of the Halloween pranks and things kids used to try when they were growing up on a farm sound pretty risky! Its worthwhile noting that teenage pregnancies have actually declined in the last 10 years.

Yet we often arent very careful how we live today, are we? How careful are the people that drive on I 70? And if we think I 70 is bad, drive in a big city like New York or Boston some time! An alarming number of people seem to be becoming increasingly hostile. "Road rage" threatens life on the highways. Too often, we hear of someone that gets really angry, and enters a post office, their work place, or a school, and opens fire. Beverly Brass tells of a friend whose flight was delayed from Boston to New York City, so she missed her connection home to Seattle. She joined a group of other passengers in line at the ticket counter, each hoping to book seats on the next flight to Seattle. All the travelers were waiting patiently, except for one man, who rudely said to the agent "I had an aisle seat reserved, and I better get an aisle seat when we get on another plane!" A few minutes later, everyone was relieved when they learned there would be room for all. The ticket agent said to the obnoxious man, "I am happy to tell you that you will have an aisle seat." Still grumbling, the man picked up his brief case and headed for the gate. The agent then continued "And Im also happy to announce that the rest of you will be seated in first class!" Our anger does not encourage us to live carefully.

Bill Bennett, former Secretary of Education, tells of a conversation he had with a Washington, D.C. cab driver. The cabbie, a graduate student from Africa, shared his plans to return to his homeland once he got his degree. His reason? He didnt want his children to grow up in a country where his daughter would be an "easy target" for young men, and his son might face violence from other young men. The African said "It is more civilized where I come from." (RD, "What Really Ails America", speech delivered 12/7/93 at the Heritage Foundation.)

Its interesting that soon after Paul writes "BE CAREFUL HOW YOU LIVE", he adds "DO NOT GET DRUNK WITH WINE...BUT BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT, AS YOU SING ...SPIRITUAL SONGS...GIVING THANKS TO GOD...AT ALL TIMES FOR EVERYTHING IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST." In Pauls time, bottled water was unheard of, milk was for small children, tea was still in India, coffee in Latin America, Coca Cola had not been invented, and wine was commonly drunk with a meal. But Paul knew that alcohol when not carefully consumed could encourage people to reckless living.

Paul offers a substitute to alcohol and substance abuse. Paul urges instead "BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT!" Paul wrote that the praise of God, and in dwelling of the Holy Spirit, was a better and safer "high" than alcohol! Remember Pentecost, 50 days after the resurrection of Christ, when the Holy Spirit came upon the church in such a way, that outsiders thought that, even though it was early in the day, believers were inebriated? When in Old Testament times Hannah, the soon to be mother of the prophet Samuel, was praying so intensely for a child, the priest Eli thought Hannah was drunk? She wasnt, but was deeply moved by the Spirit! (I Sam. 1:14 & f.)

I dont believe theres much danger that should an outsider wander into our worship, he or she might look at Presbyterians singing and worshiping God and think we were drunk! No, were a right sober Iot...at least in church! But maybe it wouldnt hurt us if we got a little more pumped up as we worship God.. .showed a little more enthusiasm and joy! If the only time we can have a good time is when were inebriated, what does that say about us? As believers in Christ, we have a better reason to be joyful and enthusiastic than anyone else! For no matter how many terrible things weve done in our lives, we can be FORGIVEN! If that isnt a reason to rejoice, I dont know what is! And no matter how much we might have to suffer in this life, from afflictions or troubles, there WILL be a time we can lay our earthly burdens down and rejoice in eternal life! THAT is a reason for everlasting joy. Lets not take needless chances by abusing substances and frittering our lives away. Lets be FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT! Lets live lives of enthusiasm and joy and praise! May Christs light SO SHINE, that others may see God at work in us, and give glory and praise to God!

My brother, who by the way, is MUCH OLDER than I, recently got a card listing "Top Ten Hymns For People Our Age." They are: "It is well with my soul (but my back aches a lot)", "Nobody knows the trouble I have seeing", "Amazing Grace (considering my age)", "Just a slower walk with Thee", "Count your many birthdays, name them one by one", "Go tell it on the mountain--and speak up!", "Give me that old timers religion", "Blessed Insurance", "Guide me 0 thou great Jehovah (Ive forgotten where I parked)", and the number one hymn for those getting up in years, "Nearer, My God, to Thee."

C.S. Lewis wrote of how the devil had a meeting, and needed volunteers to go to earth to corrupt the souls of the people there. One stepped forward and said "Ill go." The devil asked "What is your plan?" He responded "My plan is to tell them there is no heaven." The devil responded "That wont work, for in the heart of every human being there beats the hope of a world better than this." A second stepped forward and said "I will tell them there is no hell." The devil said "That wont work, for in the heart of everyone, there is an experience of hell itself on earth, and they come to believe that there is a hell." From the darkest corner of Hades, a youthful volunteer stepped forward. "What is your plan?", asked the devil. "I will tell them there is ample time for everything!" "You can go", said the devil. "Go tell them there is ample time for everything!" (Frank Harrington, 1/5/97 sermon, Peachtree Presbyterian Church, Atlanta).

"Be careful how you live.. .for the days are evil." We dont have forever. Make each day count! We talk about how men sometimes go through a "mid life crisis". I have nothing to confess thus far. That is, I havent bought a sports car, started wearing a gold chain around my neck, and the only time Ive gone to Las Vegas, I took Pam and the girls, and we didnt spend the night! I suppose a few of the things I wear embarrass my daughters, but hey, Ill always have that! But in the last 7 years, both of my parents have died. I started to wear glasses. In different ways, Ive come to realize that the years are passing by. Peers around my age, school teachers and those in certain lines of work, are even talking about early retirement. It all makes me think "I dont want to fritter my life away. There are too many important things to do! ! need to make each day count! I dont want to be looking

When I was still working, while I still had my health. I wish I had challenged myself and others more! I wished I had reached down deeper, worked harder!" I want, in the words of Paul to the Ephesians, "TO MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY."

None of us here this morning is guaranteed forever on this earth. But God does give us today, and perhaps, many tomorrows. We can be careful how we live. By Gods grace, Our lives can count for more than just accumulating things for ourselves and seeking status and comfort. We can be lifted above and beyond ourselves as we worship and praise 3od. We can confess our sins and by Gods grace strive to do better! We can reach out and help someone else, and at the same time, find our own trials diminished!

In closing, Id like to share the words of a hymn from the old Presbyterian Youth Hymnal:

I would be true, for there are those who trust me;

I would be pure, for there are those who care;

I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;

I would be brave, for there is much to dare,

I would be brave, for there is much to dare.

I would be friend of all--the foe, the friendless;

I would be giving, and forget the gift;

I would be humble, for I know my weakness;

I would look up, and laugh, and love, and lift,

I would look up, and laugh, and love, and lift.

(Howard Arnold Walter, THE HYMNAL FOR YOUTH, Westminster Press, Phila., 1942, no. 180.)

Those words were an inviting challenge when I was a teenager; they remain a challenge

today. "BE CAREFUL.. .HOW YOU LIVE. ..GIVING THANKS TO GOD THE FATHER

AT ALL TIMES AND FOR EVERYTHING IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS

CHRIST."

David Layman

First Presbyterian Church

Richmond, Indiana