Tightly knit concepts in Eph 5:14-19 - amplified concepts and application in the rest of the book. Context of Eph 5:18 important in defining "Filling of the spirit". False conceptions: (1) not filled "with" the Spirit but "by means of" — the Spirit is the agent not the content. (2) Being filled by means of the Spirit is a not an auto-pilot ; spiritual life is an active partnership. (3) Spiritual basketball: All of us sin, but it's false to think that we fall and bounce up over and over again. Filling and fullness is amplified in Ephesian. The filling of the Spirit is when we allow the Spirit to infuse us with love (Eph 5:1-2). We must allow or "let" the Spirit fill us (Eph 5:1-2). Eph 5:17-18 parallel passage is Col 3:15-16 — filling involves love, peace, and the word of God. Light gives us light (Eph 5:14) and wisdom (Eph 5:8-10). Content of the filling of the Spirit is His fruit (Eph 5:9, Gal 5:22-23) — the life of Christ living in and through us (Eph 5:10-12). Other commands related "don't grieve the Spirit" with known active sin (Eph 4:30, Gal 5:16, ). "Don't quench the Spirit" with apathy and indifference to the word (1Th 5:18, Gal 5:16). We are His masterpiece in that we should walk in the Spirit and do His works He designed specifically for us (Eph 2:10).

Time and light are connected. There is no stress in God's timing, only in man's. You never see Christ rushing, but He was efficient with doing God's will.  Sin and death brought tyranny to time — time is our taskmaster (2Co 6:1-2, Isa 49:8). Salvation is an on-going work in a believer's life. We've wasted opportunity and time is running out (1Co 7:29). Our time has an end. We can abuse our time — we should have impact (Heb 5:12-14). Hebrews was written 3 years before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. The Hebrews had not used their time to fulfill God's purpose. It takes consistency to be mature (Heb 5:14) "who by reason of use" - habit; intensity - "exercise" means to work out every day. "discernment" - anything that isn't good is evil. Today is the day to "come boldly to the throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find Grace to help help in time of need" (Heb 4:16). time is not a renewable resource; it cannot be saved.

Scripture References: Hebrews 5:14, Ephesians 5:17-18, Ephesians 5:10-12, Hebrews 5:12-14, Ephesians 5:1-2, Galatians 5:22-23, Isaiah 49:8, Ephesians 5:1-2, Ephesians 5:9, Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 5:18, Ephesians 5:8-10, Galatians 5:16, Ephesians 5:14-19, Ephesians 5:14, Galatians 5:16, Hebrews 4:16, Colossians 3:15-16, Ephesians 4:30

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From Series: "Redeeming the Time - Arkansas Youth Camp - 2009"

This series was originally given at the Arkansas Camp in June 2009. The theme of the camp was 'Redeeming the Time' covering Eph 5:16-21 and related time-related passages.