Discerning What Is Acceptable - Ephesians 5:8-10

The Kingdom Corner with Matt Geib

EPH. 5:8-10 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to *discern what is **acceptable to the Lord.

• * to prove, discern, examine, see it is worthy, approve
• **EUARESTOS (U–rr–es—tos) accepted, well pleasing, fully agreeable

1.)KNOW Whose You ARE & Where you LIVE

Blessed, be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing, in the heavenlies, in Christ, 4 According as he made choice of us, in him, before the founding of a world, that we might be holy and blameless in his presence; in love, 5 marking us out beforehand unto sonship, through Jesus Christ, for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 Unto the praise of the glory of his **favour **wherewith he favoured us in the Beloved One,–– 7 In whom we have the redemption through his blood, the remission of our offences, according to the riches of his favour, 8 which he made to superabound towards us; in all wisdom and prudence, 9 making known to us the sacred secret of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him,

2.) KNOW The Correct Time

II Cor. 6:1-2 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,

“In a favorable time( a time accepted) I listened to you,(Isaiah 49:6-10)

and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the *favorable time(accepted time); behold, now is the day of salvation.

• * same meaning— in an even STRONGER sense…”A VERY Acceptable Time”

EPH. 5:16,17 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil…Be not unwise but understand what the will of the Lord Is I Chron. 12:32…The tribe of Issachar had understanding of what Isr. should do

ISAIAH 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Lord Is Upon Me because the Lord has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor;[a]

he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;[b]

2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor,(RATZONE)

and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all who mourn;

3.)RECEIVE CORRECTION

Genesis 4:7 7 If you do well, will you not be *accepted?[a] And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to[b] you, but you must rule over it.”

• * SEAYTH To be exalted, dignified, lifted up (James 4:10…1Peter 5:6)

4.) Set Your Mind & Heart On what Is Good

PSALM 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be *acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

• * RATZONE - delightful, pleasurable, acceptable, desirous
• PHIL. 4:6-9 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
• 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned[a] and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
• II COR. 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,[fn] are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.[fn] For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

5.) Give your Life as a Living Sacrifice

Romans 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers,[a] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and *acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.[b] 2 Do not be conformed to this world,[c] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and *acceptable and perfect.[d]

• * EUARESTOS…’Urr…es…tos’...accepted, well pleasing, fully agreeable
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• I Peter 2:5 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable( very well received) to God through Jesus Christ……….verse20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing(Charis) in the sight of God.
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6.) LIVE In the Realm of The Holy Spirit

ROMANS 14:17-18 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.

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