Walking With God

Text: Ephesians 5:1-2

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (03/17/02)

Introduction:   

We read of Enoch who walked with God, and Noah, others.

What does it mean to walk with God? 

When we say we are to walk with God – What does that look like?

Ephesians 5:1 provides us as good a definition as there is to be found in the Bible.

Ephesians 5:1  Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

Walking with God means following God.

The word “Followers” means imitators.

To help us further understand this concept, Paul provides us with an example of endearment – “As dear children” – (BELOVED)

ILLUS: Cute when small children imitate, dress up like parents, want to be like them.

BTW – They imitate both good and bad!

Ultimately, as adults, the beloved child follows his/her parents faith in respect, honor and by their own free will.

The heart of this truth is seen in mature believers who are volitionally or willfully following God. EXAMPLES:

Church / Witness / Bible Study-Prayer / Witness / Give / Serve

How then are we to imitate or follow God?

Please notice three areas in which we are to be followers of God, to walk with God…

I. By Walking in Love vs.2

We are talking about the love of God here!!!

Romans 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Your life must be characterized by love.   In all of your words and thoughts and actions.  The very way in which you conduct your life.

A. We are to love because of Christ’s Love.

1 John 4:19  We love him, because he first loved us.

Romans 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

We have no excuse, no alibi, no option but to walk in love.  We ourselves are loved by God with an everlasting love!!!

Notice what the Bible says about loving our brother in I John 4..

1 John 4:20  If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

B. We are to love as Christ has loved us.

Ephesians 4:32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

1. He gave Himself for us vs.2B

We are by nature “Takers” – God is by nature a “Giver”.

We become “Givers” by virtue of the divine nature.

TRUE in our Time – Talents & Treasure

We are to Give cheerfully (2 Cor 9) with simplicity (Rom 12) and without thought of reciprocation.

Acts 20:35  I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

2. His sacrifice brought Glory to God vs.2C

God is glorified by our sacrificial love.

II. By Walking in Light vs.3-14

Vs.8 – “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:”

Now there are principles and prohibitions in our text.

Let’s tackle the Principles first.   The Prohibitions have increased clarity and force once we understand the principles.

1 John 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

A. The Principles vs.8-14

There are at least three….

1. Transformation vs.8-9

Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Colossians 1:13  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

TRANSFORMATION – Define & Explain

CONVERSION – Define & Explain

ILLUS: (Airplane Restaurant – Derry Rd)

2. Separation vs.10-12

That means as far as the world (*Explain) is concerned we have...

*(Not Physical World, Not it’s people, but this world system)

NO Felllowship….vs.11

NO Fondness….vs.12

EXPLAIN Negative and Positive of Separation

Separated from (SIN, WORLD, ERROR)

Separated unto (RIGHTEOUSNESS, CHRIST, TRUTH)

3. Manifestation vs.13-14

REPROVE – Admonish, convince, convict.

MANIFEST – To render apparent, show (Show & Tell?)

What reproves?  Our lips or our life?  Our words or our walk?

Vs.13 and it’s context makes it clear that it is the light of a transformed life.

Matthew 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

B. The Prohibitions vs.3-7

1). Fornication – All sexual sin

2). All Uncleanness – Moral impurity

3). Covetousness – The opposite of Contentment

The heart’s unsatisfied craving for more than God has been pleased to give. – Ironside

Here in vs. 5 and in Col. 3:5 we are told that covetousness is idolatry.

4). Filthiness – Shameful, obscene

5). Foolish talking/Jesting - Vulgarity

Strong, Forceful Language…

“let it not be once named among you” vs.3

“Be not ye therefore partakers with them” vs.7

1). These are the things that characterize those who are Hell-bound vs.5

2). These are the things that characterize those who are under God’s wrath.

John 3:36  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

III. By Walking in Line vs.15-33

Vs. 15 – “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,”

CIRCUMSPECTLY - The word expresses that "accuracy" which is the outcome of carefulness. It is connected with akros, "pointed."  (VINES) - See CAREFUL, DILIGENT, EXACTLY, PERFECT.

WEBSTERS – Three Ideas

careful implies close attention to or great concern for whatever is one's work or  responsibility

scrupulous implies a conscientious adherence to what is considered right, true, accurate, or proper in every detail

circumspect implies a careful consideration of all circumstances to avoid error or unfavorable consequences

How do we walk in line?

A. Realize the Seriousness of the Times vs.16

“The Days are Evil”

B. Realize the Importance of God’s Will vs.17

C. Recognize the Necessity of a Spirit-Filled life vs.18-20

D. Recognize God’s Place in our Personal relationships vs.21

Conclusion:     (Review)