Message Notes

4 May 2014

May 2014 Theme: Walk in Him

Text: Ephesians 5:15

WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY

(I) THE DEFINITION OF BEING CIRCUMSPECT – WISE

“Circumspectly…” Ephesians 5:15

1. Clarity (Proverbs 4:18)

2. Certainty (Proverbs 3:23)

3. Calmness (Proverbs 3:17)

4. Carefulness (Proverbs 5:26-27)

(II) THE CONCEPT OF THE PERIPATETIC PRINCIPLE

“See then that you walk…” Ephesians 5:15

1. “Peripateo” means “to live by following”

2. Walking by following a teacher

3. Learning through walking with Jesus

4. The Lord Jesus’ call to follow Him (John 8:12, 12:35)

(III) THE PERIPATETIC PRINCIPLE OF WALKING CIRCUMSPECTLY

“See then that you walk circumspectly…” Ephesians 5:15

1. Walking and being circumspect to be combined

2. Walking circumspectly to be seen as a command

3. Walking circumspectly to be a continuous endeavour

(IV) THE PERSONAL REASONS FOR THE PERIPATETIC PRINCIPLE OF LIVING CIRCUMSPECTLY

1. Seeking to be dear children of God

“Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children.“ Ephesians 5:1

2. Preventing the possibility of going back to our old foolish ways

“Not as fools…therefore do not be unwise…” Ephesians 5:15, 17

3. Guarding against the powerful influence of the evil one

“Because the days are evil….” Ephesians 5:16

“That you may be able to withstand in the evil day…” Ephesians 6:13

(V) THE PRACTICE OF THE PERIPETATIC PRINCIPLE OF WALKING CIRCUMSPECTLY

1. Live with growing wisdom

“But as wise….” Ephesians 5:15

2. Live with greater urgency

“Redeeming the time….” Ephesians 5:15 cf. Colossians 4:5

3. Live with greater understanding of the will of God

“But understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:17

4. Live with the Spirit of God filling us

“But be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18

a) Fellowship

b) Singing to the Lord

c) Giving thanks to God

d) Submitting to each other