To Walk with God Matured by Him

Key Scriptures

John 3:29 Therefore, this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

Ephesians 5:8 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 pleasing to the Lord.

WALK IN CHRIST

Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.

Ephesians 4:17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ! 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.

Ephesians 5:8 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 pleasing to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit…

PROVISION IN CHRIST

SEATED

Ephesians 1:20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places…

Ephesians 2:6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…

LOVED

Ephesians 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

Ephesians 3:17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth…

EMPOWERED

Ephesians 3:16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love…

Key Points

• A “pleasing to Him” walk with God can begin because a true conversion has occurred; “you were once darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord.”
• A walk with God worthy of Him flows out of all His provision by Him in Christ; rooted and grounded in His love.
• Your walk (activity) flows forth from your rest—being “seated with Christ” or your “position in Christ”
• A walk with God (pleasing to Him and worthy of Him) lays aside the old man’s foolish ways, i.e. drunkenness, immorality and wasted time.

Discussion Questions

1. Ephesians 1-3 is the “provision” section, Ephesians 4-6 is the “walk” section.
2. How important is it to know the provisions provided before one sets out on a journey?
3. You are in your walk journey. Ephesians chapter 1-3 lists all the provisions. Which provision mentioned in the message spoke to you?
4. How does “being seated with Christ” in His completed work of atonement help you in your journey-walk?
5. How does being “rooted and grounded” in the love of Christ’s unfailing love help you when you have failed in your walk?
6. What foolishness of the old man do you need to lay aside?