The Seven Walks

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The Seven Walks of Ephesians
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Continue our look at sevens of the Bible in 07
In the book of Ephesians, walk appears in seven
places
Walk is found six times and walked appears
once
Can learn much about Christian life by observing
these seven walks of Ephesians
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1
Walking in Disobedience
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Wherein in time past ye walked according to the
course of this world, according to the prince of
the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh
in the children of disobedience
Ephesians 22
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When they thus walked, they were dead in sins
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And you hath he quickened, who were dead in
trespasses and sins Ephesians
21
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When they thus walked, they were dead in sins
Later in this letter, some matters are specified
in which these children of disobedience walked
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But fornication, and all uncleanness, or
covetousness, let it not be once named among you,
as becometh saints Neither filthiness, nor
foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not
convenient but rather giving of thanks.
Ephesians 53, 4
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When they thus walked, they were dead in sins
Later in this letter, some matters are specified
in which these children of disobedience walked
We also discover the outcome of the children of
disobedience
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For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor
unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an
idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of
Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with
vain words for because of these things cometh
the wrath of God upon the children of
disobedience. Ephesians 55, 6
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When they thus walked, they were dead in sins
Later in this letter, some matters are specified
in which these children of disobedience walked
We also discover the outcome of the children of
disobedience
Christians are not to participate in such matters
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Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
Ephesians 57
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2
Walking in Good Works
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For we are his workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus unto good works, which God hath before
ordained that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 210
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This passage follows Pauls famous statement
regarding grace
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For by grace are ye saved through faith and that
not of yourselves it is the gift of God Not of
works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 28, 9
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This passage follows Pauls famous statement
regarding grace
By the way they approach the subject of grace,
some would practically teach a contradiction
between these two statements
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For by grace are ye saved through faith and that
not of yourselves it is the gift of God Not of
works, lest any man should boast. For we are his
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good
works, which God hath before ordained that we
should walk in them. Ephesians 28-10
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This passage follows Pauls famous statement
regarding grace
By the way they approach the subject of grace,
some would practically teach a contradiction
between these two statements
In their minds grace excludes any and every idea
that there is anything for man to do
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However, the fact that we can do nothing to
deserve Gods grace does not mean that there is
nothing we have to do to acquire His grace
Gods grace has appeared unto all, yet not all
will be saved
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For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath
appeared to all men, Titus 211
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However, the fact that we can do nothing to
deserve Gods grace does not mean that there is
nothing we hav eto do to acquire His grace
Gods grace has appeared unto all, yet not all
will be saved
Thus, in order to acquire Gods grace, there must
be something else involved other than the
availability of His grace
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Noah stands as an example of the correlation
between Gods giving of His grace and mans
obedience in enjoying the benefits of His grace
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But Noah found grace in the eyes of the
LORD. Genesis 68
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Thus did Noah according to all that God
commanded him, so did he.
Genesis 622
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By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not
seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to
the saving of his house by the which he
condemned the world, and became heir of the
righteousness which is by faith.
Hebrews 117
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Noah stands as an example of the correlation
between Gods giving of His grace and mans
obedience in enjoying the benefits of His grace
Did Noahs doing what God told him to do negate
the grace God offered?
Would God have saved Noah if he had refused to do
what God commanded him to do?
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We are indeed saved by grace, but not by grace
alone
Gods unmerited favor is not deserved but His
will must be obeyed in order for it to be acquired
We must walk in good works
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3
Walking Worthy
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I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech
you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith
ye are called. Ephesians 41
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The word translated worthy is the same root
word as the negative form unworthily of I
Corinthians 11
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Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and
drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be
guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
I Corinthians 1127
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The word translated worthy is the same root
word as the negative form unworthily of I
Corinthians 11
Thus, it demonstrates a manner in which we are to
walk- worthy manner- not an indication that we
are worthy so to walk
We are undeserving of that worthy name of
Christian, but we can walk in a worthy fashion as
we carry that name
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Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the
which ye are called? James
27
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He that loveth father or mother more than me is
not worthy of me and he that loveth son or
daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he
that taketh not his cross, and followeth after
me, is not worthy of me. Matthew 1037, 38
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4
Walking in Vanity
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This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord,
that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles
walk, in the vanity of their mind,
Ephesians 417
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As seen, prior to their conversion these people
were dead in trespasses and sin (Eph. 21),
walked according to the course of this world
(Eph. 22) and were the children of
disobedience (Eph. 22)
They, too, had once walked in the vanity of
their mind (Eph. 417), but must no longer do so
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Vanity carries the idea of emptiness,
aimlessness, leading to no object
Solomon knew all too well the foolishness of such
vain pursuits
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Therefore I hated life because the work that is
wrought under the sun is grievous unto me for
all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
Ecclesiastes 217
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Vanity carries the idea of emptiness,
aimlessness, leading to no object
Solomon knew all too well the foolishness of such
vain pursuits
The summation of the majority of the Gentile
world in Pauls day pictured such emptiness
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Because that, when they knew God, they glorified
him not as God, neither were thankful but became
vain in their imaginations, and their foolish
heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be
wise, they became fools, Romans 121, 22
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Christians have purpose to and meaning in life
Rather than being aimless and without objective,
we are guided by truth to eternal principles and
a walk that is not in vain
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O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in
himself it is not in man that walketh to direct
his steps. Jeremiah 1023
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Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto
my path. Psalm 119105
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5
Walking in Love
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And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us,
and hath given himself for us an offering and a
sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling
savour. Ephesians 52
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This statement comes on the heels of the command
to Be ye therefore followers of God as dear
children (Eph. 51)
The entire life of Christ on the earth was one
great act of love for man
He healed, forgave, had compassion, went about
doing good, had concern for the nobodies
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He exemplified by His life that love is not
abstract it is not a mere sentiment or emotion
Love is an action, a walk in which Christians are
to be engaged constantly
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Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that
he loved us, and sent his Son to be the
propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so
loved us, we ought also to love one another.
I John 410, 11
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He exemplified by His life that love is not
abstract it is not a mere sentiment or emotion
Love is an action, a walk in which Christians are
to be engaged constantly
Like Him, we must have compassion, forgive, do
good, be concerned about those for whom others
have no concern
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Walking As Children of Light
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For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye
light in the Lord walk as children of
light Ephesians 58
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Note that they not only walked in darkness, but
were said to be darkness
In contrast, they were now light in the Lord
Certainly we must walk in the light (I Jn.
17), but we must also be a source of light
ourselves
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Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set
on an hill cannot be hid. Let your light so
shine before men, that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father which is in
heaven. Matthew 514, 16
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That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons
of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked
and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as
lights in the world. Philippians 215
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Our walk then should be consistent with what we
are and in direct contrast to what we used to be
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That at that time ye were without Christ, being
aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and
strangers from the covenants of promise, having
no hope, and without God in the world But now in
Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are
made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 212, 13
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Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not
inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived
neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor
adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of
themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor
covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor
extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
And such were some of you but ye are washed, but
ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the
name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our
God. I Corinthians 69-11
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Walking Circumspectly
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See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as
fools, but as wise, Ephesians 515
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The word translated circumspectly means
exactly, diligently, perfectly
Due diligence must be given in living the
Christian life, in walking the Christian way
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For God is not unrighteous to forget your work
and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward
his name, in that ye have ministered to the
saints, and do minister. And we desire that every
one of you do shew the same diligence to the full
assurance of hope unto the end. Hebrews
610, 11
64
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to
your faith virtue and to virtue
knowledge, Wherefore the rather, brethren, give
diligence to make your calling and election sure
for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.
II Peter 15, 10
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Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look
for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth
righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye
look for such things, be diligent that ye may be
found of him in peace, without spot, and
blameless. II Peter 313, 14
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The word translated circumspectly means
exactly, diligently, perfectly
Due diligence must be given in living the
Christian life, in walking the Christian way
The idea given is that we are to take special
efforts to walk in accordance to His will- it is
not a way that will be stumbled upon accidentally
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And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it
shall be called The way of holiness the unclean
shall not pass over it but it shall be for
those the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not
err therein. Isaiah 358
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As Christians we must walk
In Good Works
Worthy
In Love
As Children of Light
Circumspectly
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We must avoid walking
In Disobedience
In Vanity
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(No Transcript)
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-numerous thoughts from various writers in
Studies in Ephesians, ADL 1997 Dub
McClish -Heavens Sevens, Vol. 3 F. Dale
Simpson