01/26/03 - "Walking Circumspectly" - by Pastor Mike Baker
Last week we talked about our walk with God and how to overcome hindrances.
Eph 5:15-21
- v. 15 - walk carefully (circumspect); walk as if walking in thorny terrain
- element of being careful is emphasized
- but also walk perfectly/eactly
- the most exact, the most straight
- Narrow is the road/way we walk with God
- God has a path and a way for us to walk it
- earnestly seek Him, diligently and with discipline
- if we succeed, we'll enjoy fulfillment and fruitfulness
- but also walk perfectly/eactly
- "circumspect"
- within the path there is an individual call, a pattern to follow
- call based upon interests, gifts, talents
- "circum"
- around or about or circumference
- "spect"
- visual aspect of things
- walking carefully while looking for traps and snares
- not just looking down but also looking around
- within the path there is an individual call, a pattern to follow
- we are also part of the body of Christ
- there is a larger path that we are a part of
- what we are called to do is part of the whole mission of the church
- therefore we cannot focus only on our individual call but also be aware of what else is in the body
- "we need to be soldiers with a General's view"
- having a big picture focus
- increases unity
- whatever we are doing is important but only part of what is going on in the body
- Eph 4:11-16 - members of the body interconnected
- makes us healthy
- story in Book of Nehemiah
- began rebuilding walls of Jerusalem but people began to cause trouble
- character of "Tobiah the Ammonite"
- Tobiah means goodness of Jehovah
- Ammonite means tribal
- good things but centered on what we are doing
- we all need to grow in areas that are not our main focus
- story in Book of Nehemiah
- increases our appreciation of others
- value people who's call is different from yours
- II Tim 22:1
- be prepared for every good work
- affirmation is the fuel of the heart
- increases unity
- element of being careful is emphasized