September 13, 2026 || Walk Carefully

September 13, 2026 || Walk Carefully Ephesians 5:15-21 restorationmemphis.com Dear Restoration Family, Sunday, we continued our Life in Christ series by studying Ephesians 5:15–21 in a message entitled “Walk Carefully.” Paul challenges us to pay careful attention to the way we live as followers of Christ. We can easily move through life going through our normal routines without considering how those habits, priorities, desires, and influences are shaping our walk with Christ. Because we live in a world where evil is active and people need to see Jesus, we are called to live intentionally. Walking carefully means intentionally pursuing God’s wisdom, following God’s will, and submitting to the Spirit’s control. Key Points from the Sermon: Sermon Recap Don’t Be Unwise. Be wise: Walking carefully begins by paying attention to how we live. Biblical wisdom is not simply knowing what is right but knowing how to live it out. Paul specifically points to making the best use of our opportunities. The wise Christian pays attention to the opportunities God provides to serve others, grow in Christ, and make Jesus known. Because the days are evil, we cannot afford to simply coast through the Christian life. Don’t be foolish. Understand the Lord’s will: The world has its own definition of wisdom, but Christians are not called to determine what is right according to our own desires or the culture around us. Paul calls us to understand the Lord’s will, particularly His revealed will through Scripture. Rather than being consumed with discovering God's hidden plan for every decision, we should faithfully follow what God has clearly commanded. Walking carefully means intentionally allowing God’s Word to determine how we live. Don’t be drunk. Be filled with the Spirit: Paul contrasts being controlled by wine with being filled with the Spirit. Being filled with the Spirit does not mean getting more of the Holy Spirit, but yielding ourselves more fully to His control. The Spirit-filled life is characterized by worship, thanksgiving, and humble submission to one another. The Spirit enables us to live in ways that do not come naturally to us as He turns our attention away from ourselves and toward Christ and others. Main Point: Be intentional about what you allow to determine the direction of your life. Reflection Questions: What are some areas of life where Christians can easily begin operating on “autopilot”? What makes those areas particularly easy to coast through? What are some opportunities Christians commonly overlook because we are too focused on our own schedules, priorities, or concerns? What are some ways Christians can substitute their own wisdom or the wisdom of the culture for God’s revealed will? How do worship, thanksgiving, and submission to one another challenge the self-centeredness that comes naturally to us? If the direction of our lives is being shaped by what we continually give our attention to, what are some intentional practices that can help us keep Christ and His Word at the center? Next Steps: If you missed it, listen to the entire sermon Join a Community Group: If you haven't already, consider joining one of our community groups to dive deeper into these discussions and grow together in faith. If you cannot make it to one, find a friend in the church and reflect on the sermon together. Prayer Focus: Ask God to help us recognize the opportunities He places before us and use them faithfully for His glory. Pray for wisdom to understand and follow God's revealed will through His Word. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything that is controlling our lives other than Christ. Pray that our lives would be characterized by genuine worship, thanksgiving, and humility toward one another. Ask God to help us identify areas where we have been coasting and give us grace to walk intentionally with Christ. Pray that Restoration Fellowship would faithfully reflect Christ to a world that needs to see Him.