August 20th, 2000, Sunday Evening

"The Worthy Walk of the Believer"
How to follow in His footsteps

OPENING: Ephesians 4:1-3, KJV

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• When we literally walk, we move from one place to another. Spiritually speaking, Christians should be making a walking (growing) progress "in the footsteps of the Lord."
  
  
• If you're saved, you're a saint in Christ ... unlike some churches where you have to be voted into sainthood based on the power of a testimony. Praise the Good Lord we don't have to be recognized by man to be a saint.
  
  
• We are called into vocation. Our purpose in life is to walk like God. God became your Father--your parent--when you were saved. It takes power of the Holy Spirit to "walk with God."
  
  
• Characteristics of the Christian Walk
  
  
  • Colossians 1:10: We must walk in a manner that is both worthy and pleasing to God. Our conversation, lifestyle, how we carry ourselves, how we work ... do it not for yourself or your boss, do it for God. It should be pleasing to God.
    
    
  • When you're saved, you're "born again," and God is now your Father. Baptism should immediately follow.
    
    
  • Romans 6:4: This is a "new walk"--meaning you haven't done it before. This new walk encompasses, among other things, attitude, lifestyle, manner, conversation, etc ... just as babies begin and grow.
    
    
  • Ephesians 4:1: It is a consistent walk with which we're called.
    
    
  • 1 John 2:6: It is a Holy, Christ-like walk
    
    
    • Ephesians 5:15: Some Christians walk carelessly. We should dispel myths that people say about us. Make sure no one gets away with speaking evil about you. One way to prevent this is not to be found in places where evil is perceived--R-rated movie theaters, bars, etc.
    
    
  • It is a walk of faith
    
    
    • 2 Corinthians 5:7: What we do in church we do and believe through faith not by sight.
      
      
      • We have faith that our worship in singing in church goes through the ceiling and reaches the ears of God
      • We have faith that the money we give in the offering is pleasing to God (yet if it's not the most you can give, then don't tell God it was the best you can do. God already knows if it's the best you can do or not)
      • Being faithful in other aspects such as being truthful, in witnessing, and in worship
    
    
  • It is a walk of love (Ephesians 5:2)
    
    
  • It is a walk in truth (2 John 1:4) Give your word in truth or don't give it at all.
  
  
• Ephesians 4:2: One of the hardest jobs is to work with people ... as opposed to broken equipment that cannot talk back to you. If you ask a lawnmower why it won't work, it will say (not literally), "I'm out of gas." But if you ask a non-believer what their problem is, they'll come back, "Who are you to tell me I'm not living right!?"
  
  
  • Per the scripture, "forbearing in love" means we should endure one another in love--even when we get on each other's nerves. We must do this because love in itself conquers many sins.
    
    
  • When you're trying to help people step to the next spiritual level, you need to be walking in the Spirit--in meekness.
    
    
  • Today's belief that low self-esteem is a problem is a lie. The problem is too much self-esteem. This is a pride problem (which Christ opposes) and an effectiveness problem if brought to church. People are so puffed up about themselves and think they're better than each other that it causes division. It's easier to perform hard labor than to deal with someone who has a pride problem.
  
  
• Galatians 5:16: This verse doesn't say we won't have the temptation, rather we won't do it IF we're walking in the Spirit.
  
  
• What the Spirit is
  
  
  • Galatians 5:22-23: Definition of the "Fruit of the Spirit."
    
    
    • LOVE: It takes a lot of it to lead a person to Christ. That person may not be loveable or even likable but God loves everyone--and we should walk like God.
      
      
      • Love is long-suffering and patient.
        
        
      • It doesn't matter if the lost person has a tobacco, alcohol, or drug problem. Convey that God loves that person as much as he loves the righteous.
      
      
    • You show that person how to get to the Lord (giving a tract will help) and then let the Lord work on that person's heart.
  
  CLOSER

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• Genesis 17:1: We are commanded to walk in the Newness of Life before God.
  
  
• There's a worthy walk and a wicked walk.
  
  
  • You can't please everyone and make them all like you. But as long as God likes it and no one else does, then nothing else matters.
    
    
    • If you friends threaten to leave you for your beliefs, then let it happen
    • If your family disowns you, know that God owns you