A WALK WITH GOD!
The previous lesson was about how to be pleasing like Enoch. This lesson is about how we can “walk with God”!
The New Testament teaches us to…
…walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7)
…walk by the Spirit (Gal. 5:16, 25)
…walk in good works (Eph. 2:10)
…walk in love (Eph. 5:1-2)
…walk wisely, redeeming the time (Eph. 5:15-27)
…walk in the light (1 John 1:7)
Listen in as we discuss these six ways we can walk with the God of Creation, and the Lord Jesus Christ…
BE PLEASING LIKE ENOCH: Our most important thought must be what must I do to please God? This is an absolute truth! The Hebrew writer said of Enoch, “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” (Hebrews 11:5)
Jesus Pleased God by Doing the Father’s Will – So Must We! Obviously pleasing God requires faith in action, that is walking…
HOW CAN WE BE PLEASING TO GOD? PLEASE GOD THROUGH THE FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING.
– Not to Please Men – 1 Thess. 2:4
– Not Another Gospel – Gal. 1:8-9
– Preach In and Out of Season – 2 Tim. 4:1-4
– Preach As A Bond Servant of Christ – Gal. 1:10
OUR SALVATION PLEASES GOD
– It’s God’s Desire – 1 Timothy 2:3-4
– Our Waiting – Phil. 3:20-21
– Putting On Christ – Gal. 3:27
A LIFE OF A SERVANT
The Master said, “…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve….” (Matt. 20:28)
JESUS NOT ONLY SPOKE THESE WORDS BUT HE WAS A DOER.
– He showed us this service through the example of His own life.
– Healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and by His sacrificial death on the cross.
– TRULY THE SON OF MAN DID COME TO SERVE, AND TO GIVE HIS LIFE A RANSOM FOR MANY.
– The LORD, our MASTER Jesus was willing to serve us in the most perfect and complete sense by laying down His life for us.
What will we do to serve Him in return?
Let us consider together, what is involved in serving God…
Let us consider together, what is involved in serving God…
The psalmist says, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6)
WE PROCLAIM THE PRAISES OF HIM…
* BY BECOMING A CHRISTIAN
* BY OUR WORSHIP
* BY SHARING THE GOOD NEWS
* BY OUR GOOD WORKS
* BY LIVING FAITHFULLY
TRUTH DOES NOT CHANGE
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” (John 17:17)
“Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.” (Proverbs 23:23)
THIS LESSON:
CONTROVERSIAL TRUTH
TRUTH MUST BE PREACHED
“He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him–the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48)
GOD PROVIDES AND DELIVERS
“20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you [f]complete in every good work to do His will, working in [g]you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21)
In this lesson we’ll consider three points.
1. God is Always Good
2. The Fear of God Leads to Reward
3. One Who Desires Life Desires Holiness
JOY
There are many things in this life that can produce joy in our hearts. I played violin for years it brought me joy. Falling in love and finally marrying the love of my life brought be joy. Seeing my children born and grow to be godly children of God brought me joy.
But, all these great things are temporary. I played the violin for others and brought them joy until I cut off my finger in a table saw accident. Now I am learning to play the trumpet with when I play doesn’t bring anyone joy. Someday I will die (Heb. 9:27), or the love of my life will go before me which will, for a time, bring great sorrow. But again, though these things will one day pass – the joy that comes from above – the joy of being a member of the body of Christ and being recipients of the promise of eternal life – can never be taken away.
We’ll investigate this and I pray all will have that eternal fruit of the Spirit – Joy by accepting the invitation of Jesus Christ…
INHERITING THE PROMISES
Our lesson today comes from the great inheritance that God promised and delivered to His people, who after taking the promised land, became the great nation, Israel.
We learn from this account what Kind of FAITH we must have today. We will learn of three preconditions of faith—then apply them to our walk as Christians. Also, for those who have not yet obeyed the gospel—the same principles apply. Understand that Israel was seeking the land of milk and honey which God promised before to Abram. In the same way we are pilgrims seeking a heavenly home. Just like the chosen people of God under the Old Law only received that promise by obedient faith. So also, today all who are the chosen people of God – that is the church – must have obeyed the gospel by obedient faith.
Let’s begin then with the first precondition for inheriting the promised land which is…
FAITH AND OBEDIENCE
BLESSED ARE YOU
Have you decided to follow Jesus? If so, know assuradly that you are blessed. Blessed because Jesus is your Savior. Blessed because you have the oracles of God, and are able to do His commandment. Blessed because you can wear His name. Yes, there is more…
WHAT GOD REQUIRES
“13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”” (1 Peter 1:13-16)
It amazes me how many are so confused about the need to obey God. Why so many equate obedience with trying to earn salvation. It is obvious that they are confused by false teachers that claim “doing anything” constitutes “works”, and trying to earn salvation – which is exactly what people are taught. They are taught that “works” are always connected to the Old Testament Law. And I do agree with Paul who gave reason why the Jews could not attain righteousness, “Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone.” (Romans 9:32).
And who is that stumbling stone – Is it not Our Lord, Master and Savior – Jesus! “Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.”” (1 Peter 2:7-8)
So then, let’s look at the first thing that God expects. God Requires Obedient Faith…