Walking For Our Life As A Follower Of Christ Series

WALKING FOR OUR LIFE AS A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST

Philippians 3:16-19 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. 18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.

PROPOSITION: THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A LIFESTYLE WE WALK, NOT A PLACE WE STAY.

INTRODUCTION: THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, WE ARE PRESENTED WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT VARIOUS CAUSES BY WALKING. CANCER, KIDNEY RESEARCH, ETC. ALL OF THESE ARE GOOD, NO, GREAT CAUSES WORTHY OF OUR SUPPORT. AND THE RESULT OF THESE EFFORTS HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS PROGRESS IN THE SEARCH FOR CURES TO THESE DEVASTATING DISEASES. YET, A WORTHY AS THE ENDEAVORS ARE, THERE IS ONE WALK THAT SURPASSES THEM ALL. IT IS THE WALK WE ARE TO HAVE AS BELIEVERS. FOR THIS IS THE ONLY WALK WITH SPIRITUAL, AND THUS, ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES.

TRANSITION: SO IN OUR TIME THIS MORNING, LETS LOOK AT WHAT KIND OF WALK WAS SHOULD BE WALKING.

I. A DIFFERENT WALK

a. WALKING REVEALS A LOT ABOUT OUR CHARACTER

i. IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE WE HAVE DOZENS OF WORDS THAT DESCRIBE OUR WALK

1. PROUD PEOPLE WALK ERECT

2. COWARDS SLINK

3. HEROES WALK WITH CONFIDENCE

4. VILLAINS SLOUCH, SLINK OR CREEP

5. AND OF COURSE, PIRATES SWAGGER

ii. ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY, THE ZULU LANGUAGE HAS AT LEAST 120 DIFFERENT WORDS TO EXPRESS TYPES OF WALKING

b. THE MANNER OF WALK COMMUNICATES SOMETHING IN EVERY CULTURE AND SHOULD BE A PART OF OUR COMMUNICATION AS A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST.

TAKE A MOMENT TO ASK YOURSELF, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WALK AS A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST?

c. FOLLOWING CHRIST IS ALL ABOUT WALKING

i. WE ARE TO WALK WORTHY OF OUR CALLING – EPH 4:1

ii. WE ARE TO WALK WISELY – EPH 5:1

iii. WE ARE TO WALK WITH RESPECT – 1 THESS 4:12

iv. WE ARE TO WALK IN THE LIGHT – 1 JOHN 1:7

v. WE ARE TO WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY – EPH 5:15

d. WE HAD A FORMER WALK

i. WAS A WALK AWAY FROM CHRIST

ii. REDEMPTION CHANGES OUR WALK

1. DIFFERENT

2. REVERSAL OF STANDARDS

3. BEGINNING OF DISCIPLESHIP

e. WE ARE ASKED TO WALK THE EXAMPLE WE HAVE SEEN IN PAUL

i. THE PHRASE, “KEEP LIVING”

1. MEANS TO “KEEP IN LINE”

2. MEANS TO “KEEP IN STEP”

3. ORDERLY WALK FOLLOWING SOMEONE ELSE

ii. WE ARE BEING ASKED TO BE FAITHFUL IN WHAT WE KNOW

1. WE RUN INTO TROUBLE WHEN WE TRY TO MOVE BEYOND WHAT WE KNOW AS A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST

a. EVEN GOT INTO THAT PROBLEM

b. WE WILL ALSO

2. DOES NOT MEAN WE STOP LEARNING, MEANS WE MOVE WITH OUR LEARNING.

MY GRANDSON HAS BEEN TAKING SWIMMING LESSONS, AND JUST RECENTLY FINISHED ANOTHER ROUND OF LESSONS. I MUST SAY THAT HE HAS IMPROVED. HE HAS WORKED HIS WAY FROM HAVING MULTIPLE FLOAT ASSIST ON HIS BELT TO NOW ONLY NEEDING ON SMALL ONE, AND THAT IS ONLY TO HELP HIM WHEN HE GETS TIRED. HE HAS YET TO LEARN HOW TO SURVIVAL FLOAT.

JUST AS MY GRANDSON IS MOVING FORWARD LEVEL BY LEVEL, LEARNING AS HE GOES AND GETTING GREATER CONFIDENCE, SO WE SHOULD IN OUR WALK WITH CHRIST.

WE HAVE A MODEL, AND AS WE “WALK IN STEP” WITH THAT MODEL, OUR CONFIDENCE AND PROFICIENCY GROWS, AS WELL IT SHOULD.

f. IN FACT THE WRITER OF PSALMS, AT THE VERY BEGINNING, EXHORTS US IN THIS VERY ACTIVITY OF WALKING

Psalm 1:1-2 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.

i. DO NOT WALK IN THE WRONG PLACES

ii. DO NOT STOP WALKING IN THE RIGHT PLACES TO STAND IN THE WRONG PLACES.

iii. MAKE SURE YOU CAN GET TO THE RIGHT PLACE IN YOUR WALK SO YOU DO NOT CHOOSE TO REST IN THE WRONG PLACE.

WE ALL HAVE HORROR STORIES OF THAT ONE HOTEL WHERE WE STAYED AND REGRETTED IT!

II. A MUTUAL WALK -- 3:17

a. “JOIN IN AND FOLLOW MY EXAMPLE”

i. THE FIRST PART MEANS TO IMITATE AND OBEY

ii. THE SECOND PART MEANS TO HAVE A MODEL OR BLUEPRINT

iii. PUT THEM TOGETHER, WE ARE TO WALK WITH PAUL, IMITATING HIM AND THE MODEL HE HAS GIVEN FOR FOLLOWING CHRIST

b. BELIEVERS SHOULD NEVER WALK ALONE