Walk The Talk
03/22/09 AM
Text: 1 John 2:1-6
Introduction
I spent the last week working with the Navy, facilitating a Leadership course for Naval Officers newly assigned the role of Department Head in the Navy. Throughout the curriculum presented is the concept of personal integrity, the need to walk the talk of a leader.
This is not a ground-breaking concept, I know for myself that when I interact with someone who “talks out of the side of their mouth”, one who does not behave in alignment with who they say they are, it bothers me, a lot.
I’m sure that all of us have experienced such a person in our lives, either in our jobs or at school, or even in our own families. When it comes right down to it, there really is no shortage of hypocrites in the world.
And truth be told, there is no shortage of hypocrites in the Church as well. The etymology of the word is from Greek hypokrisis "acting on the stage, pretense, thus one who is pretending to be something they are not. And we know the world levels this charge against us at the drop of a hat because it irritates them as much as it irritates us.
We need to know that it irritates our God just as much when we as Christians do not walk the talk of following after Him. Let us examine how we might better walk the talk as followers of Christ.
I.The Source of Behavior
A.Rooted in Beliefs and Values
1.Behavior is derived from a person’s beliefs they have formed as well as their values.
2.Beliefs are our acquired knowledge, things we know to be true.
a. They are formed from the things we have learned (been taught.)
b.And from our own experiences in life.
3.Values are traits or qualities that we consider worthwhile; to which we ascribe worth.
a.Values represent your highest priorities and deeply held driving forces.
b.These are developed early in life and we carry them with us throughout our lives.
4.What we do (our behavior, actions, Christian walk.) flow primarily from our beliefs and values.
II.Beliefs
A.Christian faith is our beliefs.
1.Romans 10:17 (NASB) So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
2.We learn from what we hear preached.
a.Romans 10:14 (NASB) How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?
b.Jesus commissioned His followers to preach and teach.
c.The book of The Acts of the Apostles records the spread of the Gospel by the preaching and teaching of the Apostles and the saints (Acts 8:4)
d.Titus 2:1 (NASB) But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.
3.We learn from what we read and study from scripture
a.John 20:30 - 31 (NASB) Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
b.We are given commandments to do
1 John 2:3 (NASB) By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.
c.We are given examples to follow:
1)1 Corinthians 10:11 (NASB) Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
2)Romans 15:4 (NASB) For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
3)Great cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 12:1
d.2 Timothy 3:16 - 17 (NASB) All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
4.Hebrews 11:1 (NASB) Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
III.Values
A.With values priority matters
1.Matthew 6:33a (NASB) 33“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness,”
a.Seeking His kingdom first requires we make God’s priorities our priorities.
2.Love.
a.Mark 12:28-34
b.Matthew 5:43 - 45 (NASB) 43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
c.1 Corinthians 13:13 (NASB) 13But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.
3.Humility
a.Matthew 5:3 (NASB) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
b.Philippians 2:3-8
4.Forgiveness
a.Matthew 18:21 - 22 (NASB) Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22Jesus said* to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
b.Ephesians 4:32 (NASB) Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
c.1 Peter 1:5-11: These verses and the others we have looked at, show us some of the values that God deems important. Don’t consider these few moments we have spent reviewing them as the definitive exposition of Christian values.
d.God’s word tells us what He values; we need to make His desires our first and foremost focus and live accordingly.
Conclusion: The word of God gives us the information we need to form our beliefs and tells us the values which God deems important. From these we can be sure to lead lives pleasing to Him and we will Walk the Talk of a Christian life.
Invitation
