INTRODUCTION:
2Co 5:7 says we are to walk by faith, and not by sight. This week, we have our third sermon in
the series entitled “The Walk of Faith.” We have considered that it is a New Walk of Life; it is an Honest
Walk, and today, we will find it to be a Loving Walk or a Selfless Walk.
The Bible has much to say about Love. Yet we so often misunderstand love. I suppose that is
reasonable to expect, for so many sources try to lay claim on the definition of love: Hollywood and the
entertainment industry as a whole; the Dear So-and-so columns all try to describe love. The horoscopes
try to forecast love, with no real definition so it will fit any situation. Psychologists all take a crack at love,
but only through a “pseudo-scientific” approach, never with any real understanding. Our government has
redefined love as “tolerance” creating a society of greater division than ever before.
Now, with our country facing an very real, if somewhat undefined threat to our way of life, we
rally around the Flag proclaiming what unity and love we have for one another. We lend a hand and a
dollar, give blood and even fall to our knees in prayer. Now, with all this extra prayer our nation is
experiencing, are we genuinely following Christ, or are we merely begging for mercy with no intent of
changing our ways?
READ: EPHESIANS 5:1-7
Just a comment: notice that verce 6 says, “for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon
the children of disobedience.” I’m not saying that God has allowed these tragedies to come upon us as
wrath, but millions of Americans are beginning to see that God is, and is our only hope. We have begun
to see some of the destruction that He could bring upon us should He choose. His hand of favor is as
saving as His hand of wrath is destroying. But mere praying for His favor does not guarantee it.
Preachers are preaching everywhere the passage from 2Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called
by my name, shall seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and I will
forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” But the emphasis is on seeking the face of the Lord for healing.
There is little said about turning from our wicked ways. We are told by our leaders to resume the life
before the attack as quickly as possible. Return to normal. Is that where we are to find hope? Are we to
find hope in the ways of before? Have we examined our “obedience level” in relation to our obedience to
God? Have we considered that there might genuinely be hope in God, but it requires something of us?
Well, as I read this passage in Ephesians 5, I see clearly that God gently, but unwaveringly
demands of us that we follow Him. And that journey will certainly prevent the wrath of God upon the
children of disobedience.
God contrasts The Good (the walk of Jesus Christ) with the bad (the walk of the world, society,
and “normalcy”). Verses 1 & 2 are about the walk of Jesus Christ, along with the exhortation to follow.
Verses 3-7 (2/3 of the passage) is used to convince us that the old ways are not acceptable any longer.
We must put aside behaviors, attitudes and desires that do not please God.
Vance Havener said, “You have not really learned a commandment until you have obeyed it....
The church suffers today from Christians who know volumes more than they practice.”
In the book, No Bad Dogs, by British dog trainer Barbara Woodhouse, she says dogs understand
love better than we do. She writes, “In a dog’s mind, a master or a mistress to love, honor, and obey is
an absolute necessity. The love is dormant in the dog until brought into full bloom by an understanding
owner. Thousands of dogs appear to love their owners, they welcome them home with enthusiastic
wagging of the tail and jumping up, they follow them about their houses happily and, to the normal person
seeing the dog, the affection is true and deep. But to the experienced dog trainer this outward show is
not enough. The true test of love takes place when the dog has got the opportunity to go out on its own
as soon as the door is left open by mistake and it goes off and often doesn’t return home for hours. That
dog loves only its home comforts and the attention it gets from its family; it doesn’t truly love the master
or mistress as they fondly think. True love in dogs is apparent when a door is left open and the dog still
stays happily within earshot of its owner. For the owner must be the be-all and end-all of a dog’s life.”
The real test of our walk of Faith isn’t seen in our work or activity, or even in our theological
purity. It’s found in this: when we have an opportunity to wander away, to disobey, to leave His
presence, do we choose instead to stay close to Him, to abide in Christ, to obey?
Now, let me say, if you are thinking, “I thought he was going to talk about love. Why all this
about obedience?” that John 14:15 says, “If you love me, obey my commands.” Obedience is one major
part of love.
Fortunately, we have been given an example in Jesus Christ, and an instruction manual in the
Bible on love. As the wise man says, “When all else fails, read the instructions.” Let’s examine the
inspired, Holy, and perfect instructions - God’s Word.
The Walk of Faith is a selfless walk, and a selfless walk...
A. Is a Walk of Love
Sacrificial
Love always offers something that is a part of itself. Suppose your friend comes into your home
just as you are ready to dine; you go to the corner bakery and buy him a box of tempting things to
eat, and, leaving them with him, you go into the dining room, shut the door behind you and sit down
to your dinner. You may have provided handsomely for your friend, but the chances are that you
have wounded him by shutting him out from your fellowship. You have been willing to give him
something, but you have refused to share your own personal pleasures with him.
Willing
Which of you would have gone on this mission? The city editor had just been informed that a
wire had fallen across Main Street in a storm. He assigned two reporters to the story. “No one
knows whether the wire is live or not,” he said, “so one of you is to touch it, and the other is to write
the story.”
Generous
An insurance man was settling up with a woman who had just lost her husband. He had brought
a check for $50,000 to present to her. She looked at it and said (with a little catch in her throat), “You
know, I miss him so much, I’d give $25,000 of this to have him back.”
Compassionate
A couple had been married for fifty years.
“Things have really changed.” she said. “You used to sit so close to me.”
“Well, I can remedy that,” he said, moving next to her on the couch.
“And you used to hold me so tight.”
“How’s that?” he asked as he gave her a hug.
“Do you remember you used to nuzzle my neck and nibble on my ear lobes?”
He jumped up to his feet and left the room. “Where are you going?”
“I’ll be right back,” he said. “I’ve got to get my teeth.”
Kind
On one of the earlier editions of “America’s Funniest Home Videos” there was a segment from
Japan showing a brother and sister coming to a break in the sidewalk. It was a long step across, and
the gap was about 2 feet deep. The boy made it quite easily, but his sister was too fearful and
refused to even try. After several attempts to convince her that she could make it, the little boy
stretched out across the gap, forming a human bridge with his body. His sister safely crawled across
the span. In what ways are we willing to lay down our lives for others?
God-pleasing
B. Is an Imitation of Christ
Practice Proclaiming Him by imitating Him - giving Himself for us = giving ourselves for others
Persevere in Performing His Deeds - a sacrifice to God (Rom 12:1-2)
Progress in Pleasing Him - sweetsmelling savor
C. Is NOT...
William Secker, seventeenth-century British minster said, “There are some things which are
pleasant, but not good, as youthful lusts and worldly delights. These bees cary honey in their mouths,
but they have a sting in their tails.”
Fornication and uncleanness (Whoremongering)
Covetousness and idolatry
It is said that one can catch a racoon or a monkey very simply. A trap is made by securing a tin
can to an immovable object. Put nails through the tin can such that the nails do not touch one another
but leave enough room for the animal’s hand to go between them. Then put a shiny object in the bottom
of the can. When the animal sees the object, he will grasp it in his fist, and though he cannot remove his
hand without opening his fist, he nevertheless holds on. He is trapped by his own greed, covetousness
and desire. So we are in sin, trapped by our unwillingness to just let go in faith.
Filthy or foolish talking/joking (uncleanness)
General George Washington issued the following on August 3, 1776: “I am sorry to be informed
that the foolish and wicked practice of profane swearing, a vice heretofore little known in an American
Army, is growing into fashion. I hope that the officers will, by example and influence, endeavor to
check it, and that both they and their men will reflect, that we have but little hope of the blessing of
heaven in our arms, if we insult Him by our impiety and folly.”
The number of swear words in the vocabulary of an average American male: 58; of the average
American female: 29.
Branch Rickey, a member of Baseball’s Hall of fame and long-time manager of several major
league teams, was a Christian. When he had been head of the Brooklyn Dodgers, he was at a
meeting negotiating a ballplayer’s contract in a deal involving thousands of dollars. Suddenly, Rickey
threw down his pencil, pushed back his chair, and growled, “The deal’s off.”
The other men were astonished. “Why?” they asked. “We’re coming along well with these
negotiations.”
“Because,” said Rickey, “you’ve been talking about a friend of mine, and I don’t like it.”
“But what friend do you mean? I haven’t been talking about anyone, let alone a frind of yours.”
“Oh, yes, you have,” replied Rickey. “You’ve mentioned him in almost every sentence.” And he
referred them to their constant profane use of the name of Jesus Christ. The men quickly apologized,
stopped their profanity, and the negotiations continued.
Most of us spend the first six days of each week sowing wild oats; then go to church on Sunday and
pray for a crop failure. -Fred Allen, comedian.
These things destroy:
Jobs
Families
Friends
Souls
Someone once said, “Sin has ruined men, ruined women, ruined angels. Sin has occasioned every
tear of sorrow, every sigh of grief, every pang of agony. Sin has withered everything that is fair,
blasted everything that is good, made bitter everything that is sweet, dried up springs of comfort,
rolled far and wide tides of sorrow. Sin has digged every grave, built every coffin, woven every
shroud, enlarged every cemetery... that the world has ever seen. (Robert G. Lee).
Children of disobedience do these things. These things bring the wrath of God upon men.
INVITATION:
Today, won’t you commit yourself completely to loving one another? To loving your spouse, to
loving your God? To loving Jesus Christ? Jesus is the central character in all the universe. Won’t you
do more than merely ask His forgiveness, but won’t you honor Him for loving you? Honor Him by
imitating Him. Honor Him by obeying Him. Honor Him by identifying with Him. Honor Him by loving Him.
Repent of your sin, and begin to Honor Him today.
What does He ask of you today? As we prepare to celebrate this Lord’s Supper, won’t you begin
this celebration with a public act of contrition, love, devotion, and obedience to Him. Is He calling you to
accept Him as your Savior? Then come forward and do so this morning. Is He calling you to be
baptized? Then come forward and present yourself for baptism this morning. Is He calling you to join
this church in its service to Him? Then come forward and request membership. Is He calling you to
serve in some specific way in this church? Then come forward and make it known that you believe God
is calling you to serve. Is He calling you to full-time ministry? Then come forward and make it known
that that is the call God has on your life. If you want God’s blessings, then walk by faith, and not by
sight, and follow God today.
