“AUTHENTIC WALK”
TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28;
INTRO: Once we become a Christian, there is definitely changes that must take place. Not only in our way of thinking, but in our actions as well.
We have already visited in the last couple of weeks the importance of:
· R-Righteous Lifestyle
· E-Evangelical Passion
· A-
· L-
Today we will look at the A in Real- Authentic Walk-
A Genuine walk with God.
Our Genuine Christian Walk will preach louder to the unsaved, unchurched than anything we can ever verbally speak!
· What have we been saying by the way we walk as a Christian?
· Would somebody describe you as a person who has an Authentic Walk with Christ?
We need to understand that there is a difference between Authentic and ordinary believers:
· Ordinary believers are afraid of Giants; Authentic believers kill them
· Ordinary believers seldom forget; Authentic believers always forgive
· Ordinary believers fight for their rights; Authentic believers have no rights
· Ordinary believers fear death; Authentic believers have already died
Pastor Benny Perez; Pacesetters-Setting the Standard, Not Following the Trend-Winepress publishing, Mukilteo, WA 1996;page108
Previously I have shared the importance Authentic Christian Living, using the example of the 7 churches in the book of Revelation.
We are using First Thessalonians as our text because of the overwhelming theme of the letter.
THEME: The coming of the Lord in relation to the believer’s encouragement, comfort, watchfulness, and sanctification. Meyer Pearlman. Through the Bible Book by Book, Part IV; Meyer Pearlman; Gospel Publishing House, Springfield MO
The theme we should be aware of in our lives is the same- Jesus Is Coming Back for His church- How should we be living in the meantime?
If Paul is writing to this church about the importance of the Lord’s return, and how to live until this happens, surely it is important for us to head his words as well.
ILLUS: “Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.” Will Rogers -James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988), p. 490.
PROP.SENT: The Bible teaches us that a REAL Christian will have certain character traits that will differ from the Non-Christian. Walking the Christian Walk is not a request but a requirement.
I.AUTHENTIC ACTIONS
A. Christian Cooperation!
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
Ephesians 4:11 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
When Christ set up His church, He gifted the church with leaders. This passage is directly talking to the church about their relationship to their pastor, their shepherd.
In my own experience as a pastor, I have found that most people really do not want to know what is the right thing to do when they come to you for counseling.
What most people want is for somebody to tell them what they want to hear.
I can not tell you haw many times people have left my office, upset or mad, because I have given them advise that was contrary to their own desires.
ILUSS: Charles Crabtree, Assistant General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, confesses that he does not consider himself a very good councelor. He says that when people come into his office for help, he listens to them, and then he gives them the answer. For example, if a couple came in that was in need of financial counseling, he would conclude that they are over extended, have to many credit cards. He will then ask for them to give him their credit cards. They would ask surprised, and say, “What for?” “So I can cut them up, that is your answer!”- They would then respond, “No way, we don’t want you to do that!” Then he would say, “Well then, I can not help you! Come back when you want my help!” (Told at Susanville Assembly of God, Susanville, California)
We need to understand that God has set up the Spiritual Headship of His church, understand this point- It is HIS church!
An Authentic Christian lives in cooperation with what God has set up.
Not only are you to respect them, but we are admonished to …hold them in the highest regard in love…
Why? Because they are always right? No- Because of their WORK! Because of their CALLING!- Because of WHO CALLED them.
This will help us accomplish the next point of this verse-
An Authentic Christian lives a life of a servant, who …lives in peace with each other!
B. Christian Conduct!
1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out. (Mes.)
Church we have an OBLIGATION to live a certain way. The reason Paul is saying such things to this fellowship in Thessalonica is because it is important to God.
I would much rather get an instruction from God like this, than the warning he gave to the Churches in Revelation-
To the Church in Sardis he said: I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead
Your conduct has NO character
To the Church in Laodicea he said: I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on…
God is consistent in His teachings- These passages go hand in hand. God is telling us at CLF- “ TIME TO START WALKING THE WALK”
· warn those who are idle,
· encourage the timid,
· help the weak,
· be patient with everyone
That will help us live Peaceable Lives- the next instruction-
Paul says- Don’t seek to get even!-
He told the Roman Christians- Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. (Romans 12:17)
II.AUTHENTIC ATTITUDE
A. Christian Commitment!
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 16Be joyful always;17 pray continually;18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.19 Do not put out the Spirit’s fire;20 do not treat prophecies with contempt.21 Test everything. Hold on to the good.22 Avoid every kind of evil.
Paul is telling these believers- ‘CHECK YOUR ATTITUDE” concerning the following areas- Very important for.
A Commitment is making a Pledge in advance of an action.
In doing an attitude check, we need to pledge in advance that we will be committed in our Authentic Christian Walk.
· Be joyful always
ILLUS: Have you ever wished somebody to Have a Good Day! But their response was something like; “Well I would, but I have already made other plans”! ?
Be Joyful- Some of the time
Be Joyful- When things are going great
Be Joyful- Only on Sundays
Be Joyful- Only on payday
NO- Be joyful always
A grumpy, miserable, unhappy, cranky, irritable, cantankerous, ill-tempered, grouch, petulant, crabby, gloomy, constipated Christian is an Oxymoron!!!!
· pray continually
An authentic Christian will not only pray during Crisis situations- But they will also pray out of Choice.
God desires to hear from His children- God loved to walk with Adam in the cool of the day- Fellowshipping with His creation. We have that same opportunity.
ILLUS: I’d rather be able to pray than be a great preacher; Jesus Christ never taught his disciples how to preach, but only how to pray” D.L. Moody -James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988), p. 417.
· give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
The Psalmist wrote: Psalms 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
ILLUS: Scottish minister Alexander Whyte was known for his uplifting prayers in the pulpit. He always found something for which to be grateful. One Sunday morning the weather was so gloomy that one church member thought to himself, "Certainly the preacher won’t think of anything for which to thank the Lord on a wretched day like this." Much to his surprise, however, Whyte began by praying, "We thank Thee, O God, that it is not always like this." Daily Bread, August 26, 1989. ChristianGlobe Network
Being Joyful always, will enable us to be thankful in every situation!
· Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt
An Authentic Christian will allow the Holy Spirit to work through them.
A Non-Authentic Christian will only Yield to the Holy Spirit when it is convenient to them.
We need to understand that Jesus Has given His Spirit to us. The Bible Calls it a Gift!
If we want to see the power of God transforming our lives on a daily basis.
· We need not quench the Spirit.
· We need to allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives,
· We need to recognize His presence.
The Holy Spirit is not an Entertainer that you schedule to come into your life.
The Holy Spirit is the Holy God working in our lives- 24-7!
Make a commitment not to quench that Fire, by our own selfish desires. Why would anybody want to go through this life on their own paower is beyond my comprehension!
ILLUS: A new missionary was replacing a missionary when he was on furlough back to the states. The new missionary thought he had a handle on everything. The Speed The Light vehicle parked across the street pointing down hill. The missionary tried to start the vehicle, however there was no power. He thought to himself, “ This must be why the former missionary parked the car like this, so he can roll the car down hill and jump start it.” This is how the new missionary started the car for his entire three month stay. There were times when the car died on him, and he had to get the local children to help push the car, using their strength and his. On the return of the former missionary, the younger one commented on the wisdom the older one had in positioning the car. The older missionary looked puzzled, walked out to the car, lifted the hood, and noticed that the battery cable had became loose. He put the cable back on and the car started right up. How many times do we try to use our own ingenuity, our own strength to accomplish the task at hand?
We need to make sue we are connected to the Power Source! Why would you want to go thru life Unconnected?? Unknown
· Test everything. Hold on to the good.
Acts 17:11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
This is probably why Paul is telling the Christians in Thessalonica, to test everything.
To the Church in Pergamum he said: I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
To the Church in Thyatira he said: I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.
The way you test everything is by following the example of the Bereans- for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
That is the main purpose in us giving you handout notes her at CLF- So you can take it home and examine the scriptures yourself.
· Avoid every kind of evil.
We need to make a pledge to stay away from every form of evil- Not that we would just pray for holiness, but we would practice it.
That brings us to our last point-
B. Christian Cleanliness!
1 Thessalonians 5:23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
The writer of Hebrews echoes the words of Paul- HOLLINESS IS NOT AN OPTION”
This goes back to what we talked about a couple weeks ago, Choosing to live a Righteous Lifestyle-
This is the attitude of an authentic Christian!
“A holy life will make the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns, they just shine”. D.L. Moody. ChristianGlobe Network
CONCLUSION: The First Century Church made it’s greatest impact on the world, when it chose to live least like it. Paul and Silas rejoice in prison, and the Philippian jailer was converted. As believers today we need to walk the walk of Christianity. The Non-Christian will be convinced that serving Christ is the way, by observing our example. Christians would not have such a hard time in sharing their faith, if they walked their faith. Does your lifestyle preach “Authentic Christian”?
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Unless otherwise stated: All “Scripture taken from HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Peterson, E. H. 1995. The message : New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs . NavPress: Colorado Springs, Colo.
