Sermon Central
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The Worship Of A Worthy Walk Series
Contributed by Billy Ricks on Nov 15, 2015 (message contributor)
Summary: Good works have a great misunderstanding across the various denominations of the church today. Paul prays that we will live a life worth of God and be fruitful in every good work. He challenges us to live differently than the world around us.
Intro: Today we honor our veterans. If we are to truly honor them then we will follow their example of sacrifice and service for the good of our nation.
Psalm 33:12 “Happy is the nation whose God is Yahweh, the people he has chosen to be His own possession!”
We will never be a nation whose God is Yahweh trying to make other people say “Merry Christmas.”
We will never be a nation whose God is Yahweh by expecting people who don’t even believe in Him to observe the holidays that are precious to us because of our Savior Jesus Christ.
We be blessed as God’s people when we no longer take God’s name in vain. Taking God’s name in vain doesn’t have to do simply with words. Taking God’s name in vain also has to do with works. WE don’t work our way to heaven. However if we are saved and the Holy Spirit of God has taken residence in our lives heaven should work out of us by way of our hands and feet. If we live in a way that is inconsistent with the character of Jesus we are taking God’s name in vain.
Paul talks about this when he challenges us to walk worthy of God in Colossians 1:10.
First understand there are some very clear ways that we walk unworthy of the Lord Jesus.
It is unworthy of the Lord for us to live in disunity, impurity, denial of His Lordship, in a society that doesn’t know Him in silence, hatred, bitterness, selfishness or any such attitude or action. What has happened is we have allowed our standard for our daily lifestyles to be lowered. (Worship/evil days)
I. A high standard (Col 1:10 “Walk worthy of the Lord”)
An old parable says “If a man shoots for the moon he will always shoot higher than the one who aims for the bush.”
The word of God sets the standard. The standard has to do with our walk. When the Bible speaks about our walk it is speaking about our life and lifestyle. It is not talking simply about being bowlegged or knock kneed. It isn’t talking about a long or short gait. He is speaking about the way we conduct ourselves before men.
We get a better understanding of this by looking at Colossians 4:5 “Act wisely towards outsiders making the most of the time.” HCSB. In the NASB it says conduct yourself wisely. It is the same word translated walk here in 1:10.
God is concerned with our conduct. Why? Because that is how people see Jesus.
What we have to understand is that this is a call to an ongoing direction not simply perfection.
Paul also tells us how we can keep ourselves in this direction that pleases God. Ephesians 5:18, Be filled, or controlled by the Spirit. Galatians 5:16 walk by the Spirit so you don’t fulfill the desires of the flesh.
This is the answer to how do I become a better husband, a better wife, a better employee, a better child, a better parent. Instead of attacking the problem from the outside God attacks it from the inside. Walk worthy of the Lord. If Christ is in live in the Spirits power according to God’s standard! Holiness, pleasing to God. Where do we find this? Again in God’s word.
What does the Bible say is walking worthy?
A worthy walk is a walk in...
the Holy Spirit (Ro 8:4-note, cp Gal 5:16-note, Gal 5:25-note)
humility (Ep 4:2-note)
purity (Ro 13:13-note; Ep 5:3-note)
contentment (1Co 7:17)
faith (2Co 5:7-note)
righteousness (Ep 2:10-note)
unity (Ep 4:3-note; Php 1:2-note)
gentleness (Ep 4:2-note)
patience (Col 1:11-note)
love (Ep 5:2-note)
joy (Col 1:11-note)
thankfulness (Col 1:12-note)
light (Ep 5:8-note, Ep 5:9-note)
knowledge (Col 1:10-note)
wisdom (Ep 5:15-note)
truth (3Jn 3, 4)
fruitfulness (Col 1:12-note)
This is a walk down the straight and narrow. This is a God centered way to live. So much of what is talked about today focuses on us. Reaching your full potential, your best life now etc. But History or His story is Jesus centered. If we seek to please God and live a life worthy of our Lord Jesus it will result in bearing fruit in every good work.
II. A fruitful life (bearing fruit in every good work)
A life that is pleasing to our Lord is one that is fruitful. A life that is fruitful requires a union with Jesus, wisdom, and spirit enabled diligence. A fruitful life happens as we abide in the vine Jesus. But abiding doesn’t mean inactivity.
According to John 15:8 “My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples” Fruit doesn’t make us disciples of Jesus but proves that we are!
The fruit we bear as disciples is directly related to growing in the knowledge of God. Many Christians unfortunately believe it is the pastors and preachers job to know about the things of God. All disciples are called to grow in the knowledge of God and the things of God.