A Day In The Life Of The Master - Part 4:
How Can We Make A Difference For Those Who Do NOT Follow Him?
INTRO: As a believing, serving Christian we should ask:
What can I do to serve the Lord better?
How can I do more for the Lord?
What can I do to improve as a follower of Christ?
What can I do to help others know Him?
Are these questions one and the same? OR are the answers for them the same?
Galatians 5:13 - 26 13For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
We have a purpose in life:
Extend a servitude approach to each other.
Do this is a loving manner and we can reap the results.
Live a life of faithful living as guided by the Holy Spirit.
Paul taught that when we walk after the flesh many things can happen in our lives.
These are not good they will:
Destroy our happiness.
Ruin our reputation.
Damage our relationships
Place in peril our loved ones.
Point or push us towards hell and its master.
Paul also taught that when we walk after the Spirit many things can happen in our lives.
These are good and they will:
Nurture love in our lives.
Create a happiness that brings a great peace.
Help us walk with the Master according to His plan.
Bring proper purpose to our lives.
Point others to the force behind our happiness.
Evil will be seen when we:
Meddle in adultery. - It does not happen on its own.
Seize fornication - we must walk away.
Sink into uncleanness - it happens little by little. The things we do every day. The things we watch.
Take over lewdness or lasciviousness - This is a thing we grab and hold onto. It is born up on pornography.
Commence idolatry - We do not think of rock and stone - but more like wood, hay and stubble or paint, metal and steel (the finer things of life) become our gods.
Descend to sorcery - the more we dabble in sin the more we are willing to do.
Eaten up with hatred - Satan will fill our hearts with hatred and enmity.
Blinded by jealousies - We will find contempt for people that are happier or better of than we are.
Continue in strife - Strife, quarreling and disagreements become a way of life.
Fall to heresies - IF people are not careful, they will begin to believe what suits them instead of God's Truth.
Eaten with envy - Envy and Jealousy are cancers to our souls. They will consume us. They will spoil our lives. They will cause people to flee our sides and lives.
Move to murder - Sin has a way of increasing its hold on our lives. Even to areas we think are not a possibility. Satan is strong. The Spirit stronger - if we follow Him.
Shameful in our drunkenness - O how many would like to have back some actions and words said during drunken moments.
Revolting in our wild parties - How disgusting are some of the things that go on in the wild parties and revelries.
BUT, IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE LIKE THAT!
If we are to have a crucified flesh that follows Him in the spirit we should:
Extend love - let Christ's great, consuming love gush from us in every way, every day in every thing we do and say!
Exclaim joy - Let people see, know, and feel the joy that has become part of you because of what Christ ahs done for you.
Experience peace - IF we know the giver of peace, then share His peace.
Expand patience - Was Christ patient with you? Then should we not be patient with His created creatures - even if they do not know Him?
Exhibit kindness - How can Christians be so unkind? Have you not ever seen them so? IS this the Spirit's bidding that we are cruel to those around us?
Express goodness - "Let the good times roll?" Is that what Christ wants in our lives? NO! He wants us to let the goodness show!
Example faithfulness - IF we are not faithful to Christ in every way, what does it say about us? Him?
Exercise gentleness - Be careful how you treat little ones, each other, lost friends, lost people in general. Be gentle and loving. The Holy Spirit will help change them.
Enlist self-control - We must show self-control around our FRANs. They are watching. What we do affects their eternal destiny.
Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 031906am