R sbc
June 10th 2007
Sunday Morning
Series: Christ the Sum & Substance of The Bible’
Sermon # 121
Subject: “Walking Even As He Walked”
Text: I John 2-3-6
Intro: In this book of I John and even in II & III John the word walk is used to demonstrate a condition of ones life. There is the following in this book...
1. Walk in darkness: vs 6
2. Walk in the light: vs 7
3. Walk after his commandments: 2 John 1:6
4. Walk in truth: 3 John vs 4
So it is very easy to see where John is going in these epistles it is a distinction between those who say that they are walking in light and those who are really walking in the light of the LORD.
In verses 3 & 4 He literally shows the fact of knowing Christ is tied to keeping his commandments, not to perfection but the will to keep them is in the heart of the true believers of Christ. This sends forth that sweet assurance of knowing JESUS CHRIST as LORD of life.
In verses 5 the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our life, and the love of the Lord is matured in our life to the extent it brings about reality and assurance of our knowledge of him that it is real.
Once again it is salvation and discipleship in CHRIST that is pleasing and well assuring to our hearts that we know him. Then John brings out in the main this morning to our hearts that if we ABIDE IN HIM we ought to walk as he walked...
The other Apostles agreed to this likewise for Peter said: 1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
I.. “CHRIST WALKED WITH A PURPOSE”
Joh 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
For everyone that Jesus Christ has called to follow him, he has a purpose for them. It is up to the individuals to seek the LORD to find that purpose for your life in following the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Solomon that great writer and King of Israel said Ec 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
Walk as Christ did, finding and knowing the purpose of GOD for your life. 1Ki 5:5 And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.
This my friends is a heart purpose to walk as Christ walked: Ac 11:23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
II...CHRIST WALKED SO AS NOT TO PLEASE HIMSELF:
Ro 15:3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. I want you to look at this verse with me for a moment:
1. Unselfishness of Christ: pleased not himself.
2. Unhesitating of Christ: Reproaches of us:
3. Undeserved by Christ: Fell on me
Psa 69-7 Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children.9 For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.
Joh 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
We know that the bible teaches that the flesh profit nothing and GOD is not pleased with fleshly things: Ro 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Paul shows this: 1Co 10:33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
III...CHRIST WALKED IN PURSUIT OF THE WILL OF GOD FOR HIMSELF:
Lu 9:51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, This word “steadfastly” means to constantly have this in his mind and heart. It also carries the idea that he constantly confirmed it in his mind.
This is seen especially in the garden where he prayed by himself while his men slept. Listen to it:
36 ¶ Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. 37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. 38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. 43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. 44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
1. The sorrowfulness of Christ: vs 37
2. The submission of Christ: vs 38
3. The surrender of Christ: vs 44-45
Are you and I willing to follow the LORD’S will till we die, or we satisfied with the status quo... hope not. Remember John says walk as he walked.
IV. CHRIST WALKED IN PERFECTION:
Heb 2-10 ¶ For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
This word “perfect” is not referring to the character of Christ, it is referring to his consecration and dedication to the Father. We know that he was holy, harmless, undefiled and made higher than the heavens...
His perfection was tide to his suffering:
1Pe 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;1Pe 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
V.. CHRIST WALKED AS A PREACHER:
Luke 24-27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
Not all are called to walk as ordained preachers, or licensed preachers, or elders, but all are called to share the word that he preached to others.
1. He preached repentance: Mt 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
2. He preached the new birth: John 3 Ye must be born again
3. He preached absolute surrender to him: Take up thine cross.
4. He preached things pertaining to his death:
5. He preached on his church: Matt 16
6. He preached on the kingdom:
Ac 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
7. He preached that he was the only way to the Father: John 6-44 John 14-6
8. He preached that he would come again: John 14-1-3
Will you walk as he walked?