The Christian Walk

October 30, 2011

Introduction

            Where are you going?  This morning, we ask the question, Where are you going?  In the course of a week, there are many different answers we could give to the question.  In the morning, we might say, I’m going to work.  Later, we might say, “I’m going to lunch,” later in the day, we might say, “I’m going home.”  After that, we might say, I’m going to bed, and that, of course, is with the intent of going to sleep. 

            On Sunday, it might be slightly different.  Hopefully, it would be “I’m going to church,” or I’m going to worship.  At noon, we would hope we are going to eat.  As we go to eat, many of us join with others who are our fellow Christians, and we eat and have fellowship with one anther.

            This past week, I was asked by a young lady, how we get to heaven.  What do we need to do to please God, and hear His “Well done,” at the end of the day?  Let’s review our day.

Body

I.       How do we begin our day?

1. We need a reason to begin our day.

1.      It may be the ringing of an alarm clock.

2.      It may be to get to work or go somewhere.

3.      It may be little more than getting something to eat.

4.      Some older people seem to not have too much reason to get up and get started.

2. How do we begin our walk, or our day, as a Christian.

1.      We need the “alarm clock” of someone who cares.

(Rom 10:13-15 NKJV)  For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." {14} How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? {15} And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"

2.      Who is the “preacher” who awakens us?

a.       Many of us were blessed with Christian parents who kept us awake to God.

b.      Others of us have others who helped us to find the way.

3.      How do we “Call on the name of the Lord?”  Ananias, told Saul what to do:

(Acts 22:16 NKJV)  'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'

II.    How does the day continue?

1. Our walk is a walk of faith.

(2 Cor 5:7 NKJV)  For we walk by faith, not by sight.

2. Without faith, we cannot please God.

(Heb 11:6 NKJV)  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

3. We must be faithful until death – time to go to bed!

(Rev 2:10 NKJV)  "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

III. How does the Bible describe our “Little day.”

1. We are to think of ourselves as God’s servants.

1.      As servants, Jesus wants us to be good servants who work in His kingdom.

(Luke 19:20-26 NIV)  "Then another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. {21} I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.' {22} "His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? {23} Why then didn't you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?' {24} "Then he said to those standing by, 'Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.' {25} "'Sir,' they said, 'he already has ten!' {26} "He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.

2. Even Jesus was described as a Servant.

(Mat 12:18 NKJV)  "Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He will declare justice to the Gentiles.

3. It is a time of eating and sharing together.

1.      A very important meal is the Lord’s supper.

(1 Cor 11:23-26 NKJV)  For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; {24} and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." {25} In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." {26} For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.

2.      We also have a time of fellowship and sharing.

(Acts 2:42 NKJV)  And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

4. It’s time to go home.

1.      For David.

(1 Ki 2:1-3 NKJV)  Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying: {2} "I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. {3} "And keep the charge of the LORD your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn;

2.      We fall asleep in Jesus.

(1 Th 4:13-14 NKJV)  But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. {14} For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

5. It’s time to get up.

(1 Th 4:16-17 NKJV)  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  {17}  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

Conclusion

Are you ready to start your walk with the Lord?

(Acts 22:16 NKJV)  'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'