CHRISTIAN LIVING - LESSON 7
Walking Our Talk
You will need your Bible and a pen & notebook to complete these lessons. You should be able to copy and paste these outlines to your word processor and print them without difficulty if you so desire. We recommend you record in your note book deep thoughts or questions that may arise as you study, and certainly record all things God reveals to your heart. Look over these notes frequently and use them even as you pray. God will cause you to grow in wisdom and understanding. Keep your note book with you throughout the day as much as possible to record all God reveals to you and to review the things you have learned. Look up all bible verses in this study. Highlight or mark them in your bible. It is Gods Word speaking directly to you.
We also recommend you make a habit of memorizing a scripture each week. This not only helps get the Word deep in your heart, but is also an excellent mental exercise.
WALKING OUR TALK
The true act of humbleness is submitting to instruction without bucking or resisting. God loves the humble heart so much because their quick obedience allows Him to move freely in their lives. God is love, and to hold Him back from demonstrating His love, in human terms, can only frustrate and disappoint Him. I don’t want to be one that frustrates the goodness of God. A humble spirit, with a pure heart that is quick to follow, is one that finds itself walking in the Fathers will. That one is in store for blessing.
Many look for Gods blessing in a myriad of ways. Some seek His blessing through benevolence, some through often fasting, or prayer, or self sacrifice. Some even take a vow of poverty thinking this is Gods will and way to spiritual blessing. Many good and well meaning persons have demonstrated all sorts of ways to “seek God’s blessing”. God says His Word is truth and that Word is alive, so today we look to His Word for the answer. We aren’t going to add any human reasoning to our conclusions, we simply want to see today what God says about the subject. Pay particular attention to the “if” and “then” statements in our foundation text.
Blessings Are A Result Of Obedience To Love
Foundation text: Isaiah 58: 4b-12
1A. True faith lives and effects others, to lighten life’s load…
vs. 4b - 7
1B. …and results in righteousness and Gods quick response when you call.
vs. 8-9
2A. A generous life gives of itself (extend your soul; not just your cheque book)…
vs. 10
2B. …and finds God guiding and directing your affairs to prosper you greatly.
vs. 11-12
3. God often reciprocates our behavior in His behavior toward us.
Matthew 6:14
4. True faith shows up plainly in our actions…
Matthew 6:17-18; Matt 6:5-6; Matt 6:1-4; Matt 5:23-24; Matt 5:28; Matt 5:37
4B. …and results in God security.
Matthew 7:24-27
Consider this:
It is plain to see from scripture that Gods richest blessings, both spiritual and natural flow freely to those who walk in obedience to love. Love must dictate our lives choices, and subsequent actions, in order to walk in Gods best. Gods best is not some financial windfall. Gods best is a heart and life transformed into His likeness (Matthew 5:48). The blessings in every area, both natural and spiritual simply follow. O that mankind would get this right!
Walking the Talk - Part 2
How do we genuinely effect changes in our life to be that loving, Christ like believer each of us longs to become?
Further study will reveal some steps we can take to get on the right path. Making the right choices daily and obedience to Holy Spirit will lead us there.
1John 3:17&18 (The Message) If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God’s love? It disappears. And you made it disappear.
My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love.
~ Putting action to our beliefs is the real test of our commitment to Christ.
~ Being one to do the Word, not just talk about doing it, is the sure sign of a true follower of Christ.
~ Self discipline’s, like daily prayer, time in God’s Word and Christian giving/generosity are not a hard or difficult thing to master: You brush your teeth everyday, right?
IT TAKES A CHOICE - A FOUNDATION DECISION (A decision from which you'll NEVER alter or change).
Paul wrote: “Imitate me as I imitate Christ”.
How Do We Behave and Become More Christ like?
Let’s understand Colossians 1:9-13
1. Job one is find out His will concerning you. (see verse 9)
- How? The Word! The bible is our manual for life.
- To KNOW the knowledge of His will & do it
- You can’t walk in His will if you don’t know what it says!
2. Make Your Life Count! (see verse 10)
- Be fruitful in every good work.
- Do something that builds God’s kingdom.
- Walk worthy of the Lord
NOTE: God’s power flows in you as you serve.
~It is the fruitful efforts we do (mentioned in verse 10) that
cause the power (mentioned in verse 11) to flow!
~ [faith works through love]
3. Always Be Thankful to God in praise and prayer (see verse 12)
- Do you appreciate ungratefulness?
- Remember, it is the Father who has qualified us; It is His plan and His work! Be grateful always & thank Him often!
4. You were made to walk in God’s kingdom!
A) In authority over darkness
B) In Holiness & reverence
C) In Joy
D) In Love (without love it’s all a useless effort!
1Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding
brass or a clanging cymbal.
*See The Message version 1Corinthians 13:1-12
Conclusion: We were bought with a price. Jesus paid greatly so that you and I can walk in this new life. Let’s live this life to the full, making a difference in this world for the kingdom of God!
School Of Faith with Dan & Suzann Christian Living Lesson 7