Walking with God means, Walking Away

responsive Reading: Mark 3: 13-19.

INTRO:

You make an interesting discovery if you read our story in all three gospels.

Matthew says, "Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi." Mark says, "Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi." Luke says, "Jesus was praying in private, and his disciples were with him”.

This was a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus’ relationship and his disciples. From this moment on, Jesus turns to Calvary. Your life is the result of how you faced pivotal moments. Jesus reached the half way point of his earthly ministry. He had much more to teach them. This was the furthest north Jesus and his disciples walked.

Waters from the snow caps of Mt. Hermon ran down to the Jordan river from Caesarea Philippi. It was a beautiful place at the northern tip of Israel. The city was nicknamed, “The city of the gods.”

It was the city where King Jehoram turned Israel from God to paganism.

The Greeks and Romans believed to receive revelation from…

There was also a cave called, “The Gate of Hades.”

The temple of Pan, where we get pantheism ?

The Temple the Greek god Zeus.

The Temple of Nemesis: the goddess of retribution.

The Temple to Caesar Augustus.

Augustus gave this region to Herod the Great.

His son, Herod Philip honored Caesar and himself, thus Caesarea Philippi.

The location was not meant to compare Jesus to other religions or deities. Jesus could have asked the question at the temple. What was true is Jesus was an outlier and his message threatened the Roman Empire.

What I discovered was how blessed you are,

JUST WALKING WITH JESUS!

Martin Luther King Jr, could fill the Great Mall in Washington...

Billy Graham filled stadiums around the world...

Both were considered righteous men and they were not without sin; imagine what it was like just walking with the sinless Lamb of God, the Savior, The Messiah, the Son of God.

If I had to chose to walk with a smart person or a righteous person; I would chose the righteous person. A smart person can use their knowledge for evil; but a righteous person can only use their righteousness for God.

Being near a righteous man or woman could change your life, none the less having continuous access to them.

To be expose to their thoughts, to witness their righteous character, to feel the weight of their words, to watch how they live out their day, and to hear their prayers…

The Grace of righteousness.

Dr. Elliot Mason of the Trinity Baptist Church of Los Angeles was the most righteous man I’d ever met. I’d go to meetings with great preachers across the country and mention Dad Mason. They would tell of how he changed their lives. I saw the Bible come alive.

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Tim. 2:22.

I saw a man pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace in a pure heart.

The impact of righteousness.

A day in the presence of a righteous person could alter the course of your life. Elisha left his wealth… for Elijah. Joshua slept at the foot of Moses and was willing to give his life for him… You find yourself mimicking them… you pick up their habits. You pray their prayers. They opened the spring of righteousness within you.

People wanted to be near Jesus… to touch him, eat with him… The disciples were given unfettered access to him.

The Benefits of walking with Jesus Christ

1. It is a different life.

“Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”” 2 Cor. 6:17-18.

You take the narrow way of meaning ( the highest life in the human experience) You walk away from the world and all its trinkets.

2. You become an instrument of healing.

Hosea 6:6 (NIV)

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. Hos. 6:6. You give mercy away. Showing love is more important than religious rituals.

3. You live without fear.

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Tim. 1:7.

If God be for us, who can be against us? You are not afraid of the devil, or adversity, or extend periods of hardship, or painful illness, you are in the Lord.

4. You learn to make right decisions.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Phil. 4:8.

You are not deciding according to the flesh or the opinions of others.

5. You learn to walk in peace.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27.

Jesus Christ gave you his peace and sent you out with it to challenge the world. People find calm in your presence. Nothing rattles you. Your mind, heart and soul and centered on Jesus Christ. You are anchored in the Lord. You live in peace and holiness.

6. You participate of God’s work.

1 Cor. 3:9 “For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.”

God is using you. You abound in goodness. You bring forth fruit. You have a positive impact wherever you go.

7. You receive invaluable impartations.

John 20:22 “And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

You experience the anointing of the Holy Spirit. You know what it is the walk in the power of God, which is one of the keys to the kingdom of heaven.

8. You fight against evil and darkness.

2 Cor. 10:5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

You can call out demons. You can lay hands on the sick and they will recover. Jesus said, “Greater works will you do because I go to My Father.”

9. You learn mysteries and gain insights into new truths.

Matt. 13:11 “He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.”

You gain insights into nature, into faith, into truth. You call those things that are not as though they were.

10. You become whoever you associate with.

1 John 2:6 “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”

The unhurried walk...

The Lord does not call you to walk with him for nothing.

He called you to walk with him to change your destiny so that you can change the future of others.

Listen to Peter. This one had to learn to control his temper and stop cursing and lying, Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. He said, I' “ve been sent by Jesus Christ to lead his church, to declare the word of the Lord, to manifest signs and wonders before us people that you might know the kingdom of heaven has come in your midst.”

YOU COME INTO A DEEPER RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST.

Jesus told his disciples, “I do not call you slaves, but I call you friends, for everything I learned from my Father I have made known to you. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.”

YOU STAND FOR SOMETHING GREATER THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE. YOU ARE ON THE LORD’S SIDE. YOU LIVE THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD. YOU ARE WILL GIVE YOUR LIFE FOR JESUS.

Tradition writes that every one of Jesus' disciples, except for Judas, became an apostle. They became the leaders of the church. They loved not their lives unto death.

James was killed by the sword of King Herod. He was the first apostle to be martyred.

Peter was murdered by Nero and crucified upside-down.

Andrew became the apostle of what is now Russia. He was crucified.

Thomas preached the gospel as far as India before he was martyred.

Philip became the apostle to North Africa. He was martyred.

Matthew wrote the gospel of Matthew. He brought the gospel to Persia and Ethiopia, where he was possibly stabbed to death.

Bartholomew brought the gospel to Armenia and Southern Arabia. He was martyred.

Thaddeus preached the gospel and Turkey and was killed by arrows.

James, the son of Alpheus, brought the gospel to Syria, where he was martyred.

Simon, the Zealot, was killed when he refused to worship the Sun god in Persia.

Matthias was burned to death for his faith in Syria.

And John was exiled to die on the island of Patmos, where he wrote the book of Revelation.

Each one of them died loyal to Jesus Christ.

“A charge to keep I have, a God to glorify; he sent his son my soul to save

and fit it for the sky; to serve this present age, my calling to fulfill,

May I in all my power, engage to do the Master's will.”