PURSUE
A Walk in the Spirit • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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A WALK IN THE SPIRIT
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain,
7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
We see in other places in scripture and in this passage; that we are to flee from false teachers we are not to pursue them!
From arguments!
From all forms of Sexual Sin
From Controversy, divisiveness.
From thinking that being Godly is a means to get wealthy!
From a desire to get Rich
The list is extensive.
However, these are all things that a “Saint” pursues and does not flee from!
11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.
Pursue: to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after.
ARE YOU PURSUING LIFE OR DEATH?
We are to Pursue the things of the Spirit righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.
We are to having a FIGHTING Spirit for one thing!
12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
What does it mean to Pursue Righteousness?
To pursue what is right and pleasing to God.
Why pursue Faith; with out it we can not please God!
When is the last tome you made it your aim to Pursue - Righteousness, Faith, Love, Steadfastness, or Gentleness?
22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.
24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,
25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
Did you catch what Paul said here?
A Lord’s servant can be ensnared and captured by the devil.
How ? Because they forget who’s will they are to pursue after.
A man or woman of God who truly loves God will start pursuing things that are pleasing to God!
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
One reason many are void of the blessings of God in their life is found right here.
You don’t bless !
10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;
11 let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
I do not know about everyone else, but if I spend time in prayer I want to be sure God is listening.
Maybe there are some here today who have stepped into a trap set by the enemy???
12 For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God), and His ears are attentive to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who practice evil [to oppose them, to frustrate, and defeat them].
This is why we PURSUE righteousness!
Two reasons:
To be pleasing to God!
To have our prayers heard!
1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.
Many want to be loved but few pursue after Love!
I would fail you if I did not at least remind you that we are never to to cease pursuing after Love!
12 What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.
Are you Pursuing Life or Death?
