Walking as a Child
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Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Introduction:
Introduction:
Summary of Paul’s letter
The Wealth of the Believer - (Chapter 1-3)
The Walk of the Believer - (Chapter 4-6:9)
The Warfare of the Believer - (Chapter 6:10-24)
All of these elements of Paul’s letter are interrelated. A proper understanding of our wealth in Christ has a profound impact on our decision to walk with Christ. Simalarly, if we are to be successful in our walk with Christ we must be aware of the war we must fight!
The Christian life is a life of momentum- “Be ye therefore followers of God”
The Christian life is a life of momentum - no pause button, no treading water......
Illustration: Stagnant water -
Areas where the ground is low and drainage is poor can become susceptible to pooling water after a heavy rain. The problem with this is that when there is no source of movement in the water bacteria can breed and contaminate the water.
The Christian life is no different, it requires movement!
Quote: “To have found God and still to pursue Him is the soul’s paradox of love.” ― A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God
How are we to follow God?
How are we to follow God?
We are to follow God with a certain attitude, a certain mindset... the attitude of a “dear child”.
Reminder - End of chapter 4
He says there are some hindering attributes that need to depart or need to be “put away”!
Bitterness - extreme grudge, sharpness
Wrath -violent anger
Anger -
Clamour - a loud outcry
Evil Speaking -
Malice - disposition to injure others without a cause
If you think for a moment, these are things that children do not generally struggle with!
Positive & Negative use of the term Children
Paul uses the idea of a child in both a positive and a negative way in his description of and exhortation to believers.
We are children of God - part of God’s family
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
We are not be be childlike in our understanding of the Scriptures
Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
Paul was dealing with the improper emphasis & understanding on tongues speaking
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Children can be prone to improper teaching
Now Paul is using the term “dear children” in a positive context
Declaration: We are to follow God with the attitude of a dear child
Transition: I want us to consider some positive attributes of a child that we can incorporate into our walk with God
I. Children are Forgiving
I. Children are Forgiving
Children can be in a fist fight one minute and a loving embrace the next - they just dont hold on to things the way that we do.
Illustration: Joseph (6 years old) says to Amanda recently that Eli (his 9 year old brother) is his biggest enemy - moments later they are the best of friends
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Everything in the Christian life is done in connection with the body
When body parts get close together they offend and forgiveness is essential
Illustration: A Crowded Elevator in LA
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
II. Children are Imitators
II. Children are Imitators
Illustration: The Boys playing church -
Alex the preacher, Jacob the song leader, Eli Joseph and the animals are the congregation
Quote: "Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you." — Robert Fulghum, author
As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
“fashioning yourselves” - it means to conform or imitate
We are to be great imitators of our savior Jesus Christ
III. Children are Trusting
III. Children are Trusting
This explains why children are so easily taken advantage of
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.
Definition: Confidence or a resting of the mind
We want to know and understand everything - “lean not unto thine own understanding”
Trusting God is knowing that he knows and accepting the fact that I do not need to know - although I may in His time eventually know and I may not
IV. Children are Dependent
IV. Children are Dependent
We are prone to become self reliant
Matthew 6:25-33
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Illustration: 400 Billion Birds
Some scientist has estimated the population of birds on the entire planet at 400 billion birds. David and Charles Koch (2 of the richest men in the world - According to Forbes Magazine) are worth a combined 80 Billion dollars.
At a cost of a dollar a day the richest man on earth could not even feed the birds for day!
V. Children are Teachable
V. Children are Teachable
“become as little children”
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Are you teachable? Have you made up your mind about every position you hold?
The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
Conclusion
Conclusion
We are to be following God with the attitude and mindset of a child!