Keeping Your Eyes Fixed On Jesus

In the British Museum a Greek writing tablet, earlier than the Christian era, is shown. It is the classical equivalent of a child’s copybook. The headline has been written by the master. The scholar has traced the second with his eye upon the first; but afterwards each line is a reproduction, not of the first writing, but of the last. Consequently, each line shows a wider divergence from the pattern than the one before.

Is not this one cause of the broken character of our holiness—that we imitate one another, or reproduce our familiar imperfections, instead of portraying the fair likeness of Jesus Christ? “He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also to walk even as He walked” ().

In Peter in trusting in the command of Jesus, began to walk on the water.

(NKJV)

As long as Peter kept his eyes on the Lord, he was able to continue walking, but when he began to take note of his circumstances, he sank. This is what happens when we don’t keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

7Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.

The greatest challenge for many of us is to walk through life following God (), thus to follow we be a follower

8This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

1. By becoming a follower(imitators) of God (v.1) -Must surrender and devote your life, and then begin to follower after God -The idea is that of commitment, attachment, devotion, allegiance, attention (; , , )

(NKJV) 48Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Christ)

48Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Christ)

(NKJV) ...‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. (God demanded)

2“Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. (God demanded)

(NKJV) 18…We are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory.(Paul)

18…We are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory.(Paul)

(NKJV) 15but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

15but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

16because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

2. By loving as Christ loved(v.2) (; ; )

(NKJV) 51I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”

51I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”

(NKJV) 11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

(NKJV) 13Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

13Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

3. By being clean-bodied, that is, morally pure (v.3) -fornication -uncleanness -covetousness (; )

(NKJV) 8Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

8Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

(NKJV) 22Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.

22Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.

4. By being clean-mouthed(v.4) -Using the mouth in obscene, shameful, foul, polluted, base, immoral conduct and conversation -foolish talking[empty, unthoughtful, senseless, waste, idle, aimless, or purposeless talk] -jesting[ joking, talk foolishly, poke fun, act or speak without thought](; ; ; ; ; )

(NKJV) 26For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

26For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.

27Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

(NKJV) 19In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.

9then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,

10and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries,

(NKJV) 19In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.

19In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.

(NKJV) 6For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,

6For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,

(NKJV) 10For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.

10For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.

(NKJV) 6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

5. By knowing God’s solemn warnings (v.5-6) -Uncleanness has no part with God -There are deceivers -The wrath of God is coming (; ; ; ; )

(NKJV) 18For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

18For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

(NKJV) 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,

14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,

(NKJV) 13But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

13But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

(NKJV) 10For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,

10For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,

(NKJV) 18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

6. By separating himself from the unclean (v.7) (; ; ; ; ; )

(NKJV) 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

(NKJV) 14Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

14Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

(NKJV) 17Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” 18“I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

17Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.”

18“I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

(NKJV) 11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

(NKJV) 6But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.

6But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.

(NKJV) 15Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

15Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

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