Continue to Walk

As I pondered what I would say for my last messages with you, I felt led to share with you some important thoughts about the church and your life together. Today, I share a foundational text that every believer should understand about their life in Jesus Christ. Let’s look at Ephesians 2:1-10

Ephesians 2:1–10 ESV

1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

The Gospel Summarized

When writing to the churches, Paul typically gives some summary of the gospel message. The Gospel is the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Christ, the Solution for what is the fundamental issue for humanity. If you have been with us for any amount of time, you should know that our fundamental issue is sin that separates us from God and each other. Some people incorrectly assume that God is some generous older man that exists outside the universe. He thinks about us often, even when we don't think much about Him, but He is such a nice person that He is excited to see us every now and then when we make our way to church or prayer. Or some people think about God as this angry person who follows us around like an IRS agent waiting for us to make a mistake so they can collect on what is owed. These two extremes do not accurately portray God. The truth is quite unique from these two views. God is the Creator who made each human out of love and desires for each human to know Him. God is a holy God who will judge all sin and rebellion.

You might think that these two truths are not much different than what most people think. What makes the Gospel and the correct view of God unique? It is all about the God who is rich in mercy. Even though we were by nature children of wrath, as the whole world is, God still loved us. This love distinguishes God from all others. The term "wrath" describes God's displeasure and revulsion with sin and sinners. Where does God find the love to give to those who are children of wrath? Paul correctly states that God is rich in mercy and has a great love for us. What does it mean to be rich? It means you don't have to worry about the cost if you want something because you have more than enough. God has more than enough mercy and love toward you, toward this world, toward this church. The good news of the Gospel is that God is rich in mercy and has a great love for those who are children of wrath.

The Walking Dead

It might seem like Paul is describing a zombie TV show. People who are dead walk around the earth, do harmful things and follow an invisible leader who tells them to do whatever their body or mind desires. This description might help you understand where our world and culture. We are physically alive but spiritually dead. But as spiritually dead people, we still walked around. We walked and followed our desires. Some may seem positive or promising, but essentially our desires are rebellion against God's desires.

If you are in the least bit unsettled by all the things we have seen in the past two years, you can be confident that you are seeing just sample eruptions of what lies hidden from our spiritual sight. For a long time, we may have lived assuming all is well on the mountain of life, and we have forgotten that this mountain is a raging volcano of sin and destruction. But we see reminders that life is more fragile than we assumed. So how does God deal with a raging sin volcano will one day fully erupt? He rescues us by taking the walking dead and transforming them into the walking living in Jesus.

The Walking Workmanship

Paul describes this rescue in resurrection terms. "He raised us up". This is more than the pleasant lyrics of a Josh Groban song. It is the transforming power of taking something dead and making it alive. And it is more than just jump-starting or recharging a dead battery. Paul describes in terms that we can only connect to God, the Creator. We are his "workmanship". The Greek term implies something brought into existence by another person. The New Testament uses this term two times. The first is in Romans and describes God's all that God created, which points back to His glorious power, and divine nature. The second time is here, which describes all those who are in Christ. In the ancient world, the term also applied to works of literature (poems) and things made by a person of skill.

Paul reminds us that because we are a new creation, we have a new purpose. We once walked in dead living, but now we walk in good works prepared by God. It is because of this new creation purpose that we can see the purpose of the Church. We are the once dead people who are now made alive in Christ because of God's rich love and mercy so that we can do the good works God desires for us.

Walking with God

The Bible often uses the term "walk" to describe the following concepts:

To be in close association and relationship with someone

To conduct one's life

To obey God's commands

As a believer, we are to walk in all these areas. Check yourself to see if you are neglecting one or more of these areas.

Paul focuses on the last two concepts of walking in chapter two. He assumes that one should carry themselves and obey God's commands because they are in a relationship with God. What do you think about the concept of walking in the good works God has created you to do in Jesus Christ? You should not be surprised to think that God has something for you to do or a part to play in His grand plan of life. No part or action is too insignificant in the kingdom of God. The smallest piece of a work of art is important to the finished product. You are important to the workmanship called the Church. How do you view this great calling? Are you ready to jump in or a bit hesitant?

We have two cats. They are sisters, but they are uniquely opposite in their character. Chai is a "scaredy cat," and JoJo is a "curious cat". When confronted with something new, Chai will typically run away, hide, and slowly approach or stay hidden. JoJo will eagerly walk up to check it out. The challenge for Chai is to get over the fear and anxiety of the new, and JoJo needs to be more cautious and methodical about the new. Which cat are you? How do you view the challenge of transition into an interim pastor and the truth that you have something to contribute your "good works"?

The reality is that we all have to walk. And walking occurs when you take one step and then make another. You must keep making steps for it to be considered walking. What steps are important for your walking in the good works God has prepared for you here at Westlake Community Baptist Church?

First step - show up

Second step - have a Christ-centered attitude

Third step - offer your time, talent, and treasure

Fourth step - keep in step with the Spirit through your personal walk

Fifth step - continue walking

Keep on Walking

The command to keep on walking implies that we have a part of doing in our faith. God provides the grace, mercy, love, and salvation to which we respond. We respond in faith and obedience. Faith and obedience are not a one-time action. They are a way of life. But let's face it, we grow tired. We grow weary. We may even grow bored, frustrated, impatient, etc. In these moments, we need to pause and look back to the one who has called us to walk with Him.

The last word I want to leave with you is to remember that God has planned all this. He has made for us the plan of salvation. He has made for us the plan of good works to walk in. He has made us to be the church. And all that God has made will endure. The church will not endure because you have someone been more clever, more wealthy, or have a lot of talented people. The church will continue because it is built upon the rock, Jesus Christ.

Matthew 16:18 ESV

18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Two things you should remember. First, Christ builds His Church. Second, it is built upon Himself. If He builds something that is built upon himself, then we have the only sure foundation, structure, and plan that will endure. Christ ensures that the gates of hell will not prevail against it. In the ancient world, the gates of a city represented its protection and power against attack. The strength of a city's gates determined its success. But Christ conquered death, sin, and Satan. The realm of darkness has been invaded and defeated by Jesus; therefore, Christ's Kingdom will not experience defeat or an untimely end. It will endure. Westlake Community Baptist Church will continue to exist and endure only if it is built upon Jesus and is built by Him. So if we are doing this, we need not worry, fret, or get stuck. We can continue because God has willed it to be so. Therefore keep on walking.