Living in the Righteousness of God (even if nothing goes right!)
Part 2
Issues:
1. We don’t have no idea what the “abundant life” is. We don’t know that the secret to enjoying the abundant life that Jesus promised is by walking in the Spirit
2. If we know, we do not desire to be filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit moment by moment
3. When we desire to, we are not in the right spirit or we do not do it God’s way. We refuse to die to self or our selfish, sinful, worldly desires, motives and goals.
4. We ask with the wrong motives, only to get past a trial or ordeal, or we think it is a quick fix to our problems.
5. We do not know that walking in the Spirit is a way of life, not just something we need when we are under pressure or trial. Being on time with God vs. being on time with social or business appointments. How available/accessible is your Bible? Financial obligations (church, pastor, missionaries) with God vs. our indulgence in worldly pleasures?
6. Are lives are so mediocre or worldly that we cannot witness to the love and power of Jesus Christ.
The right way:
1. Walking in the Spirit is like walking in the Garden of Eden with God, enjoying His presence and His fellowship moment by moment. It is seeking and finding the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Result: All our needs and even desires are provided for. Ps. 84:11 = Walk uprightly, no good thing is witheld by God.
2. It should be our constant desire to walk in the Spirit if we are really in true relationship with God
3. We must be dead to self. No man can serve two masters. The body should be “dead” so that the Spirit can resurrect and live. We can never be filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit until we are dead to sin.
4. Our relationship with God should inspire our devotion and obedience to Him. Our values should be His values. Our desires should be His desires (not mixed with our own).
5. Walking in the Spirit is a way of life. Love and devotion to God is a way of life. Obedience to God’s commands is a way of life. Our partnership with God includes our wealth and treasures as much as our bodies and souls.
6. Abide in the Vine (John 15). Witnessing with our lives, testimonies and the gospel is a natural fruit of abiding in the Vine.
Role of suffering (Romans 8:17, 18-25)
• The curse on creation
• The role of hope/faith vs. sight
God allows His children to suffer so that they learn to love heaven more and this world less. They learn to live by faith in what God promised not by sight on what we have.
Walking in the Spirit
7142 Fragrance Of His Presence
Dr. Charles Weigle composed the favorite “No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus.” One day he visited Pasadena, California. Early that morning he had an opportunity to walk through some of the famous rose gardens when the full fragrance of the flowers filled the air.
Later in the day he arrived at the hotel where a Bible conference was being held. As he took his seat, a man turned to him and said, “Dr. Weigle, I know where you’ve been. You toured one of our lovely gardens, for I can smell the pleasing aroma on your clothing.” “My prayer is that I may walk so closely with the Lord that the fragrance of His grace will pervade my being. I want them to know by my words, actions, and songs that I have been with Jesus.”
—H. G. Bosch
Suffering
652 I Wish I were Blind
The hymn writer Fanny Crosby gave us more than 8000 Gospel songs. Although blinded at the age of 6 weeks, she never held any bitterness in her heart because of it. Once a preacher sym pathetically remarked, “I think it is a great pity that the Master did not give you sight when He showered so many other gifts upon you.”
She replied quickly, “Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition, it would have been that I should be born blind?” “Why?” asked the surprised clergyman. “Because when I get to Heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior!”
Blessed Assurance
To God Be The Glory
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