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Announce/reading

Intro

TC

Based on kids, where?: blessings 4?

Last week vv: fearing/seeking = following ways; focus b/c many blessings

[Welcome Teen Challenge, speak later]. Based on the time we just had with the Children’s Church kids, where are we going with today’s sermon? [open] What are the blessings associated with walking in God’s ways? [open]

Last week, we looked at two verses that talked about fearing the Lord and one verse about seeking the Lord with all our heart. And all three of them included the idea of walking in God’s ways. Fearing the Lord includes walking in his ways. Seeking out the Lord includes walking in his ways. So, we’re going to focus in on this idea of walking in his ways, because there are some very specific blessings in Scripture for those who do, as we continue this series on the blessings God offers us.

Pray

B1W Walks in his wisdom (Psa 1)

Xit: blessed = 1 who NOT → 1 who does what? []; RS (~kids); 3 blessings

Blessed is the one who does not walk … (v. 1). Therefore, blessed is the who does what? [] Blessed is the one who walks in his wisdom, God’s wisdom. It’s like the exercise with the kids – some choices were smart (wise), and other choices were silly (unwise / foolish). Blessings for those who walk, who live out their Christian life, in God’s wisdom. There are three blessings in Psalm 1 for those who walk in God’s wisdom.

He’ll enjoy the walk (2): (^drudgery) Which: covered w/θ’ly joy? b/c θ’s joy; if/RS

First, he’ll enjoy the walk – as he is walking in God’s wisdom, he’ll enjoy it (v. 2). We often think of following God’s ways as some form of drudgery, that it’s something we don’t want to do, but we have to do. The psalmist certainly doesn’t feel that way. Walking in God’s wisdom is a delight, in his opinion. Think of it this way: Of all the paths you can take in life, which path will be covered with godly joy? There are some paths that may have temporary, fleshly pleasure, but which path will have godly joy? If godly joy is something you might want to have some more of, then may I suggest walking in his wisdom? Why is there godly joy on this path? Because that path is the one that causes God joy. God delights in it when we walk in his ways. And if God takes joy in it, then we certainly can have godly joy in it. If we walk in his wisdom, we’ll enjoy the walk along the way.

He’ll bear fruit along the way (3): (fruit) Which: >>fertile soil 4 fruit? (Jn 15); bls!

Second, he’ll bear fruit along the way, v. 3. “Bearing fruit” is a phrase in both the OT and NT that refers to producing things that matter in the Kingdom of God. Those things may be physical or spiritual, and they may differ from time period to time period or differ from culture to culture, but they are things that matter in God’s Kingdom. Bearing fruit means that in you and through you, God is producing something that matters to him. Of all the paths we can take, which path has the most fertile soil for bearing fruit? Of course, the path of God’s wisdom. Jesus says in John 15 in the parable of the vine that the only way to bear fruit is to abide in him like a branch abides in the vine, to walk in his ways and depend on him, and that apart from that, we can do nothing of value in God’s Kingdom, bear no fruit. And what a blessing it is to be the vessel in which God produces something meaningful for his own Kingdom!

His way will be guarded (6): “grd”; Which: θ protect? ^v1 (>> protectd when, guar)

Third, the one who walks in God’s wisdom – his way will be guarded (v. 6). The NASB translates this has the word “know,” but the word seems to imply something more than merely knowing something as a fact – the Lord “regards” his steps, or even the Lord “guards / protects” his steps. The Lord is attentive the ways of those who follow his ways, and oversees it, and seemingly even protects that way. Again, we ask the same question: Of all the paths that we could take, which is the path that the Lord is most likely to protect? Of course, the way of his wisdom. He’s less likely to guard our way of we choose to walk in the counsel of the wicked, stand in the path of sinners, or sit the seat of scoffers. We are most protected by God when we choose to walk in his ways – that path is the one path is guaranteed to be covered by God’s protection.

CR: setting fam budget; wants-desires/careless v. wisdom; how X3? → BRU

We could take any activity that needs wisdom, such as setting the family budget. There are several paths we could take. We could take the path of our wants and desires, where we set our budget according to just whatever we want for ourselves. We could take the path of carelessness¸ where we don’t really pay attention to our budget at all. Or, we could choose the path of wisdom, of taking of the classes we’ve offered, or reading one of the reliable books on Christian finances, of finding out how to be wise according to God’s Word. If we choose God’s path, the way of wisdom, how will be enjoy the walk? [] We will using money in ways that are pleasing to the Lord, and therefore we will be able to share in his joy. How will we bear fruit along the way? [] If we are managing money in a way that invests in the Kingdom, both in our homes and through Christian ministry, then we will see fruit for God’s Kingdom. How will our way be guarded? [] We might have financial challenges, but only the challenges that God’s sovereign protection specifically allows – and we won’t have to worry about the dangers that come from being foolish financially. If you walk in God’s wisdom with things like your finances, blessed are you.

RS

B1W Walks in his word

Xit: wiz → word; AKA obedience, wording for a rsn

Not only are we blessed if we walk in his wisdom, but also blessed is the one who walks in his Word. The phrase “walking in his Word” is just another way of saying “obedience,” but people tend to tense up when we talk about obedience. I’m using the phrase “walking in his Word” for a very specific purpose, as you’ll see in just a minute.

(Mary) (Lk 11.27-28): (Lk 1); how M>?; He’s > relig figure

The one who walks in his Word is specifically blessed by Jesus in Luke 11.28. Read. The woman wants to bless Mary, the mother of Jesus for, well, being the mother of Jesus. But Jesus turns it back on her, and explains how Mary will truly be blessed. We know from Luke 1 and the accounts of Mary being visited by the angel that she is truly blessed. But, according to Jesus, how will Mary be blessed more than being the mother of the Messiah? More than being Jesus’ mom, you are blessed if you walk in his Word. The one who walks in God’s is greater than a religious figure like Mary.

He’s a doer of Word (Jn 13.17 (context); Rv 1/22; Jms 1; etc): “Xn sit” (Paul/Q)

The one who walks in God’s Word is a doer of God’s Word. Read Jn 13.17. Jesus says this after washing the disciples’ feet and telling them that it was an object lesson. They were blessed to see it, but are specifically blessed, as Jesus says, by doing the Word. Revelation begins in the first chapter with a blessing for those who read and do what the book says, and then ends in the last chapter with a blessing for those who read and do what the books says. James describes those who are doers and not merely hearers of God’s word. There are plenty of blessings in the Bible for those who walk in God’s Word. Paul does not write in this letters about how to live out the Christian “sit” - he describes how to live out the Christian “walk.” When I really want to know how you’re doing spiritually, I won’t ask you how you’re doing in your Christian sit. I’ll ask you how you’re doing in your Christian walk.

CR: “so hard!”; is it? (brdn); hard =giving up the Self; when obed hard; → BRU

But many say, “Christian obedience is soooo harrrrddddd....” Is it, really? Jesus said his yoke was easy and his burden light. Is it really all that hard to to live according to God’s Word? Nothing God asks us to do is really all that difficult: loving, giving, forgiving, praying, worshiping – those are not difficult tasks to do. What’s hard is giving up the Self in order to obey God. That’s what’s hard. Putting to death the old self and its sinful desires, that’s what’s hard. Putting aside your selfishness in order to humbly obey – that’s when we struggle. When obedience is hard to do, it’s likely hard not because the task itself is hard, but giving up the self in order to do God’s will. When you give up the selfishness and walk in obedience, blessed are you.

RS

B1W Walks in Step w/X (context: Jn’s D’s) (Lk 7.23)

Blessed is the one who walks in his wisdom. Blessed is the one who walks in his Word. And third, blessed is the one who walks in step with Jesus. There was a time in the ministry of the John the Baptizer where he questioned whether or not Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus told John’s disciples that the miracles and his preaching show that he is in fact the Messiah. Then he says something very strong to John’s disciples. Read Lk 7.23.

He doesn’t stumble over X: stumble? Walk contrary to who X is (~Jn) JC deterred?

The one who walks in step with Christ doesn’t stumble over Christ. That’s what it means to walk in step with him – not stumbling over him. How does someone stumble over Christ? [open] By walking contrary to who Christ is. John was close to stumbling, because he was projecting Christ to be something else and was about to stumble over him as a result. Jesus is going this way, but if you think you’ll go that way instead and you come across the way of Christ. And you’ll stumble. Will Christ be deterred on his path? Of course not.

He walks kata who X is, not who some project him to be: as-is; x-purp <> as-is

But to walk in step with Christ is to walk according to who Christ is, not who some project him to be. John was beginning to stumble over Christ because of who he projected him to be, and Jesus corrected him by explaining who he really is. It means to accept Jesus for who he is, not for who we or who someone else wants him to be. Jesus says, “This is how the Messiah is, whether you expect it or not. If you choose to not accept that, you’ll stumble. Blessed is the one who does not stumble over me.” When we find ourselves at cross-purposes with Jesus, we’re not accepting him for who he really is.

CR

^~dog [video] (rules/hoops/treat) v. ~father-son [video] (in step w/)

Let me demonstrate what I mean by walking in step with Christ. Obedience to Christ is seen by many as being like a dog, trained to jump through hoops, and if you do well, you get a treat at the end of the race. All of God’s little rules are just little hoops that we must jump through in order to be good little doggies. That’s a common, but very incorrect view of what it means to obey God. This video shows what obedience is NOT, but what many think of it to be. Roll video. That’s not at all what God has in mind for our obedience. Rather, obedience is walking in step with Christ. Roll video.

Boy never stub? Enjoy? Fruit? Guarded by wiz? Doer? ~Father?: dog never be ~

Now, if this boy continues to walk in his father’s footsteps (assuming that his father has good footsteps to follow in), does that mean that this boy will never stub his toe? [] Of course, he’ll stub his toe. But, will he enjoy the walk along the way? Will he bear fruit if he continues to walk in step with his father? Will his way by guarded by his father’s wisdom, even when his father isn’t around? Will he be a doer of his father’s word and ways? And most importantly, will he grow up to be like his father? The biggest difference between that dog and this boy is that the dog will never grow up to be like the owner, no matter how many hoops he jumps through.

BRU

When you walk in the footsteps of Christ, in step with him, learning to walk ultimately in your Father’s footsteps, blessed are you.

RS

BRN Influence others to Walk in His Ways, too (Ecc 10.17):

Blessed is the one who walks in his wisdom. Blessed is the one who walks in his Word. And blessed is the one walks in step with Christ. And blessed are those who influence others to walk in his ways, too. In Ecclesiastes 10, the author describes the bad things that happens to the land whose leaders are foolish, and the he says this in 10.17. Read. Now, without parsing this sentence out, what he’s saying here is basically, “Blessed is the land whose leaders are wise.” They do wise things, and that brings a blessing to the people of the land.

Wise leaders bring a wiser community: → blessings; but focus on us

Wise leaders bring a wiser community, a blessed community, which in turn, brings blessings to the community. That’s not all that hard to see. But what I want to focus on here is not those in leadership, but the rest of us … who put these people into to leadership and should keep them accountable.

Vote? Pick wise leaders (along wisdom lines v. party lines, rt theo)

For example, how does this principle affect how we should vote? If having wise leaders blesses the community, how should we vote? [open] Perhaps we should be more concerned about voting along wisdom lines than voting along party lines. Perhaps one of our largest criteria for voting shouldn’t be if they agree with all my political views but if they are truly wise people, displaying God’s wisdom. Not just that they have the right religious views – many really good Christians would be really lousy senators. But wisdom. Ecclesiastes does not say we are blessed by having a certain party in power. It says that we are blessed if we have wise leaders.

Help leaders be wise: letters (wiz v. rancor)

And furthermore, we should help our leaders be wise. When we contact them, through phone calls or letters or emails, are we really helping them to become wise, or are we letting off steam with an angry attitude? Endeavor to make your leaders wiser and wiser, and the people of the land will be blessed.

RS

CR: TC: Help young men make wise choices → blessings

We have with us today representatives from Teen Challenge. If you’re not familiar with them, they work with by helping men with a history of substance abused get unhooked from drugs and alcohol, but more importantly, to help them get hooked on Jesus. They demonstrate a lot of what we’ve been talking about today: They help young men make wise choices in order to experience God’s blessings in their lives. They are going to take about 10 minutes today to tell us about their ministry.

Concl

Jay/Denise/Ben/Smiths/TC/x: can’t all; (local ch), missions that burden; offer; Calv

In the last few months, we’ve practically bombarding you with mission opportunities. Jay Johnson with SROM, Denise Powers going to Kenya in January, Ben Byxbe planting a church in Columbia, SC, the Smiths going to Africa, Teen Challenge today, and others. There’s no way that any of us can support all of these ministries. We don’t expect you to, or to feel guilty for not being able to support every opportunity that we make known or that you hear about somewhere else. The idea of supporting Christian ministry is that you first give to your local church, and then to give also, if possible, to those ministries of the myriads of good ministries that God particularly burdens your heart to. It may be this one, or that one, or another one. If God is putting a burden on your heart to support Teen Challenge, with a one time gift or a monthly gift, you can pick up some of their literature after the service. Also, we still have information on Jay and Denise and Ben and the Smiths and all our missionaries and local ministries. Another way that you can help the Teen Challenge ministry is that we have one of our own who is trying to get into Teen Challenge and needs to raise $1250 in order to get in. If you would like to help meet that need, you can donate directly to the church and specify “Teen Challenge admission” on the memo line.

RV/HABD: blv, char, seek, walk

Review. So, when someone says, “Have a blessed day,” we have learned so far that we can actually do so by believing in him, but taking on his character, by diligently seeking him, and now also by walking in his ways.

Insert; EV; Prayer

Luke 11.27-28

27 While Jesus was saying these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed.” 28 But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

John 13:17

If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

Luke 7:23

And blessed is he who keeps from stumbling over Me.

Eccles 10:17

Blessed are you, O land, whose king is of nobility and whose princes eat at the appropriate time—for strength, and not for drunkenness.

Order

1. Praise and Worship

2. Welcome/Prayer – Mike

3. Song – Meet with Me

4. Song – Your Grace is Enough

5. Children’s Time – Colby

6. Announcements - Colby

7. Scripture Reading - Marshall

8. Sermon -  Colby

9. Song – One Pure and Holy Passion