The Worthy Walk Part 2

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Introduction: We have been called to live the "worthy life" and now we see the character of it. And we are specifically thinking about the unity of the church, and how that unity is a part of something larger than unity. The worthy walk is the way to a unified church. There are two themes that will make up the last part of this letter. 1. Unity (4:4-16) 2. Godly living in every part of our life (4:17 - End) To live out either, however, there is a larger aim (the worthy walk) and there are attitudes that we must live with. Paul gives us 5 attitudes of heart that are necessary to walk in a manner worthy of our calling. Note: There is progression here. The genuine exercise of one leading to the genuine exercise of the others. I. THE WORTHY WALK IS A HUMBLE WALK The word that is translated humility is a compound word and it means to think or to judge with lowliness. It is lowliness of mind regarding yourself. It is the kind of attitude that our Lord was describing in the beatitudes. NAS Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. In the Greco-Roman culture, just as in our culture, lowliness of mind was not something celebrated. The ways of Christ are in contrast with the ways of the world. The ways of the regenerate, that are possible because of the knowledge of God, are not the ways of the world where people are blind to the greatness of God, and the sinfulness of man. A. CHARACTERISTICS OF HUMILITY Let me say a few things about what we know of humility from God’s Word. 1. HUMILITY IS THE FOUNDATION FOR ALL OTHER VIRTUES Just as pride is the root of all vice so humility is the root of all virtue. There is literally nothing good that the Lord has done in any one of our lives that He did apart from humility. *This is where Jesus began in the Sermon on the Mount. (Matthew 5:3) This is where Scripture says WISDOM ABIDES. NAS Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes dishonor, But with the humble is wisdom. a. IT IS WHERE OUR LIFE IN CHRIST BEGAN NAS Matthew 18:3 and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. b. IT IS WHERE CHRIST LIKENESS MUST BEGIN And, not only does Christ likeness begin at the point of humility, it makes progress along the pathway of humility. NAS Matthew 11:29 "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. NAS 1 John 2:6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. God came to earth and how did He come? *Born in a stable *Common parents *No property *Buried in a borrowed tomb This is the mindset that we are called to embrace, in every situation, with every choice and action. NAS Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 2. HUMILITY IS ELUSIVE If you focus on humility too much it becomes pride. It must be highly prized, and pursued, but never thought to be perfected on this side of glorification. As soon as you claim it you have relinquished it.

Topics

• Christian Living