Historical Posts
If You Abide, Walk! – Audio
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
It may seem like an oxymoron to walk somewhere if you abide. However, that is what the Bible commands us to do! John wrote, “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked (1 John 2:6).” God will not tell us to do something that we cannot do. How can we walk and abide simultaneously?
First, we must abide in Christ. One can only abide if one gets into. Thus, one gets into Christ by being baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27). Once in Christ, we must remain in Him and be active. Jesus explained that He is the vine and we are the branches. The branches must abide in Him, as He abides in the vinedresser. By abiding in Him, we must bear fruit (John 15:1-8). He then goes on to say that we are to abide in His love (John 15:9ff.).
Once in Christ, we must walk as He walked. Earlier in his letter, John said that we must “walk in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:7).” By being where Christ is, we can have fellowship with Him and one another. Christ is no longer here on earth, but is with us in spirit. While He was on the earth, He showed us how we ought to walk (1 Peter 2:21-25).
By learning more about Him and following His example, we can abide in Him. We can only abide in Him if we walk just as He walked! Let us remain in His Word, and do what He says.
Content by Richard Dillon
Return to the Home Page
Galatians 02:20-21 The Life Which I Now Live
Old - G E L N D J J R 1S 2S 1K 2K 1C 2C E N E J P P E S I J L E D H J A O J M N H Z H Z MNew - M M L J A R 1C 2C G E P C 1Th 2Th 1T 2T T P H J 1P 2P 1J 2J 3J J R - Topical - All - Archive
Text: Galatians 2:20-21
Introduction
1. Much that we know of the Christian life is dependent upon the apostle Paul
a. Who wrote half the books of the New Testament?
b. His conduct and attitudes are set before us as an example – 1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17
c. But what principles governed Paul’s life as a Christian?
2. In our text we find Paul expressing some of the principles – Galatians 2:20-21
a. That guided his life as a disciple of Christ
b. As he speaks of “the life which I now live in the flesh”
3. What kind of life was that? Are we governed by the same principles?
4. Notice first of all that Paul says his life which he lived in the flesh was
Body
I. A LIFE CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST (Galatians 2:20a)
A. HOW IS “CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST” POSSIBLE…?
1. We can’t go back in time and join Christ on the cross!
2. But we can be united with Christ in His death when we are baptized! – Romans 6:3-8
3. Note that baptism into Christ is
a. A baptism into His death – Romans 6:3-4
b. Being united together in the likeness of His death – Romans 6:5
c. Crucifying our old man with Christ – Romans 6:6
d. Dying together with Christ – Romans 6:8
4. If we have been baptized into Christ, we can say together with Paul: “I have been crucified with Christ”
B. WHAT DOES “CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST” MEAN…?
1. For some it means a death “to the Law” – Galatians 2:19
a. Paul wrote of himself as a Jew who was at one time under the Law of Moses
b. Those who have been crucified with Christ have died to the Law – Romans 7:1-6
2. For all it means a death “to self” – Galatians 2:20
a. “It is no longer I who live”
b. As Jesus taught, we must be willing to deny self to follow Him – Luke 9:23-24
3. For all it means we have crucified “the flesh” – Galatians 5:24
a. Which occurred in principle at our baptism – Romans 6:6, 11-14
b. Which occurs in practice as we continue to “put to death” the deeds of the body – Romans 8:12-13; Colossians 3:5- 9
4. For all it means we have been crucified “to the world” – Galatians 6:14
a. Before our obedience to Christ, we were in bondage to the rudiments of the world – Galatians 4:3, 9
b. But now, Christ is our rule and authority in life – Colossians 2:8-10, 20-22; 3:17
5. Any external (Law, world) or internal (self, flesh) controls have now surrendered to the authority of Christ
6. One who has been baptized into Christ and is letting Jesus be his or her authority in all things is living a “life crucified with Christ”. But note that Paul also wrote “the life which I now live” is:
II. A LIFE IN WHICH CHRIST LIVES IN ME (Galatians 2:20b)
A. HOW DOES CHRIST LIVE IN ME…?
1. It is like electricity
a. I may not comprehend how it works
b. But I know how to get it working!
2. We are taught how to make sure that He will abide in us
a. By Jesus Himself – John 14:21-23; 15:9-10
b. By His beloved disciple John – 1 John 3:24
3. As we keep the commandments of Christ, we are assured that He lives in us!
B. WHAT BENEFITS COME FROM CHRIST LIVING IN US…?
1. The wonderful love of the Father and the Son – John 14:21
2. There is fullness of joy – John 15:11
3. There is peace, even in the midst of tribulation – John 16:33
4. There is the hope of being with Jesus and beholding His glory – John 17:24
5. These are just a few of the many blessings of a life in which Christ lives in us!
III. A LIFE LIVING BY FAITH IN CHRIST (Galatians 2:20c)
A. WHAT IS LIVING BY FAITH IN CHRIST…?
1. The word ‘faith’ implies trust
2. Living by faith in Christ means constantly trusting in Jesus
a. E.g., for the forgiveness of our sins
1) Trusting in His blood to cleanse us from our sins – 1 John 1:7, 9
2) Trusting in Him as our Advocate – 1 John 2:1
3) Trusting in Him as our Propitiation – 1 John 2:4
b. E.g., that His words will provide a solid foundation for our lives – Mathew 7:24-25
c. E.g., that He will never forsake us – Mathew 28:20
3. Trusting in Jesus, not in self, not in the Law, not in the world!
B. WHY SHOULD WE SO TRUST JESUS…?
1. Because He loves us! – cf. Galatians 2:20
2. Because He gave Himself for us! – Galatians 2:20
3. Shall He not do more if we continue to trust Him? – Romans 8:34-39
4. Such love naturally compels one to live a life of faith in Him – 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
5. Does such love should compel us to trust in Jesus, living by faith in Him?
IV. A LIFE WHICH DOES NOT SET ASIDE GOD’S GRACE (Galatians 2:21)
A. WE MUST DILIGENTLY KEEP JESUS’ COMMANDMENTS
1. As a true indication of our love for Him – John 14:15
2. As a true indication that we really know Him – 1 John 2:3
3. One cannot ignore the commandments of the Lord
B. YET WITHOUT GOD’S GRACE, ALL IS VAIN
1. We cannot nor dare not try to earn or merit our salvation – Titus 3:4-5; Ephesians 2:8-9
2. After all is said and done, we are still unworthy servants – Luke 17:10
3. If not for the grace of God:
a. Our faith would be useless
b. Our repentance would meaningless
c. Our baptism would be fruitless
d. Our salvation would be impossible!
4. And so, from beginning to end
a. We must look to God and the Word of His grace
b. We must trust in His mercy offered through Jesus
c. We are totally dependent upon Jesus and His death on the cross for any degree of true righteousness
5. If we think we have earned or merited salvation on our own, Christ died in vain!
Conclusion
1. Such was the life Paul lived in the flesh
a. A life crucified with Christ
b. A life in which Christ lived in Him
c. A life living by faith in Christ
d. A life that did not set aside the grace of God
2. Can the same be said of us…?
a. Have we been crucified with Christ (in baptism)?
b. Is Christ living in us (manifested by keeping His commandments)?
c. Are you living by faith in Christ (trusting His blood, His Word)?
d. Are you always trusting in the grace of God (not your own goodness or obedience)?
3. May the words of Paul move us to live the kind of lives becoming of those who call themselves Christians!
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” – Galatians 2:20-21
Content by Donald W. Treadway
Return to the Home Page
Genesis 06:05-08 Noah Found Grace
Old - G E L N D J J R 1S 2S 1K 2K 1C 2C E N E J P P E S I J L E D H J A O J M N H Z H Z MNew - M M L J A R 1C 2C G E P C 1Th 2Th 1T 2T T P H J 1P 2P 1J 2J 3J J R - Topical - All - Archive
Text: Genesis 6:5-8
Introduction
1. We read of God’s displeasure with the world and its wickedness – Genesis 6:5-7
2. But as God pronounces judgment upon the world, and prepares to destroy it with a flood, we find encouraging words concerning one man: “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” – Genesis 6:8
3. This simply means that Noah found favor in God’s sight, and we know the result of that favor: escape for him and his family from the flood!
a. But why Noah?
b. Why did Noah find grace in the eyes of the Lord?
c. And how might we apply this to our situation today?
Body
I. WHY NOAH FOUND GRACE IN THE EYES OF THE LORD
A. HE WAS “A JUST MAN” – Genesis 6:9
1. Some translations say “righteous”
2. This likely refers to his moral relation to God (Keil & Delitzsch)
B. HE WAS “PERFECT IN HIS GENERATIONS” – Genesis 6:9
1. Other translations (Genesis 6:9 nasb95, Genesis 6:9 NIV) use the word “blameless”
2. Not that he was sinless, but that there were no blatant faults
3. He was a man of moral integrity among the people
C. HE “WALKED WITH GOD” – Genesis 6:9
1. This is how he manifested his righteousness and integrity
2. In walking with God, he imitated the example of Enoch, his great- grandfather – Genesis 5:24
3. Walking with God in Noah’s case likely involved
a. Calling upon the name of the Lord (which began in the days of Seth – Genesis 4:26)
b. Offering sacrifices to God (which began in the days of Cain & Abel – Genesis 4:3-4)
D. HE “DID ACCORDING TO ALL THAT THE LORD COMMANDED HIM”
1. Twice this is emphasized in the Scriptures – Genesis 6:22; 7:5
2. We learn from the writer of Hebrews that this obedience of Noah came from faith – Hebrews 11:7
E. HE WAS “A PREACHER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS” – 2 Peter 2:5
1. He not only “lived” a righteous life
2. But he also “proclaimed” the need for righteousness, even though he lived in a very ungodly world
F. What about ourselves? Is there a need for us to “find grace in the eyes of the Lord” today? Yes!
II. WHY WE NEED TO FIND GRACE IN THE EYES OF THE LORD
A. NOT BECAUSE WE FACE THE THREAT OF A WORLDWIDE FLOOD
1. After Noah and his family were saved from the flood, God promised He would never again destroy the world in such a manner – Genesis 9:8-11
2. The rainbow is a constant reminder of God’s promise – Genesis 9:12-17
B. BUT BECAUSE WE FACE THE PROMISE OF THE END OF THE WORLD!
1. Peter reminds us that just as the world was once destroyed by water, so it shall be destroyed by fire when Jesus returns! – 2 Peter 3:3-13
2. In view of this promise, Peter calls upon us to “be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless” – 2 Peter 3:14
a. Just as Noah “found grace in the eyes of the Lord”…
b. So we need to “found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless”
3. Is this not simply another way of saying that we, like Noah, need to find grace in the eyes of the Lord?
4. Indeed, it is! When the end of the world comes, we had better be in a condition where we too find grace in the eyes of the Lord! Otherwise, we will be like those left outside of the ark when the floods came!
III. HOW WE CAN FIND GRACE IN THE EYES OF THE LORD
A. WE MUST BE “JUST” IN HIS SIGHT
1. Fortunately, the good news of the gospel is that God sent Christ in order to make us “just” (righteous, forgiven) in His sight! – Romans 5:8-9
2. This blessing is available to all who demonstrate true faith in Jesus – Romans 3:24-26
3. Being justified, we can have peace with God – Romans 5:1; cf. 2 Peter 3:14
B. WE MUST BE “PERFECT” IN OUR GENERATION
1. That is, to be complete, mature, to be everything God desires of us
2. Again, the good news of the gospel of Christ is that God has provided the necessary elements for us to be “perfect”!
a. The blood of Christ, to cleanse us of our sins – 1 John 1:7-9
b. The Word of God, to guide us to completion – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
c. The strength of the Spirit, to help us in our struggles – Ephesians 3:16
d. The providence of God, who will work with us and lead us to victory! – 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 1 Peter 5:10
C. WE MUST “WALK WITH GOD”
1. Of course, this would mean that we can “no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk…” – cf. Ephesians 4:17-20
2. Rather, it requires that we be “followers of God as dear children” (Ephesians 5:1), and that we…
a. “Walk in love” – Ephesians 5:2
b. “Walk as children of light”, exposing the sins of darkness – Ephesians 5:8-11
c. “Walk as wise”, with an understanding of what the Lord’s will is – Ephesians 5:15-17
D. WE MUST “DO ALL THAT THE LORD HAS COMMANDED”
1. Observing not just “some” things, but “all” things – cf. Matthew 28:20
2. For in so doing, we demonstrate our faith to be “a living faith” – James 2:17,24,26
E. WE MUST BE “PREACHERS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS”
1. It is God’s will that we “proclaim the praises of Him”, which would include His righteousness – cf. 1 Peter 2:9
2. This can be done most vividly by example, in living transformed lives – Romans 12:1-2
Conclusion
1. God does not want anyone to perish in the great conflagration that is yet to come, but He does require all to come to repentance – 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 17:30-31
2. And when we turn from sin and turn to God, what do we find? The same thing Noah and his family found: “grace in the eyes of the Lord”!
3. Speaking of the salvation of Noah should remind us of the comparison Peter makes between Noah’s salvation and our own
a. I.e., the part baptism serves in our salvation – 1 Peter 3:20-21
b. Just as God used the element of water to save Noah from a wicked world
c. …so in His grace God utilizes water in our salvation through the blood of Jesus!
4. If you have not done so, why not find favor in God’s sight by being baptized for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16)?
5. Then, as we look forward to the coming of the Lord in which He will usher in “the new heavens and new earth”, give special heed to the words of Peter: “Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.” – 2 Peter 3:14
Content by Donald W. Treadway
Return to the Home Page