Christian Walk: A Walk That Pleases God

ILAGAN BAPTIST CHURCH SERMON OUTLINES

Christian Walk: A Walk That Pleases God

Text: I Thessalonians 4:1-18 IBCSS September 9, 2007

Preacher: Pastor Jose B. Cabajar

Few may be aware, but the way we walk in this present world reveals the kind of faith we have in life. Evidently, faith in Christ is a life-changing faith that leads a believer to walk pleasing to God.

Christian walk is a meaningful activity because it points to the Lord Jesus Christ which is the object of Christian faith. We strongly believe that every step a Christian takes is a manifestation of his faith in the Holy One, and that is simply the reason why believers must walk by faith and not by sight.

The believer’s life is also compared to running and it is called the “Christian Race of Life”. In such run, Christians are running, not to compete with one another, but to run with a mission to spread the “Good News” throughout the whole world. Running in this blessed course requires faith and holy living.

In Hebrews 12:1-2, it is written, Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (KJV) These verses remind us of the course we are going through and the kind of life we must live so we may finish our course with joy and pleasing God.

We must bear in mind that the way we handle ourselves in this sin-darkened world is very important. Christ-like life is the kind of life we must live so we may shine for the Savior powerfully. As a direct result, lost souls will be led to the Lord Jesus Christ. In I Thessalonians 4:1, Paul exhorted the believers to walk as they ought to walk so they would please God, and that is also the kind of walk we need today.

(I) Walking In Holiness

I Thessalonians 4:1-5

-Avoid sexual impurities

· Live a holy single life

· Live a holy married life

God wants His children to walk in holiness. The Bible stresses in I Peter 1:15-16, But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (KJV) What a blessing and honor to be associated with God and His holiness. May we respect such privilege and take pleasure in doing it.

Single and married believers must be aware of the power and blessing of purity. Every Christian has an important role and responsibility to demonstrate, protect and preserve the sanctity of marriage because it conveys a significant spiritual message to the world. Be pure and be a powerful messenger of Truth.

(II) Walking Within The Course Of Christian Ethics

I Thessalonians 4:6-8

-Don’t go beyond the framework of decency

A professing Christian who walks in lawlessness and according to his own ways is questionable and he becomes powerless when leading lost souls to Christ. Christianity is always associated with integrity, therefore a believer ought to walk in accordance to Christian ethics. Courtesy should be seen in a Christian life daily.

Be aware of what the Bible says in I Thessalonians 4:7, For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. (KJV) May this passage be our constant reminder of what God wants us to be associated with.

-Don’t take advantage of your brethren

· In any matter

True Christians should deal fairly and not to take advantage of their brethren. In I Thessalonians 4:6, it is written, That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. (KJV) God hates unjust dealings and those who practice such evil deeds will suffer the consequences of their sins.

(III) Walking In Christian Love

I Thessalonians 4:9-10

-Brotherly kindness

-Ever-increasing love

Christians must not grow weary in showing kindness to their brethren; Christian love must not be fading but abounding without guile and hypocrisy.

In I Thessalonians 4:9-10, it is written, But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; (KJV) Christian love should not only be as head knowledge, but a visible act in our daily walk. Let your love be increasing so that the world will see Jesus in you.

(IV) Walking Industriously And Quietly

I Thessalonians 4:11

-Within Bible principles

There are people who speak much about themselves but are doing nothing for the Lord and for others. A careful study on how the Thessalonians neglected their daily works will surely warn us on the danger of getting overly excited about the coming of Christ, to the point of neglecting our domestic responsibility. In I Thessalonians 4:11, it is written, And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; (KJV) We must not overlook the works we ought to do while waiting for the coming of the Lord lest we project a questionable image of Christianity.

Christians should not be associated with slothfulness and with questionable contentment, but with productiveness and God-glorifying success.

(V) Walking Honestly Before The Unbelievers

I Thessalonians 4:12

-Be a living testimony for Christ

Christian life is not a life of vanity and foolishness, but a significant life filled with truth and wisdom. The devil wants to distort the true image of Christianity, and by enticing and manipulating professing Christians into idleness and dishonesty, he could show to the world the false image of Christianity.

Christians must walk circumspectly for the sake of truth. In I Thessalonians 4:12, it says, That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. (KJV) Believers’ dealings with unbelievers must be sincere and without hypocrisy. Walk honestly before the unbelievers and be a light to them so they may be led to the way of truth. Do what is right before God and be a living testimony for Christ.

(VI) Walking In The Path Of Hope

I Thessalonians 4:13-18

-Don’t be ignorant of the hope God has given us

-Comfort others with the hope we have in Christ

The blessed hope that God has given us must be evident through the words we say and the activities we engage in. True believers should not live in ignorance, but be filled with Bible knowledge, understanding and wisdom. Christians should stand firm on their faith in Christ and the Word of God lest they be tossed to and fro by the winds of false teachings.

The Apostle Paul taught the believers in Thessalonica of the certainty of the believers’ resurrection and eternal life. He further reminded them of Christ’s glorious coming, and that they should not remain in ignorance and sorrow, but to comfort one another by the hope they have in Christ.

Our life on earth is so short and the remaining years of our lives should be well-spent for the Lord and for others. In I Thessalonians 4:1, it says, Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. (KJV) God wants us to live a holy life that is pleasing to Him and to shine for Christ more and more.

Back to Sermon Outline Page

Hit Counter

ILAGAN BAPTIST CHURCH