Walking In Christ Means Living According To His Word
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SUMMARY: This episode explores what it truly means to “Walk in Christ,” drawing from Colossians 2:6–7 and related passages to unpack the believer’s identity, position, and daily conduct in relationship with Jesus. The speaker emphasizes the difference between being “in Christ” (our secure spiritual position) and walking “with Christ” (our ongoing fellowship and obedience). Key themes include spiritual growth, sanctification, abiding in Christ, and living a life rooted, built up, and established in the faith.
UNEDITED TRANSCRIPTION: We're going to be looking at the subject of what it is to walk in Christ. And, uh, it's a tremendous subject. And as we can see by the outline, as if you don't have one, you'll get one. And as you see by the outline, there's many verses that we could be looking at, but we want to consider it this evening. The verses that have been given to me to share, and that is in Colossians chapter two. So I invite you to take your Bibles and open them with me to Colossians chapter two, where we will look at verses uh two, uh, chapter two, verses six through seven. And we're going to, um, but I'm going to read because it's on the outline. I'm going to read verses six through fourteen, uh, for us. And then, but we're going to really zero in on and focus on verses six and seven this evening. And, uh, so if you will follow along with me, uh, as we read in Colossians chapter two, verse six, as you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of this world, and not according to Christ. For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And you are complete in him who is the head of all principalities and power. In him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. You being dead in your trespasses and sin, dead in your trespasses, and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he has made alive with him, having given you all, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which is contrary to us. And he has taken it out of the way and have nailed it to the cross. Let's just go ahead and read verse fifteen. Having disarmed principalities and powers, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. So we'll stop there. Now, in these verses that we've read, we see the work of Christ. And and I don't know if you've noticed, I tried to express it, but in the reading. But there's two phrases that are mentioned. One phrase it's mentioned in it's mentioned in verse five, which we didn't read, but it's also mentioned in verse seven in him. And then verse nine in him, verse ten in him, verse eleven in him. And whenever you read this, this expression in him, it's really setting forth for us our position in Christ. It's is our position. It's the fact that God has done this already. Nothing needs to be added to it. It is our position in Christ. It's done. But then when you read this other expression that we mentioned with him, if you notice down in, we saw it down in verse twelve. We were buried with him. Uh, it says that we were raised with him also in verse twelve. And then throughout the rest of Colossians, we're going to see this manner of being with Christ or being identified with Christ. And that expression with Christ is it really has to do with, uh, not with position as much as with identity that we've been identified with Christ, that we have association with Christ, that there's an emphasis on the, the fellowship that we have now with Christ. But we want to focus in on this manner of being in Christ. And tonight, as we think about this manner of walking in Christ, it's walking in the position that we've been brought into. And that's really if we want to give a definition to what this walking in Christ means. I would say that walking in Christ refers to one's position in the spiritual union with Christ. Uh, with Christ is the spiritual. Sorry, let me rephrase this. Walking in Christ refers to one's position spiritual unity, a union with Christ identity, right? And then this idea of with Christ, uh, we have this manner of association. Then when we think about this while we're walking with Christ refers to our, our daily, uh, relationship with Christ, our, our daily communion with Christ, our daily fellowship with Christ, walking with Christ, being raised with Christ, our association being identified with him. And so when we think about this, then we are going to focus in on, uh, living out from the position of walking out from the position that we are in Christ. And so that's going to be the emphasis, uh, in tonight, and that's going to be the emphasis much of tomorrow. And as we think about this, then walking in Christ, I was thinking of a verse in the book of Genesis in chapter thirteen and verse seventeen, when God says to Abraham, because you remember Abraham and lot's servants were arguing. And Abraham said, let not there be strife between us. We are brethren. And Abraham says to lot, listen, you choose. You look over the valley and you choose any direction you want. If you choose this way, I'll go that way. If you choose that way, I'll go this way. So Abraham said to lot, you choose and lot chose towards Sodom. Lot chose toward Sodom and Gomorrah. He moved that direction. And we know that as you trace that through. He looked towards Sodom. Then he walked towards Sodom, and then he was outside of Sodom. And then pretty soon he pitched his tent near Sodom. And then he was in Sodom, in the gates of Sodom. And then he was part of Sodom. And when you get to chapter nineteen, you see God judging Sodom and Gomorrah, and you see God rescuing lot and Abraham. He pleaded with God for lot. But the verse that I want to draw our attention to is after Abraham says to lot, you choose. Then God says to Abraham. Listen, I want to reward you, and here's what I want to give you. He says, Abraham, you walk in the land that I've given you. Go out and walk in it. And that's really what we have in Christ. When we're talking about our walk. We're talking about our conduct. We're talking about our behavior. We're talking about our manner of life. Uh, when we, when Scripture uses this word walk, it's emphasizing our, our daily routines of life, our manner of life, our behavior, our conduct. And so when we think about this, we come then now to this, these two verses, I've been exercised about these two verses since Brother Zachariah, uh, asked me to, uh, think about sharing something tonight. And I've been, I've been exercised with these two verses and these two verses. Really, someone has said that these two verses are the pivotal point of the book of Colossians. And as you think about that, it's the pivotal point because you you have all these indicatives that are mentioned in chapter one and chapter two. Indicative is a fact, something that is true. And now then it's going to turn and he's going to give us imperatives. In fact, in chapter two, verse six is the first imperative that is mentioned in the book of Colossians. And an imperative is a command. It's an instruction. And the instruction or the imperative is to walk in Christ, walk in the land, as it were. And so he is reminding us here. And so I want to just outline a few of the features of this walk that are given to us in these two verses. A couple of features, a few of the features that are mentioned in this walk for us. Now, let me just say that before we get into chapter two, verse six and seven, it's important for us to note that this is not the first time, nor will it be the last time, that the Spirit of God sets out this manner of walk. If you would look back in chapter um, chapter one and verse nine, he says, and this is a prayer of the apostle Paul. And if you want a study, uh, if you want a really good study, study the prayers of the Apostle Paul. Look at how he prayed. If you want to know how you should pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ, look at how Paul prays for his brothers and sisters in Christ. Here in verse nine, he says of chapter one, he says, for this reason we also, since the day we heard it, talking about their salvation, do not cease to pray for you. Now here's what he prays. Number one, in order that you would be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. That's the first thing he prays. That's the first thing Paul mentions. Then the second thing is, in order that you may walk worthy of the Lord, to walk worthy of the Lord. And he and he goes on and elaborates on that to walk worthy of the Lord, being fully pleasing, fully pleasing him. And then thirdly, being fruitful in every good work. Number four, increasing in the knowledge of God. Number five strengthened with all might according to his glorious power. Number six for all patients and long suffering with joy. And then number seven, giving thanks to the father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. Here he mentions seven things that he's praying for these saints. And the the first one is that they would grow in this manner of. That they would be filled with this manner of knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. That's the first starting place for each of us as we begin this journey this weekend together on this manner of being in Christ. The starting place is that we want to be filled. And this word filled is not just filled as we think of a a picture of water filling up a glass, but it's a matter of that. The spiritual, the knowledge of his will, and in all wisdom and spiritual understanding that that would control our lives. That's this word filled. The word fill doesn't just mean to be filled as we think it of that word, but it means to be controlled by. It means that I want the will of God in my life, and I want that will to control me. I want it to motivate me. I want it to guide me through my life. I want it to stir me up and I want it to lead me on. That's this word filled. And he says that's the starting place. Be filled with the knowledge of his will, with all wisdom and spiritual understanding. And then the second thing that is not just so that we get puffed up, but that is so that we might walk worthy of the Lord and be fully pleasing to him. Now, that's sort of where Paul brings us to in this prayer. And as we consider this subject that's before us here in our text. As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him. Now I want to just mention that what we find, the very first thing that I want to set for us in these six different features of the Christian walk that we're going to mention, is that the first one is that we're grounded, that this Christian walk is grounded in a gracious reception. And what I mean by that, a gracious reception is that we have received this gift of God in our life. Notice he says, as you therefore have received Christ. Well, just keep your finger here and just turn to John's gospel, a very well-known verse, but I want you to read it. We could quote it, but I just want you to read it because it says in John chapter one, verse twelve, but as many as received him, this is that gracious reception that we're talking about receiving Christ. He says, as many as received him, to them he gave the right, the authority, the power. Some translations will say he gave them the right to become children of God to those who believe in his name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. So this new birth happens because that we have received the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. And so if and the reason I want to start here with this is because if you've not received Christ, if you are not a child of God, then you cannot walk for the glory of God. And so this is the starting place for each one of us this weekend is we need to examine our own heart and see if we be in Christ. As Paul says at the end of Second Corinthians chapter sixteen. Examine ourselves and see. And if we haven't received this gracious reception. I know that we're children of God. Then I would encourage us tonight that we ask the Lord Jesus Christ to be our Lord and Savior, that we confess with our mouth Jesus is Lord and that we believe in our heart that God has risen from among the dead, and you shall be saved, and you pass from death to life, from judgment to no judgment. You become a child of God, and therefore there's no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus. What is your position if your position is still in Adam and in meaning that you've never come to Christ, then you're still in that first man. But the the last man, the Lord Jesus Christ, is not one you want to be positioned in him. And so we say again tonight, this manner of this gracious reception, have you received Christ as your Lord and Savior. Is he your Christ? The word Christ means anointed. This same Jesus whom they crucified, God has made him both Lord and Christ. That's the one we want to receive. That's the one we want to to bring into our lives and allow him to be Lord of our lives. To receive Christ is to receive him. To receive the Lord Jesus is to receive him as God's anointed. To receive the Lord Jesus is to receive him as our. As our priest, as our advocate. To receive Christ is to receive him as. As we said, Lord of our life, to receive him as the very one who came into this world, not to condemn the world, but that through him the world might be saved. And so to receive Christ is the starting point in this manner of our walk. And there's so many scriptures that would remind us that there are many who reject Christ. There are those. The Bible says he came unto his own, and his own received him not. He came unto the Jewish nation, and they received him not. They said, away with him. The Bible says, he came unto the world, and the world apprehended him not. And I ask you tonight. That's one who's part of that world. Have you been brought to a point where you receive Christ? And so that's the starting point for each one of us this evening. The second point I want us to see from the text is it says, as you therefore have received Christ, not only therefore you, you've received Christ. And by the way, let me just say one more word on that. Receive Christ. Notice it says that you have received Christ. This is past tense in the text. It's past tense. It's something that we do. It's something that has been done for the one who Paul is writing to the believers and he says, you have. And if you haven't, then these two verses are not for you. They can be, they can be. They should be. But you need to receive Christ. So secondly, then he says that the Christian walk is conditioned by the gospel of proportion. Now what do I mean by that? Now you look at the look at the text. It says that as you have received Christ and that expression as you have in the same way that you've received Christ. This is the way that we are to walk in it as you have received Christ. And when we think about that, it would remind us that in the same way, in the same proportions, this is this is based on the indicatives of the gospel. This is based on the facts of the gospel. And the Apostle Paul has set out these facts in chapter one, reminding us of who Christ is. You see these colossian believers, they were being faced with those who would come along and challenge the supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ. They were. They were coming around and saying, the Lord Jesus is not the head of the church. They were coming along and saying that the Lord Jesus Christ was not the Son of God. They were coming along and saying that the Lord Jesus Christ was not the creator of the universe. And if you look in chapter one, verse fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, and eighteen, we find that Paul addresses these very things. And then he says that in all things Christ may have the preeminence. So they were challenging. And Paul was addressing this matter of the supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ. And because of that, then he says to them, as you have received Christ, that's an indicative that reminds us, based on all the facts that Paul lays out in chapter one, he says, as you have received Christ, he says, in the same way, walk in him. Our walk. Our walk flows out of our position. And that's something that we need to really get a hold of or allow it to get a hold of us, is that our walk flows out of the position that we've been brought into through Christ. And so he says in that same way, then he tells us in chapter in chapter four of Ephesians, he says that we are to walk worthy of the calling in which we've been called, that we're to walk worthy of the calling. In the same way we've been called and calling us to do with time. In time he's called us. And now we're to fulfill that calling and walk worthy of that calling. And as I think about that, there's, there's, uh, in Philippians chapter one verse twenty seven, he says there that we're to walk worthy of the gospel. To walk worthy of the gospel, the very gospel that has saved us the very gospel that we heard by faith and we believe and we responded to. And the Spirit of God called us in time that very gospel. Now we're to walk worthy of. He also says in first Thessalonians chapter two verse twelve, he says there that we're to walk worthy of God Himself. What a challenge for believers today. Is our walk worthy of the one who called us. This is what he's saying to each one of us. So in the same way that we've been called, in the same way that we've been brought into this relationship, in the same way that we've received Christ walk. Let it flow out of that position and walk in Christ. This is what he's saying to us. And as we think about that, then, uh, just a couple more verses. Turn with me. Keep your finger here. We're coming back, but turn with me to Romans chapter six just to remind us of this, what we've been saying in Romans chapter six. And first of all, in verse four, therefore we've been buried with him through baptism into death, that just as in the same way, in the same manner, just as Christ was raised from among the dead by the glory of the father, even so we also should walk in the newness of life. See, that's what we're talking about. Walking in the newness of the life that we've been given, as we've been positioned in Christ, in all the work that Christ has done. And I walk in the newness of that life. Look, if you would, at Romans chapter six and verse eleven and twelve, where he says, likewise, here it is again, likewise, or in the same manner, likewise coming, flowing out of this position. Likewise you also reckon yourself dead indeed to sin. You want victory in your Christian life. This is it. You have to reckon yourself dead. I remember an older brother once. I thought I offended him and I went to him and I said, dear brother, I need to apologise to you. He said, for what? I said because I think I offended you. And he said, my dear son. He said, you cannot offend a dead man. And I died with Christ. And that man who used to get offended is dead. So whatever you think you've done, I forgive you. And that's as far as it went. That brother was walking in the newness of life. And that's what it flows. Look at what the verse continues to say. Likewise, you also reckon yourself dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. He connects us and, and we, we probably most of us in this room know this, but I'll just mention it. When you see Jesus Christ on the pages of Scripture and you see the word Jesus Christ, it's referring to that man as he walked here in this scene. His name shall be called Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins. Jesus Christ. But when you see the name Christ Jesus, it's pointing us to that man in the glory where he is now. And we're connected to him now, where he is the man in the glory. This same Jesus whom you crucified, God has made him both Lord and Christ. Where he is now said, here at my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. He is the Christ, and he's Christ Jesus our Lord. But look then at verse twelve therefore, therefore, because of that fact, because of that truth, therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey its lust, and do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present your body. Present yourself to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law, but under grace. And we could spend a lot more time there in that passage, but we have the gist of it here. And so the strength to walk out our position is by recognizing our position in Christ is that we died with Christ. We were buried with Christ. We've risen with Christ. And in that position now and from that position, we conduct our lives, we conduct our behavior, we conduct our our entire being because of our position. And so someone has said that this really is the key. You know, this is the key to this manner of obedience in our life. You remember in first John chapter five verse three, where we read that his commandments are not burdensome? Have you ever wondered what that means? His commandments are not burdensome. Why? Because we're not trying to obey them. We are obeying them from the position in which we live. His commandments are not burdensome. He said, come unto me, all ye that are weary and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. And then as you finish that verse, you see that that is in keeping with what we read in First John chapter five, verse three. It keeps us from False. This false teaching, it keeps us from legality in our life. When you read those verses in the rest of chapter two of Colossians, you see he says, for example, in verse eighteen, he says, let no one cheat you of your of your reward. Taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which which he has not seen vainly puffed up by, by his fleshly mind. He says a little bit later that these. Therefore. Verse twenty therefore, if you died with Christ, he's coming back to this. If you died with Christ from the basic principles of this world, why do you. Why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourself to regulations? You see, those false teachers were trying to heap upon the Christians in Colossae this manner of regulation. And Paul is saying, listen, you died with Christ. And living out the imperative of walking with Christ is not about being it, it being burdensome. It's about enjoying the liberty and the freedom that comes in. Our identification with the one who died, died for us upon the cross, was buried and rose again. And it's from that position that we live our life. It's that's the proportion that we are talking about. The Christian walk is conditioned by the gospel proportion by the truth of the gospel. The third thing I want to point out in this verse in these verses, notice this he says, as you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him. And then in verse seven. Rooted and built up in him and established in the faith. Let's just stop there. The third little point that we want to make is that the Christian walk, the Christian walk is founded on the the object or the the objective of union with Christ. And it says, having been rooted, this little word had. Or being where it says in the new King James it just says rooted. But really it is a word. It. It really has the idea in the original that having been rooted. It's something that is already done. But let's ask the question who did it? Who rooted us? Well, when we looked at this verse, we find that it's in the passive verb. What is a passive verb mean? A passive verb is a verb that says, you didn't do it. You didn't root yourself in Christ. You were routed by someone else. Who was it that routed us? It was God who routed us in Christ. It was the Lord Jesus Christ in his finished work on Calvary's cross. And I put my faith in that work. And now I'm routed, having been routed. It's past tense. It should be past tense. If you look it up in the Greek, you'll see that it is past tense and it's in him. And so this tells us it wasn't done. This manner of routing, routing me wasn't me doing it. It was Christ doing it. And this is such an important point. It reminds us of when we talk about being rooted. It reminds us of what we read in John chapter fifteen where he says in verse three, you are already clean, because the word which I have spoken to you abide in me. As one who's clean. In other words, one who saved. Abide in me, and I in you. And as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. He who abides in me and I in him bears much fruit. For without me you can do nothing. We can't do anything. But it's acknowledging the position which we've been brought into. And the fact that we've been routed and they're in, uh, in, uh, John fifteen. It has the idea that we've been grafted or if I could borrow from Colossians, we've been rooted in Christ. That's our position. We've been rooted in Christ. This is what he has done for each one of us. And so when we think about this, just as a tree draws its strength and its life from the roots. So you and I are drawn, uh, we draw our strength, we draw our stability, we draw our substance from him who has rooted us. And our roots are to go down. And in fact, in the book of Colossians, let me just share this with you in the book of Colossians. If you just turn back to chapter one for a second in the book of Colossians, chapter one. What you learn here in chapter one, uh, we find that this, uh, our spiritual roots in Colossians chapter one, he says be verse five, verse five, Colossians one five, because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, which you heard before the word of truth, the gospel which has come to you as you have also in the world, and bringing forth fruit as it also is among you. And what we're learning here in the book of Colossians, our roots are in heaven, and our fruit is to be seen here on earth. We're rooted in heaven, in Christ. And our fruit is to be here in this scene for the glory of God. That's the walk in Christ that we are to walk worthy of. That's the life that you and I are to display fruit. Our roots are in heaven. Think of an upside down tree. The roots are in heaven and the fruit is here on the earth. And that's what he's desiring for my life to be. My, my substance, the fruit, my stability and strength. Is anchored in Christ. And without him I can do nothing. I can't live this life. I can't walk in Christ. And this life of walking in Christ unless I'm abiding in him. We know what the word abiding means, right? It just simply means staying close. It means to hover in. It means to abide, to stay close to Christ. How important this is in our Christian life. And as we think about that, what will happen then? To borrow from Ephesians chapter four in verse fourteen, what will happen is that we'll be rooted and grounded in Christ, and we're not going to we'll be anchored in Christ, and we're not going to be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, by everything that comes along down the pike, is we're not going to buy into it just because somebody sounds good. No, what we're going to do is we're going to search the scriptures and see if these things be so. And because we're rooted in Christ and we have the Spirit of God living in us, the Spirit of God will tell us, the Spirit of God will will show us. This is not right. One time I was looking up some stuff on the on the internet and and I was scrolling down and I, I hit this one site that I didn't know what the site was. I just hit it because I like the, the title. It sounded good. And I started reading and I got about halfway down the page and the Spirit of God in me said, wait a minute, you better find out who wrote this. So I scrolled down to the bottom and I saw that that I don't want anything from these people because I saw that it was Jehovah's Witness. And I said, how in the world did I get here? And I jumped out as quick as I could because that wouldn't have been walking in Christ. That's not abiding in Christ. That's not going to bring fruit. Which glass? And by the way, coming back to John fifteen, just for a moment, what kind of fruit do we want? He says that if we abide in Christ, the kind of fruit that we're going to have is we're going to have fruit that he says, you're going to bear fruit. Then he says, you're going to bear more fruit than you're going to bear much fruit. Then you're going to bear fruit that remains. That's the kind of fruit I want in my Christian life. I want fruit that remains. I want fruit that's not going to fade away. Fruit that is truly for the glory of God. That at the judgment seat of Christ, my Lord and Saviour, my master will say to me, well done, good and faithful servant. That's fruit that remains. And it's not about me. It's about what is in it for his glory. And so we come back then to the fourth point in our text. Come back to the text as you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him. Rooted having been rooted is the thought and built up in him and established in faith. And here we have been rooted in Christ, but we are being built up. That's the expression in the original. And so when we look at that, then being built up and established, these are things that go on that have been rooted is past tense. But here he is saying that we are currently right now as we're walking in Christ, we're being built up and we are being established. And this indicates to us that our Certification. This is talking about this ongoing work of the Spirit of God in my life, setting me apart for the glory of God. Now, positionally, as we've already said, we've been set apart. We've already been set apart positionally. But now he's talking about the practice, the practical side of that sanctification. So he says here, this sanctification begins. And I would just say it this way sanctification begins at our. The moment we are justified. Our our sanctification begins at our justification. And it's an ongoing work of the Spirit of God in our life. It continues. It is. Some people like to call it progressive. Some people like to call it practical, but it's the ongoing work of Christ. Look over in Colossians chapter three for a moment. Colossians chapter three, he says, do not lie. Verse nine, do not lie to one another, since since you have put off the old man with his deeds. So it's position and have put on the new man. Verse ten, who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of him who created him. So this manner of sanctification in our life has to do with the renewing. We read it in in Romans chapter twelve, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. And so this manner of renewing has to do with me getting in this book and this book getting in me and changing my thinking, changing my life. This all has to do with being not only having been rooted, but being built up and established. It's a work of the sanctification of the Spirit of God in my life. And as we think about that, how does that happen? I want to just show you one more place where we read of how that happens in second Corinthians, chapter three, second Corinthians, chapter three, second Corinthians, chapter three, it says, but we all, every believer, it wasn't just that he's from the South and he says, we all. Okay. He's talking about every single believer, every believer. We all with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord. What happens when we behold the glory of the Lord? What happens? There's a work of the Spirit of God in this practical sanctification. Every time I'm in this word. Every time I'm in the Word of God. The Spirit of God takes the Word of God and transforms the child of God so that he might bring glory to God in his life. And that's what we're talking about here. And he says it this way, we all with unveiled faith, meaning there's no hindrances, beholding the glory of the Lord. And what happens, we are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the spirit of the Lord, from one degree of glory to the next degree of glory, to the next degree of glory, to the next degree of glory. It's an ongoing work of the Spirit of God in my life. And as the Spirit of God points us to the person and work of Christ, which is what his function is, his function is never to draw attention to himself. The Spirit of God, according to John chapter sixteen, is a function is to take the things of Christ and present them to us, and make him so precious to our hearts. Just as we sang that the Lord Jesus was precious to the father, well, he's to be precious to us. And that's the work of the Spirit of God to drive that home in our life. Look at on our way back to our text, look at Ephesians chapter two just for a moment, because there we see this, this other idea of Paul is using this, this metaphor of building as he does here in Ephesians chapter two, verse nineteen and twenty therefore you're no longer citizens or strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God having been built on the foundation of the apostles and doctrine. The the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. This idea of the. The. The building metaphor that Paul uses in First Corinthians chapter three. He uses it again. This. This manner of the foundation. The foundation has been laid. Christ is that foundation. And we want to build on that foundation in our lives. And so when we think about this, then this the walk in Christ grows by the progressive transformation. That's point number four. If you're keeping notes, it grows by progressive transformation, then point number five. A walk in Christ holds fast. Now get this a walk in Christ. Walking in Christ. According to the text. I got to get back to the text. Hang on. Colossians. Let's read it. Colossians chapter two where it says, as you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith. Can I just say a word about that? The faith. Now, he's not talking about your faith. He's talking about the faith. When the scriptures use the faith, it's talking about the entire body of truth that we've been given, the faith that we have in Christ Jesus. And he says, as you have been taught, that line right there, as you have been taught. So walking in Christ holds fast to the traditions that you've been taught. Now, when we use that word traditions, there's two ways to use it. And there's two ways Scripture uses it. Scripture uses it. The traditions of men and Scripture uses it, the traditions of God. And we're talking about right now the traditions of God, what God has laid out in His Word for us. And he says here, uh, it's an interesting expression, he says. Just as you were instructed. This is why Paul tells Timothy and second Timothy, just going to read that verse for us. In second Timothy chapter two, verse fifteen, Paul tells Timothy there, be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Cutting a straight line with the word of truth. How important it is that you and I search the scriptures to see if these things be true. Don't take the preacher's word for it. Study the scriptures to see if these things be true. We all need to be good Bereans in acts chapter eleven where they said they heard Paul speak. They heard the Apostle Paul speak. But then what did they do? They left Paul and they went home to search out these things to see if they be true. And that's what we want to do. We want to rightly divide y, y rightly divide the word of truth. I'm glad you asked. In second Timothy chapter three, verse fifteen, I'll start reading at verse fourteen. Second Timothy three fourteen. Paul tells Timothy again, but you must continue in the things which you have learned and have been assured of knowing from whom you've learned them. That from a child you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture, all Scripture, All scripture. Old Testament, new Testament, all Scripture is given by inspiration, meaning that it's God breathed. God breathed into those holy prophets of old. Second Peter chapter one tells us this, that it was God who breathed into them as they were instructed, and they wrote, All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and it's profitable for doctrine. What is that teaching? It's profitable for doctrine. Doctrine shows us what's right, but it's also profitable for reproof. That tells us when we've gone wrong. But it's also profitable not only for doctrine, for reproof. When we go wrong, it tells us how to get right again. For correction. And then it teaches us the why reason Scripture is so important is because it teaches us not only what's right, not only when we go wrong, not only how to get right again, but how to stay right. And that's what he says. He says, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, in order that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Now we're prepared. And so he says, here, hold fast, hold fast. You know, notice this word. Go back to verse six again of Colossians two, verse six of Colossians two. Let me just show you something where he says, As you have, as you therefore have received that little word received. Okay. There's a verse in, uh, in First Thessalonians where Paul says, sorry, in second Thessalonians chapter three, verse six, where Paul says uses that same word receive. It's the exact same word in the Greek. And he says, as you have received the traditions of the apostles, as you have received the traditions of the apostles. And so this manner of receiving, we want to receive that which is of God. And we've already learned how to do that by searching the scriptures to see if these things be so. We receive that which is from God, and then we rightly divide the word of truth, And we continue on in those things that we've been given. As the older brethren have passed them down to us, we continue on in them. There's also the traditions of men that Scripture talks about, and we need to be always on our guard about, is this the tradition of God, or is this a tradition of men? Is this something that's been passed down to us that we've received from those that have gone before? Or is it just tradition of men that's been passed down? The only way we're going to know that is if we get in this book. And so it's very important for us. And the last characteristic that I want to just bring out quickly is this. As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, being rooted, having been rooted and being built up in him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. This last point, point number six, is that the Christian walk abounds in humble Thanksgiving. You know, something that's lacking in the world that we live in is a thankful heart. Isn't that true? Do you know how much difference you can make in somebody's life? When you go into the grocery store, smile at the clerk and just say, thank you. Have a nice day. Just say thank you. You changed your lives. I could tell you of an incident where I experienced that myself. This is the only. Let me say it this way. This is the only out of these verses that we just looked at chapter two, verse six and seven in this verse, with all of the imperatives that are here and all the things that we've been instructed, all the verbs that have been used, this is the only one that is used in the active voice, meaning that everything else God does in our lives, and you and I are to be actively giving thanks. We're to be actively lifting our voices in Thanksgiving and giving thanks. Now, I might say two things. One. First Thessalonians five tells us in everything give thanks. Well, that's a pretty tall order. In everything give thanks. Are you ready? In Ephesians it says, for everything give thanks. For everything, give thanks. How do we do that? For everything. Everything in my life, the good and the not so good. The things I can rejoice in. And even those things that hurt. How do we do that? How do we give thanks for those things that are painful? In the book of Ephesians, it's seeing things from God's perspective. We're seated in the heavenlies and we're looking down from his perspective. And the only way you and I can give thanks for everything is It's to see things from his perspective and to surrender to his perspective. I'll just share this with you. I'll just be transparent. In nineteen ninety three, my wife. Of five years, we've only been married for five years. Had an asthma attack. She was two weeks from giving birth to our child. To our third child, a little girl. Her name was Lydia. It's my favorite name, Lydia. And my wife had a. Heidi had an asthma attack, and the Lord took her home. I couldn't give thanks for that. I couldn't give thanks for that. I was the brethren sent me to Australia, New Zealand, to sort of be on the back side of the world. And I was in a place called Rotorua. It was a Bible camp there. And the administrator of the camp, his wife, came to me and said, why don't I take your two boys today, and why don't you just stay here by yourself? I said okay, and Brothers and Sisters was at that time that I struggled. I wept, I cried. I want you to lose faith in me, but I screamed. I looked up. I said why? I was in so much pain. And I opened my Bible in Ephesians and I saw give thanks for everything. I said, oh God, I can't do that. I cannot do that. But I'm here to tell you, brothers and sisters, the most liberating thing is when you learn to give thanks for that thing that hurts the most. And it was at that time I bowed before God, and I gave thanks That my wife was in his presence. And I gave thanks for that little baby that I held in the hospital that was already gone, that that little baby was in the presence of the Lord. And I gave thanks to God in his all infinite wisdom. He knows what he's doing. His ways are higher than our ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are his ways higher than our ways. But his ways are perfect. Scripture says, and I trusted, and I said, Lord, I don't have the gate. If this is the path you want me to walk, I don't have the grace to walk it. But Lord, give me that grace as you gave it to the apostle Paul, and you said, my grace is sufficient, I need that. And I had an overwhelming flood in my heart, and I was set free of this burden and I was able to give thanks. I'm not sharing this so that. You hear me? And what God did for me, I'm sharing this. So you know that when I say give thanks for everything. That it's not just flippantly coming off my lips, but it's out of deep exercise. When we learn to give thanks, when we allow the Spirit of God to bring us to this place in our walk where we can give thanks, it says in the in our text, Abounding in it in this Christian walk, abounding in it in our faith, abounding in it with thanks giving. This word abounding means overflowing. It has the idea of a river bank overflowing, its banks overflowing, abounding in thanksgiving. This world knows nothing about Thanksgiving, really. But when the Christian. When the believer. When one who's walking in Christ is fulfilling these features that we saw before us tonight, and the last one abounding in it with Thanksgiving. That's a walk that can glorify God. That's a walk That's walking worthy of the gospel. A walk that's walking worthy of God. A walk that is walking worthy of the calling in which we've been called. So brothers and sisters, as we contemplate these things, and as we are going to spend the rest of the weekend together looking at what it is to walk in the light and what it is to walk in love, and what it is to walk in in a way that pleases God. May the Spirit of God speak to each one of our hearts tonight. May it begin right now before we even walk out of this door. May we allow before the hustle and bustle of the evening. May we allow the Spirit of God. To speak to us and the quietness of the moment. And just ask yourself, have I been walking in Christ? AM I walking out of the position that I've been placed into? AM I walking in a way that will bring glory to God? I'm walking in a selfish way. I'm walking in a according to the flesh and the deeds of the flesh. How am I walking? Allow the Spirit of God tonight before we get moving. Just allow the Spirit of God to speak to your heart and your conscience. For the glory of God. Amen. Not often. I am speaking in Arabic now. That's why I need help. Uh. I will share with simple idea about many expressions we hear in this evil, in Christ, with Christ. He is in us and also how we receive him. This is my thoughts, but I need someone to help me to speak fluently in Arabic. That, uh. That's fine brother, please. I know Brother Miguel, but I feel some difficulty in execution of. That's why. If you please. Allah. Allah. The Word of God is typified in the scripture with many types of food. Uh, solid food, solid food. Uh, uh, the milk of the word. Lassep and honey for a. Solid food is for the mature. Who. Because of repetitions and training, they've developed the senses to know what is good and what is evil. But the milk is for the children. And Nana. And I see that we are in different stages today or tonight. For banana. So among us who began their faith journey? Just a few, um, a little while ago. They need some milk. And the honey gives energy. And. Whether we are young or old, we need energy. And we get this energy from the Word of God. And you also need the milk. As children growing up early in our journey. And we also need the. I my words tonight is just a few words. Um, the milk of the word. What does it mean to receive Christ? If you look. In Luke ten thirty eight. We hear of a woman called Martha who received the Lord at her house. What does it mean that she received her him in her house? Yassir. In simplicity she saw him walking in front of her house. So she opened her house in about a minute. And she probably held him tight. She felt her need for him. And that is. That's what it means by we receive Christ. We now hear of him or we read of him. I feel my need for him, and I welcome him to come inside. But in Colossians two six it says, um, let me open it. Therefore, as you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord. Added the important word in this verse, the Lord. I say it as in the master. So I don't just receive him as, um Jesus who loves the children. But I receive him as the Lord, the master. Who I am. Who I ought to respect and obey. When Salma and have a relationship with him. Mariosuper. And this gets me to the word with Christ or with Jesus. For. This word with Jesus means that we are in fellowship with him. We walk together. We talk together. And. The first person in the scripture that we read that he walked with God is Enoch. He walked many years with God. Um, I like imagination. The Lord gave us a brain so that we can use imagination. So I imagine that Enoch was walking every day with the Lord. He walks and talks with him. and the Lord talks back to him. He declares to him his thoughts were. With the Lord, his deeds. And this is what we need as we walk with the Lord these days. We have to give him our ears and hear his words. Um, sorry. We most of us walk with the Lord nowadays so that we can declare our needs to him. But we also need to listen to him. This requires training. And this is personal for all of us. Every one of us can understand the voice of the Lord differently. Than a. Man. So in summary, with him is talks of fellowship with him, walking with him. But in him has him as yet. This is a responsibility as the Lord in us is a privilege. The Lord in us is the hope of glory. He has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heaven because we are in him. Every time we read about the term in him, we speak of our privileges. But the Lord in us is a responsibility for us. In our dealings in my dealing with people. Do they see the Lord in me? Sometimes I'm careful that the Lord is seen during the meeting. What about home? What about work? In every place. We ought to manifest that Lord is in us. And. Johanna in Johanna. If anything, I will just try and also meditate a few on the verse that we read from John one. To his own. He came, and his own received him not. But all those who have received him. Here he doesn't talk about a single person, but the doors have been wide open to all who have received him. All who have listened to all who have read about him and have received him, welcomed him. And would ask him to come inside his life. He will become a child of God. Allah. But what does it mean that it's not born out of flesh or born out of the will of man? Um. What does that mean? When it says not of blood means not of natural birth and. It is not a must that a believing father and mother. All of a sudden their children become believers. And when it says not of flesh, that does it. It means that not because you desire it or you. Um. Not not out of your effort. Yes. Uh, when I'm in trouble and not of the will of men. What does that mean? You meet with somebody and somebody tells you, pray for me so I might be saved. And of all the godly men in the world meant for a prayer for a single person that you must be saved. They cannot do that of themselves. It is a divine work. The Spirit of God, um works with this person well. And the Word of God reaches in his depth. And he would feel how dangerous the situation is. And he believes that the Lord Jesus can fix him and deliver him out of his sin in this situation. And in that moment, he becomes a child of God. This is the gospel in its glory, but its simplicity as well. Amen.
