The Christian Journey - The Walk

This Series = "The Christian Journey" - focus = from spiritual birth to physical death.

Last week = the Call - (the Divine summons)
Today = The Christian Walk

 "Walk" used figuratively of actions, lifestyle, behavior

Eph. 4:1 - in various versions.  Amplified Bible = "I therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to and beg you to walk (lead a life) worthy of the divine calling to which you have been called - with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God's service."
This is a hinge verse in the book of Ephesians.  Hinges the theological with the practical.
Note:  He calls us by name!  This is AWESOME!!

Gen. 17:1 (to Abraham) - "before" = in my Presence, in my View  - I'm watching.

Deut. 5:32-33 - "walk" and "way" = companion words.  way - this path.

1 Kings 9:4 (to Solomon) - walk = much more than actions; includes heart, attitude.  God is concerned about the inside as well as the outside.

Jer. 6:16 - "consider, decide, act"

Hosea 14:9  (closing words) - righteous find good solid pavement.  The fool stumbles on the same pavement.

The usage was so common and lead to the early church being called "THE WAY".  Acts 9:1-2
This is the path, this is how we walk, the way we walk.

Col. 3:7-8 = new, different, definitive, visible (observable) - supposed to change paths and the change should be visible.

1 John 2:6 - " as Jesus walked" - whoever claims this must walk as Jesus walked.

Obviously too much material for 1 sermon, so

SOME OBSERVATIONS:

#1.  Your Walk is incredibly important.  The bulk of scripture = A) exhorting us to walk well, and B) instructing 'how to walk'
Example:  "HOW TO WALK" LIST - not at all a complete list of some Biblical descriptions
a) faithfully
b) honestly
c) uprightly
d) steadfastly
e) in obedience
f) circumspectly
g) in the Name of the Lord
h) in the fear of the Lord
i) according to His Word (s)

#2.  Your profession bears little weight without a corresponding walk.  James 2:14-18
What we believe should have an effect on our life.  Not believable without deeds, actions, obedience.

#3.  The Christian Walk is practical, practice-able.
Example:  John the Baptist - Luke 3:12-14 - should be something we can do.

#4.  (obviously All Christians will have a similar walk  - but - Specific Walks  will Vary.
Examples:  "Lord, how am I to walk as a teacher? logger? chicken farmer? executive? plumber?, etc.'
Psalm 25:12

#5.  Your WALK (Journey) consists of daily walks!  on one hand, keep the whole journey in view, however, focus on today's walk!!  - day to day journey.

#6.  Companions matter!!  (M.A.D. - make a difference) - this walk is no lone thing.  friends? spouse? teachers? children? - Prov. 27:17, 13:20 - this doesn't mean can't work with or associate with unsaved people on occasion, but be careful of daily, long term associations.

And, while on the one hand "companions matter", on the other hand,

#7.  The Christian walk is designed to be self-correcting.  - example:  a self-guided missile.  may get off course many times as it heads to the target, but when locked in, it will correct course repeatedly until the target is engaged.
You will deviate, you will wander, but you have the Word to correct yourself.

We close where we started:  Eph. 4:1 - It is every Christian's decision to repeatedly correct and get back in the path.