Walk in Love…  (3 things)

• 1^st – Follow the example of Love… vs. 1-2
  • We are the beloved children of God – so we should act like it… vs. 1
    • If we say we are the children of God – but we look and act just like the world – problem…
      • We can say all the right things to sound like a Christian – come to church every Sunday…
      • But it is not about what we say – it is about the actions from our lives…
      • If we are the children of God – then our lives should reflect that truth…
      • We should be following after God – doing those things that show we are His kids!
    • Because we love our kids – we tend to be very protective on whom they hang out with…
      • We know too well – I Corinthians 15:33 – “Bad company corrupts good character.”
      • In the same way God wants us to be careful whom we spend time with…
      • If we ‘hang out’ with the wrong crowd – we are going to be negatively influenced…
      • Be very careful where you allow yourself to go – who you are identified with…
      • Choose VERY wisely whom you spend time with – we will become just like them!
  • God wants us to follow the example of Jesus…  vs. 2
    • Jesus lived a life filled with love – He loved us so much He died to save us…
    • His sacrifice was a ‘sweet smelling aroma’ and was pleasing to God…
    • As we spend time with Jesus – then we will begin to follow His example…
    • Not living a selfish self-centered life – but giving our lives as a sacrifice to God…
    • Choosing to live in a way that others might be able to see the Love of God in us…
    • II Corinthians 2:15 – “Our lives… a fragrance presented by Christ to God…”
      
• 2^nd – What Love looks like… vs. 3-14
  • The walk of love is the opposite of the walk of the world… vs. 1-7
    • Love does not live in sexual immorality / uncleanness…
      • Hebrews 13:4 – God intends intimate relationships to be only for marriage…
      • Any sexual relationship outside of marriage – is considered sexual immorality…
      • If we partake in sexual sin – we are not alone – Jesus is with us – I Corinthians 6:15…
      • How comfortable would you be sinning – if you realized Jesus was right next to you…
      • A life that is dominated by sexual sin – is a sign of a man who does not know God!
      • I Thessalonians 4:3 – “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality.”
    • Love does not live in greed – which is idolatry…
      • Because those who are greedy worship the things of this world rather than God…
      • The love of money – desire for stuff – only get us into trouble – I Timothy 6:9-10
      • If we desire more money – we are missing the greatest riches of all – Jesus!
      • We cannot dedicate our lives to money and possessions – and to loving Jesus…
      • We waste our life on possessions that do not last – rather than on eternal rewards!

• Instead be content with food and clothing – I Timothy 6:8 / our wages – Luke 3:14…
• Hebrews 13:5 – “Do not covet – be content with such things as you have.”

• We learn to be content as we experience that nothing in life satisfies us but Jesus!
• Philippians 4:11 – “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content…”

• Love does not fill your speech with sexual jokes / cursing…
  • Telling ‘green jokes’ – sexual humor to try and get a laugh…
  • Cursing – using swear words / or using the name of God in vain…
  • We need to be very careful what we say – the hurtful words we speak…
  • Because we will have to answer one day for every idle word – Matthew 12:36
• Those who do these things make excuses for them – but do not be fooled…
  • People who do not know Jesus – make all kind of excuses for their actions / words…
    • We will get married one day / I cannot go to church I need to make more money…
    • I did not mean what I said – I was just kidding – do not take it seriously…
  • Do not join in with them – because those who do these things will not go to heaven…
    • Instead the wrath of God will come upon those that practice these things!
    • Not to say that we never sin – but those who practice these things…
    • As believers – if we sin – there should be remorse – confession – repentance…
    • If there is no remorse – no repentance for sin – there is good reason for concern…
    • We cannot say we are saved and continue to live in unrepentant sin!
    • I John 3:9 – “When people keep on sinning, it shows they belong to the Devil…”
• Whose who walk in love are full of light… vs. 8-14
  • We used to be like the world – full of darkness… vs. 8-9
    • Now that we know how to live – our lives should show we are the children of light…
    • For the fruit of the Spirit is seen in goodness / righteousness / and truth!
    • We need to test ourselves – to see what kind of fruit is growing on our branches…
    • If we are still acting like (or worse) than the world around us – where is Jesus…
    • If you are wondering where your walk with the Lord is – examine yourself…
    • Stand in the light of Christ and be honest about the sin in your life…
    • I John 1:7 – “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
  • We should seek to find out what is pleasing to the Lord… vs. 10, 17
    • Do not just go through life thoughtlessly – think about how to serve the Lord…
    • If you begin a new job – you can just do whatever you want – thoughtlessly…
    • But chances are your boss has expectations of you – things he wants you to do…
    • And if you ignore him / you are likely going to upset him and get fired!
    • Better to start learning about your new boss – to try and make them happy…
    • Take the time to figure out what you can do to please those we you working for!
    • In the same way we should make it our missions in life to learn how to please Jesus…
    • God has expectations of us – there are thing that He desires from our lives…
    • Do not ignore Him – or your will end up living your life in a way that displeases Him!
    • Take the time to get to know the Lord – find out what He desires from our lives…
    • Make need to make it our mission in life to learn about Jesus / His Word…
    • So that we can make sure to please the Lord will our lives!
  • Instead of going along with those who sin – rebuke them / expose them… vs. 11-13
    • We are not talking about avoiding people who do not know Jesus…
      • We need to be interacting with those who do not know Jesus…
      • If we are not out in the world – we cannot show the world the hope of Jesus!
      • But though we are in the world – we should not be like the world – John 17:15
    • Because the things they do in secret are shameful to even talk about…
      • Instead we shine the light on their deeds so they can see how evil they really are!
      • The pictures we look at – that would never want anyone to know we have…
      • The secret sin in our heart stored away where we think no one will notice…
      • Like a cockroach that will only come out in the dark – but runs at the light…
      • Shine the light of the Word on it – confront sin in the lives of others…
      • Better to face consequences now – and learn not to sin…
      • Than to live in sin – never have anyone correct us – then end up in hell…
  • Wake up! Stand up for Jesus and let His light shine through your life… vs. 14
    • Many people ‘sleep walk’ through life – living life with no thought of tomorrow…
    • Romans 13:11 – “Another reason for right living is that you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for the coming of our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”

• Some who do not know about the Gospel – to our shame – I Corinthians 15:34…
• Rather than going along with those who are a bad example…
• Stop sinning – and start telling them about the Good News of Jesus…
  
• 3^rd – How to walk in Love… vs. 15-21
  • Be careful how you live – make the most of every opportunity to do good… vs. 15-16
    • Do not waste a single moment – because we live in evil days…
    • We tend to fill our days with things that in the end – mean absolutely nothing…
    • We ‘waste’ our time ‘foolishly’ on being mindlessly entertained by TV / games…
    • When there is a world full of people who do not know Jesus – a world going to hell…
    • Seize the moment – use every day – to tell people about Jesus Christ!
  • Do not be drunk with wine – instead be filled with the Spirit… vs. vs. 18
    • If you are in the habit of getting drunk – stop it!
      • The Bible does not say you cannot drink- it does say it is sin to be drunk…
      • When full of alcohol you will do things you will regret (and not remember)…
      • So many men try and live by the ‘power’ of alcohol – to get through the day…
      • Many drink to forget how terrible life is – but it makes you bitter in the end…
      • The moment they sober up – the reality of their poor choice is there to greet them!
      • Because the alcohol has no power to change their lives!
    • Does that mean should never drink / even a little – do what the Holy Spirit says…
      • Can you drink – wrong question – should you drink – right question…
      • I can drink all I want – I just do not want to drink…
      • As with all things – pray and ask the Lord if He wants you drink…
      • If you can drink with a clean conscience – then no problem…
      • If the Spirit is convicting you of drinking – ask Him to take away the desire to drink…
      • Romans 14:23 – “…for whatever is not from faith is sin.”
• Make a wise choice – I Corinthians 6:12…
  • Perhaps we enjoy an occasional drink – is that sin – not in of itself…

• But the question is can we stop – who is in control – are we or the habit…
• If we are no longer the ones in control of our ‘freedom’ – it is no longer good…
• If we want to stop – but cannot – then we are not longer in control of our lives…

The walk of Love – powered by the Spirit – shining with the light of Jesus Christ!

You never hear someone say – ‘my life is so much better because I drink.’

In contrast many have said – ‘my life is much better since I stopped drinking.’

Instead of drinking – be constantly filled with the Holy Spirit!

Not just once – but over and over and over again for – asking for the Holy Spirit

Luke 11:13 -“Your heavenly Father [will] give the Holy Spirit to those who ask…”

Instead of being filled with alcohol – much better to be filled with the Holy Sprit!

We will receive the Power of God to be able to ‘walk in love’!

When you are full of the Spirit you will do great things for God that never fade!

Rather than sitting down at the drinking table – sit down to a Bible study…

Then we will sing psalms and hymns giving thanks to the Lord… vs. 19-20

So often in life – we forget to be thankful for all God has done for us – given to us…

We tend to think about what we think we still need – but really just ‘want’…

If it was a need God would provide – Luke 12:31 – if we don’t have it – don’t need it!

We overlook the simple things – food / clothing / family / a home / our health…

But God calls us to be thankful for all things – for all God has done for us – every day!

Looking at what He has giving us – not what we think we still need…

I Thessalonians 5:18 – “No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

The result of being filled with the Spirit – is we are full of thankfulness…

We walk around praising the Lord – a Psalm/song on our heart (or hymn)…

Because we have the right perspective – looking to follow the example of Jesus…