Sermon Outline: Walk Like John

For this message I will just be using the Holy Scriptures presented below as led by the Holy Spirit. However, for the sake of actual new content for publication, on here I will briefly (I will try to be brief) comment on each passage.

I. Lean - John 13:25 “He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?”

We see that John had a wonderful place in the reclining positions at the Last Supper. He was next to Christ and was able to lean his head against Him. Imagine yourself doing that.

However, because Christ has ascended and His Holy Spirit has been outpoured, His fulness is available to all who truly trust in Him. It is up to us how close we spiritually we want to be to Christ. Determine to lean near His heart.

Let us get into the practice of not relying upon the government, others or our own selves, but fully depend upon God through Christ. This principle of John 13:25 calls to my mind Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in YHWH with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”  In so doing, we will find direction, discernment, and security in Him.

II. Learn - Acts 4:13 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took note of them that they had been with Jesus.”

There is nothing like sitting at the feet of Christ each day, learning of Him and His gracious ways through His Word and being taught in the school of the Holy Spirit as we go about our daily lives. God is the best teacher, for it is written in Psalm 119:99, “I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.”

A great thing about being in God’s school is that His textbook, the Holy Bible, is true and does not change.

III. Labor – Luke 22:8 ”And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the Passover, that we may eat.”

Of course, John did many more things than that, but I like that verse since, at least to me, it describes the sum of all true Christian activity – salvation, not that we are saved by works but we are saved by His grace through faith as we trust and permit Christ to work through us.

IV. Lead – Acts 4:19-20 (18) ”And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19  But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20  For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

This is one of a number of passages that blows away the heresy of absolute obedience to human authority[1]. I might elaborate more on this in another message very soon, seeing that, bit by bit, United States citizens who are true Christians or at least name the Name of Christ are being placed in situations where the authorities and others expect us to violate our conscience. 

Every true Christian should be a leader in some way, and be a godly one.

V. Love God - 1 John 4:19 ”We love him, because he first loved us.”

Ah, most people will say they love God, but really love their own sin nature and the world. If we love God we will strive to be like Christ. We will learn to say “no” to temptation and respond accordingly as the Holy Spirit sheds new (to us) light in portions of our lives that must be corrected.

Notes:

God willing the message to this outline will be posted sometime on or after July 24, 2012 at http://www.sapphirestreams.com/life/audioM.html#M203. It might be a little later since there seems to be a problem with data transfer on July 21 when this article was created.

1-I was going to embed a link here in regard to that heresey but I see that might be down!