Walking Together: A Journey of Faith with Jesus
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we explored the profound call to walk alongside Jesus in our journey of faith. I shared a personal story from a recent backpacking trip in the Sawtooth Mountains, where I made a conscious effort to stay together with my hiking partner, Jay. This experience paralleled our spiritual walk with Jesus, emphasizing the importance of companionship and mutual support.
We delved into 1 John 2:1-6, where the Apostle John, writing in his old age, addresses believers as "little children" to convey his deep affection and wisdom. John’s primary message is that we should strive not to sin, but if we do, we have an advocate in Jesus Christ. This passage underscores the essence of the gospel: though we all fall short, Jesus' sacrifice offers us redemption and eternal life.
John further explains that knowing God is demonstrated through obedience to His commandments. This isn't merely about avoiding sin but actively living a life that reflects Jesus' teachings. Christians are called to sin less, not to be sinless, and our actions should align with our faith.
Walking with Jesus is an active lifestyle. It requires us to get up, engage with our church community, and prioritize our spiritual commitments. This means attending worship regularly, serving others, and being present for our church family. The societal shift away from regular church attendance challenges us to recalibrate our priorities and make worship a non-negotiable part of our lives.
Moreover, walking with Jesus means aligning our direction with His. Just as the first disciples left their nets to follow Jesus, we too must be willing to give up our own plans and comforts to walk in His path. This might involve letting go of sin, changing our lifestyle, or reprioritizing our commitments to ensure Jesus is at the center of our lives.
Finally, we must walk in step with Jesus, neither running ahead with our own plans nor lagging behind in complacency. This requires active engagement in our faith through Bible study, prayer, and fellowship with other believers. Jesus invites us to follow Him, and accepting this invitation means our lives will be transformed for the better.
### Key Takeaways
1. Walking with Jesus is an Active Lifestyle: To walk with Jesus, we must actively engage in our faith. This involves regular worship, serving others, and being present for our church community. It's not enough to be passive; we must make a conscious effort to prioritize our spiritual commitments and integrate them into our daily lives. [44:05]
2. Aligning Our Direction with Jesus: Just as the first disciples left their nets to follow Jesus, we must be willing to give up our own plans and comforts to walk in His path. This might involve letting go of sin, changing our lifestyle, or reprioritizing our commitments to ensure Jesus is at the center of our lives. [48:33]
3. Obedience as a Mark of Knowing God: John emphasizes that knowing God is demonstrated through obedience to His commandments. This isn't merely about avoiding sin but actively living a life that reflects Jesus' teachings. Christians are called to sin less, not to be sinless, and our actions should align with our faith. [42:29]
4. The Importance of Mutual Support: My hiking experience with Jay highlighted the importance of companionship and mutual support in our spiritual journey. Walking with Jesus means we lift each other up, share our struggles, and grow together in faith. This communal aspect is vital for a thriving spiritual life. [35:39]
5. Walking in Step with Jesus: We must walk in step with Jesus, neither running ahead with our own plans nor lagging behind in complacency. This requires active engagement in our faith through Bible study, prayer, and fellowship with other believers. Accepting Jesus' invitation to follow Him means our lives will be transformed for the better. [55:03]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[14:59] - Small Group Sign-Ups
[15:37] - Pickup Choir Opportunity
[16:15] - Serve-Out Opportunity
[17:54] - Celebrating Anniversaries
[22:12] - Prayer for Peace and Unity
[30:26] - Praying for the Impoverished
[31:28] - Commitment to the Gospel
[35:39] - Hiking Story and Spiritual Parallel
[37:10] - Scripture Reading: 1 John 2:1-6
[39:26] - Understanding John's Message
[40:57] - The Gospel Message
[42:29] - Obedience and Knowing God
[44:05] - Active Christian Lifestyle
[47:07] - Walking in the Same Direction as Jesus
[48:33] - Giving Up to Follow Jesus
[50:14] - Changing Our Identity
[51:55] - Aligning with Jesus' Direction
[53:34] - Not Leading Ahead of Jesus
[55:03] - Commitment to Walk in Step with Jesus
[56:53] - Closing Prayer and Song
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1 John 2:1-6
#### Observation Questions
1. What does the Apostle John mean when he addresses believers as "little children" in 1 John 2:1? How does this term reflect his relationship with the readers? [39:26]
2. According to 1 John 2:3-6, how can we demonstrate that we truly know God?
3. In the sermon, the pastor shared a personal story about hiking with his friend Jay. How did this story illustrate the importance of companionship in our spiritual journey? [35:39]
4. What does it mean to walk in step with Jesus, as described in the sermon? [55:03]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does John emphasize obedience to God's commandments as a mark of knowing Him? How does this relate to the concept of sinning less rather than being sinless? [42:29]
2. The sermon mentioned the societal shift away from regular church attendance. How does this shift challenge our ability to walk with Jesus actively? [45:38]
3. What are some practical ways we can align our direction with Jesus, similar to how the first disciples left their nets to follow Him? [48:33]
4. How does mutual support within the church community help us in our spiritual walk with Jesus? [35:39]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current spiritual commitments. Are there areas where you have been passive rather than active in your faith? What steps can you take to engage more actively in your church community? [44:05]
2. Consider your weekly schedule. How can you make worship and fellowship a non-negotiable part of your life? Do you need to recalibrate your priorities to ensure Jesus is at the center? [45:38]
3. Is there a specific sin or lifestyle choice that you need to let go of to walk more closely with Jesus? What practical steps can you take to address this? [48:33]
4. Think about a time when you tried to lead your own way rather than following Jesus' direction. How did that impact your spiritual journey? What can you do to ensure you are walking in step with Jesus? [53:34]
5. How can you actively support and encourage others in your church community, similar to the pastor's experience with his hiking partner Jay? [35:39]
6. Identify one area of your life where you need to change direction to align more closely with Jesus' teachings. What specific actions will you take this week to make that change? [51:55]
7. How can you incorporate regular Bible study, prayer, and fellowship into your daily routine to ensure you are walking in step with Jesus? [55:03]
Devotional
Day 1: Active Engagement in Faith
Walking with Jesus requires an active lifestyle, not a passive one. This means that believers must make a conscious effort to prioritize their spiritual commitments and integrate them into their daily lives. Regular worship, serving others, and being present for the church community are essential aspects of this active engagement. It's not enough to simply avoid sin; Christians must actively live out their faith in tangible ways. This active lifestyle is a reflection of one's commitment to follow Jesus and grow in their relationship with Him. [44:05]
1 John 3:18 (ESV): "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: What specific actions can you take this week to actively engage in your faith and serve your church community?
Day 2: Aligning Our Direction with Jesus
To walk with Jesus, we must be willing to give up our own plans and comforts to follow His path. This might involve letting go of sin, changing our lifestyle, or reprioritizing our commitments to ensure Jesus is at the center of our lives. Just as the first disciples left their nets to follow Jesus, we too must be ready to make sacrifices and adjustments in our lives. Aligning our direction with Jesus means that our goals and desires should reflect His teachings and mission. [48:33]
Luke 9:23 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to realign your direction with Jesus' teachings? How can you start making that change today?
Day 3: Obedience as a Mark of Knowing God
Knowing God is demonstrated through obedience to His commandments. This isn't merely about avoiding sin but actively living a life that reflects Jesus' teachings. Christians are called to sin less, not to be sinless, and our actions should align with our faith. Obedience to God's commandments is a tangible expression of our love and commitment to Him. It shows that we understand and value His guidance in our lives. [42:29]
1 John 5:3 (ESV): "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome."
Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate your obedience to God in your daily life? Are there specific commandments you find challenging to follow?
Day 4: The Importance of Mutual Support
Walking with Jesus means we lift each other up, share our struggles, and grow together in faith. The communal aspect of our spiritual journey is vital for a thriving spiritual life. Just as the speaker's hiking experience with Jay highlighted the importance of companionship and mutual support, our spiritual walk requires us to support and encourage one another. This mutual support helps us stay on the right path and strengthens our faith. [35:39]
Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: Who in your church community can you reach out to for mutual support this week? How can you offer encouragement and help to them?
Day 5: Walking in Step with Jesus
We must walk in step with Jesus, neither running ahead with our own plans nor lagging behind in complacency. This requires active engagement in our faith through Bible study, prayer, and fellowship with other believers. Accepting Jesus' invitation to follow Him means our lives will be transformed for the better. Walking in step with Jesus ensures that we are aligned with His will and purpose for our lives, leading to spiritual growth and fulfillment. [55:03]
Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."
Reflection: Are you walking in step with Jesus in your daily life? What changes can you make to ensure you are not running ahead or lagging behind in your spiritual journey?
Quotes
1. "In my opinion, there's very few things as lovely as enjoying God's marvelous creation in nature. Now, Jay and I have hiked together quite a few times over the years. This was our fourth week-long backpacking trip that we've done. We've also done multiple weekend trips and countless just going around the area. As we were planning for this particular trip, though, I had been thinking about this message today and how it relates to my usual MO and my hiking style." [35:39] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You know, Jay and I walked together on this trip, and the result was that we had an opportunity to lift each other up when we were struggling. We talked together. We joked together. We complained about our soreness together. Catch a theme here, that we were together. And that's the point of today's message, that we are called to be in a together type of relationship walk with Jesus. In the journey of faith, we are called to walk alongside Jesus." [36:40] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So the bottom line I want us to understand here is that the reader, that's us, should kind of perk up here at the saying of little children, understanding that the wisdom being passed down now is being given in sincerity and in love. So what's John's purpose in writing this letter? Why is he doing this? Well, he tells us right away after he says little children. There's no beating around the bush. He says, it's so that we don't sin." [39:26] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Christians aren't sinless, but we are called to be sin, or just to sin less. I really messed that up, didn't I? Christians aren't sinless, but we are called to sin less. That was better, right? Now, I'll be honest. This particular part, three through six, I read this several times, and I kept getting hung up as I read through it, because sometimes I'm not so smart, and I need to hear things, in a different way to really understand what a passage means." [41:29] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So when I read that translation, the point of the passage clicked for me, and it's this. It's that I truly love Jesus, that I should be seeking to imitate Jesus and live my life as Jesus did. So I can't say that I love him here on a Sunday morning and then go out from here and neglect my spiritual life. No, all that we do and all that we say needs to be intertwined with our faith. And I'll repeat that again. All that we do and all that we say needs to be intertwined or connected with our faith." [42:29] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "To fulfill what verse six says, to live and to walk as Jesus walked, we need to have an understanding of a couple things and here's the the first idea for today that walking with Jesus is an active lifestyle when we're called to come and walk alongside Jesus we have to actually get up off the couch and we have to go being a part of his church is an active lifestyle this isn't passive it's worshiping together on a Sunday morning it's serving in and serving out together it's showing up for your church family when we're in a time of need." [43:29] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "To actively walk with Jesus means that we reconsider where our priorities are in life now are there times when we can't make it to worship absolutely there's vacations and illnesses and more all these things play a role in our scheduling I'm not saying that they don't but if we're waking up on a Sunday morning and deciding that we just don't want to go and connect with the body of Christ then that's a problem I know it sounds harsh harsh and I'm literally preaching to the choir here because you're here and I don't mean to offend anybody." [45:38] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Choosing to walk in the same direction as Jesus might perhaps be a little bit more difficult for you to walk in the same direction as Jesus might perhaps mean giving something up just like these first disciples they were fishermen and now they were going to go and be fishers of men they were in their comfort zone they were doing what they had grown up doing and what they were familiar with and now walking alongside Jesus they would be leaving that to go and venture forth into the unknown and while they didn't know what they would face going forward they did know who they would face it with Jesus." [47:07] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "What do you need to give up in order to walk with Jesus under his leadership for some of us perhaps it's it's sin this calls back to the passage this morning John wrote pretty clearly that if we want to live a life belonging to God we cannot continue to lead a life of sin whatever it may be you know a lot of people they just don't know what they're going to do they try to put one foot in God's kingdom and one foot in the world and John's point was that you can't straddle the line you can't have one foot in each world you have to make a choice." [48:33] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Jesus allows us the opportunity to look our mistakes in the eye and then repent of them he invites us to change our direction and then go forth and actively follow him you might need to give up your way of life perhaps again the example of those first disciples all these guys knew was fishing it was their job it was their livelihood the way that they earned their income and supported their families they grew up next to the sea of Galilee they learned fishing from their own fathers and I would presume they were good at it for these guys to give up their life of fishing and pursue a different career with an itinerant preacher that should have been unimaginable but yet they did it." [50:14] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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