How can Believers Finish Well in their Walks with the Lord？
Edgar Reich teaches that believers can finish well in their walk with the Lord by dying to self, living in obedience, and continually following Jesus in every aspect of life.
This sermon emphasizes the call to live together with Jesus, to align our lives with His will and character, and to let go of our old sinful selves. It challenges us to die to our selfish desires, surrender our dreams and hopes, and instead live for Him and for others. The message highlights the importance of obedience, working out our salvation with fear and trembling, and following Jesus wholeheartedly.
Full Transcript
Thank you for that question and it's a wonderful question and again scripture gives us the answer and the answer is in first Thessalonians chapter 5 10 and there it says whether we wake or sleep we should live together with Jesus. Whether we wake or sleep we should live together with him and this is a hard commandment in a way because we have to look at our lives that we live today, we live in the world and here Jesus says we ought to live with him and like him and this is so hard for us because we have to step away from the old man, from the old person which is sinful, has its desires for the world, has its desires for the things of the world and to step away from that means to die to the self and the dying to the self is very very hard because I gotta say no to myself and look at what Jesus wants to do and so he also said that we should no longer live for ourselves but that we live for him and for others and that is giving up the self and all of my own dreams and hopes and instead following the will of God and then following him as a human being, as an adult in obedience and we adults we don't like obedience, we like to do our own thing, we like to follow our own thoughts and our own desires and here Jesus says now if you want to finish well work out your salvation with fear and trembling and follow me, follow me, follow me. Thank you.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Call to Live with Jesus
- Live together with Jesus whether awake or asleep
- Recognize the difficulty of living like Christ in the world
- Commit to dying to the old self
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II. Dying to Self
- Say no to selfish desires
- Give up personal dreams and hopes
- Follow God's will above all
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III. Obedience as an Adult Believer
- Obedience is challenging but necessary
- Reject the desire to live independently
- Work out salvation with fear and trembling
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IV. Following Jesus Daily
- Continually follow Jesus in all aspects of life
- Live for Him and for others
- Finish well by steadfast commitment
Key Quotes
“Whether we wake or sleep we should live together with Jesus.” — Edgar Reich
“We have to step away from the old man, from the old person which is sinful, has its desires for the world.” — Edgar Reich
“Work out your salvation with fear and trembling and follow me, follow me, follow me.” — Edgar Reich
Application Points
- Daily examine your life to ensure you are living in obedience to Jesus rather than following selfish desires.
- Commit to dying to your old sinful nature by saying no to self and yes to God's will.
- Make following Jesus a continual, active choice to finish well in your spiritual journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'live together with Jesus'?
It means to live in constant fellowship and obedience to Jesus, aligning our lives with His will whether we are awake or asleep.
Why is dying to self important in the Christian walk?
Dying to self is crucial because it involves rejecting sinful desires and selfish ambitions to fully follow God's purpose.
How can believers work out their salvation with fear and trembling?
By approaching their faith with reverence, seriousness, and a continual commitment to obeying God's commands.
What challenges do adult believers face in obedience?
Adults often struggle with obedience because of a natural desire for independence and following their own thoughts and desires.
How can believers ensure they finish well in their walk with the Lord?
By daily following Jesus, living for Him and others, and consistently choosing obedience over self-will.