'To walk even as He walked '
Fred Tomlinson emphasizes that true Christian living is a distinctive walk empowered by the Holy Spirit, reflecting the love of God as believers walk even as Jesus walked.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of walking in a distinctive manner as true Christians, highlighting the metaphor of walking used in the Bible to represent spiritual truth. It discusses the need for a distinguished walk that sets apart believers from the world, emphasizing the transformation and empowerment by the Holy Spirit to walk in newness of life. The sermon also addresses the enemy's tactics to distract, steal focus, kill fellowship with Jesus, and destroy the Christian witness, urging believers to walk circumspectly and maintain diligence in their walk to please and honor God.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Metaphor of Walking
- Walking as a metaphor for Christian living used by Paul and other apostles
- True Christians have a distinctive walk set apart from others
- The walk reflects the believer’s relationship with Christ
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II. Abiding in Christ as the Foundation
- Walking as Jesus walked is only possible by abiding in Him
- Abiding is a supernatural work of God, not human effort
- The new birth is essential for this abiding and transformation
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III. The Role of the Holy Spirit
- Holy Spirit empowers believers to walk in newness of life
- The Spirit sheds the love of God in believers’ hearts
- Love is the distinctive feature validating the Christian walk
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IV. Practical Evidence of the Walk
- The Christian walk is a visible testimony to others
- Love expressed through the Spirit’s presence impacts lives
- Believers must hold firmly to the Gospel as their foundation
Key Quotes
“He that says he abides in him ought himself also so to walk even as he walked.” — Fred Tomlinson
“You just can't do it. With all the goodwill, with all the efforts, with all the legalism and all the other things we can pile in together. You cannot walk as he walked, apart from the empowering work of the Holy Spirit.” — Fred Tomlinson
“The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost who is given unto us.” — Fred Tomlinson
Application Points
- Seek to abide deeply in Christ daily to experience the empowerment needed for a godly walk.
- Rely on the Holy Spirit to cultivate the love of God within your heart as evidence of your faith.
- Hold firmly to the Gospel as the foundation that sustains and transforms your Christian life.