Walk in His Steps
Scripture: John 4:32Devotional Series: The Spirit of Truth
Teaching: The Spirit Of Truth pt. 4 (SUN_AM 2021-09-19) by Pastor Star R Scott
We see in this Chapter 13 [of 1 Corinthians] that the Holy Spirit through the apostle is admonishing us—right in the midst of Chapters 12 and 14, those chapters on the moving of the Holy Ghost, the power of God, demonstrations, miracles, tongues, prophesies, words of wisdom, words of knowledge, discerning of spirits—all of this stuff that is going on in these Corinthians’ meetings, and he said with all of this great demonstration, let’s remember the purpose that we’re here, and the purpose of all these gifts are demonstrating themselves is that we might edify one another, that we might love one another. In Chapters 12 and 14, there are two key words: One of them is “church” and the other is “edify.”
So, all of these gifts, all of this demonstration, all of our praying, all of our prophesying is that the church might be built up into the image of Jesus Christ. None of it is to bring attention to yourself or bring glory to yourself. None of it is to cause this group to get over here and say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” (1 Samuel 10:11-12) “So-and-so was just using the gift of prophecy. Wow, they must be growing. Man, it is great to see them maturing.” They’re not necessarily maturing; they’re being used as a gift to the church. They are growing when the character of Jesus Christ, the fruit of the Holy Spirit begins to manifest itself in their lives. Not that you’re prophesying more, that you’re loving more. “Well, I would really like to be serving in the community and in the body, and I would really like, but I’ve got these other responsibilities.” Like putting a shrub in your yard is more important? Dear God, just pour concrete and paint it green and let her rip, man. Go on and serve Jesus. Use that lawn cutting time for something profitable.
I know that we have lives to live, but I’m just making a point. We can make a lot of excuses. Because very frankly, “Pouring our life out for the kingdom does not satisfy us. It just doesn’t do it for me.” Well, my response to that would be: “How do you know, you’ve probably never done it?” “O taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalms 34:8), hallelujah! “No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psalms 84:11). It’s a “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8). “I have meat to eat that ye know not of, to do the will of He that sent me and finish the work” (John 4:32). We’re to walk in His steps.
Beloved, as we’re coming into this hour, we need to reprogram our minds. I know every one of us in here thinks that we’re doing pretty good, and compared to other people we are doing pretty good, but how are we doing compared to the Scripture? How are we doing compared to the Lord Jesus Christ, who loved us and died for us? How can you say, “He loved me,” and just so matter-of-factly turn your back on His commandments? “Well, how Lord?” “How, Lord—we cast out devils in Your name. You worked miracles in our midst.” “I never knew you.” That word just means “approved,” “I never approved.” You were going about with your own standard of righteousness, your own idea of what holiness is. Your own idea of what enough is to give to Jesus. “I’ve given enough!” When His mandate is what? All.
So, we’re to bring this love to one another. We’re to bring reproof and instruction as we were sharing. And in the midst of that, we’re to be patient with one another as this growth manifests itself, which means that you and I will become agents of God’s pruning of one another. Amen? He is going to prune your life if you’re producing any kind of fruit.
So, all of these gifts, all of this demonstration, all of our praying, all of our prophesying is that the church might be built up into the image of Jesus Christ. None of it is to bring attention to yourself or bring glory to yourself. None of it is to cause this group to get over here and say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” (1 Samuel 10:11-12) “So-and-so was just using the gift of prophecy. Wow, they must be growing. Man, it is great to see them maturing.” They’re not necessarily maturing; they’re being used as a gift to the church. They are growing when the character of Jesus Christ, the fruit of the Holy Spirit begins to manifest itself in their lives. Not that you’re prophesying more, that you’re loving more. “Well, I would really like to be serving in the community and in the body, and I would really like, but I’ve got these other responsibilities.” Like putting a shrub in your yard is more important? Dear God, just pour concrete and paint it green and let her rip, man. Go on and serve Jesus. Use that lawn cutting time for something profitable.
I know that we have lives to live, but I’m just making a point. We can make a lot of excuses. Because very frankly, “Pouring our life out for the kingdom does not satisfy us. It just doesn’t do it for me.” Well, my response to that would be: “How do you know, you’ve probably never done it?” “O taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalms 34:8), hallelujah! “No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psalms 84:11). It’s a “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8). “I have meat to eat that ye know not of, to do the will of He that sent me and finish the work” (John 4:32). We’re to walk in His steps.
Beloved, as we’re coming into this hour, we need to reprogram our minds. I know every one of us in here thinks that we’re doing pretty good, and compared to other people we are doing pretty good, but how are we doing compared to the Scripture? How are we doing compared to the Lord Jesus Christ, who loved us and died for us? How can you say, “He loved me,” and just so matter-of-factly turn your back on His commandments? “Well, how Lord?” “How, Lord—we cast out devils in Your name. You worked miracles in our midst.” “I never knew you.” That word just means “approved,” “I never approved.” You were going about with your own standard of righteousness, your own idea of what holiness is. Your own idea of what enough is to give to Jesus. “I’ve given enough!” When His mandate is what? All.
So, we’re to bring this love to one another. We’re to bring reproof and instruction as we were sharing. And in the midst of that, we’re to be patient with one another as this growth manifests itself, which means that you and I will become agents of God’s pruning of one another. Amen? He is going to prune your life if you’re producing any kind of fruit.