A Compelling Testimony: Maintaining a Disciplined Walk, Christlike Character, and Godly Relationships as God's Servant

12

A Compe l l i ng Tes t imony

1. God is looking for select, prepared individuals whom he can use for his purposes in the city.

Eph. 4.17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. Eph. 5.2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Phil. 1.27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. Col. 1.9-10 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, [10] so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 1 Thess. 2.12 We exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

a. God searches for men and women of distinction who can represent his interests and advance his Kingdom in the earth. (1) 2 Chron. 16.9a – For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.

(2) Ps. 34.15 – The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.

(3) 1 Pet. 3.12 – For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

(4) Ps. 37.37 – Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.

b. Men and women to intercede for the broken and oppressed are difficult to find, Isa. 59.16 – He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him.

c. Faithful servants of God are rare.

(1) Isa. 63.5 – I looked, but there was no one to help; I was appalled, but there was no one to uphold; so my own arm brought me salvation, and my wrath upheld me.

(2) Prov. 20.6 – Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?