## How's Our Walk?

## John 12:20-22

The background of this passage gives the key to part of the reason why these men came wanting to see Jesus. This passage comes on the heels of the resurrection of Lazarus from the death. Who would not want to see the man who able to do that? It is also comes upon the heels of His triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Can you imagine how it was noised around that Jesus was there? Who would not want to see this man that humbled rode into the city upon a foal of a donkey and the crowds are shouting praises unto the Lord? Note their request:

1. It was a polite request, seen in the word "Sir".

2. It was a personal request, seen in the word "we".

3. It was a practical request, seen in those words "would see Jesus".

The problem in today's society is that many people don't want to see Jesus. They want to see the miracles. They want to be entertained. But they really don't want to see Jesus. Why? Because there is power in seeing Jesus. It changes us! The apostles were living their daily lives and the world took notice and perceived that they had been with Jesus. Listen to what was said of Peter and John.

Acts 4:13 "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."

What do others see when they look at our lives?

People need to see Jesus in Our Walk

I. Our Walk Needs to be a Careful. Ephesians 5:15 "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise"

A. Some are watching.

1. Our walk should match our talk.

2. People are watching us.

3. That is a great reason why we should be careful in all the time.

B. Others are wanting.

1. There are a few people who are watching who are tired of the old life and want to see Jesus.

2. So that is why we witness and why we invite people to come to the Lord.

3. He can and does change a life in ways that go beyond the imagination.

C. What we have is wonderful.

1. Why? This is how the Lord intended for man's life to be.

2. He intended for us to fellowship with Him as we live here.

3. Certainly there are difficult days, but I would not trade my worst day as a child of God for my best day when I was lost.

4. I have a Savior who loves me and cares for me. This life truly is a wonderful life!

II. Our Walk Needs to be Correct.

A. Many people have their own ideas how to live their lives.

B. But the Bible that tells us plainly how we should live!

C. I have heard folks say, "Quit telling me how I am supposed to live! It's my life!"

D. I am no expert on how to live life, but God is!

E. As a believer, my walk needs to be correct!

1st Thessalonians 4:1 "Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more."

F. Is our walk pleasing to the Lord?

III. Our Walk Needs to be Consistent.

John 6:67-69 "Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God."

A. Don't quit!

1. Oh I know there are times of difficulty and discouragement, but don't quit!

2. Note the poem:

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, When the road you're trudging seems all uphill, When the funds are low, and the debts are high, And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit - Rest if you must, but don't you quit. Success is failure turned inside out, The silver tint of the clouds of doubt, And you never can tell how close you are, It may be near when it seems afar. So, stick to the fight when you're hardest hit - It's when things go wrong that you mustn't quit.

(Galatians 6:9) And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

B. Stay faithful!

(1 Cor 15:58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

1. Peter, John, and Paul were far from perfect men

2. But they finished strong.

a. Peter was crucified for His faith.

b. John was boiled in oil and banished to the isle of Patmos.

c. Paul wrote to Timothy just before his execution:

2 Tim. 4:7 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:"

What do others see when they look at our lives? Do they see Jesus? Does our walk reveal Christ in us the hope of glory?

Perhaps you are still seeking Him. You will find Him by grace through faith in His finished work on Calvary.