NORTHSIDE CHURCH OF CHRIST

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA

The Footsteps Of Our Lord                                 11/11/07
Jesus is the heart of our faith.  His cross is the basis of our salvation.  We strive in this life to live as He lived.  His life is the goal of our striving.  Our objective is to walk in His steps.  1 Peter 2: 21-25 discusses those steps.  What are the different areas He leads that we should follow in the steps we take?

1)  WORSHIP
     A.  Jesus worshiped - Luke 4:16
     B.  The early church understood this and acted accordingly Acts 20:7;  1 Cor 11:17-33
     C.  Not to be forsaken  Heb 10: 24-25

2)  PRAYER
     A.  Jesus prayed at all times Mark 1: 35; sometimes at night Luke 6:12
     B.  On special occasions Luke 9:29, also before selecting the 12
     C.  Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross  Luke 23:46
     D.  He tells us to pray  Luke 18:1;  in everything Phil 4: 4-7

3) 
A LIFE OF SERVICE
    
A.  His steps led Him to a life of service Acts 10:38
     B.  Following His steps will lead us to do likewise Jas 1: 27; 2: 14-17
     C. While we have the opportunity
Galatians 6: 10

4)  TEMPTATION!
     
A.  Does the Lord tempt us?  No
     B.  But His footsteps led Him into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan Matt 4: 1-11
     C  Yet, with out sin!  Tempted in all points as we are
Heb 2: 17-18; 4: 14-16; 5: 7-10
    
D. We, too, are tried and tempted.  Our overcoming leads to perfection  Jas 1: 2-4; 1 Peter 1: 5-9

5)  PURITY
    A.  2 Corinthinians 5:21  - He knew no sin
    B.  He asked a question - John 8:46
    C.  So we, too, are to follow His steps -
1 Pet 2: 21-25

6)  THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH TO THE CROSS
    A.  Jesus walked that valley, He faced threats and danger Psa 23: 1-4  John 10: 30-31; 11:8, 53
    B.  To the cross Matthew 27: 46
    C.  We will also face valleys 
and shadows Psa 23:4
    D.  But this is part of it for us  Matt 16: 21-26
    E.  What's another example?  Rev 12; 11

7)  BAPTISM
   
A.  This is where Jesus began His ministry - to fulfill all righteousness Matthew 3: 13-15
    B.  Our baptism is for the remission of sins Acts 2: 38 into his death and resurrection to walk in newness
         of life
Romans 6: 3-4
    C. 
This is where we begin our walk in His footsteps!

Why not start the walk this very day?