3 John 1:3-4 (NKJV) For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Nothing brings more joy to a pastor than witnessing the spiritual growth of church members. We are incredibly blessed when we walk in truth rather than away from it. In fact, life will be a complete mess when we live as carnal Christians and do not walk in truth. We will be no different from the people of the world, using our own strength to succeed rather than trusting God for His provision of material goods, jobs, and wisdom. If we operate under the world’s system instead of walking in light and the truth, we will pierce ourselves with many sorrows. Christian values and principles and the world stand in stark contrast to each other. We cannot mock God and sow in the flesh yet expect to reap everlasting life. Instead, we will reap corruption when we sow in the flesh (Galatians 6:8).
The only way to walk in truth is to abide in Christ and His Word. We cannot desire to walk in truth without living a consecrated life. Our love for the Heavenly Father and what Jesus has done to redeem us should cause us to respond by living our lives to glorify Him.
John 15:7-12 (NKJV) If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
One of the many ways we can glorify God through our lives is by bearing much fruit—fruit of the Holy Spirit. Then, all people will know that we are Christ’s disciples. The people in the world will see Christlikeness in us when we are filled with joy, peace, and love, and when we are gracious, kind, gentle and forgiving, good, faithful, and have self-control.
Abiding in Christ means living a consecrated life, where we consult Him and spend quality time with Him and His Word, and He, in turn, guides us through His Word. Jesus has promised us that when we abide in Him, not only will our prayers be answered, but our joy will be in full.
Sermon Series: Prospering In All Things
住在主里面的喜乐
约翰三书1:3-4 我听见我的儿女们按真理而行，我的喜乐就没有比这个大的。弟兄们来证明你心里存的真理，正如你按真理而行，我就甚喜乐。
没有什么比看见信徒在真道上成长更令牧者喜乐了。当我们行在真理中而非背离时，这是何等蒙福的生命！若我们活在属肉体的光景中，生命必将陷入混乱——与世人无异，倚靠自己的聪明谋求出路，而非信靠神对我们物质需要、工作与智慧的供应。若选择效法世界的法则而非行在光明真理中，终将自陷愁苦。属神的价值观与世俗原则截然对立，我们不可能一面放纵私欲，一面妄想收获永生。人若顺着情欲撒种，必从情欲收败坏（加拉太书6:8）。
行在真理中的唯一途径，就是住在基督并祂的话语里。若不追求圣洁生活，就无从谈论真理实践。我们对天父的爱与基督救赎之恩的回应，理当是活出荣耀祂的生命。
约翰福音15:7-12 你们若常在我里面，我的话也常在你们里面，凡你们所愿意的，祈求就给你们成就。你们多结果子，我父就因此得荣耀，你们也就是我的门徒了。我爱你们，正如父爱我一样，你们要常在我的爱里。你们若遵守我的命令，就常在我的爱里；正如我遵守了我父的命令，常在他的爱里。这些事我已经对你们说了，是要叫我的喜乐存在你们心里，并叫你们的喜乐可以满足。你们要彼此相爱，像我爱你们一样，这就是我的命令。
结出圣灵的果子正是荣耀神的途径之一。当我们的生命满溢喜乐平安、恩慈良善、温柔忍耐、信实节制，世人就认出我们是基督的门徒，看见基督的样式活现在我们里面。
住在基督里意味着过分别为圣的生活：在祷告中寻求祂，在祂的话语中与祂亲密相交，让真理成为我们脚前的灯。主应许我们：当我们住在祂里面，不仅祷告蒙应允，更将得着充满的喜乐。
讲章系列：凡事兴盛
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