A “Daily” Faith

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A “Daily” Faith

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: Acts 2:46


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EDITOR’S NOTE: By way of reminder, this lesson is being presented the 4th Sunday.  As a result, there will only be one lesson presented this week.  Our Sunday evening service is a singing service.  Take care until next week. TATJR

 

Every week we assemble on Sunday.  We also assemble on Wednesday evenings for a mid-week bible study.  As the church here in Bellflower, these are times we gather to encourage and build each other up.  We are also striving to obey God’s will as we worship Him and listen to Him.

But we must understand that being a Christian is not a one day a week exercise.  It is something that must be a part of our daily lives – EVERY day.

In this lesson, I want to notice some passages of scripture that speak of our daily walk in Christ.

  1. A holy priesthood
    1. 1 Peter 2:5, 9 – Peter described his audience (and us) as a holy priesthood. Revelation 5:10 – And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.  We are NOW the priests of God.  That becomes the foundation of our spiritual lives.  To fully appreciate this, we need to briefly consider the Levitical priesthood which was intended as a pattern (or type) leading to us.
    2. Consider the Levitical priesthood under the LOM. They continually offered sacrifices, including a morning and evening sacrifice EVERY day – Exodus 29:38-39.  Numbers 28:9-10 notes that when other special offerings were made (Sabbath, monthly, feasts, etc.), they were “besides the regular burnt offering with its drink offering.” (Note: This expression is written 12x in Numbers 28-29 which describes all the offerings).  But this was only the beginning of their work.  The High Priest every morning and evening was to burn incense on the altar before the tent of the Ark of the Covenant – Exodus 30:7-8).
    3. The book of Hebrews explains the need for a new priesthood so that Jesus could be our High Priest.
      1. The writer makes mention of Melchizedek. Hebrews 5-7.  He notes in 7:11-12 addresses the need for this new priesthood, so that Christ could be our High Priest.
      2. Melchizedek in the OT is interesting as he is mentioned only 2 times. Genesis 14:18 where he is describes as king of Salem and priest of God Most High.  Abraham paid tithes to him.  THEN in Psalm 110:4, David prophecies of a coming priest “after the order of Melchizedek”.  This is “out of the blue”.  But then we come to Hebrews where the writer is explaining how Jesus is now our High Priest, BUT it required a change in the Law, since Jesus was not a Levite.  This establishes the foundation for OUR priesthood.
    4. Since we are priests (considering how the Levitical priesthood was a shadow of our priesthood with Christ as our high priest and each of us as priests – Hebrews 8:4-5, 9:23-24, 10:1, etc.), we ought to consider the daily responsibility involved in this. The life of a priest was continual, not a “once a week” or “one day a week” thing.
  2. Some “daily” things to consider
    1. Matthew 6:11 – our “daily bread” – we ought to pause and give thank for our daily blessings.
      1. God blesses us continually, often undeserved. Ephesians 1:3 speaks of God blessing us with every spiritual blessing.  Cf. Philippians 4:18-19 – Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
      2. Prayer is something we ought to be engaged in daily. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – pray without ceasing.
      3. Gratitude ought to be something we do daily. 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Hebrews 13:15 – Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
    2. Luke 19:47 – daily, Jesus taught.
      1. His life was busy as He went from place to place and continually He taught all whom He could. Luke 21:37 notes that Jesus in the daytime was teaching in the temple.   Matthew 26:55 finds Jesus answering His critics.
      2. We should not limit our teaching of others to our assemblies. Matthew 28:19 was not restricted to the assemblies.
      3. In fact, the greater impact will be experienced in our daily one on one studies. That is where questions can be asked and answered, and studies catered to individual needs.   In scripture, Jesus and many others would take the time to talk to one person, a small group or a large crowd.  WHEREVER there was opportunity, they would teach.
      4. 1 Peter 3:15 calls for to be always ready to give a defense to everyone who asks for the hope in us.
    3. Acts 2:47 – the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
      1. God never takes a break from His work.
      2. When we are working daily, God’s kingdom is going to be growing daily. Acts 16:5, they were increasing in number daily.
      3. And God is depending on us to do our part so that He can increase His numbers.
    4. Acts 2:46 – they continued daily with one accord. After 3000 obeyed the gospel (were baptized), they saw their need to strengthen each other on a daily basis.
      1. They were together with each other and continued daily in the temple (worshipping together regularly) and associating with each other (breaking bread from house to house).
      2. Romans 12:10 calls for us to prefer one another and be kindly affectionate toward each other.
    5. Acts 17:11 – the Bereans searched the scriptures daily. If we desire to grow we need God’s word on a daily basis.
      1. Only studying when we assemble is insufficient. While it is beneficial, the MORE we prepare on our own, the greater our spiritual progress will be.
      2. Hebrews 5:12-14 Paul notes that we ought to be maturing in God’s word as time goes on. 2 Peter 3:18 calls for us to grow in grace and knowledge.  1 Peter 2:2 describes our desire to be as that of a newborn babe desiring the sincere milk of the word (how often does a baby want to eat?).
      3. 2 Timtohy 2:15 – be diligent to present yourself approved to God. Put forth the effort.
    6. Acts 19:9 – Paul daily reasoned with false teachers.
      1. We should NEVER ignore false doctrine and faiths. Ephesians 5:11, 2 John 9-11
      2. Let us understand that a part of teaching God’s word involves exposing error – 2 Timothy 4:2 – we reprove and rebuke.
      3. Let us understand that true conversion involves repentance – Luke 13:3, Acts 2:38, 3:19, 17:30-31, etc. It is something that MUST be understood BEFORE one obeys the gospel.
      4. To only present “the positive” (or teach “in hope that in time they will figure it out”), may lead one to Christ who is unprepared to serve Him.
      5. Concerning error, while some will not change, some will. But regardless, you have done your part.
    7. Luke 9:23 – bearing your cross daily. Jesus describing discipleship noted the need to deny self, take up your cross daily and follow Him.
      1. To take up one’s cross likely means a willingness to suffer. At the very least it means a willingness to endure hardships and difficulties without giving up.
      2. We will NEVER outdo Jesus when it comes to this. 1 Peter 2:21-24 notes that; He is our example who bore our sins in His own body on the tree.
      3. 1 Corinthians 15:31 – Paul noted, “I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.” His point is he was always facing the possibility of death.
      4. Being a Christian is not easy. We are a living sacrifice to Him – Romans 12:1.
    8. 2 Corinthians 4:16 – the inward man is being renewed day by day.
      1. When we are committed to our Lord, we will continually be growing.
      2. Daily, we will continue to be transformed into something greater and better. Romans 12:2 – transformed by the renewing of our minds.
    9. Hebrews 3:13 – exhort one another daily
      1. Warning the brethren to beware lest their hearts become hardened by unbelief and the deceitfulness of sin, the author notes that we need to be exhorting each other DAILY. Caring for each other is ongoing, and even when it is inconvenient.
      2. 2 Corinthians 11:28 – Paul’s deep concern for the churches. He cared about his brethren, which is why he was willing to do whatever to help them. (2 Corinthians 12:15 – willing to spend and be spent)
      3. Words of encouragement, warnings when we are concerned and other actions show how much we care for each other.
    10. James 2:15-16 – helping one another – those “destitute of daily food.”
      1. If someone has a need NOW, and you are able to help, do it NOW!
      2. Consider 1 John 3:17-18 which challenges your love for God and them when you do nothing.
      3. James 1:27 speaks of visiting orphans and widows in their distress.
      4. Let us also heed the parable of Matthew 25:31-46 – the judgment scene where God takes note of what you have done.
      5. Matthew 10:42 – even “a cup of cold water” will not go unnoticed.

So we can see, that the Christian life is not an occasional, or even weekly practice.  It is something to be done, every day.  As we live our lives, we are going to interact daily with those in society (we are not to be hermits).  Let Christ Jesus be a part of every decision you make, every place you go, every thing you say, and every thing you do.  What have you done for Him today?  Think about this, not just today because its Sunday, but think about it tomorrow as well.

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