Title: The Normal Christian Life
Bible Book: Matthew
Author: Franklin L. Kirksey
Subject: Christian Life; Committed Christians
Objective:
Introduction
Vance Havner once lamented that the average Christian is so subnormal that when one becomes normal everybody thinks he is abnormal. Watchman Nee has written a very informative book titled The Normal Christian Life.
In His Sermon on the Mount, our Lord explains what life is to be like for His followers. He gives the following directive to all of His disciples, "But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt. 6:33). In this verse we discover three essential elements of the normal Christian life:
I. A Priority To Be Accepted
If we are to live a normal Christian life there is a priority to be accepted. "Seek ye first." Vince Lombardi, the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers, once told his players, "Think of only three things - your God, your family and the Green Bay Packers ... in that order." The Lord Jesus Christ calls members of His body to have Him as their first priority. As the psalmist expressed his heart's desire, "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for the living God" (Ps. 42:1-2a).
II. A Prerequisite To Be Affirmed
If we are to live a normal Christian life there is a prerequisite to be affirmed. This prerequisite, found in Matthew 6:33, is actually two-fold: "The Kingdom of God" refers to our purpose. The additional phrase "and His righteousness" speaks of our purity that is required to live as God intends.
III. A Promise To Be Appropriated
If we are to live a normal Christian life there is a promise to be appropriated: "and all these things will be added to you," referring to the necessities of life (vv. 25-34), which many people worry about. The Bible teaches that worrying accomplishes nothing. In fact, someone has said that worry is against nature (it is senseless); it is against revelation (it is godless); and it is against [divine] providence (it is useless).
Our Lord Jesus tells us when we are tempted to worry that we should consider the birds of the air, the blooming lilies, and the blades of grass (Matt. 6:26-30). He reminds us that we are more valuable than these things which He cares for and that He will surely provide what we need as well. Warren W. Wiersbe explains, "Put God first and material things will be taken care of by God."
David confessed, "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread" (Ps. 37:25). The Apostle Paul tells the church in Philippi, "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19).
Once, when visiting in the home of his friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, Jesus told Martha: "You are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41-42).
Conclusion
May you seek the Lord with all of your heart and enjoy the normal Christian life.
(Previously published in the Call News as "The Normal Christian Life" and Pulpit Helps as "Is There a Normal Christian Life Today?")
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Author of "Sound Biblical Preaching: Giving the Bible a Voice" http://www.webspawner.com/users/franklinlkirksey2 [email protected] (251) 626-6210(c) January 4, 2007 All Rights Reserv
