DAY BY DAY CHRISTIANITY

Luke 9:23

Introduction.

The Lord calls us to carry our crosses and follow him. But notice, he calls us to do it "daily."

I. WE TAKE UP OUR CROSSES DAILY AND FOLLOW HIM

We note these two things from our text...

A. CHRISTIANITY IS PRACTICED DAY BY DAY.

1. Not that there is no interest at all in tomorrow or yesterday, but that TODAY is the arena of action for a Christian. 2 Cor 6:2; Heb 3:7-8

a. Not tomorrow--as if towmorrow I will live it. Tomorrow cannot be presumed. Jas 4:13-17

b. Not yesterday--as if the deeds or experiences of the past can substitute for those of today.

2. Whatever else the day might be (work day, rest day, school day, etc.), it is always the day in which we live out our Christianity.

3. This is the rhythm of our lives for Christ--day by day, one day at a time, we live it.

B. DAILY, WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT TO FOLLOW HIM.

1. Each day, we consciously reaffirm our decision to come and follow him. This is not only done in the past, but everyday. cf Josh 24:15.

2. Just as Israel offered her sacrifices daily (Num. 28:3,24; Ezra 3:4; Lk 1:5,8), each day we offer our sacrifice anew. Rom 12:1.

3. Today is the day that the Lord may come (Mt 24:50). Since each day is potentially the day of judgment, each day is the setting in which we show the Lord the reality of our repentance. cf Lk 3:7-9; 2 Pet. 3:10,14

II. THE DAILY RHYTHM OF CHRISTIAN LIVING.

This daily, conscious rededication supports and is supported by the following aspects of our daily life.

A. DAILY PRAYER.

1. With the daily sacrifices went the daily prayers (Lk 1:8,10). So with us. Mt 6:9ff. Consider...

a. The example of Christ. Mk 1:35

b. The example of OT saints. Dan 6:10; Ps 55:17

c. The example of the apostles. Acts 6:4; 3:1; 10:6

2. Each day calls forth praise to God. Ps 145:2; 96:2; Mt. 6:9-10. Praise to him . . .

a. Who is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Heb. 13:8) and with whom a thousand years are as one day, and one day as a thousand years (2 Pet. 3:8).

b. Who made the day. Ps 118:24 (cf Gen. 1:3-5)

c. Who "daily loadeth us with benefits." Ps 68:19.

3. We cannot receive the day, then, without prayer...

a. For his blessings on our labors (Ps. 127:1f).

b. For his strength and help. Would we dare launch ahead into it without him (Jn. 15:5b; 1 Pet. 4:11; cf. Num. 14:39-45)?

c. For his forgiveness (Mt 6:12). ("O that we had spent but one day in this world thoroughly well!" -- Thomas a Kempis, I.C., bk. I, c. 23)

B. DAILY BREAD.

1. The body requires daily bread to be renewed and enabled to function. The Bible speaks here and there of the minimal daily portion of food required. EX: the daily manna; Mt 6:11; Act 6:1; Jas 2:15

2. The spirit needs the same (2 Cor. 4:16). We must be spiritually nourished daily. God provides daily manna for such if we will but gather it.

3. We are in need of daily edification from, daily feeding from, the Word. 1 Pet. 2:1-2; Ps. 1:2.

4. Consider, too, the spiritual bread brought to us with every day, which pictures to us the Truth, the works of God that this one work of God-each new day- pictures for us.

a. Sleep and wakening--reminds us of the grace of conversion, revival, renewal, resurrection. Eph 5:14

b. Breaking of Day--reminds us of the breaking of eternity, and that "the night is far spent" (Rom. 13:12).

c. Light of Day--reminds us that God is Light (1 Jn. 1:5); that we cannot hide from his light (Heb. 4:13); and that we must walk "as in the day" (Rom. 13:13) "as children of light" (Eph. 5:8).

d. Close of day--reminds us that God too draws our lives (Ps. 104:29) and also all history to a close.

C. DAILY WORK.

1. We are servants, with assigned work (Mk. 13:34). We are like farmers, whose when they rise see their work is laid out before them, work that can only be accomplished in the day. Jn 9:4-5.

a. There is no "day off."

b. As servants, we consider the wages that we might have at the close of the day (Rom 6:23; Lk 23:43).

2. There is the harvest to gather. Mt 9:36-38

3. And generally there is every possible good work that presents itself. Gal 6:10. Jas 4:13-17

a. Helping the needy. Jas 2:15

b. Edifying the saints. Heb 3:13; Acts 20:31

III. THE EVILS OF THE DAY (MATTHEW 6:34).

A. Each day brings evils, trials, troubles. Mt 6:34; 6:13. Lk 9:23. Some nothing but (Ps. 13:2; Rom. 8:36). ILLUS--the soldier facing battle each day. So us.

B. Each day, his grace is sufficient. 2 Cor. 12:9; Phil. 4:19

C. This, as with all the rest, must be encountered and borne one day at a time. Mt 6:34.

Conclusion.

God help us to follow the Lord Jesus day by day.

By Tim Mize

Return to the Sermon Outlines page

Home / Bible studies / Bible Survey / Special Studies / General Articles / Non-Bible Articles / Sermons / Sermon Outlines / Links / Questions and Answers / What Saith The Scriptures /Daily Devotional / Correspondence Courses / What is the Church of Christ / Book: Christian Growth / Website Policy / E-mail / About Me /