Acts 16:35-40; Philippians 1:1-2

Acts 16:37 – Paul may have wanted their release to be as public as their punishment to establish their innocence publicly and prevent undue bad publicity for the church in Philippi.

Philippians 1:1 – The church in Philippi was composed of saints, including elders and deacons. Notice that saints were people who were alive at the time.

• Nowhere in the Bible is a person referred to using “Saint” as a title. The term was only used as a collective noun to refer to God’s holy people as a group.

• A saint is one who has obeyed God and is in Christ, which implies they have been baptized.

Philippians 1:2 – We should have this same kind of spiritual peace that Paul had and desired for the Philippians.

Isaiah 33:15-17

A righteous walk (Isaiah 33:16)

• Speaks with sincerity

  • James 1:1-8 – The tongue is very difficult to control.

  • James 3:2

  • James 1:26 – An uncontrolled tongue makes your religion vain.

• Rejects unjust gain

  • Romans 12:17

  • II Corinthians 8:21

• Hands hold no bribe

  • Matthew 26:15

  • I Samuel 8:3

• Stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed

  • II Timothy 4:3

  • Psalms 15:3

• Shuts his eyes from looking upon evil

  • II Samuel 12

  • I Corinthians 11:1

  • II Peter 2:14

• Luke 1:6 – Keep God’s commandments to walk with God.

An exalted walk (Isaiah 33:16 a)

• Ephesians 4:1

• Romans 3:23

• Acts 17:30

• Colossians 1:3

A safe walk (Isaiah 33:16 b)

• I Corinthians 10:4

• Matthew 7:21, 24

• Psalms 18:2

A well-supplied walk (Isaiah 33:16 c)

• I John 1:7

• This walk brings peace (Philippians 4:7) and joy (I Peter 1:8).

• Walking with God provides all spiritual blessings.

A walk of faith and hope (Isaiah 33:17)

• Hebrews 2:9

• I John 3:2

Those who so walk have the best in this life and a peaceful death before living with God in eternity.

Introduction

• What does it mean to follow and obey God’s will?

• John 8:42, 44, 47

• What does God require of us?

• How can we be faithful to God in everyday life?

Values taught in the Bible are often opposite of worldly values.

Christian values

• Ephesians 4:25-32

• II Timothy 2:22-26

Ten values or principles for living a Christian life

• Worship only God – Mark 12:29-30; Matthew 6:24

  • Anything that takes us away from our devotion to God becomes an idol or false god.

  • Colossians 3:5

• Respect all people – Mark 12:31; Luke 6:27-28, 31-33; Matthew 7:12

  • Love – “agape” love: respect, affection, benevolence, good-will, and concern for the welfare of others.

• Be humble – I Corinthians 10:23-24; Philippians 2:2-4, 5-8

  • Every soul is as valuable to God as our own.

• Be honest – Proverbs 12:22; 24:28; 20:10

  • Honesty and integrity are held as very important values throughout the Bible.

• Live a moral life – Mark 7:20-22; I Corinthians 6:9-10

  • Immorality comes in many forms.

• Be generous – Proverbs 28:27; Matthew 25:41-46; Acts 20:35; I John 3:17; James 2:14-17; II Corinthians 9:7; I Timothy 6:17-19

  • The Bible tells us to share generously with those in need.

• Don’t be a hypocrite – Matthew 23:27-28; 15:8; 7:1-5; Romans 2:21-24

  • If we claim to be Christians, but we do not let Jesus’ teachings guide our lives, we are hypocrites.

• Don’t be self-righteous – Romans 3:23; I John 1:8; Proverbs 26:12; Matthew 7:1-5; Galatians 6:1-3

  • No one is perfect; we are all sinners in one way or another.

• Don’t hold a grudge – Proverbs 15:11; 19:11; Romans 12:17-21; Ephesians 4:31-32

  • Jesus said there is no place for hatred, holding a grudge, or seeking revenge and retaliation in the life of a Christian.

• Forgive others – Matthew 6:14-15; Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 18:21-22; Colossians 3:12-14

  • In the same way that God forgives us, we must be merciful and forgive other people.