September 21, 2008
Onward! A Closer Walk with God
Lonnie Fritz
Last year in a series of special studies we looked at our need to look upward to God. Remembering who God is and giving Him praise and honor is of utmost importance to the child of God. We also looked at our need to look inward in a self examination to make sure we are the kind of people we should be. We followed that with a look outward toward our brethren, giving them the proper love and respect. Our final lesson was another outward look toward the lost; it is our mission as Christians we must strive to make disciples.
Our special series of lessons this year will follow up on the above theme. We must look before we go, look upward, look inward and look outward. Once we know the direction that we are going, we must then go-press onward! The apostle Paul wrote, “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:13-14) The apostle Paul said that he pressed on toward the goal. Christianity is a daily walk, but a walk with determination.
Jesus had this same determination to walk toward his goal, his missions, despite the difficulties that he knew were at the end of his road he pressed onward. “As the time drew near for his return to heaven, he moved steadily onward toward Jerusalem with an iron will. …He went from city to city and village to village, teaching as he went, always pressing onward toward Jerusalem. …As they continued onward toward Jerusalem, they reached the border between Galilee and Samaria.” (Luke 9:51, 13:22, 17:11, TLB)
Brethren, we need to have the determination of Jesus and Paul, pressing onward every day. One day at a time, one step at a time press on toward that goal of heaven, God’s upward call. I believe all of us need reminders of what to do on a regular basis.
Onward is a series of lessons that will be designed to help us continue onward toward the goal on our daily walk with the Lord. The goal is to encourage both young in the faith, and experienced Christians. In the group studies we will discuss the following questions: What are the blessings & responsibilities of being a Christian? Why do we assemble? Why is prayer so important? How can we have a better understanding of the Bible?
At this time there are three group study times planned, more may possibly be added if need be. Monday night at the Fritz’s house 7:30 pm, Tuesday night at the Washburn’s house 7:30 pm, and Wednesday morning 10:00 am, at the church building. The classes will begin on Monday, October 6th and will continue for four classes. Please fill out the following information sheet and place it in the box in foyer.