More Of Jesus, Less Of Me Series

### **Introduction**

Video Ill.: Less Like Me by Zach Williams

“A little more like mercy, a little more like grace, a little more like kindness, goodness, love, and faith… A little more like Jesus, a little less like me.”

That is a powerful prayer put to music. A prayer that I believe every follower of Jesus ought to pray every single day.

More Like Jesus

By Sermon Central

(Morgan, Robert J.: Nelson’s Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations, and Quotes. electronic ed. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000, S. 104)

From a sermon by Matthew Kratz, The Triumph of the Savior, 12/27/2009

Copied from Sermon Central

So what does it mean to be more like Jesus? Consider the story of William Howard Doane (who) was a wealthy nineteenth-century industrialist who entered the business world at age sixteen and was president of his own manufacturing company by age twenty-nine.

But his real love was music, and he sang solos and directed choirs at various churches around Cincinnati. At age thirty, Doane suffered a terrible heart attack which took him to the edge of the grave. As he recovered, he felt God wanted him to devote more of his time to the ministry of Christian music.

He began compiling and publishing hymn books, and writing musical scores for hymns and gospel songs. But Doane didn’t feel he could compose words suitable to his melodies, and he was always looking for Christian poets who could write lyrics for the Gospel tunes. In November 1867, in New York, he was asked by Dr. W. C. Van Meter to write a hymn in celebration of the anniversary of a rescue mission. Doane quickly came up with a melody, but could find no suitable words.

Kneeling in his New York hotel room, he asked God to send him a poem suitable for the anniversary celebration. He also prayed for a poet who could supply an ongoing stream of suitable verse. As he prayed, he heard a knock at the door. Opening it, he saw a messenger boy who handed him an envelope addressed to Mr. William Howard Doane. The letter read: Mr. Doane: I have never met you, but I feel impelled to send you this hymn. May God bless it. Fanny Crosby. The one enclosed in the letter that day was quickly embraced by congregations around the world. The words go like this:

More like Jesus would I be,

Let my Savior dwell in me,

Fill my soul with peace and love,

Make me gentle as the dove;

More like Jesus while I go,

Pilgrim in this world below;

Poor in spirit would I be;

Let my Savior dwell in me.

More like Jesus when I pray,

More like Jesus day by day

May I rest me by His side,

Where the tranquil waters glide.

Born of Him, through grace renewed,

By His love my will subdued,

Rich in faith I still would be;

Let my Savior dwell in me.

More like Jesus. Less like me.

After all, look at who we are — we are people full of pride, selfishness, impatience, stubbornness.

We are the opposite of who we are called to be.

We are sin-ridden, tattered, broken.

What the world needs is that which is humble, selfless, patient, whole, perfect, love.

You see what the world needs to see is more of Jesus, and less of me.

This morning we begin a short three-week series called Less Like Me: More Like Jesus, based on Zach Williams’ song to which we just listened. Themes of humility, mercy, and love cry out from the lyrics — themes which fully express who Jesus is and whom we should be with Jesus living in our lives.

As we begin this journey of self examination, this morning, we are going to focus on humility today, and the difference that can make in our lives and in the world around us.

### **I. The Problem of Self**

First, this morning, we need to talk about the problem of self.

Selfish

By Matthew Kratz

(Galaxie Software. (2002; 2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.)

Copied from Sermon Central

A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, 5, and Ryan, 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. “If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, ‘Let my brother have the first pancake; I can wait.” Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, “Ryan, you be Jesus!”

That is human nature in a nutshell, is it not? Selfishness comes naturally. Pride comes naturally. Wanting our way comes naturally.

If anyone ever had a reason to be jealous and selfish, it would have been John the Baptist.

In John 3, we read that John’s ministry was thriving. Crowds came from all around just to hear him preach. People were listening to his message. They were calling John a prophet and a great teacher. Because of his teaching, people were confessing their sins. They were being baptized by John in the Jordan River. A true revival was happening in Judea, sparked by the words of a man who lived in the wilderness and ate locust and honey.