Jesus' Sinless Life Makes Him Stand Out Series

Islington Baptist Church April 29, 2001

Series: Why Jesus: Why follow Jesus and not any other religion?

Texts: Heb. 2:5-18; 9:26, II Cor. 5:21; I Pet. 2:21-24, I John 1:8, John 8:46

Why Jesus? Because of his sinless perfection!

The other week I happened across an article in the “Religion Today” section of www.crosswalk.com entitled “Ex Moslems Explain ‘Why I chose Jesus’”. Let me read this short article to you

“A new study reveals why some 600 ex Moslems decided to leave Islam to follow Jesus, even in the face of heavy persecution, sacrifice and death threats. According to Professor Dudley Woodberry, who conducted the study, the most important reasons were as follows: ‘Many were attracted by the certainty of salvation in Jesus…. He does not retaliate, is humble, loves the poor and outcasts; the power of His love is unique, and one can enter a relationship with Him, completely different to Islam. Christians are the only people who really work for justice for the poor and repressed; Christians’ unconditional love, and their peaceful and contented aura are very noticeable. Also, a number of ex-Moslems had supernatural experiences which were decisive in their finding Christ.”

We are in the midst of a series entitled “Why Jesus: Why follow Jesus and not Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, or any other religion?”

This is a question that is on the minds of many people. It’s a question you and I need to have a ready answer to. The Bible tells us as much in I Peter 3:15 when it says “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…”

Last week we answered the “Why Jesus” question by considering this Biblical answer: Because He’s the only way.

The Bible, which can be trusted, clearly teaches that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. No other name has been given to men by which they must be saved.

All the other ways to God that various religions propose are in fact dead ends; the ways they propose lead their followers straight to Hell. As Proverbs 14:12 says “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death”

Today, as we consider the “Why follow Jesus” question we are going to ponder this answer: Follow Jesus because unlike all others who have proclaimed a “way” he alone is sinless and lived a perfect life..

Jesus’ sinless life sets him apart from all others. Jesus’ sinless perfection makes Jesus unique amongst the various founders of the world religions. Jesus’ sinless perfection qualifies him alone to act as a Savior. Jesus’ sinlessness and the perfect life he lived, qualifies him alone as the only one credible enough to proclaim a “way”

I. THE FACT OF JESUS’ SINLESS AND PERFECT LIFE

The Bible is the primary source available for establishing Jesus’ sinless perfection.

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” II Corinthians 5:21

“But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin” I John 3:5

“Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. Why they hurled insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might dies to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” I Peter 2:21-24

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet was without sin” Hebrews 4:15

Also note this: At Jesus’ trial all sorts of charges and accusations were brought against Jesus. Was Jesus convicted on the basis of any of those charges? NO—for Pilate himself said “I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him”. Point: when Jesus died on the cross, it was not for his crimes or sins. He died there as the spotless lamb of God, in our place, with our sins laid upon him.

Listen to what Jesus said to the Pharisees who monitored and evaluated his every move, continually looking for something they could charge Jesus with: “Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?” John 8:46

The overwhelming testimony and conclusion of the scriptures, whether the words recorded come from the mouth of Pilate, Jesus’ disciples, the Roman centurion who proclaimed “surely this was the Son of God”, or from the mouth of Jesus himself is this: Jesus was sinless. He was perfect. There was fault in him.