How To Bring About Change As Jesus Did - Luke 5:15,16

10. Jesus realized that His job was not to change everything and everyone in society. He also understood that His primary job was not to bring about social, political or economic changes in his community. (Mark 10:45) "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many."

11. Jesus emphasized trust and obedience to God in producing long lasting change. (John 14:21) "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

12. Jesus emphasized right behavior that would be measured and rewarded by God. (Luke 6:46-49) "Why do you call me, ’Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man that dug down deep and laid a foundation for his house upon a rock. When the flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

13. Jesus believed in getting people involved in effecting change. First, Jesus required the change agents to be committed to Him and God’s will before enlisting them as His disciples. (Luke 9:23-25) "Then He said to them all, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his soul?"

14. Jesus used superb timing in effecting changes that would make a permanent difference. (John 2:1-4) "On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ’They have no more wine.’ ’Dear woman, why do you involve me?’ Jesus replied, ’My time has not yet come."

15. Jesus would occasionally delay bringing a change in order to produce the greatest quantitative and qualitative results. (John 14:26) "All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

16. Jesus declared Himself as the key to eternal changes. (John 14:6) "Jesus said, ’I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me."

17. Jesus knew that people needed His knowledge and wisdom to effect the kind of changes that would bring blessings without any sorrow. (Col. 2:3) "In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."