1. A few weeks ago I made the statement in the sermon that disciples should like Jesus. I want to explore this reality over the next few weeks. I want us to look at some of the key characteristics of Jesus and make application to ourselves. If I am going to follow Jesus that means I am going to look more and more like Him.
a. "Young Frankenstein" Movie: Marty Feldman to Gene Wilder, “Walk this way.”
b. Jesus to His disciples – Matthew 4:18-22
18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
c. It’s about imitation, the “sincerest form of flattery” – 1 Corinthians 11:1
d. Part of a disciple following a rabbi is to become like him – Gamliel and OT
2. A Goal for us is to grow more and more into the image of Jesus. Our lack may or may not be hypocritical – it may merely be that we haven’t arrived yet.
3. Today – See Jesus as Ordinary and Extraordinary – Isaiah 53.1-3
a. Jesus Is the Revelation of God (Isaiah 53:1)
Who has believed what he has heard from us?
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
b. He is the Incarnation of the “Word” – John 1:1, 14
I. Jesus and the “Ordinary” (Isaiah 53:2-3)
2 For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
A. God Surprises Us with His Lack of the Spectacular
1. Tabernacle Instead of a Temple
2. Jesus’ Ordinary Birth; Ordinary Early Days
B. Jesus Came in a “Plain Brown Wrapper”
1. Not spectacular in outward appearance
2. Probably not a slick speaker (Paul’s goal: 1 Corinthians 1:17; 2:4)
C. He Was Tested/Tempted as We (Hebrews 4:15)
a. Temptations in the wilderness – Matthew 4:1-11
b. By Rejections (Isaiah 53:3a He was despised and rejected by men,)
• Teachings challenged
• Sorrows/grief (Lazarus/Peter’s Denial/Judas’ Betrayal)
II. Jesus’ Mission Made Him Special (Isaiah 53 selected scriptures)
A. Sin Cure – Isaiah 53:5; 12d But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.// yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.
B. Humility – Isaiah 53:7a He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth;
C. Enduring the Will of the LORD Isaiah 53:10 Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt,
D. Prospering in the LORD’s Will – Isaiah 53:10d-11
. . . he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.
E. All Activated by the Presence of God – Romans 1:4 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
Applications in Being Like Our Master:
1. God Calls us in the ordinary by the ordinary – No Halos; etc. Just be the real person you are.
2. God Calls Us to Transformation (Ordinary to Extraordinary) – Romans 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
3. God Makes Us Extraordinary – by the Power of His Spirit
a. Not by our own discipline
b. Not by our own intelligence
c. Zechariah 4:6 Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.
4. In Our Mission, We aren’t the Sin Cure but Coworkers Who Point to the Cure
5. As a Result – We Stand Up and Out for HIS Glory as Jesus Did
a. Stars – Philippians 2:15
b. Light and Salt – Matthew 5:13-16
c. Leaven – Matthew 13:33
