Live Like Jesus
Various
June 23, 2024
I’m calling June the How to Live Like Jesus month. The first 2 weeks we used 2 Chronicles 7:14 as a springboard for talking about what it means to take ownership of our faith and ultimately, live like Jesus.
Last week for Father’s Day, it was a call for the men to learn more about what it means to be a BETTER-MAN, so we can help change the world. And more on the men’s ministry next week.
Today, I want to continue the theme of living like Jesus. Again, there’s so much scripture that tells us how to live. The Bible isn’t just a book of theology, it’s a book of how to live in a way which brings honor and glory to God and ultimately changes the world.
God transforms us, which in turn leads to others being changed. It’s not always easy and we have so many definitions about what it means to be a man or woman of God. Ultimately, the question is ----how do we live it out? It’s the ultimate demonstration of who Jesus is in my life.
I can do a lot of things to justify my sin. I can do a lot of things to make myself feel better, especially by making God be what I want God to be, rather than God shaping me into who He’s called me to be. I can go through a never ending laundry list of sins to show this, but let’s look at who we’re supposed to be.
We need to start by looking at Jesus, because He’s the One we’re to imitate. And if we don’t know who we’re imitating . . . . if we don’t know His nature and character, then how do we know what to do. I want to share 2 passages from Paul. The first is from Ephesians 5 - - - -
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. - Ephesians 5
Has there been someone in your life that you think to yourself, ‘if I could just be like them!’ We have people in our lives who make a huge difference and we strive to live like them.
I remember as a kid of trying to emulate certain athletes, pitching the way they pitched, swinging a bat like they did.
Aren’t you glad I didn’t try to emulate Michael Jordan. I’d be sticking my tongue at you all the time!
The One we are supposed to live like is Jesus. Paul says that over and over. Imitate Jesus. I mean, how do you imitate Jesus? He was and is the Christ. He’s Lord!
He’s the Son of God, and yet, as I thought about it, I’m a son of God too. And so are you - - - - you are a child of God. And we have the power and ability to imitate our Lord and Savior, Jesus. It’s not impossible.
So, Paul gives us the first clue - - - WALK IN LOVE. That’s the start. Walk in love. But man, are there not some people who are kinda, sorta difficult to love?
That’s the difficult part of this. But that was no different for Jesus. Wherever He went people were challenging Him, people trying to trick Him and deceive Him. It was a never ending battle.
And we have the same going on in our lives. There’s a battle going on and we need to focus on Jesus and His love for us and the example He set for us.
So, Paul tells us walk in love . . . HOW?
Remember from Colossians 3, I talked about the fact that Paul told us to put on LOVE, which binds other virtues together in perfect unity. Without love, we’re nothing more than a noisy gong or clanging cymbal.
Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us. That’s sacrificial love. It means loving like Jesus loved the person who was the outcast. Loving the person who’s sick, the disabled, the unable and those who are called “the worst of sinners.”
Jesus was willing to die for us. That’s the magnitude and power of His love. The start comes when we see others as Jesus did. No strings attached. More than anything . . . . it’s a love for others which comes from our heart and soul, because we’re seeing the world as Jesus did.
Paul now tells us in Philippians 2 - - - -
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in human form, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. - Philippians 2:1-7
This is called the Christ Hymn. It’s a powerful depiction of who Jesus is and what God believes is important for us in life. Notice in this passage, that Jesus, who is God, didn’t look at His status as important, but He emptied Himself.
That’s a tough one for us to consider. It means we empty ourselves of all of our rights and privileges. To do that - -
Jesus became a servant. We like people serving us. We want to feel important or special, so we expect others to make us feel that way. But that’s not the way of Jesus. Jesus told us in Mark 10 - - - -
45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” - Mark 10:45
We call Him, King Jesus, yet He didn’t come demanding to be treated like a King, He came as a servant. He’s the greatest example of servant leadership.
Have you ever considered what it would be like if we actually emptied ourselves of our pride and arrogance; and selflessly served others?
Jesus humbled Himself. He didn’t need to get the praise of others to feel good about Himself. He knew who He was. In fact, when someone called Him good teacher, He responded by saying, “are you talking to me? Because, only one is good! And that is God the Father.”
I love the way it plays out in the Bible immediately after the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. Matthew 8 starts out by telling us - - - -
1 When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed Him.
2 And behold, a leper came to Him and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.”
3 And Jesus stretched out His hand and TOUCHED him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
How many Pharisees, scribes, Sadducees or religious elite would have approached that leper and let alone touched him? That’s the humility and compassion Jesus demonstrated. He didn’t place Himself over others. He had this humility about Himself, which allowed Him to minister to those in need.
How about us? How do we do? Are we willing to serve others? Are we willing to help someone who has a need, even if it’s not quite so convenient? Would we approach someone who’s dirty or bloody?
It’s not always easy to do. We struggle with it. We come up with all kinds of excuses, but that’s when Jesus tells us ‘don’t look back, look forward, there’s kingdom work which needs to be done.’ Don’t get stuck on yourself.
Keep looking at the kingdom, don’t say, ‘well, I never saw you in need Jesus.’ Yet, Jesus is all around. The image of the Creator is everywhere, we need to open our eyes, our ears and our hearts to the needs of others.
So, we see the humility of Jesus. His willingness to step out, in a sense Jesus descended into greatness, by leaving the love and security of heaven and coming here, for you and I.
I want to look at one other scripture this week and finish off my thoughts next week, and yet, realizing this is a never ending journey towards Jesus.
And the end of Ephesians 4, Paul wrote - - - -
25 Having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.
28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor,
doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up,
as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. - Ephesians 4
If we can master this passage, we’d be doing great! We’d be shining examples of who we’re called to be in Jesus.
Paul tells us to put away all falsehood. Speak the truth with your neighbors. Remember how Paul was telling us to put on love, now he’s telling us to put off, or leave behind all lying, intentional lying to your neighbor. And who is your neighbor? That’s everyone.
Along with that don’t let the sun go down on your anger. Man, I don’t like that one. It’s much easier to let the sun go down on my anger, than have to deal with the other person. But you know what happens when we don’t deal with it? It festers and festers and festers.
Ever been there? I have! Many times. I avoided it like the plague and then it would explode.
It’s terrible to do in a marriage. It’s hard to sleep next to the person you’re not talking to.
And when we do that - - - - in any relationship, what are we doing? We’re giving the devil an opening. And that’s all he needs. Just give him that little space to come in and grab a foothold.
So, Paul gives some great wisdom. On the one hand, it’s okay to get angry, but don’t let it fester. But that’s an entirely separate sermon series we can do on anger! I’ll leave it at that for now.
I want to focus on what Paul tells us about our speech and our attitude. It’s so appropriate for our day and world.
Paul tells us - - - -
29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths,
31 Let ALL bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with ALL malice.
I’m not going to go through and define each word here. Consider in your walk with God, how this plays out for you?
Do you have corrupting talk, which literally means spoiled fruit or vegetables. Something that is putrid. Is that coming out of your mouths?
And along with that, get rid of ALL, not just some, but ALL bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander and malice!
Paul’s taking the fun out of being mean! What does he mean I can’t be bitter or slander someone? Doesn’t he know that’s so much fun?
Seriously, that’s not easy! Don’t be bitter, don’t be angry, don’t slander, don’t be filled with wrath, and clamor means to cry out like a wounded person screaming. Ever see those kind of fights on TV? Or maybe that’s your style of arguing and fighting! Paul says don’t.
Instead of living this way. Instead of allowing these to fester and be visible in your life, Paul says there’s a better way to live. He tells us - - - -
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
When Paul tells us to be kind, it’s not putting on that fake smile and bearing with one another, which is something we are to do, because not everyone is perfect like we are!
Paul is telling us to practice kindness, that means to be useful and beneficial to someone. Serving them and demonstrating Christ. On top of that, show compassion Feel for someone from the deepest regions of who you are.
Then, we are forgive one another. To extend grace, just as God extends grace to you and I. Have the same type of forgiveness, which God has granted to you through His grace and mercy.
And when we don’t do this, when we’re unwilling . . . . or we mess up again and again, Paul tells us we grieve the Holy Spirit, commanding us - - - -
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Paul’s telling us don’t cause deep sorrow to the Holy Spirit. And here’s great news of what we have . . . We’ve been sealed by God, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
This word signifies ownership and the full security carried by the backing of the owner. It’s like a legal and guaranteed promise from God to you and I that we are saved. There’s no need to question whether we’re in or out. God has stamped our inclusion in the kingdom.
And why would you want to cause sorrow to God by your actions?
So, a lot in here . . .
Imitate Jesus
Practice humility
Be a servant
Watch your words
Watch your actions
Practice kindness
Have compassion
Be forgiving
Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit.
That’s a lot to take in. Do that, and you’re showing the world who Jesus is!
