The Way Of Jesus

Intro: When we say that we follow Jesus, what does this really mean to us and what does it say to others they see us?

To answer the first part of the questions, if we are following Jesus, then it means we are meant to echo the nature of Christ's love. This means humility, sacrifices, and service in our approach to others, especially between fellow Christians, and they should see those traits in us.

Now to answer the second part of that question, What does it say to others who see’s us? You know I had to ponder on this question for a while and to me I really never gave this much great thoughts or got into great details of what that statement would really mean.

The only thing I can tell you in answering these questions is this. Following Jesus means that we change. We're transformed into looking like Jesus - being more like Him in our ABC's - Attitudes, Behavior and Character.

Friends we are different for many reasons because we have decided to walk a path of righteous rather than a path of self destruction. So in their eyes they think we somehow have gone nuts or we fell into belief of a God who is not real in their eyes. So by us being different, they react different to us.

Reading: John 15:13 - Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Prayer……

Title: The Way Of Jesus

In our opening statement of this message I gave us some thoughts that we should take time alone to ponder on and why it’s so important to follow The Way of Jesus – by us doing so we should be more like him in Our Attitudes, Behaviors and Character, verse who we once were.

When we made the decision to follow Jesus, and if we are true we became something different as I mention a little while ago. Many scriptures in God words teaches us to do many things and gives us insights of how we must become in Christ, other words to be more like him and less of ourselves.

The reading passage as I mention last week bible lesson is often used in reference to those who die—or who are willing to die—in the service of other people.

Friends, as I have said that's a valid interpretation of that passage we just read, especially as Jesus was preparing the disciples for His impending arrest and death. However, there are additional applications to this teaching.

The context of Jesus' statements about Christian life shows it's not "just" one's physical body which is in mind here; it’s about us changing what we once were to become more like him.

We also know by the word of God teaches us that Christ has spoken about the need for Christians to "abide" in Him, which includes emulating His love most of all.

So by following the way of the Master, as according to the reading passage, we should be willing to die for him who has died for us and if needed, do so for others to show them what his love is really all about. As I said a bit earlier, there are additional applications to this teaching in that passage.

So tonight were going to cover a few changes that should happen once we have decided to follow Jesus and they are.

1. First Change is - Our Attitude

So What is attitude? – It’s a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person's behavior.

It's what goes on inside your head. How you think - about yourself, others, world events, about following him and submitting to his control and his authority and allowing him to transform you inside out.

Romans 12:1-2 says - 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.

What are some possible general attitudes you’ve seen in people?

Joyful, cynical, critical, open-hearted, racist, embracing of others, etc.

It’s an inside thought or feeling that is reflected in how we act, and our behaviors are demonstrated.

One example of a bad Attitude (my recent experience with tenets across the trailer park)

Folks in order to be more like Jesus, our attitude’s must changed to be more like him and less of ourselves.

2. Second Change Showing - Humility

Philippians 2:3 says - Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.