Jesus: the Perfect Role Model

Jesus: the Perfect Role Model

2004025

Topic # 1233

Introduction:

A. 1999 Superbowl: Eugene Robinson. Star safety of Atlanta Falcons arrested for soliciting an undercover officer for sexual favors.

1. Anything shocking or surprising for another celebrity or notable sports figure from getting caught for illicit sexual activity?

2. Kobe Bryant?

3. What made Eugene Robinson different: while playing in NFL, he has made it no secret of his professed Christianity & hasn’t been shy to talk of his faith in a public setting.

B. Britney Spears – notable pop star who in past called herself a role model for youth has said:

1. I don’t listen to that many people. I’m a very stubborn person. When someone tells me not to do something, I do it, that’s just my rebellious nature.

2. According to a FOXNEWS report, she later said parents should not be worried if their children want to copy her.

3. An aside: in late 2003, Spears later told a media outlet that she no longer wants to be called a role model.

C. Extremes? Negatives? Yes.

1. But there are untold #’s of positive examples that upright people set as they serve as positive role models.

2. Significantly impact lives to those who look up to them.

3. Think about someone in your life who has served as a role model for you.

a) Parents? Grandparents? Teacher? Bible class teacher? A godly friend?

D. Each one of us has ability to be a role model.

1. Do you realize someone; somewhere is watching you?

2. We have ability to impact/influence people for good or bad!

3. Someone is watching & imitating your life.

4. You have the responsibility to set a positive example.

5. You have the responsibility to live in private what you say you are in public!

E. When people follow your example, will they be led closer to Jesus?

1. Or, farther away from Him?

2. Remember, it’s easy to talk the talk – but are you willing to walk the walk?

I. God has given Mankind a Role Model.

A. 1 Cor. 11:1

1. Paul did his very best to imitate Jesus in everyway.

2. Ted Edwards: we are the only bible that many people will read. It is imperative that we practice what we preach to a very skeptical world.

3. How many of us would be confident to say to those around us, “Follow my example as I follow Christ.”

B. 1 Peter 2:21-24

1. We are to follow in His steps.

2. Greek word translated, “a writing copy.” Appears nowhere else in NT.

a) Jesus cast a pattern of living that we are to follow & imitate.

b) During first century, word used to describe a teaching situation where pupils expected to exactly reproduce what the teacher set before them.

C. Lk. 6:40 – disciples are like their teacher.

1. We are to be like the Master. Holy; blameless; undefiled; separate from the world.

2. We must grow in likeness of the Redeemer.

II. How can we imitate Jesus if we cannot see Him?

A. 2 Cor. 5:7. We walk by faith not by sight!

1. We must move w/absolute trust in Jesus as we go about our lives!

2. Look to the standard! God’s word! This is the mind of God revealed to man!

a) Here is where the life of Christ is revealed!

3. Move w/commitment! Resolve you will do everything possible to learn more about Him!

B. Remember the conversation between Jesus & Thomas? John 20:27-31

1. Focus on 20:29b

2. How strong is your faith?

III. Jesus lived 2000 years ago. How can His life be relevant to me?

A. We must understand that we are God’s children in a manner similar to Jesus’ understanding that He was God’s son.

1. Our objective is to make God well pleased who who/what we are…just as God was well pleased with who/what Jesus was.

2. John 8:29

B. Jesus shows us how to imitate God because He perfectly reflected God in His physical existence.

1. We must allow Jesus to teach us how to live lives of love!

2. We must be willing to sacrifice ourselves to God’s purposes!

a) This deeply pleases God!

C. Eph. 5:1-5 - Christians are to be very different in the lives they live!

1. The holiness of God – not the ungodliness of our culture – determines how we are to live our lives!

2. You be like Jesus!

a) Refuse to be immoral; impure; or greedy.

b) Allow God to be your standard & concept of morality & purity!

D. Eph. 5:8-10

1. A quality of a life that is living in the light is radically different from the qualities produced by not imitating God & living in the darkness.

2. We are children of light. We must look like people who imitate God!

a) It is utterly shameful to look like those who do not follow God!

E. Just like Jesus – we need to give careful attention to how we live our lives.

1. We live in an evil time.

2. We need to be wise.

3. We must understand that living for foolishness is spiritual disaster!

4. 5:15-17

F. These things are relevant in everyday and every age because today we face the same basic problems man always has!

IV. Jesus was perfect. I’m not. How can I ever match up?

A. Answer: only through the grace of God.

1. Grace doesn’t give us an excuse to slack off w/our spiritual service.

2. Mt. 16:24 – Keep following Jesus!

B. God wants you!

1. He wants you despite the sin in your life.

a) He doesn’t want the sin. Doesn’t approve of the sin; nothing in sin he likes; but he wants you!

3. God is merciful – he makes it possible for us to be like Him!

C. 1 John 1:5-10 – God is light.

1. God wants us to walk in the light. He wants us to make truth the pattern of our conduct.

2. Our entire life must be directed toward walking in this light.

3. Fail? 1 John 1:9-10 – God has provided a means of forgiveness! This is grace!

D. God wants us to be something!

1. Through His great mercy – he made it possible for us to be what He wants us to be.

2. Despite our failures!

3. Let God shape your character into the character of Jesus!

Conclusion:

A. Is there evidence in your life to suggest you are imitating Jesus?

1. Take an inventory of your life.

2. 2 Cor. 13:5

B. Are you following in His steps? 1 Pet. 2:21

C. Not a Christian? Here’s an opportunity to begin the process of becoming like Him!

D. Already a Christian – but not living up to God’s standard? Repent!

E. I N V I T A T I O N



Jesus: the Perfect Role Model 2004025 Topic # 1233 Introduction: A. 1999 Superbowl: Eugene Robinson. Star safety of Atlanta Falcons arrested for soliciting an undercover officer for sexual favors. 1. Anything shocking or surprising for another celebrity or notable sports figure from getting caught for illicit sexual activity? 2. Kobe Bryant? 3. What made Eugene Robinson different: while playing in NFL, he has made it no secret of his professed Christianity & hasn’t been shy to talk of his faith in a public setting. B. Britney Spears – notable pop star who in past called herself a role model for youth has said: 1. I don’t listen to that many people. I’m a very stubborn person. When someone tells me not to do something, I do it, that’s just my rebellious nature. 2. According to a FOXNEWS report, she later said parents should not be worried if their children want to copy her. 3. An aside: in late 2003, Spears later told a media outlet that she no longer wants to be called a role model. C. Extremes? Negatives? Yes. 1. But there are untold #’s of positive examples that upright people set as they serve as positive role models. 2. Significantly impact lives to those who look up to them. 3. Think about someone in your life who has served as a role model for you. a) Parents? Grandparents? Teacher? Bible class teacher? A godly friend? D. Each one of us has ability to be a role model. 1. Do you realize someone; somewhere is watching you? 2. We have ability to impact/influence people for good or bad! 3. Someone is watching & imitating your life. 4. You have the responsibility to set a positive example. 5. You have the responsibility to live in private what you say you are in public! E. When people follow your example, will they be led closer to Jesus? 1. Or, farther away from Him? 2. Remember, it’s easy to talk the talk – but are you willing to walk the walk? I. God has given Mankind a Role Model. A. 1 Cor. 11:1 1. Paul did his very best to imitate Jesus in everyway. 2. Ted Edwards: we are the only bible that many people will read. It is imperative that we practice what we preach to a very skeptical world. 3. How many of us would be confident to say to those around us, “Follow my example as I follow Christ.” B. 1 Peter 2:21-24 1. We are to follow in His steps. 2. Greek word translated, “a writing copy.” Appears nowhere else in NT. a) Jesus cast a pattern of living that we are to follow & imitate. b) During first century, word used to describe a teaching situation where pupils expected to exactly reproduce what the teacher set before them. C. Lk. 6:40 – disciples are like their teacher. 1. We are to be like the Master. Holy; blameless; undefiled; separate from the world. 2. We must grow in likeness of the Redeemer. II. How can we imitate Jesus if we cannot see Him? A. 2 Cor. 5:7. We walk by faith not by sight! 1. We must move w/absolute trust in Jesus as we go about our lives! 2. Look to the standard! God’s word! This is the mind of God revealed to man! a) Here is where the life of Christ is revealed! 3. Move w/commitment! Resolve you will do everything possible to learn more about Him! B. Remember the conversation between Jesus & Thomas? John 20:27-31 1. Focus on 20:29b 2. How strong is your faith? III. Jesus lived 2000 years ago. How can His life be relevant to me? A. We must understand that we are God’s children in a manner similar to Jesus’ understanding that He was God’s son. 1. Our objective is to make God well pleased who who/what we are…just as God was well pleased with who/what Jesus was. 2. John 8:29 B. Jesus shows us how to imitate God because He perfectly reflected God in His physical existence. 1. We must allow Jesus to teach us how to live lives of love! 2. We must be willing to sacrifice ourselves to God’s purposes! a) This deeply pleases God! C. Eph. 5:1-5 - Christians are to be very different in the lives they live! 1. The holiness of God – not the ungodliness of our culture – determines how we are to live our lives! 2. You be like Jesus! a) Refuse to be immoral; impure; or greedy. b) Allow God to be your standard & concept of morality & purity! D. Eph. 5:8-10 1. A quality of a life that is living in the light is radically different from the qualities produced by not imitating God & living in the darkness. 2. We are children of light. We must look like people who imitate God! a) It is utterly shameful to look like those who do not follow God! E. Just like Jesus – we need to give careful attention to how we live our lives. 1. We live in an evil time. 2. We need to be wise. 3. We must understand that living for foolishness is spiritual disaster! 4. 5:15-17 F. These things are relevant in everyday and every age because today we face the same basic problems man always has! IV. Jesus was perfect. I’m not. How can I ever match up? A. Answer: only through the grace of God. 1. Grace doesn’t give us an excuse to slack off w/our spiritual service. 2. Mt. 16:24 – Keep following Jesus! B. God wants you! 1. He wants you despite the sin in your life. a) He doesn’t want the sin. Doesn’t approve of the sin; nothing in sin he likes; but he wants you! 3. God is merciful – he makes it possible for us to be like Him! C. 1 John 1:5-10 – God is light. 1. God wants us to walk in the light. He wants us to make truth the pattern of our conduct. 2. Our entire life must be directed toward walking in this light. 3. Fail? 1 John 1:9-10 – God has provided a means of forgiveness! This is grace! D. God wants us to be something! 1. Through His great mercy – he made it possible for us to be what He wants us to be. 2. Despite our failures! 3. Let God shape your character into the character of Jesus! Conclusion: A. Is there evidence in your life to suggest you are imitating Jesus? 1. Take an inventory of your life. 2. 2 Cor. 13:5 B. Are you following in His steps? 1 Pet. 2:21 C. Not a Christian? Here’s an opportunity to begin the process of becoming like Him! D. Already a Christian – but not living up to God’s standard? Repent! E. I N V I T A T I O N