Jesus and the Will of God Introduction: What does it mean to “follow in the steps of Jesus?” A. We could look at the specific deeds of Jesus and be immensely profited. 1. The outward actions of Jesus are perfect examples of how each of us should act. 2. The world is constantly pushing the Christian to be ashamed of teaching, standing, serving like Jesus did. The examples can be of great encouragement to us in our fight of faith! B. The greater goal of the Christian is to have the “mind of Christ” in us. (Phil 2:5) 1. This involves the mind, the will and all of our heart! We must learn to have the same thoughts like Jesus. 2. How can we possibly do this? Let us study the heart of Jesus and His relationship to the will of God. I. The Mind of Christ in Prophecy A. There are four servant songs in Isaiah that vividly describe the mind of Jesus. (Isa 42, 49, 50, 52-53) B. The power of the Servant begins with His ear (Isa 50:4-5) 1. His tongue indeed was powerful but it was guided by His ear. 2. The Servant’s heart was opened to God. He really trusted God! 3. It is a very risky thing to completely open your heart (ear) to another. 4. If we would just truly listen then look at the power available to us. (Psa 119:99; 1 Thess 2:13) C. The ear of Christ led Him to the cross. (Isa 50:6-7) 1. He was scourged, He was slapped, had his hair pulled out and was spit upon. (Mt 26:67) 2. He was not in any way ashamed but determined. 3. He had a face like flint. (Ezek 3:8-9) 4. How many have tried to make you ashamed of what is right? 5. Can you see what the disciples saw? (Lk 9:51-53; Jn 11:16) 6. For what purpose has God placed you here on this earth? II. How did Jesus handle the words of God? A. Jesus taught that the Old Testament was the very words of God! 1. He claimed the writers were moved by the Holy Spirit. (Mark 12:36) 2. He claimed the word of God is without contradiction. (John 10:34-35) 3. Man was to live by every word from God! (Matt 4:4, 7, 10) B. Jesus showed how God’s words are to be respected. 1. Jesus would only do those things that He saw the Father do. (Jn 5:19-20, 30) 2. Jesus wanted His followers to understand authority and to follow the Father just like He did. (Jn 7:16-17) 3. The respect for the words of God would lead Jesus only to act when the Father gives Him instruction. This stand would lead Jesus to the cross and us to be free from sin! (Jn 8:28-32; 12:32-33) 4. Jesus showed how we must empty ourselves and follow Him. When we do as Jesus did then we will honor the Father. (Jn 12:25-28) III. Jesus and the Apostles A. If we stopped at the gospel accounts and did not look at the rest of the New Testament we could not know the mind of Christ! 1. Jesus was preparing His apostles for the work of delivering the words the Father gave to Him to all mankind. (Jn 16:12-15) 2. The work of the apostles was crucial to the work of Jesus Christ. (Eph 3:3-5) 3. Jesus would have no voice, no instruction and even no offer of salvation without the Apostles and prophets having both spoken and written His word. (Acts 2:38-39) 4. The early church was founded upon and sustained by the apostle’s doctrine. (Acts 2:42; Eph 2:20) 5. Remember that the Holy Spirit was guiding the delivery of the word and Jesus promised that His word would be preserved! (Mt 24:35) B. Jesus wants us to have the same mind as He did towards the Father’s will. (Jn 12:48-50) 1. Whatever form God gives his word (historical narrative, poetry, prophecy, epistle) it is the very words of God and thus authoritative! 2. There are some who claim that the New Testament is a “story” or “narrative” and as a consequence has no binding law for future generations to be found in its pages. 3. How shall we read the Bible? What should be the place of women in “church?” What does Jesus say through the apostles? (1 Cor 14:33-37) C. It is these attitudes towards the words of God (authority) that Jesus proclaimed would be taught after He was raised from the dead. (Mt 28:18-20) 1. When men are converted to Christ the rest of their lives as disciples are indentified by this attitude. 2. We take what God has revealed and we only teach and practice what we are given. (1 Pt 4:11) 3. If it is not given by God, it is not to be taught or practiced! (1 Tim 1:3-4) Conclusion: Do not be ashamed of the Lord or His apostles. (Lk 9:26; 2 Tim 1:8
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 08:30:24 +0000
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