LEARNING TO PLEASE GOD

LESSON ELEVEN – FOLLOWING JESUS’ EXAMPLE

 

          Jesus, the Son of God, is our great example for honoring God in this life. Those who have Jesus in their life have learned the very secret of living. "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10) In Jesus, we find the hope of all mankind. This hope is enjoyed only by those who follow His example. Paul wrote, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." (1 Corinthians 11:1)  

          The challenge for the Christian in daily life is to live for Christ continually. Jesus is the example of how we should live. "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps." (1 Peter 2:21) What will you do with the challenge of living for Jesus? "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27) Jesus is the Lamb of God and Christians must follow Him. Let each of us make the great and solemn commitment to walk as Jesus walked. "He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." (1 John 2:6)

          Jesus is our example of compassion. God's people must be involved in His work by exhibiting the compassion of Jesus to a hurting world. Christians are those who believe and have been baptized. (Mark 16:15-16) Christians must deny self and follow Jesus daily. Our words and thoughts must be translated into compassionate action. "But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd." (Matthew 9:36) Jesus was touched by those who were hungry. "Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way." (Matthew 15:32) He also had compassion on the sad, sick, blind and suffering. "So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him." (Matthew 20:34) He cared about others and we must likewise be compassionate!

 

          Jesus is our example of love. Christians must love as Jesus loved. "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:34-35) The impact of Christians loving others as Jesus loved us can be great in the earth. Jesus' love caused Him to lay down His life for us. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) The reason the death of Jesus is significant is because of the perfect life He lived and the great love He manifested. The sacrifice made by Jesus shows us His love.

 

          Jesus is our example of obedience. Jesus, Himself learned the importance of obedience. "Though he were a Son, yet learned he  obedience  by the  things  which he  suffered;  And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them  that  obey  him."  (Hebrews 5:8-9)  Faith only is not saving faith. Saving faith includes obedience to God's will. Jesus saves only those who are obedient. Jesus was always concerned about obeying the will of God. He came to earth to do the will of the Father. "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me." (John 6:38) Jesus humbled Himself and obeyed God. Let us do the same.

 

          Those who love Jesus believe in Him (John 8:24), repent of sins (Luke 13:3), confess Christ (Matthew 10:32-33), and are baptized for remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Those who follow the example of Jesus can be called faithful. Are you faithful to God by following the example of Jesus? "Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life." (Revelation 2:10)

 

True or False:

 

1. _________ “Never man spake like this man (Like Jesus).” (John 7:46)

 

2. _________ It is not necessary to live as Jesus lived. (1 John 2:6)

 

3. _________ Jesus had no compassion on the hungry. (Matthew 9:36)

 

4. _________ Jesus came to earth to do the will of God. (John 6:38)

 

5. _________ Christians must live a life faithful to God. (Revelation 2:10)