This for That: The Example of Jesus

Can you recall, when you were younger, who did you aspire to be like the most?

Now, Who do aspire to be like the most?

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (NIV)

2 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 

3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

“In the Jesus way, we do not become perfect by trying harder but by following Jesus. He is the pattern; we follow him. His is the presence; we obey him. He is the way; we walk in it. The Jesus way saves us from the poverty of our self-help projects and the despair of our indifference.” – Eugene Peterson

2 Peter 1:4 (New International Version)
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

What caused Paul to say that, even with all my credentials and knowledge, I chose to come to you differently?

Paul’s come to moment…

Acts 7

Nothing would humble you quicker than…

Paul had a resume…

Acts 22:3

I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors

Galatians 1:14

I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

Philippians 3:4-6

If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.

Even with all of this, Paul resolved to know except Christ and Him Crucified!

Christ is the only one that brings change!

He set the example through…

1- His  

John 6:38
New Living Translation
38 For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.

2- A that established His  

Mark 1:35
New International Version
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Matthew 11:28-30
New International Version
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

3- His   

Philippians 2:8-11
New International Version
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

4- His   

“We are by nature preoccupied with our image and being recognized for our good traits. Jesus embraces a position where everyone totally underestimated Him and His abilities. When they saw Him they saw nothing to distinguish Him. He was totally ordinary in every sense.” -Mike Bickle

John 13:12-17 (New International Version)

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Matthew 20:25-28

New Living Translation

25 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Towels, not Towers, is Jesus’ way.

1 Corinthians 2:2 (NIV)

 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.