W W J D

.W W J D

1 Peter 2:21 (NIV)

Recently our youth were challenged to find out what the letters "W W J D" mean. I would like to talk about "W W J D" (What Would Jesus Do?)

In 1896, Charles Sheldon published a book, which took its title from our Scripture reading today, In His Steps. Sheldon's novel become one of the best selling and most widely read Christian books in history. In contemporary terms in his book could be entitled, "What Would Jesus Do?" His book chronicle the story of a church that made the commitment to do nothing without first asking the question, "What would Jesus Do?"

Author Tony Campolo: "I long for a church composed of members, each of whom would be committed to do whatever Jesus would do if Jesus were in his or her place. Lifestyles would change because it would be difficult to spend money on the luxury items prescribed by the media if each Christian would ask, "What would Jesus do?" The power struggles so characteristic of church conflicts would end if each of the warring parties would ask, "What would Jesus do?" The political systems of nations would change if each leader in power would ask, "What would Jesus do?"

Have you ever considered what Jesus would do if he were on earth today instead of 2,000 years ago? What would He do right now if "the days of His flesh" were today?
Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

We can find the answer to the question "What would Jesus do?" by asking another question "What did Jesus do?" The basic characteristics evident in His earthly life would be the same today in spite of culture, history, political correctness and value structures. Let's look at some key characteristics of Jesus that help us answer the question "What did Jesus do?"

I. JESUS OBEYED.

Jesus was Obedient as a Boy (Luke 2:40, 52). There is little information about the adolescence of Jesus in the gospels. However, that early part of His life can be summed up like this: He "became strong in spirit," He was "filled with wisdom," "the grace of God was upon Him," he "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men"

Parents imagine raising a sinless child! His room was clean. He said "Yes sir" and "No ma'am." He always obeyed instantly. Jesus was Obedient as a Man

Matthew 3:13-14 (NIV) "Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. {14} But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"

One of Jesus' first steps as He began His ministry was to submit to baptism. Baptism is the first step of obedience in the life of someone who has been born again. Jesus didn't need to be baptized. He didn't need to be saved. He was baptized as an act of submission and obedience to the Father. He said it was "fitting... to fulfill all righteousness."

Jesus was Obedient as a Savior. Verses throughout the gospels that tell us of Jesus' obedience to the will of the Father. John.14:31 "as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do."
John.5:30 "I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me."

Jesus prayed for obedience to the Father. In His Model Prayer "Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven." In His agony in Gethsemene, He prayed "Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."

Jesus was obedient even to death. Phil.2:8 "He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

To Do What Jesus Would Do Means Being Obedient to the Father.

He said in Mat 12:50 "For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother."

II JESUS STUDIED.

The Word of God Permeated Jesus' Life. Jesus at age 12 was in the temple with the learned scholars "listening to them and asking them questions." Jesus challenged their understanding of the Scriptures. They were "astonished at His understanding and answers" As a man Jesus had to learn. As God, He was omniscient. This is a great mystery.

Jesus had to learn the Scripture, yet every word He spoke was revelation from God because He was God. Jesus quotes the OT Scriptures hundreds of times, shedding light on its true meaning.

Matthew.5:17 "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill."

To Do What Jesus Would Do Means Applying the Word. If Jesus were living on this earth in flesh today, what role would the Scripture play in His life? Would He study the Scripture daily? Would He come to church to hear the Word on Sunday morning? Sunday School? Wednesday evening? Small group?

To be like Jesus is to be immersed in the Word.

III JESUS PRAYED.

Prayer was Essential to Jesus. The gospel writers take it for granted that Jesus prayed constantly. To Do What Jesus Would Do Means Spending Time in Prayer. It goes without saying that if prayer was so important to Jesus

Jesus prayed because He had so much to do for the Father. Perhaps the reason we fail to give priority in prayer is because we are not doing much in the service of God.

IV. JESUS SERVED.

Jesus we Born to be a Servant. You would think that God, would be the most prestigious and honored in the world. Jesus didn't come that way. He was born in a barn and lived a humble existence. He had no home. Phil.2:7 He "made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond-servant [slave], and coming in the likeness of men."

In Mark 10 "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." At the last supper, the God of all creation acted as a slave by washing the feet of the disciples.
To Do What Jesus Would Do Means Serving Others.

Walking in Jesus' steps means more than soaking up worship and the word on Sunday morning, it means helping others.

V. JESUS FORGAVE.

Jesus Came to Earth for the Ministry of Forgiveness. When Jesus walked this earth, He personified forgiveness. "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." Even from the cross, Jesus prayed for His murderers. "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do" (Lk.23:34).

We all have found that kind of forgiveness in Jesus. His blood shed from the cross was the perfect sacrifice to pay for our forgiveness.

Ephesians 1:7 ""In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."

1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Eph.4:32 reminds us "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.

VI. JESUS LOVED.

Jesus Loved Us in Life and in Death. God's love for man brought Jesus to earth. Jesus' love for man called Him to the cross. John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." His love did not stop at the cross. It continues for us today. To Do What Jesus Would Do Means Loving Others. 1 John 3:16 "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."

Are you ready to follow "in His steps?"

Jesus: OBEYED, STUDIED, PRAYED, SERVED, FORGAVE, LOVED

Are you ready to do what Jesus would do?

Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

With sarcasm, Wilbur Reese writes:
"I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please. Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine. I don't want enough of him to make me love a black man or pick beets with a migrant. I want ecstasy, not transformation. I want the warmth of the womb not a new birth. I want about a pound of the eternal in a paper sack. I'd like to buy $3 worth of God, please."

How much of God do you want? How closely do you want to follow in Christ's steps? Do we want enough of God that we learn to forgive those who hurt us? Do we want to forgo bitterness, and resentment and make peace with our enemies? How much do we want to follow "in His steps?" How much of God do we want? Three dollars?...

Discipleship is far more than a "What Would Jesus Do" wristband. Jesus said in Luke 14:33 "Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple."
We are answering the question "What did Jesus do?"

6. JESUS LIVED INTEGRITY.

Jesus is the Perfect Model of Integrity. Isaiah foretold of Him "He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth" (Is.53:9). Peter described Jesus like this: 1 Peter 2:22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth. In other words, Jesus didn't "talk out of both sides of His mouth."

Jesus was completely honest.

Jesus' integrity is evidenced in 2 of the most trying scenes of His ministry. First, AT HIS ARREST (Jn.18:1-8). Even in the darkness of the garden, after praying that His "cup" would pass, Jesus would not hide behind a lie.

Second, He displayed integrity BEFORE HIS ACCUSERS (Mk. 14:60-62). At this most excruciating moment, Jesus displayed His honesty, even though it would cost His life.

To Do What Jesus Would Do Means Living in Integrity. In the last few years, Christianity has a received several "black eyes" because Christian leaders have had their lack of integrity exposed. That's not only true of well-known televangelists, but men and women in the local church. Many have rejected Christ because Christians have involved themselves in an impure life. Sexual immorality, Adultery, Dishonest business practices, Fraudulent financial dealings among many other sins.

We are called to a much higher standard... "in His steps" Even when no one else is looking. Num.32:23 reminds us, "Be sure your sin will find you out."

Eph.5:27 "Jesus wants to present us "to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish."

7. JESUS FELT COMPASSION.

Jesus' Compassion Extended to All Men. Jesus went to "all the cities and villages" of Galilee, "teaching," "preaching," and "healing." He viewed these "multitudes" of people, He was "moved with compassion." He saw them as "weary" and "scattered."

They were "like sheep having no shepherd." They were at the mercy of the elements and predators. Jesus still sees the people of the world in this way. We also see Jesus "compassion" as He forgave sin. We see Jesus' "compassion" as He healed.

To Do What Jesus Would Do Means having Compassion. Far too many Christians have a "they- deserve- what- they- get" mentality about the lost world around us. Certainly there are those who have rejected Christ completely, but most have simply never felt His love and compassion. We are His hands and feet. If they don't see Jesus' "compassion" in us, where will they find it?

8. JESUS OVERCAME TEMPTATION.

Jesus Claimed Complete Victory over Satan (Mat.4:1-11). 1 John 2:16 says, "For all that is in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father but is of the world."

Jesus was tempted in all three areas.
1. "the lust of the flesh." After a 40 day fast, Satan told Him to turn the stones to bread.

2. "the lust of the eyes." He took Jesus "on the pinnacle of the temple" and quoted Scripture to Him. Jesus wasn't in the business of performing signs to attract people. He again defeated the evil one with Scripture.

3. Satan tempted Jesus with "the pride of life." He promised Him "all the kingdoms of the world and their glory" To Do What Jesus Would Do Means Defeating Temptation.

Satan was defeated with Scripture. If you and I are going to overcome temptation, we must, We Must, WE MUST use Scripture! We can defeat temptation.

1 Cor.10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

9. JESUS GAVE AFFIRMATION

Jesus Continually Built-up His Followers. After the resurrection, Jesus restored and forgave Peter. A few days later, Peter emerged as one of the greatest leaders of the early church.

To Do What Jesus Would Do Means Affirming Others. Jesus looked at a rag-tag group of men and saw apostles. He looked at a rough, foul-mouthed fisherman and saw the church's first pastor. Jesus looked beyond the exterior of a person and brought the treasure inside.

Who in your life needs affirmation? Who needs a bit of encouragement? Who needs a pat on the back and a loving hand on their shoulder?

10. JESUS ACCEPTED SUFFERING.

Jesus Never Balked at Suffering on our Behalf. He willingly, lovingly suffered and died that we might be saved. Have you been saved? Have you received His free gift? To Do What Jesus Would Do Means Accepting Suffering for Christ. Are you willing to suffer for Him?

11. JESUS FORGAVE.

Jesus Came to Earth for the Ministry of Forgiveness. When Jesus walked this earth, He personified forgiveness. "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." Even from the cross, Jesus prayed for His murderers, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do" (Lk.23:34).

We all have found that kind of forgiveness in Jesus. His blood shed from the cross was the perfect sacrifice to pay for our forgiveness. Ephesians 1:7 "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

To Do What Jesus Would Do Means Forgiving Others.
For the born again, Jesus has forgiven every sin. No sin is unforgiven. That's great news! Yet, how often do we bear grudges against others? How often are we controlled by a bitter, sarcastic spirit? Eph.4:32 reminds us "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you."

Jesus:
OBEYED
STUDIED
PRAYED
SERVED
LOVED
INTEGRITY
COMPASSION
OVERCAME TEMPTATION
GAVE AFFIRMATION
EMOTION
SUFFERED
FORGAVE

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