To be like Jesus

by: Simon Matthews on: Sunday, 29th January 2012

Scripture: John 4:1-26; Mark 11:15-19; Hebrews 12:1-2

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Application

Some suggested questions to initiate discussion and prayer.

1. Who were some of your childhood heroes? (Fictional or real). What did you admire about them?

2. From what you already know of the Bible, what are some of the things that you admire about Jesus? If you can, give specific examples of how he behaved in certain situations.

3. Read John 4:1-26. What do you notice about the way Jesus behaved in this situation? What can we learn from this?

4. Read Mark 11:15-19. What do you notice about the way Jesus behaved in this situation? What can we learn from this?

Heroes

We've all had heroes – people we want to be like. As Christians, our biggest hero is Jesus.

John 14:7-11 – God sent Jesus so we'd see the Father. If you've seen Jesus, you've seen the Father.

We see what God is like in various ways, such as the Bible, other people, creation.

Jesus meets a Samaritan woman

John 4:1-26. What do we learn about Jesus from this account?

• Jesus went through Samaria – he followed God's plan.

• Jesus got weary. There's nothing wrong for us to take a rest. Better to burn on than burn out.

• Jesus asked for a drink. We need others, and should be able to receive help.

• Jesus crossed sexism, racism and dogmatism, by talking to a Samaritan woman and engaging in discussion.

• Jesus drew her into conversation. We need to engage with others.

• Jesus explained what he had to offer. We need to be able to clearly explain the gospel.

• Jesus had supernatural insight. God will give us supernatural insight in situations.

• Jesus was confident about who he was (v26). We need to be confident about who we are in Christ.

Summary: Jesus engages with anyone and everyone, and is full of grace.

Jesus with the money changers

Mark 11:15-19. What do we see of what Jesus was like?

• Jesus got angry. Some Christians try to be “nicer” than God! Eph 4:26 – anger needs to be under control. There is a time and place to be angry.

• It's more blessed to give than to receive. The temple was a place they gave to God, not to gain through commerce.

• Jesus sometimes made enemies (Mark 11:18). We shouldn't try to make enemies, but some will chose to be our enemies. Jesus even treated his enemies right.

Summary: Jesus isn't always nicey, nicey. Being like Jesus sometimes involves being passionate, even angry, and sometimes offending people.

Jesus on the cross

Hebrews 12:1-2. Jesus endured death on a cross, motivated by love, looking to see his Father say “well done son”.

Jesus defeated the power of sin and death, he defeated Satan. We must stand in his victory, not try to fight that ourselves.

• We need to endure, be a finisher.

• Isaiah 53:7 – Jesus went quietly, he didn't try to justify or defend himself. Sometimes we will need to go quietly ourselves.

• Jesus accepted God's plan for his life.