In His Image - 18: The Character of Christlikeness

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…to know the love of Christ…that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” -Ephesians 3:17-19


Opening Thought
What a Character!

We can usually pick up on who the “character” is in the group – a little louder, very outgoing, seems to feed on getting a laughing response. And there are other “characters” among us – maybe just a little unique in the way they approach life. Still, very noticeable in a group, just not as “noisy”. We’re actually all characters, exhibiting our own set of unique features. It’s just that most of us manage to do that while going through life more quietly.

I wonder if people in Jesus’ day thought He was a “character”. Perhaps. He certainly stood out, didn’t seem to be swayed by the direction of the crowds, stood up and spoke up when He needed to – probably made quite a few people uncomfortable.

There’s another side to “character”, reminding us of the desirable qualities we look for in a person. The world works at defining those characteristerics according to their godless perspective – like the bumper sticker “Just be Nice”. As Christians, we know to find the benchmark of character in Christ. He is our model and measure as we seek to develop biblical, godly character.

Wouldn’t it be nice if every once in a while, someone would turn their head our way and think “What a Christlike character that person has!”


Study Notes:

The Character of Christlikeness

We've already looked some at the spiritual mindset that is essential to Christlikeness in sessions 16 & 17. When you look in the mirror, do you see yourself as a "spiritual man" (or woman)? Is that an essential feature of "who you are"?

In 2 Corinthians 2:6ff, Paul speaks of the amazing privilege we have because we are redeemed in Jesus Christ and indwelt by the Holy Spirit -- we possess the wisdom of God. Careful, we don't claim to be like God -- but He has opened to us fountain of His knowledge for us to live by in wisdom. Remarkable. And that "living in wisdom" is the essence of Christlikeness.



1. The Law of the Spirit of Life

Romans 8:2, those "in Christ" (v. 1) live by the Law of the Spirit. The following verses express the essentials of that law. Go through vv. 2-14 and discover what these are.
v. 2 - sets free from the law of sin
v. 3 - anchored in what?
v. 4 - impacts our...
keep going!

Bottom line: We are empowered by the Holy Spirit and then enabled by faith and a surrendered heart.

2. Contrast with the World

• We certainly live in a world full of "characters". I sometimes comment "People can be such... people!" By design, we are unique, we have our own way of connecting with the world around us, and so many different ways of expression.
  
• As Christians we do face a challenge in balancing our "mind of Christ" and being part of the world. We all know the phrase "so heavenly minded that he's no earthly good". For starters, don' t forget that Christ is our model -- He was the essence of being heavenly minded. Yet He was also the definition of earthly good! But then, with Christ as our model, we do still need to express our godliness in our own special way.
  
  Paul describes this separation in 1 Corinthians 2:6-16. We have things revealed to us by the Holy Spirit that the world will never see. (To much extent, they don't want to see it!) This revealing is based entirely on the "revealed" truth referred to in 2:10. Based on 1 Peter 1:21, and other related scriptures, we understand "revealed truth" to be a finished work by God, contained in what we hold as the Bible. In other words, since the establishment of the Church and the completion of the Canon of Scripture, there is no new revelation from God. We have a completed revelation from God, all from that we need in order to know Him and obey Him.
  
• Our mission: 2 Cor. 2:15, "he who appraises all things", meaning that as Spirit-guided believers in Christ, we evaluate and respond to the various proddings and promptings of the world around us in godly manner, always anchored in Biblical truth. Ephesians 4:11-16 is a good passage about Christlikeness. Verse 14 describes the potential stormy influences of the world that we face anchored in Christ and His word (v.15).
  
• Our model: v. 16, the mind of Christ. See Romans 11:33-36, "Oh the depths of the wisdom and knowledge of God!" It is remarkable to realize that the Master of the Universe has enabled us to "think His thoughts", "have His mind". While we recognize our finite human limitations, we don't suggest being "like God" (Satan's sales pitch to Adam & Eve), yet we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to model the mind of Christ. Isaiah 55:8-9 says it well, "My (G0d's) thoughts are not your thoughts", He is infinitely loftier than we. Note: Isaiah 55 is a marvelous chapter for you to meditate on -- "Ho everyone that is thirsty...".
  
• Note that I did an earlier study on the Mind of Christ, focusing on Philippians 2:5 -- Sessions 15 & 16 (October-November).

3. A Study in Character

• In Session 11, we introduced the theme of the Fruit of the Spirit as a portrait of Christ. In that session, we took time to think about specific events/actions in Christ's life that demonstrated each of the fruit. Let's spend some more time now looking at the Fruit in Christ's life. Also, let's be sure to note that this is a deep well -- please use these notes as stepping stones to lead you into deeper and deeper studies about the person of Christ.
  
• Remember that the same Holy Spirit Who empowered the Son of God to express His life with these godly characteristics dwells in you... you are the temple of the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 6:19. His mission is to enable, empower, lead you through the process of living these manifestations of Christlikeness.
  
• It is suggested that this listing of the fruit of the Spirit lends itself to be broken into three sub-groups --
  1. Love, Joy & Peace: our Godward relationship
  2. Patience, Kindness & Goodness: our relationship to others
  3. Faithfulness, Gentleness & Self-control: our internal character
  
• Love --
  1. Reflect on Mark 1:40-42, Jesus "moved with compassion" for those in distress through no sin of their own.
  2. Then note Matthew 9:10-15, where Jesus loves those in sin, offeres them opportunity to repent.
  3. Remember great expression of love in 1 Corinthians 13 which puts the "stake in the ground" for love being the cornerstone of godly character.
  4. Think about the longsuffering love Jesus had for His disciples. For example, after the Resurrection, in John 21:15ff, Jesus talks with Peter about their love for each other.
  
• Joy --
  1. This isn't talking about silliness, giddiness, the shallow fun-loving mentality that seems so important to our society. This is deep, resilient satisfied happiness, not dependant on surroundings, based on what the heart knows to be true.
  2. In Philippians 4:4-8, Paul reminds the believer to always have a rejoicing lifestyle, then goes on to develop how that lifestyle is developed and maintained.
  3. Compare the parables Jesus taught in Luke 15, looking at the joy that is experienced by those involved when they found what was lost -- and remember these are portraits of God's own joy.
  4. One of the best things about joy is sharing it. For example, in Luke 10:17ff, when the Disciples returned from their missionary outing.
  5. One final thought: As we live Christlike lives, we are in the process of giving God joy, causing Him to have pleasure -- what an amzaing thought. In John 17:13, Jesus tells us that His joy is fulfilled in our success. Wow.
  
• Peace --
  1. What comes to mind when you think of "peace"? World events? Difficulties with people? Inner struggle? From God's perspective, these all come back to relationship with Him. Romans 5:1, peace with God is foundational to the believer's walk.
  2. Once we have peace with God, we are able to walk with the peace of God in our life, Philippians 4:7. This is inner tranquility and stability anchored in Christ. All of the outside circustances are handed over to God.
  3. Compare Jesus' peace -- sleeping in that boat, Matthew 8:23-27 ; hearing that Lazarus had died, John 11 ; enduring those "trials" before His Crucifixion, Luke 22 & 23.
  
• Patience --
  1. Are the people around you patient? The world is a "provoking" place -- people will always be... people!
  2. Think of the patience Jesus had, waiting through 30 years of becoming an adult, followed by 3 years of tumultuous pressure.
  3. There are two marvelous Greek words used in the New Testament for "patience". In Galatians 5:22, it is a word that emphasizes longsuffering and self-restraint, often related to expressing mercy to others.
  4. In James 1:4, God tells us to "let endurance have its perfect result". That word "endurance" is another great Greek word meaning steadfastness, constancy, endurance, perseverance; picture taking a 100 pound weight and placing it on top of a bean. While a marble might squirt out from under the weight, the bean stays under the weight, enduring the pressure. This word encourages us not to be swerved from our deliberate purpose and loyalty to our faith in Christ and goal of Christlikeness, even by the greatest trials and sufferings.
  
• Kindness --
  1. Kindness & Goodness seem to work together in their development and expression. One without the other would be out of balance. Kindness shouldn't be indulgent; goodness shouldn't be harsh and self-righteous.
  2. Kindness relates to the quality of who you are even though it is automatically an expression that impacts others. It is anchored in your moral goodness and integrity.
  
• Goodness --
  1. The other hand of Kindness. It is the expression of blessing that you place on others, the testimony that you are know by.
  2. Where is this godly character coming from? The moral goodness and integrity of the "new man" that you are in Christ, what Paul refers to as "God's workmanship" to result in good works (Ephesians 2:10).
  
• Faithfulness --
  1. In the Old Testament, God often used a special Hebrew term, "hesed", to express the tenacious and compassionate love God has for His people. This term speaks of a deep-rooted loyalty. It is hinged on the high value of who or what is involved.
  2. Hosea is perhaps one of the best illustrations of God's "hesed", longsuffering love for His people. He was tested more than once by a wandering, sinning wife, a picture of Israel's relationship to God.
  3. We often falter in being faithful -- the world around us seems to be the opposite! (Take a look at 2 Timothy 3:1-5.) It might help to think about some of the words we have in English related to faithfulness -- loyal, constant, trustworthy, staunch, resolute. Perhaps we need to strengthen our ability to think in these terms as we face the war around us that seeks to break down our resolve.
  4. Remember that allowing the Holy Spirit to lead your life will produce this fruit that is Christlikeness. And that includes faithfulness.
  
• Gentleness --
  1. This word emphasizes a "pre-disposed" spirit that intends to mild, soft to the touch in the it expresses to others. In this way, it leads to and partners with the final fruit of self-control.
  2. Watch the way Jesus was with the people around Him. We know He was driven, passionate about His mission. Yet, in the presence of people, He was always gentle. He would softly and tenderly touch their lives, then He would move on with His mission.
  
• Self-control --
  1. I prefer the word Discipline. The word speaks of the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions. The word also points us to the related life pattern of being a Disciple.
  2. If Love is the cornerstone of our Christlikeness, then Discipline can be seen as the process that enables this portrait to become ours.
  2. Meekness is a related word -- some define this as "power under control".
  3. Where does our power come from? As the Holy Spirit enables us, "we can do all things". Yet we bow humbly, recognizing our fallen nature, horrified by our capability to turn away, committed to "press on in order to lay hold" of our goal in Christ.
  
  
  For further study...
  
  1. How did people see the fruit of the Spirit in your life this past week?
  
  2. Think through the list and identify the top 3 fruit, in order of priority, that you “really need to work on”.
  
  3. Think back through Romans 8 – what are a couple of steps you can take to deepen your spiritual life?

In His Image - 17: Being Spiritually Minded

“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.” -Romans 8:6


Opening Thought
Mind What I Say!

Maybe you have this mental image in your memory as well. One hand on her hip, the other raised pointing a finder at you – having lectured you on the same fine point of behavior for the "umpteenth" time, she punctuates it with “You’d better mind what I say, or…” the rest we’ll leave to creative imagination.

God doesn’t stand over us with that irritated look on His face watching to make sure we “mind what He says”. However, some of this picture does fit. As we listen to Him explain in His Word what it means to live righteously, He looks for us to understand it. More importantly, He wants us to show that we not only understand, but we agree with the Truth, and we desire to live it in our daily lives. We want to mind what He says!

As a child of God, He has begun a remarkable process in us. Philippians 1:6 says that what God has begun in us, He will complete. He has begun the remarkable work of transforming us into spiritual, holy people. Peter tells us we are to be a “holy priesthood” so that we can “proclaim the excellencies of Him.” (1 Peter 2:5, 9)

We need to be sure that our mind is in gear with the mission of our life in Christ! Thinking God’s thoughts then putting them into action!


Study Notes
Being Spiritually Minded


1. The Veil is Taken Away

• When Moses came down from the mountain after being with God and receiving the Law, his face shone with the glory of God and he had to put a veil over his face (Exodus 34:33) for the peoples' sake -- they couldn't withstand full exposure to God's glory. This account is remarkable in at least two ways: Moses had a personal encounter with God - the Bible later calls him "the friend of God". He had the result of the personal experience emblazoned on his person. Then, how sad that the people at the bottom of the mountain, God's people, had to be shielded from that revelation of God's glory.
  
• Paul mentions this picture in 2 Corinthians 3:12ff. Our hope in Christ gives us boldness, it produces a glory that radiates from us, and there is no veil -- Christ has removed it! (Remember the torn veil at His Resurrection?)
  
• As a result, verse 18 tells it, we are able to encounter the glory of God in Christ in a transforming way, moving us towards Christlikeness.
  

2. Disciple? sure. Obedience? hmmm....

• We readily acknowledge that we are disciples of Christ. But when we come to the issue of obedience, we tend not to be so quick to respond. We're still human, we still want to be in charge.
  
• In practical, human terms, how do we approach obedience?
  
  1. We hear someone giving direction, and we realize we have to choose whether to follow.
  
  2. We evaluate and conclude the level of competence and authority that person has.
  
  3. We decide whether to follow the guidance given in #1 based on #2.
  
  
• So then, how should a disciple of Christ respond to the guidance of God's Word?
  
  1. Be intimately familiar with the guidance given by God in His Word.
  Two key passages come to mind:
  - John 14:26 and 16:13 tell us that the cornerstone ministry of the Holy Spirit to the Believer is to teach and guide you in the Truth of God's Word (the Bible).
  - 2 Tim. 3:16-17 tells us that the Word of God has 4 primary purposes, summarily providing all guidance needed by the Believer
  
  2. Settle once & for all the total authority God has in our decisions and actions.
  - The debate needs to be over, have it settled so that when the challenges come, you already know the result: God's guidance has complete authority in your choices and decisions.
  - Paul often reminded and encouraged his listeners about the importance of understanding what they have committed themselves to in Christ and being faithful to it. Look for example at Colossians 1:23; 2:7; Romans 6:13
  - Warren Wiersbe, in The Integrity Factor, quotes Peter Forsythe saying "The first duty of every soul is to find not its freedom but its Master."
  
  3. Instinctively assume that all guidance from God is applicable in your life.
  - The good news is that this makes the decision process brief and simple. Our testimony of the grace of Christ is enhanced and more consistent.
  - The challenge now is to become increasingly capable of godly application of His truth.

3. Put it into Action

• We need to get past this ...
  1. Is God Who He says He is?
  2. Is the Bible truly the complete and authorative source for our life's purpose and principles?
  
• We need to get here...
  1. Become very clear about our commitment to and love for Christ .
  2. Recognize that these two should drive us to a passionate demonstration of His likeness.
  
• At that point, obedience becomes essential.

4. Our model is Christ

• This is the goal of this series of studies in Christlikeness.
  
• We all probably need to review what has been covered in this series on a regular basis so that we grow in our understanding of who Christ is and how He expressed God's character.
  

For Further Study...

1. Philippians 4:8 challenges us to focus our thinking, to “dwell on” certain things. Does this verse express the mind of Christ? Is there anything we can add to this? How close do we come to this model?

2. Spend some time meditating in 1 Peter 2 and the importance of your being a truly holy person, not just in God’s sight, but before the world.What does it mean to you to be “spiritual”?

3. Would you agree that God expects the Christian to show a distinct spiritual nature characterized by godliness? Are these two things the same?

In His Image - 16: The Mind of Christlikeness

"For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.” - 1 Corinthians 2:16

Opening Thought
Too Much to Ask?

When we consider the challenge of knowing the mind of Christ, our first response is that this is a difficult task – maybe too difficult, out of reach, more than we should hope for. After all, Jesus Christ is God, completely perfect, without sin, sitting in heaven at the right hand of the Father. He is our Redeemer, victorious over sin, risen from the dead, awaiting the day that all knees will bow before Him.

We are bound by our earthiness, as Paul says, in these “earthly tents” (2 Corinthians 5:1ff). We struggle with sin being all around us, often responding to the challenges of life with a mortal, earth-bound point of view. How in this world can we expect to have the mind of Christ in the midst of such circumstances?? Is this too much to ask of us?

Christ told us we are to be “salt and light” in this world (Matt. 5:13-16). The issue becomes one of how “salty” and “full of light” we are. We must not yield to the pressure of our world, but instead allow our mind to be transformed , renewed in Christ’s likeness.

Left to ourselves, there would be no way to acquire the mind of Christ. But God has committed Himself to our success! His Holy Spirit indwells each of us specifically to accomplish this great task. It is not too much to ask, and we should be asking Him every moment of every day to do this great work in us!

Study Notes
Renewing the Mind
A few questions to get us started..

1. Is eternal life is dependent on faith alone?

In simple terms: yes. Without personal faith in the finished work of Christ on the Cross, we stand condemned. However, the Grace of God certainly has the same primary position of affect and effect -- we are obligated to the truth of Ephesians 2:8-9, "for by grace have you been saved through faith." This question leads to a fair amount of debate among Bible-believing Christians today, seeking to balance the sovereignty of God with the free will of man. The fact of these verses, however, is unavoidable: both are involved. Let's be careful to recognize the points at which we are not able to force the infinite truths of God into our finite minds.

Faith -- the acknowledgement by man of God, Who He says He is, what He says He has done to reconcile our relationship with Him, and how He provides for our possessing that reconciliation -- based on His revelation to us in Christ and His Word. Grace -- the unilateral work of God to express and accomplish His Holiness, Justice and Lovingkindness on our behalf -- based on His sovereignty, finally and fully expressed in Jesus Christ on the Cross.

One of the most exciting ways in which we see the grace of God in the work of salvation is expressed by Christ in John 10:10, that He has come that we might have life (our walk with Christ in eternity) and that we might have it more abundantly (our walk in Christ today).

2. Does this "abundant living" happen automatically by being a Christian?

It is this abundant life that is impacted by our understanding and pursuit of Christlikeness. Romans 12:1-2 helps as well: rather than letting the world "press" us into its mold, our mind should be constantly being renewed . The result is that we are transformed -- from? our world-based self-centered behavior -- to? a behavior that is heaven-based and Christ-centered.

3. What does "renewing our mind" mean?

In our last session, we studied the Mind of Christ as taught in Philippians 2. The Renewing process is God's work of moving from a world-bound mindset to one that emulates Christ. Rom. 12:2 tells us it is a "transforming" process (by the way, never finished until we are with Christ, 1 John 3:2). Look up other verses that teach more about this transformation: 1 Corinthians 15:51-53; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:21. Note that Rom. 12 & 2 Cor. 3 use the same original Greek word which transliterates into our English "metamorphosis" (think caterpillar to butterfly). 1 Cor. 15 and 1 John 3 use different words, and are focused on the final state of our being made like Him at the Rapture.

4. How does "renewing our mind" happen?

According to John 16:13-14, the Holy Spirit is indwelling us specifically so that He can teach us and reveal Christ (through the Word of God). Galatians 5:22 gives a marvelous portrait of Christ by listing the Fruit of the Spirit, results of the transforming work He works in us. As you reflect on the Fruit, you can easily see where the "renewal" process needs to go in your life!

“Without biblical meditation, we fall into the trap of religiosity, of going through the motions of religion without really dealing with our lives. What God has called us to is not simply overt conformity to a set of moral rules, standards, and actions of service. Instead, He has called us to a heart relationship with Him through Jesus Christ through the Word in the power of the Holy Spirit. This means change in our lives from the inside out, changes in our values, sources of trust, in our purposes for living, and in the way we handle life.”-- J. Hampton Keathley, bible.org


He Who is Spiritual

The Christian life is a spiritual reality, it is based on faith in the True God. However, rational thinking is a key element in the way we live Christlike lives. This passage helps us to understand why.

1. 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 -- We speak a wisdom not of this age. Paul is speaking of how we apply the knowledge we have from God in a Christlike manner.

2. The wisdom of the age -- How does this age's wisdom compare with the wisdom of God? Today's wisdom is worse than short-term, it requires immediacy. It also requires total accommodation of self and exlcusion of God.

3. The wisdom of God -- By comparison, we have received God's Spirit, we have recognized our need of God's provision, we have turned to Him for solutions. As a result, the Holy Spirit guides and teaches so that we gain spiritual understanding.


How Do We Show the Mind of Christ?

1. Two basics...

• Know God -- become acquainted with Him personally, become His child, become friend
• Think God's thoughts -- grow deep roots, plumb the depths of His wisdom, express His mind in the midst of every day's experiences

2. Living the Mind of God

• Think Biblically
• Think Honestly
• Think Consistently
• Live with forgiving heart
• Live with a serving spirit
• Live with a discipling mind

A Challenge from 1 Peter

Peter's first epistle is a strong focus on living a life of godliness and Christlikeness. Perhaps the thrust is best summed up in 2:9-10, we are chosen by God to be a royal priesthood, a holy people for God's precious possession.

• 1:13 -- "...prepare you minds for action..." We have a mission from God and our minds must be prepared, sober, fixed.
  
• 3:8, 15 -- Live in harmony and kindness, but then be prepared (in your mind) to give a defense for your faith.
  
• 4:1 -- Arm yourselves with purpose; be mindful that when you speak, it is the utterances of God

May the Mind of Christ my Savior (Hymn)

May the mind of Christ my Savior, live in me from day to day;
by His love and power controlling all I do and say.

May the Word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour;
so that all may see I triumph only through His power.

May the peace of God my Father rule my life in everything,
that I may be calm to comfort sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me as the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing, this is victory.

May I run the race before me, strong and brave to face the foe,
looking only unto Jesus as I onward go.

May His beauty rest upon me, as I seek the lost to win;
and may they forget the channel, seeing only Him.


For further study...
1. Focus this week on the Bible’s teaching about the mind of God using the passages here in our notes
2. Think about three ways you could develop as habits to help your thinking to be more Christlike.

3. As an exercise, memorize Philippians 2:5 and Romans 12:1-2.

In His Image - 15: Striking the Mark

Attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in Whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” --Colossians 2:2-3

Opening Thought
Making the Commitment

We’ll often go through the experience of deciding we want to do something. It might be a weight loss program, or a career-enhancing certification, or running in the Boston Marathon (don’t worry, I haven’t done that either). So we look into all the requirements, we make the plans, and we think about all the good that will come out of accomplishing this goal.

Then, something very important happens – it’s time to actually start the program, to make the commitment to engage in the required discipline and stay at it for the duration of the program. Remember that feeling? Facing up to this challenge can be a real struggle. Determining to announce to all observers that you’re actually going to do this.

Committing to a life of Christlikeness takes that type of commitment. We can do a lot of looking and thinking about what’s involved, we can think about all the benefits that come if we “complete the program” – both now and in eternity. It’s just that actually-getting-started thing that causes us to pause.

That’s where we are in our study of Christlikeness. We need to hook into some very specific exercises and disciplines that need to be developed into life habits. So let’s go – let’s make the commitment to Christlikeness.


The Mind of Christ - Philippians 2

As we begin our study of exercising Christlikeness in our Christian walk, it will help to look at some of the key passages of Scripture that speak to our understanding of what is involved in seeking this high goal. Paul, in Philippians 2, "strikes the mark" of what Christlikeness means to the believer by stating it as having the "mind of Christ".

1. The Mind of Christ

• Philippians 2:5, "let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" -- continuously be thinking the same way Christ was thinking; that's why we've spent the last several study sessions looking at snapshots in Christ's life, to get a sense for how He was thinking in those various situations; as Paul explains here, that thought process centered on obedience, humility and servanthood
  
• 1 Cor 2:14-16, but we have the mind of Christ! After quoting from Isaiah, "who has known the mind of the Lord?", he Paul reminds us that in reality, we do!
  
• While most of Paul's letter to Philippi is heartfelt, conversational and spontaneous, this passage chapter 2 is more "polished", seemingly carefully thought out.
  
• Phil. 2 is is a major Biblical statement on Christology, in our being of one mind in Christ (2:1). Doctrinal study, Christology, Pneumatology, Ecclesiology, Eschatology and others -- these are valuable areas of study that you need to spend some time in.
  
• The bottom line is that all true Christians have (or ought to have) the mind of Christ. So, what is the mind of Christ? Paul points us in the right direction in this passage.

2. Choosing Not to Grasp

• Phil. 2:6
  
• Think of grasping as clinging or desperately hanging on to something. This could be like falling in a tree and desperately hanging on to a branch. Or perhaps, picture the child being left at summer camp and clinging tight to the parent, not wanting to be left alone.
  
• Compare John 1:1-18, the very Living Word of God, choosing to leave heaven's glory and dwell among us. Rather than clinging to His heavenly realm, Jesus Christ took on a mortal body and allowed mankind to observe His glory.
  

3. Emptied of Self

• Phil. 2:7
  
• This speaks of how Jesus set aside His independent use of His divine power.
  
• He emptied Himself of all His heavenly, divine reputation, left behind His ability to claim status or position -- almost as if He had no history at all. Imagine having everything about you that made you special or unique in your life taken away; think of the tragic life stories of black slaves brought to America and treated as having no previous life.
  
• When Jesus expressed His experience of this, it is not in the sense of playing a part, it is a very real experience.
  
• Think of what it would take for us to be empty of self, totally devoid of pride & selfishness
  

4. A Humble Servant

• This "humbling" is a different word than "emptying". Here simply bows low, expressing His intension to serve, demonstrating His relationship to mankind.
  
• Jesus chose to submit His will, His independent plans, to His Father. From early in His ministry when He expresses His keen sense of knowing His Father's plan and being totally dedicated to it, to just before the Cross, "not my will, but Yours be done."
  
• Note Matthew 20:28, "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Also, Mark 10:43-45.
  
• How does His being described as "humble" match up with some of the dramatic confrontations he created, such as cleansing the Temple? What other instances can you think of? (Think "Pharisees")

5. Obedience

• Perhaps this point helps to understand our question above. Jesus so clearly understood His obedience to His Father that it influenced His every action, it overrode cultural niceties and social prejudice.
  
• Luke 2:49, "I am here for my Father's business."
  
• John 8:29, "I always do the things that are pleasing to Him."
  
• John 12:49, "My Father has given Me... what to say."
  
• Luke 22:42, "not My will, but Thine be done."
  
• Overarching every minute of Jesus' life was His sense of Mission: He was here "on His Father's business". The business of delivering once-and-for-all Redemption for mankind. The business of demonstrating the reality of God fulfilling His promises.
  

6. Patience

• Patience... probably not one of our better traits in the 21st century. Having the ability to comfortably wait while something develops or arrives.
  
• Beginning at the Cana wedding, Jesus knew His hour had not come (John 2:4); also John 7:30; 8:20. The "hour", He tells us later, speaks of His sacrifice on the Cross -- a crucible of time through which all of human history is drawn.
  
• The time came when the hour was "come" or "at hand" -- Mark 14:41; John 12:23; 13:1; 17:1.
  
• "In due time..." -- Romans 5:6; 1 Timothy 2:6; 1 Peter 5:6 -- Please read through these passages and reflect on the patience of Christ.
  
• Note Hebrews 12:2, "for the joy set before Him, endured the Cross". This enduring had to include His entire life on earth as He anticipated His "hour".
  
• Jesus was able to work on the basis of a divinely clear knowledge of the End Times. Phil. 2:9-11 sums up the anticipation that Jesus Christ has in seeing the fulfillment of God's "plans for the ages", the culmination of His promises to Israel and the Church (separately!).

7. Paul's Response

• Context is always important in Bible study. Paul's response to this great Christological passage helps us to know what our response should be. If you follow the grammatical "hooks" starting in Phil. 2:12, "So then...", on to 3:1, "Finally...", he brings us to center of His heart in 3:7-14.
  
• From this great passage, we see the reality of the Christian walk. "Count all things to be loss... that I may gain Him... that I may know Him... I press on toward the goal."
  
• Beginning to demonstrate Christlikeness in our life requires this deep-heart commitment. We come to the place where this becomes our true passion. The other delights and drama of life become "environmental", just the trappings of this One Thing that truly matters -- Christlikeness.
  

A very special hymn --
May the Mind of Christ my Savior

May the mind of Christ my Savior, live in me from day to day;
by His love and power controlling all I do and say.

May the Word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour;
so that all may see I triumph only through His power.

May the peace of God my Father rule my life in everything,
that I may be calm to comfort sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me as the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing, this is victory.

May I run the race before me, strong and brave to face the foe,
looking only unto Jesus as I onward go.

May His beauty rest upon me, as I seek the lost to win;
and may they forget the channel, seeing only Him.


For Further Study...
1. Have you thought about how seeking to be like Christ requires discipline and exercise? Would that require some changes in how you approach Christlikeness?
2. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being perfect, how well do you “look like Christ”?
3. What would be three things you need to work on to make your “score” go up?

In His Image - 14: Our Great Savior

“Oh death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
-- 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

Opening Thought
Get out of Jail Free

In the game of Monopoly, you need that card. But in real life, the issue is so much deeper, all the way down into your heart. Separated from God by sin, no way to account and pay for your sin other than eternity in hell – you need the Savior! Every one of us, trapped in our sin, have no way to escape apart from the redeeming work of Christ on the Cross.

However, through the final excruciating week of Jesus’ life on earth, we see that He had so much more in store for us. His death, the gift of salvation, is not just a get out of jail card, not just “life insurance” to escape hell. It is the opening to an abundant life, here on earth, and through all eternity.

He wants to us to know Him, to understand His character, and to begin the process of reflecting that character in our lives – to be Christlike. Our studies thus far have been seeking to look into the life of Christ and observe how He expressed godliness in His interactions and ministry with people. In the next few studies, we will begin to study more directly the disciplines of Christlikeness, seeking to understand the processes required of each of us to follow in Christ’s steps. However, right now, let’s just reflect once more on the awesome beauty of the character of Christ as it is revealed in all its glory through these events leading to the Cross and beyond.



Study Notes

Why is this night so different?”

1. Pesach has always been the most popular of the Jewish holidays, celebrated more than the other than the other Jewish feasts

2. The Day of Atonement, yom kippur, the 10th day of the 7th month; recall images of the High Priest approaching the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies, the two scapegoats.

• Review Leviticus 16 to recall more of the special activities involved in this holy event


• The only national day declared by Jewish law, a day of national humiliation


• These activities were designed by God to demonstrate propitiation and expiation, the acts which clear a debt, remove all indication of guilt or liability.

3. The youngest child in each faithful Jewish home, during the Passover seder meal, would recite four questions -- the key one "Why is this night different from all other nights?"

4. When the disciples gathered with the Lord in the Upper Room, perhaps these questions burned in their mind in a way they could have never anticipated. Certainly no night had ever been so different. The foreboding awareness that something remarkable and terrible, from the hand of God no less, hung over the room just as that night 1450 years ago in Egypt.

5. Read Exodus 6:6-7 and look for four expressions of redemption

• Freedom


• Deliverance


• Redemption


• Release

6. The Last Supper the Lord had with His disciples followed the seder sequence of the Passover meal, which included 4 cups, the same sequence of redemptive expression (using a Harmony of the Gospels might help you separate these events)

• Luke 22:17, the First Cup, Cup of Blessing


• Luke 22:19, the Second Cup, breaking of Matzoh


• Luke 22:20, the Third Cup, of Redemption


• Matthew 26:27-30, the 4th Cup; the Hallel Psalms are traditionally sung and/or read (Psalms 115-118) at the conclusion of the Passover meal

7. Jesus the Messiah is our Pesach, our Redeemer, our sacrifice.

• Read 1 Corinthians 5:7


• The Hebrew “pasha” means “to pass over”; the English “paschal” is derived from this word, and is linked in early Christian tradition to the Greek word for “passion”, the work of Christ on the Cross.

Jesus' Ministry to Others in the Midst of Turmoil

Seeing Jesus in the Upper Room gives us one more glimpse before the Cross of His constant ministry to others as they face life’s struggles.

1. Jesus and Peter

• John 13:36-38; Luke 22:31-34 – look where this sad prediction has its roots: Peter still doesn’t fully see the reality of Christ’s mission, he hasn’t been hearing clearly


• Luke 22:54-62 – Before the cock crows…Graciously for Peter and for each of us in our own way, the story doesn’t end there. John 21:15ff shows the tender ministry of Jesus to Peter in pointing him to rich ministry as well as suffering for Christ’s sake.

2. Jesus and the Crowds

• Matthew 27:15-26


• For three years the crowds had been following Him, pressing in on Him, calling for Him to be King, seeking His healing and providing touch.


• Now, stirred up with fear, the masses have their say -- “Crucify Him!” Let’s be done with this confrontation, let us have our indulgence.Later on the Cross, however, Jesus looks out on those around Him and around the world, and speaks for them to the Father – “forgive them”.


• Later on the Cross, however, Jesus looks out on those around Him and around the world, and speaks for them to the Father – “forgive them”.

3. Jesus and the Repentant Thief

• Luke 23:39-43
  


• Concerned with His own suffering and loss? Resentful of being placed on a Cross just like these guilty men beside Him? No, still focused on His mission of Redemption, He faithfully communicates the message of grace one more time – “You shall be with Me in Paradise.”
  

4. Jesus and Mary Magdalene

• John 20:11-18

Mary Magdalene, a tender woman who has come out of a life of misery and sin, has her heart broken at the loss of her Lord and Savior. All she could do was bow at the tomb and weep. Then out of the clouds of her sorrow, she realizes the glory of God speaking to her – “Why are you weeping?”

• Turning the other way as she senses movement, she sees this man, remarkably familiar yet different. But then He speaks to her – “Mary!” And all she could reply was the truth of her relationship with her Savior -- Raboni!, which means “master teacher”.

5. Jesus and the Emmaus Travelers

Luke 24:13-32

Were not our hearts burning within us?





I once was lost...

Jesus has ministered to each of us in the same way He ministered to others while on the earth. Reaching out where we are, in the midst of our sin and selfishness, He draws us to Himself in grace.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
that saved wretch like me;
I once was lost but now am found,
was blind but now I see!


For further study...
1. As we begin to study how we can pursue Christlikeness, reflect on how the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) guides us to show the character of Christ.
2. Is it realistic for you to have each of these fruit? Some more than others? Is there one or more that seems “impossible”? Why? Anything you can do about it?
3. Is it your earnest desire to be like Christ?

In His Image - 13: The Ministering Servant

“Come to me all you that are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.”
--Matthew 11:28-29


Opening Thought
Giving In

There is an incredible amount of angst among people today. Everybody has their own agenda, personal goals and ambitions. Our culture seems to encourage us to be so focused on our own priorities that nothing else matters. The result? Road rage, going postal, domestic violence, workaholics, unbridled selfishness and lust… not a good picture.

In our walk with Christ, another perspective begins to take shape. Those world-agendas will persist, but we see a higher road – godliness and ministry. We are new creatures, pursuing Christlikeness, and the priority becomes serving – because that’s what Christ did.

Christ was above all a servant. He considered Himself a servant to every person He encountered. With each individual, I can imagine Him thinking, ‘What can I do to minister to this person’s needs?” He did have a prevailing mission, the Cross, and that did not change. But the mission was accomplished, not by prevailing upon people, but instead by serving them.
We will constantly react to people’s attempts to take position in front of us, but when we see them through Christ’s eyes, we will allow that to happen and then seek to serve them, meet their needs, point them to Christ.


Study Notes

1. In the Upper Room

• This personal time for the Apostles and their Lord Jesus is in all 4 gospels. If you have one, use a “Harmony of the Gospels” to read through all four accounts. (See an earlier article I wrote about using a Harmony.)
  •Matthew 26:17-30
  •Mark 14:21-26
  •Luke 22:7-38
  •John 13



• Preparations for the Last Supper
  o Peter & John are sent to find the chosen room – Lu 22:8
  - Jerusalem was always packed for these 8 days of the Passover feast, many visitors in from surrounding areas.
  - The disciples hadn’t even wanted to be in Jerusalem – now they’re supposed to go find
  - a place where they could eat
  - Imagine Peter just going along quietly with this plan!
  - A man carrying a pitcher! Women almost exclusively did that. Perhaps he was a servant, since he goes into the house. The owner, by not questioning the request, seems know Jesus, the Teacher. – Lu 22:10-11
  - They found everything just as He had said – Lu 22:13. The marvelous provisions of our Sovereign Lord! Nervous about going forward as instructed, but then in following their Lord’s instructions, they find everything as needed.
  o Misconceptions about the Last Supper
  - Was there just one long table, with all of the disciples on one side? Likely not, in spite of daVinci’s depiction.
  - Were only the 12 and Jesus attending? Other writings suggest that there were others who were the larger group of disciples also there.“Before the feast”, i.e. Passover, so this must be Thursday night – Jesus would die next day, less than 15 hours later.

2. A Lesson in Humility from the Master Servant

• The Servant washes the feet of His followers
  o Common enough that a servant of the house would wash feet of those attending dinner. But these were visitors were having their own separate feast, and everybody had been on their own for cleaning up – no humble servants around for this dinner… but Jesus.
  o Jesus often seemed to be just a step out of synch with those around Him – He Measures life with a different ruler, with His focus on the Father’s goals. His followers seemed never to be quite “in tune” with Him.
  o The disciples’ hearts struggled with pride and doubt – while they were believer in the work of the Savior, their feet still got dirty, they continued to be influenced by a sinful world.This humble act by Jesus was much more than a lesson in humility, it expressed the profound truth of His Redemption. Jesus demonstrated life at the heart of God’s character.


• Petty arguments
  o Peter says “no way” – he’s back to his regular approach of assuming he has the answer… although he does often seem to speak for the group, and he may be speaking the mind of several sitting around him.
  - Peter is so… (you provide the description – but remember, we’re right in there with him!)
  - More unthought words -- “do you understand what I’ve done?”
  - Compare Mark 8:32; 9:5
  - When Jesus washes his feet – it doesn’t mean he has to be baptized again
  o Sin needs to be dealt with -- What does this mean?
  - Look at 1 Jn 1:7, 9; 2:1-2
  o God recognizes and provides for the fact that as Redeemed believers, we will still struggle with sinful activity
  o What else can you learn from these verses?
  - After salvation, the believer needs only to confess, acknowledge sin, recognize it is already cared for in Christ’s substitutionary death – continually apply Christ’s atonement to one’s daily sin, maintain a transparent relationship with the Father – but the great undergirding truth is that once you receive Christ as your Savior, He is always and forever your Father
  o Then a couple of the disciples start up the “which is the greatest” discussion again
  - After observing Jesus washing their feet and hearing His interaction with Peter
  - Compare Mark 9:33-35;10:35— note Jesus’ ominous response, pointing to His death. Sinful man struggles with spiritual growth, gaining a truly godly mindset; these disciples loved God, were committed to Jesus as Lord, yet still they fall back into selfish human “issues” – we all have issues…


• Humility in the Believer’s life doesn’t just happen – it’s a discipline
  o Perhaps you have noticed: discipline and humility often show up in people at the same time – one brings the other with it
  o Reality check: we want others to be humble, but…
  o Where does True Humility come from?
  - an inner strength founded on Christ and Christlikeness
  - Compare 1 Peter 5:5-6, “humble yourselves”


• Humility is… (from Chuck Swindoll)
  o humility isn’t announced
  o humility is willing to receive
  o humility isn’t a sign of weakness
  - once “bathed”, always bathed
  - still needed “sponged” off
  - 1 John 1:9

For further study...

1. Do you understand humility like Jesus did? What can you do to understand and apply it better?
2. Are you willing like Peter to change your heart? What needs to change?
3. Look up the word “servant” in other places in the Gospels, see what more you can learn about being a servant like Christ was.

In His Image - 12: The Savior with His Friends

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17

Opening Thought
Spending Time with Friends


This session and the next, we will look at some very personal time Jesus spent with His closest friends – this week, Mary, Martha & Lazarus; next week, His disciples. Both of these times are just before the final week of His death and resurrection.

Time with friends is very special. So much of that time is extemporaneous, casual, not with any real driving purpose. But in those times, repeated often in so many differest settings, your souls are mended together, your hearts and minds begin to take similar paths through life. Certainly the best picture of this for many of us today is our own special friendship with our spouse.

Then the singular times come, the defining moments for either of the friends, where a test bursts on the scene that forces us to decide and respond. In those times, the depth and clarity of your friendship is indispensable. The quality of that friendship, built through all of that unplanned time, comes to be our foundation and strength.
When Mary & Martha’s message reaches Jesus that Lazarus is sick, we see the tender heart of Jesus and His close friendship expressed. Yet we also observe His deity in action, seeking to work the glory of God and His provision in the lives of His dear friends.

Study Notes

1. Jesus Ministers to Hurting Friends

• Watch His response to people -- always eye to eye, personal, sensitive.


• Think about these examples
  -Nicodemus, John 3
  -The Woman at the Well, John 4
  -The man at the pool of Bethsaida, John 5
  -Each of the disciples


• How did He respond?
  -He always does respond, directly, immediately, never late, everything works together for good (Romans 8:28)
  -His response is always the will of the Father, to glorify Him
  -Very personally, eye-to-eye
  -His response is always "so that you may believe" (John 10:38)

2. Confessions of Struggle and Faith

• Read about Mary, Martha & Lazarus in John 11


• First assumptions - the things to have settled before the crisis happens:
  - Jesus is fully capable of healing
  - we know He will respond
  - what would you add to that list?


• "If only..." 11:21, 32 -- Mary & Martha both start with this honest human emotion. But they also express rock solid understanding of Who the Savior is and what He will accomplish. How did Jesus guide them further in their relationship with Him?


• When crisis happens and God's provision isn't what you were looking for...
  - delay: remember God has a better time and a better way
  - loss: God has a better plan and a better purpose

3. Jesus Glorified

• Compare John 3:14; 8:28


• Glorifying the Father -- John 11:40
  - When you believe and when you hurt
  - Note that the promise isn't that "everything will turn up roses". It is that God will be glorified in you.


• Lifted Up -- John 12:32, 34
  - Did the people understand “lifted up” to refer to Crucifixion?
  - Verse 33 says He intended that to be the reference


• Jesus' death was final glorification of the Father
  - John consistently portrayed Jesus' death this way
  - Take a look at each of these examples -- 7:39; ch. 8; 12:16, 23, 28; 13:31-32; ch. 17

For further study...

1. Considering how Jesus responded to Mary & Martha, is it possible for Him to respond to you the same ways? Have you seen Him do that?


2. Are there ways you can respond to others’ problems and hurts in a way that reflects how Jesus ministered to Mary & Martha?


3. Does knowing Jesus raised Lazarus from the grave have an impact on your faith similar to the impact it must have had to Mary & Martha?

In His Image - 11: God of the Impossible

“Ah, Lord God! Behold, Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by Thy great power and by Thine outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for Thee.” – Jeremiah 32:17

Opening Thought
Oh, That's Impossible!

No way! It can’t be! It’ll never happen! I could never do that!

Now, there are some things that are impossible by God’s design – blood from a turnip, getting a crab to walk straight. But regular life does have its moments when seemingly impossible situations arise. We need to learn to understand those situations from God's perspective, or we will always be faced with that sinking feeling Peter had...

We usually don’t like being faced with impossible situations. They usually involve our inability to do what we want to do. There are a couple of different ways that can happen – our own determination to do something, or outside circumstances just come together in a way that stops us cold. One way or another, we’re stuck.

There are various natural responses to this – banging our head against the wall, or running in the other direction come to mind. If we face these things on our own, we can end up with negative circumstances either way.
So isn’t it great that we don’t stand alone – we have Christ in our life! When the storm winds blow, when we’re stuck at an impasse, we have an answer. Our faith in Christ anchors us on the solid foundation of His sovereignty, guidance and provision.


Study Notes

1. Impossible?
· Jeremiah 32 -- Jeremiah in prison, Zedekiah didn't like his preaching! Jeremiah bBuys the field already occupied by Babylon because of faith that God would restore Israel to the land.
· Luke 1:37; 18:27 -- "be it done to me..."
· Philippians 4:13, 19 -- "all things..."

2. Further in the Life of Christ
· Sabbath Controversy – Mark 2 -- Jesus heals the man let down by his friends through the roof. Matthew 9:2, "take courage my son"; Luke 5:20, "friend". "We have never seen anything like this before!"

· Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 5-7 -- mainly addressed to His disciples; this message was obviously foundation to His mission, but in what context? 4:17, the Kingdom of heaven is at hand; 4:23, proclaiming and healing, the gospel of the kingdom; He is speaking as the King, which sets the divine timetable reference, it is anticipatory, not yet accomplished; we can't be sure that this is the only time Jesus taught at length to His disciples in this way

· Calming the stormy sea – Matthew 8 -- "Lord, don't you care?", Mark 4; "Lord, save us!" (Matthew 8); "We're going to drown!" (Luke 8); Don't get distracted by the complicated part, just recognize He's the Creator, He allowed this to happen, look for the simple main message. The emphasis seems to be the lack of faith shown by the disciples in their response to the storm and danger. Note that the calm was immediate – when a storm passes, it usually takes a while to calm down. There’s no embellishment – the writers seem to convey all the disciples' takeaway from this: they were dumbfounded, caught in utter lack of faith in Jesus; He rebukes them for their lack of faith because they were expected to have faith.

· Feeding the 5000 – John 6 -- Note that this event is recorded in all four Gospels. Lessons: Don’t think small with God. Learn of His remarkable abundance. Don’t be so focused on practicalities that you miss the opportunity for divine provision.

· Walking on the water – John 6 -- Interesting that it seems whenever the disciples get in a boat, it’s time for another test from Jesus. Let down the net. "Save us!" Mark says He intended to walk right past them! Peter, Lord save me! No ACTS formula in this prayer … (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication -- which is a very good pattern for our regular prayer life).


3. The Bible’s Portrait of Christ, the Fruit of the Spirit – Gal. 5:22-23 -- We're going to using this model to help us as we develop a lifestyle of Christlikeness. Think of each characteristic and try to recall times in Jesus earthly ministry that we've studied over the last weeks that would show us He has this character in His life. I've provided one example to get you started...

· Love - Mary, Martha, raising Lazarus, John 11

· Joy - John 15:11

· Peace - Mark 1:35

· Patience - His many interactions with the Pharisees

· Kindness - the wedding at Cana

· Goodness - His encounter with Nicodemus

· Faithfulness - to His Father's mission, to His disciples

· Gentleness - to those needing healing, such as at the Pool of Bethsaida

· Self-control - the betrayal by Judas and the arrest


For further study...
1. Is there something “impossible” coming up for you this week? Spend a few minutes with Philippians 4:13 & 19, then evaluate how that impossibility can be used by God in your life to build Christlikeness.
2. Spend time this week thinking about ways that you can commit to living like Christ based on the fruit of the Spirit.
3. Read John 6:1-14 again. Providing bread for the crowds – Jesus often reached to provide. Are there ways you are involved in doing that for those around you?

In His Image - 10: Lost and Found

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patent toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” -2 Peter 3:9

Opening Thoughts
So, how lost IS lost?

Driving down the lonely highway, out in the middle of the desert. You haven’t seen a crossroads in more than 100 miles, much less a gas station. Your cell phone is dead and the map flew out the window hours ago. Now you come to a fork in the road and you have no clue which way to go.

Are you lost – oh yeah. Would you be willing to stop and ask for help if you could find it, even if you’re a guy? Definitely. What does it mean to be lost? Life is not over, you look for a solution, you hope to get back on track. But one thing for sure: for things to get resolved, you need to know how lost you are!

The Pharisees didn’t know how lost they were. And they didn’t care about those around them who were truly lost. The parables in Luke 15 help us to get the Savior’s perspective of understanding our lost condition, and what to do about it.


Study Notes
Lost and Found

1. How lost is lost?

• Can you be just a little lost? – Romans 1 and 3 make it clear that each of us are desperately lost in our sin, wandering in darkness, never able to enjoy God's holy presence


• 3 ways to get lost
  > aimless wandering - leads to danger -- Lot
  > carelessness – leads to uselessness -- Samson
  > rebellion – leads to misery

2. Luke 15 – The Lost & Found Department

• The crowds are coming -- tax gatherers, sinners, a tough crowd!
  -- What was wrong with being a tax collector? Usually a Jew working for Gentiles, a bad thing; worse: collecting taxes for Roman govt, essentially “sold out” to Rome
  -- God doesn’t like sinners? He receives them, eats with them, reaches out to them


• How Jesus used parables -- when studying the parables, you want to look for why He chose to teach, and why this particular story
  -- here: His character
  -- often to answer a question or deal with an attitude
  -- often a “surprise” ending
  -- here: why He eats with sinners
  -- dismisses self-righteous attitude


• what is the purpose of each of these three parables?


• The lost sheep
  -- always ready to leave the bunch to go after the one
  -- rejoice with me! He feels deeply and personally when a soul is rescued
  -- there will be more joy in heaven - imagine!
  


• The lost coin
  -- this woman was desperate; she lit a lamp, swept the house, searched every corner of the dark, dirt floor carefully
  -- there is joy over one sinner who repents
  -- the angels' joy – see 1 Peter 1:12; 1 Corinthians 11:10
  -- the Greek drachma coin was commonly equivalent to a day’s wage; one custom of the time was a headdress of 10 coins woven together and worn by Jewish women as symbol of marriage
  -- the lamp needed because there probably were no windows and the floor was normally packed dirt


• the first two of these parables set the stage for the third
  -- they speak to Pharisees' concern for possessions and position
  -- they emphasize concern for something lost and the genuine joy of finding what was lost
  -- the third parable transfers or transforms the human story to God and His concern for the lost sinner


• The lost son
  -- Independence--
  How are we being independent?
  > Our priorities are wrong
  > We cling to the familiar, or immediate, or pleasurable
  Why am I being independent?
  > Doubt the goodness of God
  > Don’t understand God’s perspective


• "Dad, I wish you were dead!"
  -- that's really what he was saying; he was asking for an inheritance that isn't his until his father is dead
  -- these acts should have completely ostracized the son, and probably embarrassed the father in the community
  -- but! The Father let him go
  > he insists on love relationship, not obligation
  > he knew his son would fail
  > so he anxiously awaits the son's return
  > then he runs to greet him when he does return – that day's culture considered it undignified for an older man to run, he would lose face; he probably hadn’t run for 20 years, and he would have to gather up his robe, showing his boney legs - but he ran!


• What we learn from this parable
  > Jesus chose to lose face for us
  > Note the tremendous contrast between our rebellion and God’s forgiveness
  > The turning point is verse 17, he came to his senses! – do we see repentance at this point? maybe not completely; this could just be“plan B” (D.Jeremiah); he wasn’t ready for grace yet, he’s still attempting to save himself
  > verse 20, he got up, picked himself up and got himself going
  > but when he fell into his father’s arms, he realized that his father had never stopped loving him, he was overcome by grace
  


• The Rebellious Son In The Key Of F (from Hampton Keathley on bible.org)
  Feeling footloose and frisky, a foolish fellow forced his father to fork over his fourth of the family farthings and flew far to a foreign field where he fast frittered his fathers fortune feasting foolishly with faithless friends. Fleeced by his fellows and folly, and facing famine he found himself a feed flinger in a filthy farm. Flushed and fairly famished he fain would have filled his frame with foraged food from farm fodder.
  
  “My father’s flunkies fair far finer.” The frazzled fugitive forlornly fumbled. Frustrated and filled with forboding, he fled forthwith to his father. Falling to his father’s feet he forlornly fumbled, “Father, I have flunked and frugalessly forfeited family favor.” The fugitive’s, faultfinding brother frowned on fickle forgiveness, but the faithful father figure filled with fidelity, cried, “The fugitive is found. What forbids further festivities. Let the flags unfurl and the fanfares flare.” Father flagged a flunky who fetched a fatling from the flock and fixed a feast.
  
  The moral of the story is: The father’s forgiveness formed a foundation for the fugitive’s future fortitude.
  
  
  For further study:
  1. Meditate on the Fruit of the Spirit in Gal. 5:22-23, thinking about how Christ reflected each of the fruit in His life.
  
  2. Read Matthew 22-24, known as the Olivet Discourse. These important words from the Savior come just before the last week and the Crucifixion. Try to get some of the main points He seeks to bring across.
  
  3. As we’ve been looking at the life of Christ, what ways have you noticed as He ministers to and teaches His disciples? Are those things happening in your life, as one of His disciples?

In His Image - 9: Having a Life Message

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.” -- Matthew 11:28-30

Opening Thought
What’s Your Life Message?

Christ had a life message – we’re all in agreement on that. As we continue to look at His life, how He communicated His mind and character to those around Him, we constantly hear the message. The people that were around Him surely had no doubt about His message – it was crystal clear and burned in His soul.

So, if we’re agreeing that we are to be in His image, does that mean we should have a life message? Yes it does. Does it also mean that our life message should reverberate in all of our actions and interactions with others? Yes, it really should.

We’re reminded again about how challenging it is to follow through on this model of Christlikeness. He left us a lofty standard, and our human failings constantly work against our goal of reflecting Him to others. We need to put real thought into what we’re about, how our life should express Christ, actually put these thoughts in writing, and then into real life.

Study Notes
Having a Life Message

Study Notes

1. Who is the Man?

• Jesus reaching out to people
  o Matthew 14:13-36 -- after He hears of John the Baptist's death, He withdraws; but the crowds find Him and soon He is feeding the 5000; then He sends His disciples across the Sea of Galilee, and in the midst of the stormy weather, He appears walking on the water, and ends up rescuing Peter
  o What do we learn about Him from these events? -- He had a sensitive heart for the people around Him; He was concerned about their needs
  


• Jesus preaching the truth of the Gospel
  o Matthew 23 - one of the last and most serious encounters He has with the Jewish leaders before His death; His heart is broken for the coldness in their hearts
  o What do we learn about Him from this? -- He is willing to listen but then quick to speak the truth with clarity

2. What was Christ’s Life Message?

• Sin and separation from God
  o sin defined in absolute terms
  o white-washed sepulchers, Matthew 23


• Provision for redemption is only in Him
  o He is the Lamb to be slain
  o Repentance is at the core of this message
  o Christ preached in the tradition of the OT Prophets


• God’s fulfilled promises are real
  o The Kingdom
  o Mark 1:14-15; Matthew 4:17


• Righteous living
  o Matthew 22:37-39
  o Love God
  o Your neighbor as yourself


• Preach the message
  o "Euangelizo", to proclaim the message with passion
  o A passion for the lost
  o Christ was predominantly an evangelist
  o Mt 9:35


• Make the message personal
  

For further study --

1. Write down what you think the main points are to Jesus’ Life Message. Maybe put a verse with each if you can.

2. Now write out points for what you want your Life Message to be. Add a verse for each. Maybe add a couple of thoughts about what you need to work on to make your Life Message real.In preparation for next Sunday, read Luke 15, especially the story of the Prodigal Son. Think on how Jesus used these stories to minister to people and communicate His message.

3. In preparation for next Sunday, read Luke 15, especially the story of the Prodigal Son. Think on how Jesus used these stories to minister to people and communicate His message.

In His Image - 8: A Message for All Times

"What I tell you in darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.” --Matthew 10:16

Opening Thought
Difficult Circumstances

Have you ever been in difficult circumstances? I can imagine your response being, “Where do you want me to start?” We’ve all been there. Tough times, bad choices, a combination of circumstances that have put you in a corner, bad news rolling over you in waves. The guy at the Pool of Bethesda was the definition of “difficult circumstances”. He had been sick for 38 years! Unable to move, or seemingly take care of himself in any way. While the older texts call him ”impotent”, it is likely more appropriate to say “infirmed” – we really don’t have a lot of information on what he actually was sick with.

In the midst of all those sick people, there he sat, in his difficult circumstances. And then Jesus entered the scene, knowing he was there, knowing he desperately needed healing, and most importantly, knowing already what his answer would be to His question.
In the midst of our difficult circumstances, ask these questions: Are our eyes fixed on Christ? Are we convinced that He can carry me through the tough times?


Study Notes
A Message for All Times

1. The Pool of Bethesda - John 5:1-16

• At the Sheep Gate - So called because it was adjacent to the Sheep Market. Even in Jesus' time, it had been there a while - rebuilt by Nehemiah (ch.3), so there when the Jews were taken into captivity in 597BC. This pool is located just north of the Temple 100 yards or so.


• The name could be Bethsaida or Bethesda, depending on manuscripts and interpretation. "Beth" refers to "house" and the Hebrew "chesda" is likely in the root referring to "mercy".


• The Pool with 5 porches -- It was probably actually two pools, on two levels, with porches or porticos on all 4 sides and one also going across the middle. Archaelogists actually found the remains in the 1960's.

2. Healing at the Pool

• Do you want to be well?? Who doesn't?! -- This is a marvelous example of how universal Christ's message is. All around us each day are people struggling with maladies, and they desperately want to be well. It's just that no one is around to help them get to the Living Water Christ offers.


• This man was a "poster child" for difficult circumstances. But he was surrounded by others with just as much need. These people huddled in the areas around the pool, common in there misery, likely insensitive to each other's needs. Today people are far from God in their sin, unable to see His hand in their lives.


• This man is honest, maybe even old & "crotchety" (Dan Wallace), frustrated and even annoyed by those around him, not able to get to the water for a chance to be healed. Stuck in his inability to seize opportunity, it seems by his response that he almost even missed the offer from Jesus.


• The reason for Jesus' probing question was to demand focus on the Savior, and to stimulate the man's will and faith. Once his mind was alive to the reality of Christ, he could determine to respond positively to the offer of healing. This is an important doctrinal distinction: God alone heals/redeems; yet this divine work is accomplished in response to a person's genuine faith to the offer.


• Isaiah 35:1-7 -- the lame will leap! Isaiah is anticipating God's literal fulfillment of promises to Israel of the millennial kingdom. The Messiah had indeed come, and this miracle is an enjoyable extension of that anticipation. In the millennium, all of Israel will be healed of the lame condition, and will indeed leap for joy.
  

3. What was Christ's message? From this miracle at the pool, and from other accounts about Jesus' ministry, we learn of these distinctives in His Life Message --

• Sin and separation from God -- Matthew 23:25-28, we need to see sin defined in absolute terms; we really are sick and desperately needy of someone to heal


• Provision for redemption -- John 3:16-21, the Savior is here; Jesus is the Lamb to be slain; being able to see your desperate need and readiness to turn away from sin to the Savior is at the core


• God's fulfilled promises - Mark 1:14-15; 4:17, Jesus spoke in the tradition of the OT prophet; He announced the Kingdom


• Righteous living -- Matthew 22:37-39, Love God, and your neighbor as yourself


• Preach the message -- Matthew 9:35, "euangelizo", proclaiming the good news; Jesus had a passion for the lost & needy around Him, He was predominantly an evangelist

For further study:

1. Continue to use the Harmony to read through the next events in Jesus’ life. Focus on the Sabbath Controversies in Mark 2 & 3, the Sermon on the Mount in Mt. 5-7, and Calming the stormy sea, in Mt. 8.Meditate on Galatians 5:22-23, the Fruit of the Spirit, and think about the picture of Christ that is given here.

2. Meditate on Galatians 5:22-23, the Fruit of the Spirit, and think about the picture of Christ that is given here.

3. What is our life message? What distinctives do those around us take away from interacting with us?

In His Image - 7: The Master Fisherman

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. – John 1:14

Opening Thought
The Word Became Flesh

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the Word, the essence of God – there at the beginning, the Creator of all things, the True God. The Word is the expression of His person, Who He is, how He feels and expresses Himself. The Word is how He reaches out and seeks to have a relationship with us, His precious creation.

Through all of man’s history, God has worked to draw us to Himself. He spoke to us in many different ways, revealed His ways to us, accomplished many wondrous acts. The Old Testament Tabernacle was a marvelous picture of pitching a tent and dwelling among His people. Yet now, we have the pinnacle act of reaching out to us – He took on a body of flesh and came to dwell among us.

That is not the end of the story however. Christ accomplished His mission, the provision of salvation. But the message to desperately needy men & women must continue to be “evangelized”. You and I are expected to continue the great work of the Word becoming flesh. By the gracious power of the Holy Spirit, we become the person of Christ so that the church can be strengthened, and more can be drawn to Christ and His salvation.


Study Notes
The Master Fisherman

1. A Miraculous Catch - Luke 5:1-11

• Review where Luke is with his story -- Luke 4, the Temptation, and the rejection in Nazareth, is likely before the wedding in Cana. Then several miracles, preaching in a synagogue, and from Peter's boat.
• The men follow Jesus after a remarkable challenge -- This "following" apparently came in stages - see John 1:35-51, Matthew 4:18-22 and Luke 5:11. "Follow" is a strong word for the Gospel writers, and very rarely used in the rest of the New Testament. It has the meaning of attaching oneself, following a person as an attendant or disciple, to take that person's "side".
• Remarkable! The God of the universe chooses to call us mere mortals, enjoining us to work with Him in His divine program. His work is the only investment that will last eternally, yet He does this by His entering our work! Remember that He above all others understands our work -- He "crafted" the craft we take as our own.
• The people were "pressing in" - He must have enjoyed that, just an election candidate wants to feel the people showing their support. But these people were pressing in because they knew they were hearing the Word of God.
• "Let down the net" -- Jesus lays down a test of obedience for Peter and the others. Obedience is often a chore. So much logic and emotion get in the way! And then there's physical preference. These guys were tired, after fishing all night, the normal way the fish were caught. They had probably just finished going to all the "holes", the places that should have had fish -- nothing. Now Jesus just casually says "Let's go over here...!" -- "Launch out into the deep!"
• Go by faith, follow His lead, allow Him to work. Each of must come face to face with Jesus' authority and power, then see that He fully desires to empower us to successfully accomplish His mission.
  

2. John's Seven Signs -- One of John's distinctives is that he uses the term "sign" in reference to Jesus' miracles. These 7 distinctive references to sign/miracles help us to learn much of John's view of the Savior.

• John 2:1-11
• John 4:46-54
• John 5:1-18
• John 6:5-14
• John 6:16-21
• John 9:1-7
• John 11:1-45

For some extended study time, take a sheet of paper, write the key words of each passage, and at least one key characteristic of the Lord Jesus. Remember the goal of these studies is to enable us to "be Christlike" so we need to be learning "what Christ was like."

For further study:

1. Use the Harmony of the Gospels and review the events in Jesus’ life after the Sermon on the Mount through Matthew 11. Be sure to consider what additional events are covered in the other Gospels.
2. If someone were to write “The Gospel According to YOU”, what would the message of that gospel be?
3. Think more about the person of Christ in the events we have studied thus far. Are we learning more about the Savior? Perhaps spend a little extra time this week quietly reflecting on Him.