[Biblemat] S> Jesus, The Ultimate Servant
ZekeFlores1 at cs.com
ZekeFlores1 at cs.com
Mon Apr 16 15:50:19 CDT 2007
Here's a lesson I hope you can use.
Zeke Flores
Kiber Street church of Christ
Angleton, TX
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Jesus, The Ultimate Servant
Mark 1:35-39
Intro: Instructions are good, despite the notion that real men
don't read instructions!
A. God's word is indispensable for its preserved written
instruction
1. "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for
teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in
righteousness; so that the man of God may be
adequate, equipped for every good work."
2 Tim 3:16-17
B. But a good example is even better!
1. "For you have been called for this purpose, since
Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example
for you to follow in His steps" 1 Pet 2:21
2. "the one who says he abides in Him ought himself
to walk in the same manner as He walked." 1 Jn 2:6
3. From the beginning of His life and throughout His
ministry Jesus gave us an example of what a servant
of God does and how a servant lives.
a. If we are to pattern ourselves after Him, let's
notice some things that will help us.
b. Read Mark 1:35-39
I. Jesus Prayed – Mark 1:35
A. That this was a regular habit of Jesus should be no surprise.
1. Matt 14:23, Luke 5:15-16, 6:12
B. He shows us the importance of making time for constant
communication with the Father.
1. He regarded the solitary practice of prayer an
important things and He sought a place for it.
C. He reminds us of the simple fact that we need help
1. Luke 11:1-13
D. Jesus got His direction from the Father, should we do less?
1. "Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will
entice a man to cease from prayer." – John Bunyan
II. Jesus Was Pursued – Mark 1:36-37
A. The crowds sought Him for the miraculous signs He did.
1. Healing diseases, casting out demons, etc
2. Yet there was more to His popularity than mere miracles.
B. Though Jesus was not physically attractive (Is 53:2), there
was something deeper that drew people to Him.
1. He taught authoritatively; He applied spiritual truth.
C. We must become attractive to those around us.
1. Women – 1 Pet 3:1-5
2. Children – Eph 6:1-3
3. Men – Eph 6:4-9
D. Everything we do ought to be as appealing to others
as light is to a bug!
1. Phil 2:12-15
2. When you live Christianity instead of merely performing
it, People will see genuineness and sincerity.
Just as purity is more appealing than pollution,
so a genuine Christian life will attract true seekers.
Real conversion doesn't just happen once, it continues
in the life and draws others to it.
III. Jesus Was Purposeful – Mark 1:38
A. Talk about a Man with a Mission!
1. John 4:34, John 12:27
2. He sums it up simply, but completely.
B. Christians ought to be the most purpose-driven people
on earth!
1. The success of "The Purpose Driven Life" stem from
the fact that people are looking for meaning and
purpose in life.
2. There is a relationship which makes life complete.
Without that relationship, there is a void, a vacuum
in life. Many people, even those who are well-known,
can attest to that void.For example, H.G. Wells,
famous historian and philosopher, said at age 61:
"I have no peace. All life is at the end of the tether."
The poet Byron said, "My days are in yellow leaf,
the flowers and fruits of life are gone, the worm and
the canker, and the grief are mine alone."
The literary genius Thoreau said, "Most men live
lives of quiet desperation."
3. Ralph Barton, one of the top cartoonists of the nations,
left this note pinned to his pillow before taking his own
life: "I have had few difficulties, many friends, great
successes; I have gone from wife to wife, from house
to house, visited great countries of the world, but I
am fed up with inventing devices to fill up twenty-four
hours of the day."
4. "We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief
requirements of life, when all that we need to make
us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about."
Charles Kingsley, Bits & Pieces, December 9, 1993, p. 16.
5. Christians should not flounder about as if we have no
compass, especially morally. We must know where
we are going to know where we are at!
C. For Christians, our "mission statement" is simple:
1. Phil 1:21
2. This means we must climb down from the pedestal
we've built for ourselves and let Jesus take the rightful
place as "LORD."
a. Gal 2:20
IV. Jesus Prepared And Preached – Mark 1:39
A. Jesus was prepared because He had a purpose. He knew
what the world needed and set his face toward providing
what man could not provide for himself.
1. Luke 5:31-32
2. The healing and the casting out demons was to show
that He has the power and the will to make us
spiritually healthy.
B. Christians have to help the world with its demons.
1. 2 Cor 4:1-4
2. Satan works hard to distract the world from the important
message of the gospel. We must "cast out" the demons
of unbelief and disobedience.
a. 2 Cor 10:3-6
C. To do this, we must prepare!
1. One preacher never prepared during the week, and
on Sunday morning he'd sit on the platform while
the church was singing the hymns desperately
praying, "Lord, give your message, Lord give me
your message." One Sunday, while desperately
praying for God's message, he heard the Lord say,
"Ralph, here's my message. You're lazy!"
2. 2 Tim 2:15
D. Then, we must teach!
1. 1 Pet 3:15, 2 Tim 2:24-25
2. A good example of a godly life is necessary, but at
some point, you'll have to open your mouth and teach.
a. Sometimes people will listen, sometimes they'll
ignore you, sometimes they'll get mad and turn
on you. So what?
b. Your job is just to deliver the message.
Conc: With an example of real service like Jesus provides,
how could we go wrong?
A. Jesus establishes the fact that without God, we can
do nothing.
1. We cannot save ourselves, nor can we expect true
joy in this life without Him.
2. Let Jesus show you how, by serving God, your joy
can be full.
B. INV
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