Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me by my 1) pure life 2) pure speech 3) living sacrifice 4) charitable deeds.
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me by my…
III. LIVING SACRIFICE
1. Jesus life was characterized by personal sacrifice.
1) Matthew 8:20 “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”
2) John 10:17-18 “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”
3) Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
2. Our lives need to be characterized by sacrifice as well.
1) Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
2) Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
3) Matthew 16:24-25 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”
3. How do we sacrifice?
1) Seek God first. Matthew 6:33 means we attend services before events.
2) We can give from our personal property. 2 Corinthians 8:1-3 “Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;”
3) Not going to that party, worldly event, or place. 1 Peter 4:3-4 “For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:”
IV. CHARITABLE DEEDS
1. Jesus did good things to and for others.
1) Acts 10:38 “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”
2) Matthew 15:32 Jesus had compassion on the hungry multitude.
3) Healing the blind (Matthew 20:34).
2. We must be about the business of doing good to others as well.
1) Galatians 6:10
2) Hebrews 13:16 “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
3. How?
1) Visit the sick, orphans, widows – James 1:27
2) Help those who are hungry – James 2:15-16
3) Give to the needy – 1 Timothy 6:17-18 “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.”
CONCLUSION:
1. Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me by my…
1) Pure Life
2) Pure Speech
3) Living Sacrifice
4) Charitable Deeds
By Kevin Cauley
