JESUS is your Template!

We as Christians have not been left without a templateto follow or a pattern for living. In the Bible, God has TOLD us how to live,

through Jesus He has SHOWN us how to live and by His Spirit He has EMPOWERED usto do it!

I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do. I’m only pointing out the obvious . . .

If you understandwhat I’m telling you, act like it —and live a blessed life. (John 13:15-17 – The Message)

I am your example; keep doing what I do. (John 13:15 – The Voice)

PARADEIGMA“Pattern, example, sample”

This is the kind of life you’ve been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done,

and also know how to do it, step-by-step. (1 Peter 2:21 – The Message)

Christ suffered for you and left youa personal example,and wants you to follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:21 – Phillips Paraphrase)

Jesus left you an example so that you could follow in his footsteps.(1 Peter 2:21 – God’s Word)

FOLLOWING THE PATTERN OF JESUS: LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES

The 4 C’s

Jesus was a man of compassion

Healing A Man With Leprosy Mark 1:40-45

You will do all right, if you obey the most important law in the Scriptures. It is the law that commands us to love others as much as we love ourselves.(James 2:8 – Contemporary English Version)

LESSON: To be like Jesus, we must show love to everyone!

Jesus was a man of conviction

Cleansing The TempleMark 11:15-19

Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute . . . (1 Corinthians 16:13 – The Message)

LESSON: To be like Jesus, we must stand up for what we believe!

Jesus was a man of commitment

Praying In The Garden Of Gethsemane Luke 22:39-36, Mark 14:32-42

Surrender to God . . . Give yourselves completely to Him!(James 4:7 – Contemporary English Version/New Life Version)

So here’s what I want you to do, with God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life —

your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life —and place it before God as an offering. (Romans 12:1 – The Message)

LESSON: To be like Jesus, we must be willing to do whatever God says!

Jesus was a man of courage

Confronting The Pharisees Matthew 23

Even if you should suffer for doing what is right, you will receive a blessing. Don’t let them frighten you. Don’t be intimidated, but exalt Him as Lord in your heart. (1 Peter 3:14-15 – The Voice)

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.(1 Corinthians 16:13 – New Living Translation)

LESSON: To be like Jesus, we must never be afraid to speak the truth

Why is Jesus' earthly life and ministry so important for our lives today?

Because it was a life lived in the way human lifeis supposed to be lived.

It was a life of service, reaching out to others, helping others, and finding one's fulfillment in voluntary submission to the Father's will.

Jesus, in the truest sense of the word,

is the prototype.

He is the onlyperson that ever lived who faithfully and perfectly represented what God wished for each of us to be.

God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those wholove him along the same lines as the life of his Son . . .

We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. (Romans 8:29 – The Message)

For from the very beginning God decided that those who came to him—should become like his Son. (Romans 8:29 – Living Bible)

Let’s Pray