Welcome To The East Memphis Church of Christ 2/20/11

1. Welcome To TheEast Memphis Church of Christ 2/20/11

2. Jesus is Our Perfect Example:In How We LiveI Peter 2:21-25

3. The Pattern of Jesus v21 • The Practice of Jesus v22 • The Persecution of Jesus v23-24 • The Pardon by Jesus v25

4. A servant’s relationship with his master • The Servants • This refers to those who were domestic workers • Many in the church during this time were servants • As Christians they knew their equality----there was a danger of them not fulfilling their responsibilities • The Subjection • The kind that is spoken of is the type that is mentioned in (v13) • The Service • This was to be rendered with “all fear” • Fear of punishment • Fear of offending God • Fear of bringing reproach upon the name Christian

5. A servant’s relationship with his master • It is acceptable to God for a Christian to suffer wrongfully • It is easy to understand why we are suffering when we do wrong • But it is to God’s glory and to our praise when we suffer wrongfully • When undeserved punishment was suffered by Christians from their evil masters, it was acceptable to God that they endure it patiently in a desire to please God

6. The Pattern of Jesus(Footsteps) • The Reason for the Pattern: For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us • We are called to be Christians for this very purpose • Called out of the world II Cor 6:17 • Called to preach the Gospel Mar 16:15 • Called by the Gospel II Thess 2:14 • Christians have been called to respond to mistreatment by doing good • Rom 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. • 1Pe 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

7. The Pattern of Jesus(Footsteps) • The Requirement of the Pattern: leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: • The word example means an imitation (a copy----direct imprint) • Christ left every Christian and example about how to suffer wrongful persecution • Christ left us an example not to only read about and admire • Christ left us an example in how to live so that we would follow in his steps • What does it mean to follow in the footsteps of another • Follow the same path • Mimic every moment and step • Are we following Jesus to the best of our ability? • Obedience • Prayer/Reverence • Speech

8. The Practice of Jesus(Fidelity) • Sinless: Who did no sin • To sin means to miss the mark---To transgress the law of God (N.T.) • 1Jn 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. • No man is perfect • Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; • Jesus is the only man to ever live and not sin • Jesus was God, but He subjected Himself to the same temptations of every man • Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. • Heb 2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. • Heb 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. • Heb 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

9. The Practice of Jesus(Fidelity) • Sincere: neither was guile found in his mouth: • The word guile means trickery or deceit • Everything that Jesus said he meant and He did not have an ulterior motive • Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. • Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. • Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. • Our speech must not be with any intentional deceit! • Hypocrites will not enter into Heaven • Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. • Job 13:16 He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.

10. The Persecution of Jesus(Full) • Victorious: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: • To revile is to accuse of evil • When Jesus was being accused of evil He did not retaliate railing for railing • This literally means that He kept on committing himself to God when He was mistreated • He was accused: • Being a devil----A winebibber and a glutton----In fellowship with Beelzebub----A blasphemer----A violator of God’s law • Not only did Jesus preach non-retaliation-----He practiced it • This is significant to Christians because they were tempted to retaliate evil to the masters that were mistreating them • We cannot claim the Spirit of Christ while avenging ourselves

11. The Persecution of Jesus(Full) • Vicarious: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: • Vicarious means substitute • Jesus took the place of everyman when He died on the cross • 2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. • Jesus makes it possible for us to have the hope of Heaven • When we obey the Gospel we die to sin • Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? • Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? • Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? • Rom Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

12. The Persecution of Jesus(Full) • Vanishing: by whose stripes ye were healed. • Does not mean that we are healed from our physical infirmities • Means that we have been healed from the damaging effects of sin • Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. • Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. • Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. • The death and suffering of the cross makes it possible for us to have forgiveness of sins • Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. • Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

13. The Pardon by Jesus(Forgiveness) • We were Lost: For ye were as sheep going astray; • Man without the guidance of God are like sheep that have lost their way • Without Christ leading our lives we become confused and try to make our own way • Jdg 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. • We have no hope of salvation without Jesus Christ • We are Lead: but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. • With obedience to the Gospel we can be saved from wondering though this life as lost sheep living in sin • Shepherd represents one who feeds, guides, and protects • Bishop represents one who oversees, supervises the lives of his people • Jesus is our Shepherd and our Bishop when we obey the Gospel

14. How can we be sure that we are following Christ? • Rejoice: that we are counted worthy to suffer • 1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: • 1Pe 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. • Resist: the temptation to retaliate • 1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: • 1Pe 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. • Respond: to mistreatment by doing good • Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; • Rely: on God • 2Th 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

15. Are You Following Jesus? • To follow Jesus means to believe in Him • Mat 16:24 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. • Joh10:26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. • Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: • Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. • Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. • Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

16. Jesus is Our Perfect Example:In How we LiveI Peter 2:21-25