What do your friends say about you? We would like to think our friends and our acquaintances would have a positive or favorable picture of us. On the other hand, what would your enemies say about you? In the life of David, it is interesting how he treated and what he would say regarding his enemies – take Saul, Ishbosheth, and Abner for example.
In this lesson, we are going to focus on the life of Christ and what His peers said about Him.
Peer Reviews of Christ
In Speech: John 7:37-44. Jesus rouses some controversy with claims He makes of Himself, but the officers who were to arrest Him were struck by His speech that they could not bring him in (verses 45-46). What would be said about our speech?
In this lesson, we are going to focus on the life of Christ and what His peers said about Him.
Peer Reviews of Christ
In Speech: John 7:37-44. Jesus rouses some controversy with claims He makes of Himself, but the officers who were to arrest Him were struck by His speech that they could not bring him in (verses 45-46). What would be said about our speech?
- Titus 2:7-8 - Our speech is to be such that no one can speak against us.
- Peter 3:15 - The way we answer should be in an attitude of humility and godly fear.
- Ephesians 4:25,29 - We should speak truthfully, and we should edify one another with our speech.
How do others see us speak? Can these qualities be found in our speech? We need to imitate Jesus in this, so that no evil can be found in how we speak.
In Loving Conduct: John 11:35-36. Jesus’ love for His friend Lazarus was apparent to those observing Him at the grave of Lazarus.
In Loving Conduct: John 11:35-36. Jesus’ love for His friend Lazarus was apparent to those observing Him at the grave of Lazarus.
- John 13:34-35 - Christian love is supposed to be reflective of the love Jesus demonstrated to His disciples.
- Galatians 6:9-10 - Our conduct is to be positive toward all individuals, whether or not someone is a brother or sister.
If we are cold and hostile toward one another and toward our peers, the attitude demonstrated is not love. Loving conduct is a differentiator between a Christian and the world.
In Influence: John 12:19. The Pharisees recognize that many are interested in Jesus’ message. They have been unable to disparage and defeat Him. Can we help the world follow our example in following Christ? What kind of influence do we have on others?
In Influence: John 12:19. The Pharisees recognize that many are interested in Jesus’ message. They have been unable to disparage and defeat Him. Can we help the world follow our example in following Christ? What kind of influence do we have on others?
- Romans 1:15-17 - Paul shows an eagerness to speak with anyone regarding Christ’s gospel. He was not scared to let his light shine.
- Acts 5:28-29 - All of Jerusalem felt the influence of Christ’s gospel through the efforts of the apostles.
We should live in a way that makes others want to know more about the hope we have. Our example and our conduct should influence our peers into wanting to more about Jesus.
In Purity: John 18:37-38. Pilate simply says that he can find no fault in Christ. We sometimes have a defeatist attitude in how we approach sin, but we need to strive to obtain the example set by Christ that we should pursue sinlessness.
In Purity: John 18:37-38. Pilate simply says that he can find no fault in Christ. We sometimes have a defeatist attitude in how we approach sin, but we need to strive to obtain the example set by Christ that we should pursue sinlessness.
- I Peter 2:21-25 - Peter makes it clear that we should follow the steps of our Savior, who was found faultless in word and in deed.
- Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus example is one that we can hope to achieve. He faced temptation and overcame. So can we.
Our goal should be a life without sin. All have sinned, but we can make a decision that we can stop and sin no more.
In Relationship to God: Mark 15:39. Here, a hardened soldier comes to the realization of how Christ is related to God. We are sons of God through faith, and what do our peers see in us that reflect that relationship.
In Relationship to God: Mark 15:39. Here, a hardened soldier comes to the realization of how Christ is related to God. We are sons of God through faith, and what do our peers see in us that reflect that relationship.
- Galatians 2:20 - Christ is to live within us as a result of our faith.
- I Peter 1:13-16 - We are obedient children to our Father, and we are to be holy as Jesus and God are holy.
Do we reflect one who is tied up with this world, or do our peers see an individual that has been born again, a child of God?
Conclusion
Our goal should be to be like Jesus, and our example, faith, and hope should be observable by our peers.
sermon by Tim Smelser
Conclusion
Our goal should be to be like Jesus, and our example, faith, and hope should be observable by our peers.
sermon by Tim Smelser
