Putting on Christ series: Lesson 12

Putting On Christ Go directly to point 23 Go directly to point 24

In this series we are expanding on one simple directive from God. It is found in Romans 13 and verse 14

“Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ”

In the first 11 lessons we discussed the first 22 elements of Christ’s character.

Today we will discuss Points 23 and 24 of Christ’s character; elements that we must have if we are to be like Him.

Point 23 Jesus Boiled it Down

The Pharisees came to Jesus in Matthew 22 and said, “Summarize for us the laws of the prophets. Which law is the most important?

They expected to trick him, thinking he would surely misquote at least on of the thousands of laws and Scriptures that had accumulated up to that time.

He looked at them and said in essence, “The laws boil down to this one, Love God with all your heart and mind and soul. This is the first and great commandment.

The second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

He had just distilled thousands of teachings, writing and theories into two sentences. He boiled it down.

If people could understand their core values, they would save years of doubt, confusion, and misplaced energy as they try to find direction for their lives.

Core values….that is what we have been talking about in most all our Bible studies.

Now notice another example of Jesus boiling things down to the smallest common denominator.

John 13:15-17 (Jesus had just washed the disciple’s feet)

15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

He gives us simple examples to follow and tells us that happy are we if we do them.

Remember what Peter says earlier in this passage when Jesus says that He must wash his feet? Peter says in verse 9, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.” But Jesus says,

John 13:10
10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

Jesus boiled it down to a simple example that said it all.

Now Paul learned everything He knew from Jesus. He often times boiled things down to simple, plain statements. Notice…

1Thessalonians 5:14-28
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Each verse, each thought boiled down. This is how we should learn from God and how we should teach about Jesus Christ, the Law and the Godly principles of His Word.

Point 24 Jesus Christ was Visible

The very first thing that Jesus ever did as Jesus was to make Himself visible.

John 1:14 says
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us….

From the moment He began His ministry, He made Himself visible. He went to a wedding.

All through His ministry He is seen on mountaintops, in synagogues, streets, temples, gardens and at every party that He went to.

He took walks on water.

He was very visible to the moneychangers in the Temple.

Now notice what He did when the Romans came for him.

John 18:3-8
3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:

Jesus was visible and He wants us to be the same way.

Matthew 5:14-16
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Ephesians 5:8
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

John 8:12
12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

And once we are in that light and preserver, we will be in that light and visible forever, just as Jesus is now and will be forever.

Revelation 21:22-23
22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

So, again, we have two more elements of Christ to strive for.

Boil things down to their simple truths.

Be visible, be a light, and invoke God’s principles.

If you do, you will be putting on Christ

back to top