Putting on Christ series: Lesson 8

Putting On Christ go directly to point 15 go directly to point 16

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 7 lessons, we discussed the first 14 elements of Christ’s character.

Today we will discuss Points 15 and 16 of Christ’s character; elements that we must have if we are to be like Him.

This is all coming to mean more to us because of what we learned in the sermon in which we solved the great mystery concerning Christ and the Church (Eph 5:21-33).

Christ wants to be in a “one flesh” relationship with the church which is us. This being true, He is now showing us those things that make up “his flesh”.

Let us look at the two points prepared today.

Point 15: He Worked Through His Fears

Jesus was afraid. He talked about his fears to his staff. He wrestled with his fears to the point of sweating blood in the garden.

Without fear, Jesus could not have been an example to us. He would have been just another man.

Susan Jeffers has written a wonderful book called:

“Feel the Fear…and Do it Anyway”.

She tells us that we will probably always have to deal with fear. If we wait for our fears to disappear before we start, we will never even begin.

Christ did what Susan Jeffers says to do in her book, “feel the fear…and do it anyway”

Turn in your Bibles to Luke 22:41-44

41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

It then says in verse 45 that He rose up and went fearlessly to His fate.

We have to be just like Christ. We have our fears. We have to face them just like Christ did.

“Feel the Fear…the Go forward anyway”

The fears for mankind have increased…Notice:

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University reported that 30 years ago, the greatest fears of grade school children were:
1) Animals
2) Being in a dark room
3) High places
4) Strangers
5) Loud noises

Today, kids are afraid of the following:
1) Divorce
2) Nuclear war
3) Cancer
4) Pollution
5) Being mugged

They will increase for us.

We face the end time. We face Tribulation. We face possibly having to be put to death for the sake of Christ but…

If we are one with Him as He was with God the Father on the last day of His life (He talked to Him throughout the trial and the beatings) then we will have the courage to work through our fears.

Hebrews 13:6 says…The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Isaiah 41:10 says…Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God.
Maybe this can best be shown through the eyes of a child…

5-year old Johnny was in the kitchen as his mother made supper. She asked him to go into the pantry and get her a can of tomato soup, but he didn't want to go in alone. "It's dark in there and I'm scared."

She asked again, and he persisted. Finally she said, "It's OK--Jesus will be in there with you." Johnny walked hesitantly to the door and slowly opened it. He peeked inside, saw it was dark, and started to leave when all at once an idea came, and he said: "Jesus, if you're in there, would you hand me that can of tomato soup?"

Like this child, know that Christ is always there. He is “one flesh” with us.

Face the fear……….then work through it

Point 16: He Was Keenly Aware of His Resources

Jesus had an astonishing ability to create what he needed from something that was already there.

He took what was at hand and used his command of energy and universal principles—the same ones he said were available to us—and then created what he needed.

Notice that phrase: “He took what was at hand”

• When taxes were due, He took a coin from a fishes mouth.

• When He healed the blind man by spitting on the ground and making a clay which He put on the man’s eyes.

• He fed 5,000 one time and 4,000 another time with the small amount of loaves and fishes present.

He used what was at hand.

The wording of this point states that He was Aware.

Aware of His resources. We need to the same as individuals and as a church doing a work.

Where can we look for resources? What are the areas of our life that we may look.

Resources

1. The Web Site Story. Part One…getting started.

2. The Web Site Story. Part Two…Key Contacts

3. Local Church

4. Headquarters church

5. Bible Study

6. Sabbath School

7. Church Library

8. Feast Fund…….penny, nickel, dime, quarter drives like loaves and fishes.

9. Feast Dinner we have planned.

Personal Tools

1. Prayer

2. The Holy Spirit

3. The Butterfly Effect

4. Our Mind

5. Bible Study---The Word of God

6. Meditation

7. Each other

8. Direct Contact

9. Love and the Fruits of the Holy Spirit.

10. The Providence of God

Psalm 23:1 says…The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 23 also says that He will provide grass for today and good clean water.

Psalm 68:10 says
…thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.

Philippians 4:19
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Christ knew these verses…He was aware of His resources. So there you have it, two more elements of the character of Christ.

Study them, mediate on them and continue to put on Christ.

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