Lessons from their lives – Talk 30 – JESUS
Welcome to Talk 30 in our series, Lessons from their lives.
This is the final talk in the series and our subject today is the Lord Jesus.
If you’re already wondering why I am only giving one talk on the life of Jesus, it’s because between March and June 2019 I gave weekly talks on various aspects of Jesus’ life and ministry.
You can find them by visiting my website www.davidpetts.org
What’s more, as we are approaching Christmas, next week I’m planning to give a Christmas message with the title Christ the firstborn. Be sure to listen in to learn some exciting truths about who Jesus is. He’s much more than Mary’s firstborn son.
But, for now, let’s just consider one aspect of how we can learn from the life of Jesus. Of course Jesus is unique. He is the Son of God. He lived a sinless life and at first sight it might seem impossible that we might live as he lived. Yet Peter, who was only too conscious of his own shortcomings, encourages us by saying that Jesus left us an example so that we might follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21).
This is possible because, as Peter tells us in 2 Peter 1:3-4
(God’s) divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
And Paul tells us that with the help of the Holy Spirit it is possible for us to show qualities of character similar to those that Jesus showed.
In Galatians 5:22-23 he tells us that
… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Compare Colossians 3:12-14 love binds them all together
As we shall see, these are just the kind of qualities that Jesus exhibited throughout his earthly life, and so in this talk I am going to consider the fruit of the Spirit in the life of Jesus.
The fruit of the Spirit in the life of Jesus
Self control
After 40 days of fasting Jesus resisted the temptation to turn stones into bread
When Jesus was crucified the mockers said:
If you are the son of God, come down from the cross…
Gentleness (humility)
John 13:3-4
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,
rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist.
Faithfulness
In the garden of Gethsemane
Faithfulness to his Father – not my will…
Faithfulness to his followers – sleeping, the flesh is weak.
Goodness
Acts 10:38
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
Kindness
Turning water into wine was an amazing miracle. But what motivated it?
Patience
John 14:8-9
Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”
Peace
Peace of heart springs from a right relationship with God.
So Jesus must have always been at peace.
But what about Gethsemane? the cross?
Jesus sacrificed peace that we might have peace.
Joy
Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Jesus lived life in God’s presence
Love
Throughout his life everything Jesus did was motivated by love
Consider all the examples we’ve already looked at.
Undoubtedly the greatest demonstration of his love was at Calvary
Cultivating the fruit
2 Corinthians 3:18
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding (or reflecting) the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
1 John 3:2
Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.