WITH SUCH AN EXAMPLE
September 9, 2001 PM
Sermon Outline
1 Pet 2:21-23
INTRO: In some of the psychology books one may read these days there is a concept described as modeling. Although I am sure there are many very complex or detailed bits of information involved with the concept, it really says that a good way to change our behavior for the better is find a model of the behavior we want and copy it. There is great value and validity in that idea. Indeed, our text talks about just such a thing. There is Jesus...the perfect model. Now model yourself after what you see. That is what Peter is telling us.
I. JESUSTHE EXAMPLE 1 Pet 2:21
A. The copyhead of perfection, the ideal
1. word example comes from a word describing how children were taught to write (and still are)
2. the ideal or perfect letter is shown to the student
3. he is then told to copy that ideal to perfection
B. Jesus is that copyhead of perfection
1. in moral, ethical and spiritual matters Hes the ideal
2. we look at Him, study Him, think about Him
3.then, we begin to copy-to perfection-the Ideal
C. Oh, I could never be like Jesus
1. after all, He is the Son of God
2.an excuse which forgets Jesus could have sinned
3. Heb 4:15 if one can be tempted, He can sin...certainly we will not copy His example without great concern and effort and therein lies the root of our failure! (Heb 12:4)
II. SOME SPECIFIC POINTS? 1 Pet 2:22,23
A. Jesus did not sinv.22a
1. we have already commented He could have sinned
Jesus knew what we need to know...sin is ruinous!
3. Jas 1:15 this truth is well demonstrated in scripture and experience...sin ruins what it touches
4. now, true enough, guilt for sin can be forgiven by our loving, compassionate God, but often, the mark of sin will remain as hurts we will long feel
5. so, dont sin! the Bible, Christs example will help to keep from sinning
B. He was completely honest and sincere-v. 22b
1. He was truthful, open, straightforward
2. His speech was always gracious, beneficial (Col 4:6)
3. our mouths can be serious problems to usThe most frequent thing opened by mistake is the human mouth
4. Ps 141:3 what a wise, comprehending prayer
C. He sought no revenge-v. 23a & b
1. Jesus was a marvel of patience and self-control
2. certainly, the things done to Him were unfairbut the world is seldom a fair place
3. it is learning to live with & in spite of injustice which makes us to be successfulWell, Im only human; I cant help losing my temper... Jno 1:12; 2 Pet 1:4 such an excuse may mean something is very wrong in our relationship with God
4. Ps 37:8; Eccl 7:9; Prov 24:29
D. He trusted the outcome of his affairs to God - v.23c
1. let me point out that this context does not deal with mountain top experiencesrather, they are the hard things of Jesus life
2. He first decided to do His fathers will Jno 4:34
3. He then was able to continue in it-though the suffering came-because He trusted the outcome of all things to God
4. the immediate outcome was not what Jesus personally wanted (Lk 22:42) but the ultimate outcome was so beneficial
5. how much better would life be if we could copy this example of Christ! easy? no! practical? yes! beneficial? indeed!
CLOSE: There is something I at least want to mention. That is the truth that each Christian is potentially a model which someone is going to copy. Do we want others to be Christian like we are Christians?
Cecil A. Hutson
09 September 2001