THE CHALLENGES OF CHRIST
Intro:
A. One of the motivating forces of life is when a "challenge" is
presented to men.
1. Challenge appeals to "competitive nature" in man. Such
can be to "out do" another," or it can be that which
BRINGS OUT THE BEST IN MAN.
B. Life if full of challenges. Such cause zeal, doing great work.
C. Men have often challenged others to do great things. Illus.,
Churchill to England during WWII. "Nothing to offer but blood,
tears, sweat." The greater the challenge, the greater the
accomplishment.
D. Challenges are made in the Bible (see 2 Cor. 8:1-5,8).
E. None have challenged men as has Christ. We want to look at
some of those challenges.
DISCUSSION:
I. CHRIST CHALLENGES US TO FOLLOW HIM:
A. To be a disciple requires "walking in his footsteps." (I Pet.
2:21) It is more than being a "learner." One must approve,
accept His ways.
B. Must follow in "bearing the cross" (Mt. 16:24).
C. Challenge of Christ so inspiring. Millions have forsaken all to
accept it, KNOWING THERE WOULD BE HARDSHIP.
(Lk. 9:58; I Thess. 3:4; I Thess. 1:6)
D. Life of Christ was so interesting, challenging to others because
He was so interest in others. HE CARED FOR OTHERS.
1. He came to serve others. (Matt. 20:28)
E. His life was not "wrapped up in self." (Rom. 15:3)
1. Came to do the will of Another (Jn. 6:38)
2. Prayed for others (Lk. 23:34; Jn. 17:20,21)
3. Lay down life for others (Jn. 15:13).
F. CHALLENGE OF CHRIST IS TO "LOVE ONE
ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU" (JN. 15:12).
II. CHRIST CHALLENGES US TO THINK AS HE THOUGHT:
A. Key to His conduct was His thinking.
1. He always did the right thing because He always thought
the right thing. (see Prov. 23:7).
2. CAN WE IMAGINE EVIL THOUGHTS IN THE
MIND OF CHRIST? His thoughts were centered on God,
on doing things which were of benefit to others.
B. We are challenged to "have His mind." (Phil. 2:5)
1. Thoughts of things "true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good
report, virtue, etc." is only to say that we are to THINK AS
HE THOUGHT.
C. We live in a world of "impurity, corruption." How can we
"breathe the clean air"? Only by thinking His thoughts. Must
have desire for "clean heart."
D. This emphasized the need of Bible study, preaching, prayer,
worship. Cannot think as He thought unless we know what He
thought.
III. CHRIST CHALLENGES US TO OBEY AS HE OBEYED:
A. Learned obedience (Heb. 5:8,9). Even to death on cross (Phil.
2:5-11).
1. Shows us the spirit of obedience. Willing to accept God's
ways, trusting that such was the right and good way.
a. When suffered wrong, did so without bitterness. (I
Pet. 2:23).
B. We must obey as He obeyed. (Lk. 6:46; 2 Cor. 10:4,5; Rev.
22;14).
IV. CHRIST CHALLENGES US TO LOVE AS HE LOVED:
A. Note the NEW COMMANDMENT (Jn. 13:34,35; I Jn.
2:7,8).
B. His love to "challenge," "constrain" us. (2 Cor. 5:14)
C. Sharing of His life requires that we share His attitude toward
others.
V. CHRIST CHALLENGES US TO GIVE AS HE GAVE:
A. Gave Himself (Eph. 5:25; Tit. 2:14).
B. Macedonian Christians (2 Cor. 8:5). "First gave themselves..."
1. Christ challenges man to "total commitment." The only
way to come to know the joy of serving Him is to "lay all
on the altar." To withhold anything is to deny Him the
place He demands in our life. One cannot "give" with the
proper attitude unless he can give completely.
C. Lives to be "living sacrifices" (Rom. 12:1,2). "The spirit of
giving is caught as well as taught. It can be caught only from
Jesus."
VI. CHRIST CHALLENGES US TO FORGIVE AS HE FORGAVE:
A. He was willing to forgive others (Lk. 23:34). This was proof of
His putting others interest above His own.
B. Taught disciples to forgive (Mt. 6:9-14; Lk. 17).
1. One of the greatest things one can do is to forgive. Not only
for the other person, but the one who forgives is made
greater, becomes more Christ like.
C. Result of "kindness, tenderheartedness" which characterizes the
new man in Christ (Eph. 4:32).
VII. CHRIST CHALLENGES US TO ENDURE AS HE ENDURED:
A. He endured the cross, shame (Heb. 12:1,2; Mt. 24:13). Not just
"standing up" under the suffering, but the attitude in which he
did so.
1. "Finished the work" sent to do (Jn. 19:30).
B. Paul "endured all things for the elects sake" (2 Tim. 2:10).
C. So must the Christian endure (overcome) temptation (Jas.
1:12), hardships (2 Tim. 2:2,3).
Conc.
D. Consider the challenges of Christ. Such are designed to make
one the kind of person he was created to be.
E. Challenges men to turn back on world, live for Him. Have you
begun to accept His challenges?