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?