“Jesus Is My Example”
Luke 22:39-46
Sermon Series: “The Cross”
Introduction: We have been looking at what Jesus accomplished on the cross and how it changes our lives. So far, we have seen that:
-Jesus absorbs the wrath of God.
-Jesus cleanses us from all sin.
-Jesus declares us righteous.
-Jesus paid the price to deliver us from sin and make us children of God.
-Jesus gives us victory over sin, death, and the devil.
For the next two weeks, as we conclude this series, we are going to switch gears a little bit and focus more on our response to the cross. We are still focusing on Jesus and what He did for us, but we are going to look at what we are to do in light of the truth that Jesus is our example. Specifically, we are going to see that He is our example in surrender to God and dealing with suffering. He experienced both of those things as He prepared for and then died on the cross.
In seeing Jesus as our example, we are going to overcome three modern “Christian” myths with truth. They are:
1. Grace frees us to sin and do whatever we want to do.
2. God’s role in our lives is to fulfill our dreams and desires.
3. A Christian will live a life that is a problem free, bed of roses.
The aspect of Jesus’ example on the cross is often neglected by evangelicals. Remember that the cross is a multi-faceted jewel, and we must hold up each aspect of its brilliance, which includes everything we have already talked about, His example, and other truths as well. I am not talking about Jesus’ example in the way that Gandhi did. He said, “[Jesus’] death on the cross was a great example to the world, but that there was anything like a mysterious or miraculous virtue in it my heart could not accept.” No, the essence of the cross is substitutionary atonement. We are not saved by following the example of Jesus, but those who are saved are called to follow His example. Let’s look at His example of surrender to God.
1. The Essence Of His Surrender (v. 42): Jesus prayed, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” If we follow His example, we will live our lives saying, “Not my will, but Yours, be done.”
2. The Example Of His Surrender: Philippians 2:5-11 gives us a big picture overview of His surrender to the Father and the subsequent exaltation that came from it. Mark 8:34-38 (among many other passages) pictures our surrender to the Lord in response to what Jesus has done for us.
3. The Empowering He Provides To Enable Us To Surrender: We need to see that Jesus empowers us to live the Christian life as much as He saves us in the first place. You may be thinking that you want to surrender to the Lord but know how far short you fall. That is what I think when I hear this. However, the good news is that when we received Jesus we were identified with Him and indwelled by Him so that He can live through us and empower us as we walk in faith (Galatians 2:20).
Conclusion-Response:
1. Salvation: Trust Jesus and confess Him as Lord. Remember that true faith includes the mind, the heart, and the will.
2. Daily Walk: Trust and obey Jesus. Rely on Him and allow Him to live and work through you.
3. Moment-by-Moment: Say “your will be done, not mine” as we face decisions and temptations.
