“I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you”

Presented by

Blake Brown

As Tyler and Justin pointed out in their sermons (“I Always Do Those Things that Please My Father” and “The Son of Man Has Come to Seek and to Save that Which Was Lost”), for the past several months we have been learning a lot in our Sunday-morning Bible class about the life of Christ. First, we explored a number of messianic prophecies from the Old Testament about Christ, and how each of them was fulfilled in the birth, life, and death of Jesus of Nazareth. Second, we studied Christ’s unusual birth via the virgin Mary who was “with child of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:18). Third, we took into account what little information is provided in the Bible about Christ’s early years as a child. Fourth, we investigated Christ’s selection of the twelve apostles, whom Christ taught how to be “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19) so that they could commit what they had learned “to faithful men who would be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:1). Fifth, we considered Christ’s miracles, and the purposes behind them. Sixth, we examined Christ’s parables, noting especially the important moral and spiritual lessons that they contain. And seventh, of course, all throughout our study of Christ’s life we have been careful to pay special attention to Christ’s teachings so that we could follow His instructions in John 13:15—“I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.”

Of all the things that we have learned Sunday after Sunday, perhaps this last item is the most important. Our teacher has repeatedly stressed to Tyler, Justin, and me that he wants each of us to always “do as Jesus has done.” But he has stressed even more that Jesus wants us to “do as He has done”—and, in fact, that Jesus expects us to “do as He has done!” In other words, in our class we have been studying the lessons that Christ taught—so that we can learn them, obey them, and eventually teach them to others as well. For example, in our class we have learned the following things about Christ’s teachings.

First, in everything we do, Christ wants us to adhere to what we today generally refer to as “The Golden Rule”—“Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them” (Matthew 7:12). In short, we are to treat others as we would want to be treated. No exceptions!

Second, Christ wants us to “obey our parents in the Lord, for this is right, and to honor our fathers and mothers, which is the first commandment with promise, that it may be well with us, and that we may live long on the earth” (Ephesians 6:1-3).

Third, Christ wants us to remember that we are “the salt of the earth…, the light of the world…, and a light to the world” so that “mean may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16). In other words, we are to be a good example to everyone around us—because we are Christ’s representatives here on Earth, and because we wear His name!

Fourth, Christ wants us to “love our enemies…, do good…, and be perfect, just as our Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:43-48) so that we may be “the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 2:15). In essence, we are to “be an example…in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).

Fifth, Christ wants us to “have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16), and remember that we are “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that we may proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9-10). We must never forget who we once were (“the enemies of God,” Romans 5:10), and who we now are (“the elect of God, holy and beloved” (Colossians 3:12).

Sixth, Christ wants us to remember that it is our job to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Once we become Christ’s disciples, we are then commissioned to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that Jesus has commanded us” (Matthew 28:19-20). For us, this is not an option; it is a command!

And, seventh, Christ wants us to “keep His commandments” (John 14:15). He wants us to hear what He has taught us (Revelation 13:9), believe that He is Who He says He is (John 3:16), repent of our sins (Luke 13:5), confess Him publicly as Lord and Savior (Matthew 10:32-33), be baptized for the remission of our sins (Mark 16:16), and live faithfully “even unto death” if necessary (Revelation 2:10) so that we may “inherit eternal life” (Matthew 19:29).

As I hope you can tell, I have learned a lot in our Sunday-morning classes about Christ. Today, in this sermon, I wanted to share some of the things I have learned with you, and remind you of Christ’s statement in John 13:15, “I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” Can you truthfully say today that you are following the teachings of Christ so closely that you are “doing for Him as He has done for you”?