Do As Jesus Did

What is something you learned that you now can do on your own?

One of my main hobbies all throughout college was indoor rock climbing. I loved the physical exertion, the victory of climbing to the top, and the thrill of heights. In some of the gyms I would over 4 stories high or around 45 ft tall. Obviously, I learned how to do it. I started out at an easier level and got better and better over time. My cousin, who got me into it, knew the technique and forearm and calf strength and I remember saying to myself, I want to do what he can do one day.

And over a year of training consistently, I got pretty good. When my cousin taught me how to rock climb, I didn’t go to learn how to rock climb and see all the things he did. I went with him to do what he did.

You all have something you learned, riding a bike, learning an instrument, learning a new language, learning a sport.

This is exactly what a follower of Jesus does. This is a disciple, this is an apprentice.

Review

Last week we talked about the second point for our fan or follower series. We have 3 points for an apprentice of Jesus.

Be With Jesus

Become Like Jesus

Do as He Did

The being with Jesus is essential, because Christ didn’t ask you to just do these things and have no relationship. He died for you, He loves you and wants a relationship. It’s also essential in what scripture says for us to be a new creation, a new self, to be a child of God.

How to be with Jesus? Prayer, Scripture, Community.

How to become Like Jesus? Through your habits, relationships, and thoughts. Embrace the qualities of Jesus. Don’t do as He did and make it like chores. Remind yourself of the fruit of the spirit and let that overcome who you are.

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

How to do as He did? That’s what we will go over tonight. You will see overlap as this can summarize on being with Jesus and being like Him, but we will look at several examples of what Jesus did and how we ought to be like Him.

Do as Jesus Did

And the last point to discuss and talk about is the last point of doing as Jesus did.

John 13:15 ESV

15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

Matthew 5:16 ESV

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 28:19–20 ESV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

As disciples, we have a task. Reminder, you are doing all of this because you are saved. Not to be saved. I taught last time on the beauty of work and how it was created before the fall. As men, work is built within our nature and Jesus has given us all work to do. To do as Jesus did.

Now this will look a little different based upon the person, gifts, and the holy spirit will guide you unto this as you pray and read His word. If part of you doesn’t know what to do? Then you are missing the first step. Be with Jesus.

10 things Jesus did that we should do

1. Love One Another

Jesus emphasized the importance of loving others, including loving your enemies

John 13:34 ESV

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

2. Forgive Others

Jesus taught and demonstrated the importance of forgiveness, even forgiving those who wronged Him

Matthew 6:14–15 ESV

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Luke 23:34 ESV

34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.

3. Serve Others

Jesus washed His disciples' feet, showing that we should serve others humbly

Philippians 2:4–7 ESV

4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

4. Pray Regularly

Jesus often prayed and taught His disciples how to pray, emphasizing a close relationship with God.

Luke 5:16 ESV

16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

He even taught us how to pray!

Matthew 6:5–15 ESV

5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

5. Show Compassion

Jesus showed compassion to the needy, the sick, and the marginalized, and encouraged others to do the same.

Matthew 9:36 ESV

36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

6. Teach and Share the Good News

Jesus spread the message of God's kingdom and commissioned His followers to do the same

Mark 16:15 ESV

15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

7. Practice Humility

Jesus lived a life of humility and taught that greatness comes from serving others Philippians 2:5-8

Philippians 2:5–8 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

8. Obey God’s Will

Jesus consistently sought to do His Father’s will, even when it was difficult

John 6:38 ESV

38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.

9. Seek Justice and Righteousness

Jesus stood up for what was right and condemned hypocrisy, urging others to pursue justice

Luke 4:18–19 ESV

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

10. Build Community

Jesus built a community of followers, teaching the importance of fellowship and unity among believers

John 17:20–23 ESV

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.