Faith Worth Imitating (Walk This Way)

After seeing an early cut of the commercial, just featuring highlights of Jordan dunking, advertising executive Bernie Pitzel was disappointed. Pitzel came up with an idea to use the song "I Wanna Be Like You" from the 1967 film The Jungle Book, though Disney asked for more money in licensing to use it than Gatorade was willing to pay.

Pitzel wrote the lyrics to "Be Like Mike" inspired by The Jungle Book song, and put it to a tune by Ira Antelis and Steve Shafer. "If we had used music from The Jungle Book," Antelis told journalist Darren Rovell, "the advertisement would have been forgotten."

How many of us want to be like Jesus, the suffering servant of Isaiah chapter 9:6-7 & 53:5?

Isaiah 9:6–7 ESV

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Isaiah 9:6 ESV

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 53:5 ESV

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Pressures we face to imitate others & one another

Humbly Setting an example of Christlikeness for the world to see

Illustration: “Ten Mistakes Parents Make With Teenagers” by Jay Kesler describing conversation he had with a young lady at a Youth for Christ summer camp

Transition To Body

Pressures our youth face to imitate others

Pressures we face to imitate others & one another

(Pressures the followers of Jesus at Philippi were facing to follow the letter of the law Christians vs. the spirit of the law saints)

Body- If We Are Talking About A Faith Worth Imitating (Be, Watch, Imitate)

Carefully Watch The Walk

Fellow Faithful Cross-bearing Servants Of Jesus Christ

1. V17- Carefully watching the walk of fellow faithful cross-bearing servants of Jesus Christ (those who promote/preach the gospel)

Philippians 3:17 ESV

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

Marauders Masquerading As Missionaries

one who roams from place to place making attacks and raids in search of plunder

Those who think or masquerade as if they are in the family but are enemies of the cross of Jesus Christ- do you cry for the ignorant and knowingly unsaved whom you know

Philippians 3:18 ESV

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.

Philippians 3:

Possess Valid Spiritual Immigration Papers

In these times we live, if you are an immigrant, you want your immigration papers to be up to date as well as valid

1 Peter 2:9 ESV

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

John 18:36 ESV

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

1 Peter 2:11 ESV

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

Illustrate: Not A Fan (teen edition): What Does It Mean To Really Follow Jesus

Self-destructing Unspiritual (Carnal/worldly & Earthly minded/bound) Examples

“following” Jesus out of selfish ambition or following those who do- a Servant to filling their own appetite and seeking their own glory/splendor/fame here on earth i.e. laying up for themselves treasures here on earth ( & 2:1-5)

Philippians 3:19 ESV

Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

Philippians

Biblical Illustrations:

the unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God’s spirit

- devilishness of selfish ambition

- worldly people causing divisions

*- be a God pleaser, not being people pleasers

*- where your treasure is so will be your heart

*- Letting accumulation of possessions become your LORD

“And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." And he told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry."' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God."” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭12:15-21‬ ‭ESV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/59/luk.12.15-21.esv

Shame

- embarrassment at being humbled when you thought you are more than you really are/were-

trying to manipulate others through our tampering with (falsifying) the word of God I.e. taking the glory of Christ out of the message- promoting ourselves instead of Jesus Christ as LORD. We our others servants for Christ’s sake

- Jesus despised the shame of the cross i.e.

- looking good but lacking any true substance- not bearing any real spiritual fruit

- so earthly focused that you think you have everything you need here on earth- lacking spiritual vision to how spiritually poor one is & how exposed our sin is

Home Bound Heaven Minded Saints

Philippians 3:20 ESV

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Home bound to Heaven- Waiting Expectantly on our savior Jesus Christ’s return

- creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God

Illustrate: abstractly citizenship (politeuma fig. Conversation) in heaven

Receive Glorification Through The Power Of Jesus Christ

Philippians 3:21 ESV

who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Our glorification through the power of Jesus Christ

- obtaining the freedom of the glory of the children of God First fruits of the Spirit

Transition To Close

Illustration: Witnessing by Walking:

Marie Antoinette’s trademark gait

Francis d’Assisi Preaching while walking

Close- Go Seek First The Kingdom...

Matthew 6:33 ESV

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Philippians 4:1 ESV

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Therefore

My brothers & sisters

Whom I love

And long for

My joy & crown

Stand firm in the LORD!

Disciples Sacrificially Love One Another

Shame=

John 13:34–35 ESV

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. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:35

Illustration: I want to be like Mike How many of us want to be like Jesus, the suffering servant of Isaiah chapter 9:6-7 & 53:5?

Pressures our youth face to imitate others

Let Your Light So Shine Before Others

Pressures we face to imitate others & one another

Illustration: “Ten Mistakes Parents Make With Teenagers” by Jay Kesler describing conversation he had with a young lady at a Youth for Christ summer camp

Shame=

Matthew 5:16 ESV

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.

- embarrassment at being humbled when you thought you are more than you really are/were-

Let Your

- Jesus despised the shame of the cross i.e.

- looking good but lacking any true substance- not bearing any real spiritual fruit

- so earthly focused that you think you have everything you need here on earth- lacking spiritual vision to how spiritually poor one is & how exposed our sin is

The Son Of Man Is Glorified

Why do we watch & imitate others?

Illustration: Imitation of a Christ by Thomas Kempis

Illustration: Walk This Way by Aerosmith & Run DMC

John 13:31 ESV

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

John 13:31–32 ESV

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.

Marie Antoinette’s trademark gait

John 15:12–13 ESV

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Francis d’Assisi Preaching while walking

2 Corinthians 5:14 ESV

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;

“"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 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 ‭5:13-16‬ ‭ESV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/59/mat.5.13-16.esv

2 Corinthians 5:14

2 Corinthians 5:16 ESV

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.

“When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, 'Where I am going you cannot come.' 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. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."” ‭‭John‬ ‭13:31-35‬ ‭ESV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/59/jhn.13.31-35.esv

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

“"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.” ‭‭John‬ ‭15:1-17‬ ‭ESV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/59/jhn.15.1-17.esv

2 Corinthians 5:19 ESV

that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:18 ESV

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:14-21‬ ‭ESV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/59/2co.5.14-21.esv

Scriptural Reading:

“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:7-16‬ ‭ESV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/59/heb.13.7-16.esv

“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭4:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/59/1co.4.1-2.esv

“I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me. That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church. Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭4:14-21‬ ‭ESV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/59/1co.4.14-21.esv

“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:1-11‬ ‭ESV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/59/1pe.5.1-11.esv

“remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:12-22‬ ‭ESV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/59/eph.2.12-22.esv

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