Title: What Would Jesus Do? Meta: Don't let the cheapening of the phrase, "What Would Jesus Do?" take your eyes away from the reality and truth of that statement. We should live and measure our lives by seeking to imitate Jesus Christ who was perfectly pleasing to the Father. Tags: Jesus, Christ, imitate 1 00:00:00,357 --> 00:00:05,403 Brethren, it is not wrong. 2 00:00:05,403 --> 00:00:08,667 You know, it's become a cliche saying: 3 00:00:08,667 --> 00:00:10,472 What would Christ do? 4 00:00:10,472 --> 00:00:13,509 Oh, don't let the overuse 5 00:00:13,509 --> 00:00:15,435 and the cheapening of that phrase 6 00:00:15,435 --> 00:00:17,382 take you away from that reality. 7 00:00:17,382 --> 00:00:20,795 Measure your life that way. 8 00:00:20,795 --> 00:00:23,254 Would Christ do this? 9 00:00:23,254 --> 00:00:26,323 Listen, if you're doing something in your house; 10 00:00:26,323 --> 00:00:28,257 if you're doing something with the TV, 11 00:00:28,257 --> 00:00:30,380 if you're doing something with the computer, 12 00:00:30,380 --> 00:00:33,326 if you do something with music, if you do something with food, 13 00:00:33,326 --> 00:00:34,778 if you do something with sex, 14 00:00:34,778 --> 00:00:36,523 if you do something with any aspect 15 00:00:36,523 --> 00:00:38,871 of your life that you would not want 16 00:00:38,871 --> 00:00:44,413 Jesus to walk in right then, 17 00:00:44,413 --> 00:00:47,217 what does that tell you? 18 00:00:47,217 --> 00:00:49,490 The way you learn Christ is to look at Him. 19 00:00:49,490 --> 00:00:50,992 He went about doing good. 20 00:00:50,992 --> 00:00:52,807 It's to seek to imitate so that 21 00:00:52,807 --> 00:00:54,680 if Christ came up alongside, 22 00:00:54,680 --> 00:00:56,358 He would say, "well done!" 23 00:00:56,358 --> 00:00:58,048 Not "get thee behind me, Satan!" 24 00:00:58,048 --> 00:01:00,097 Or something like that. 25 00:01:00,097 --> 00:01:01,750 That's what He says, yes, even to 26 00:01:01,750 --> 00:01:05,243 some of His disciples when they're not doing what they ought to be doing 27 00:01:05,243 --> 00:01:07,627 or they're not thinking the way they ought to be thinking. 28 00:01:07,627 --> 00:01:10,825 Brethren, conforming our life to this. 29 00:01:10,825 --> 00:01:12,205 Or how about Ephesians 4:22? 30 00:01:12,205 --> 00:01:13,311 "Put off your old self 31 00:01:13,311 --> 00:01:15,306 which belongs to your former manner of life 32 00:01:15,306 --> 00:01:16,980 corrupt through deceitful desires, 33 00:01:16,980 --> 00:01:19,487 and be renewed in the spirit of your minds. 34 00:01:19,487 --> 00:01:20,588 Put on the new self 35 00:01:20,588 --> 00:01:22,376 created after the likeness of God 36 00:01:22,376 --> 00:01:24,960 in true righteousness and holiness." 37 00:01:24,960 --> 00:01:26,458 And notice how he develops - 38 00:01:26,458 --> 00:01:28,801 notice what this looks like in real life. 39 00:01:28,801 --> 00:01:31,206 Verse 25: "Put away falsehood." 40 00:01:31,206 --> 00:01:32,196 Don't lie. 41 00:01:32,196 --> 00:01:34,154 Don't even give the impression of lying. 42 00:01:34,154 --> 00:01:35,463 You young people, 43 00:01:35,463 --> 00:01:37,013 you swear to your own hurt. 44 00:01:37,013 --> 00:01:38,847 Keep your word. 45 00:01:38,847 --> 00:01:39,958 Be honest. 46 00:01:39,958 --> 00:01:42,331 Be people of integrity. 47 00:01:42,331 --> 00:01:45,139 You borrow something? Give it back. 48 00:01:45,139 --> 00:01:47,884 You break something? Pay for it. 49 00:01:47,884 --> 00:01:49,654 Be honorable. 50 00:01:49,654 --> 00:01:51,154 Don't be irresponsible. 51 00:01:51,154 --> 00:01:52,337 We live in a generation 52 00:01:52,337 --> 00:01:54,191 where we've got irresponsible parents 53 00:01:54,191 --> 00:01:56,309 raising children to be irresponsible; 54 00:01:56,309 --> 00:01:58,279 not putting good ethics, 55 00:01:58,279 --> 00:01:59,247 good morality, 56 00:01:59,247 --> 00:02:00,682 good living, 57 00:02:00,682 --> 00:02:01,681 good life, 58 00:02:01,681 --> 00:02:03,604 responsibility. 59 00:02:03,604 --> 00:02:04,810 It's not there. 60 00:02:04,810 --> 00:02:09,078 The examples aren't there. 61 00:02:09,078 --> 00:02:10,251 Be honest. 62 00:02:10,251 --> 00:02:11,518 Be upright. 63 00:02:11,518 --> 00:02:13,812 "Let each one speak the truth with his neighbor. 64 00:02:13,812 --> 00:02:15,222 We're members one of another. 65 00:02:15,222 --> 00:02:16,439 Be angry and do not sin. 66 00:02:16,439 --> 00:02:18,932 Do not let the sun go down on your anger." 67 00:02:18,932 --> 00:02:21,115 You see, these things have to do 68 00:02:21,115 --> 00:02:22,256 with how we live. 69 00:02:22,256 --> 00:02:25,026 "Give no opportunity to the devil." 70 00:02:25,026 --> 00:02:26,764 The thief. 71 00:02:26,764 --> 00:02:29,001 Yes, he should no longer steal. 72 00:02:29,001 --> 00:02:30,268 But he should work, 73 00:02:30,268 --> 00:02:32,275 so that he can give. 74 00:02:32,275 --> 00:02:34,865 You see, that's honorable in the sight of the Lord. 75 00:02:34,865 --> 00:02:35,986 That's good works. 76 00:02:35,986 --> 00:02:39,051 It's not just, well, I don't do that anymore. 77 00:02:39,051 --> 00:02:40,352 I don't steal anymore. 78 00:02:40,352 --> 00:02:41,730 So? What's that? 79 00:02:41,730 --> 00:02:47,603 What do ye more than others? 80 00:02:47,603 --> 00:02:51,514 It's not Christian just not to steal. 81 00:02:51,514 --> 00:02:54,888 It's Christian; it's the workmanship of God 82 00:02:54,888 --> 00:02:58,494 when you stop stealing and you work. 83 00:02:58,494 --> 00:02:59,931 Lost people work too, 84 00:02:59,931 --> 00:03:01,697 but the real difference is 85 00:03:01,697 --> 00:03:05,075 there's a motive to be able to meet 86 00:03:05,075 --> 00:03:08,069 the needs of those who have needs. 87 00:03:08,069 --> 00:03:09,197 Look at v. 29. 88 00:03:09,197 --> 00:03:12,668 "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths." 89 00:03:12,668 --> 00:03:18,693 Brethren, no corruption. 90 00:03:18,693 --> 00:03:20,659 Brethren, I'm floored 91 00:03:20,659 --> 00:03:24,478 that we have people in this church 92 00:03:24,478 --> 00:03:27,002 who will try to vindicate 93 00:03:27,002 --> 00:03:32,014 movies and music with corrupt language. 94 00:03:32,014 --> 00:03:33,916 That's not good works. 95 00:03:33,916 --> 00:03:35,958 That's bad works. 96 00:03:35,958 --> 00:03:37,971 That's not good. 97 00:03:37,971 --> 00:03:39,396 That's not pure. 98 00:03:39,396 --> 00:03:41,311 Remember what it says here. 99 00:03:41,311 --> 00:03:44,577 It says that we should walk - 100 00:03:44,577 --> 00:03:46,561 look at 5:8. 101 00:03:46,561 --> 00:03:50,729 "Walk as children of light." 102 00:03:50,729 --> 00:03:52,327 The fruit of light. 103 00:03:52,327 --> 00:03:53,446 Here's the good works. 104 00:03:53,446 --> 00:03:54,744 Good works. Fruit. 105 00:03:54,744 --> 00:03:56,364 They're the same. 106 00:03:56,364 --> 00:03:58,841 It's found in all that is good 107 00:03:58,841 --> 00:04:02,195 and right and true. 108 00:04:02,195 --> 00:04:07,562 "And try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord." 109 00:04:07,562 --> 00:04:09,144 Brethren, that's it. 110 00:04:09,144 --> 00:04:11,303 Try to discern. 111 00:04:11,303 --> 00:04:14,642 Live your life examining the Person of Christ. 112 00:04:14,642 --> 00:04:16,171 Learning of Christ. 113 00:04:16,171 --> 00:04:18,515 That's how you discern what's pleasing to Him. 114 00:04:18,515 --> 00:04:19,776 You know how I know that? 115 00:04:19,776 --> 00:04:23,164 Because Jesus is there various times 116 00:04:23,164 --> 00:04:24,834 and the Father says to Him 117 00:04:24,834 --> 00:04:26,224 those exact words. 118 00:04:26,224 --> 00:04:27,772 Well pleased. 119 00:04:27,772 --> 00:04:30,707 Oh, you want to know what a pleasing life looks like? 120 00:04:30,707 --> 00:04:33,267 As much as your life reflects Christ. 121 00:04:33,267 --> 00:04:37,208 Walk as children of light. 122 00:04:37,208 --> 00:04:40,404 Brethren, no corrupt language, 123 00:04:40,404 --> 00:04:41,808 no corrupt talk, 124 00:04:41,808 --> 00:04:46,293 no evil talk. 125 00:04:46,293 --> 00:04:47,527 Ephesians 5:1 126 00:04:47,527 --> 00:04:49,418 "Be imitators of God." 127 00:04:49,418 --> 00:04:50,732 You look at the Son. 128 00:04:50,732 --> 00:04:52,606 You look at the Father. 129 00:04:52,606 --> 00:04:54,359 Be imitators as beloved children. 130 00:04:54,359 --> 00:04:57,303 "Walk in love as Christ loved us." 131 00:04:57,303 --> 00:04:58,872 Christ is the example. 132 00:04:58,872 --> 00:05:00,264 See how He loved. 133 00:05:00,264 --> 00:05:02,123 See how He poured out His life. 134 00:05:02,123 --> 00:05:03,866 See how He sacrificed. 135 00:05:03,866 --> 00:05:05,539 You live that way. 136 00:05:05,539 --> 00:05:08,027 Brethren, do you not know this about yourselves? 137 00:05:08,027 --> 00:05:10,869 God has designed you for this very thing. 138 00:05:10,869 --> 00:05:14,290 God has not just designed you to exist. 139 00:05:14,290 --> 00:05:15,740 God has not just designed you 140 00:05:15,740 --> 00:05:17,986 to go to work everyday and come home. 141 00:05:17,986 --> 00:05:20,352 God has designed you for good works. 142 00:05:20,352 --> 00:05:23,113 Brethren, as He is being creative 143 00:05:23,113 --> 00:05:24,235 and He's fashioning us, 144 00:05:24,235 --> 00:05:27,245 let your own mind live in the light 145 00:05:27,245 --> 00:05:28,664 of that creativity. 146 00:05:28,664 --> 00:05:31,777 Be creative in doing good. 147 00:05:31,777 --> 00:05:33,577 Let us think as a church - 148 00:05:33,577 --> 00:05:34,866 I love it; 149 00:05:34,866 --> 00:05:36,357 I see it all the time. 150 00:05:36,357 --> 00:05:37,198 Somebody says, 151 00:05:37,198 --> 00:05:38,993 Oh, I want to start a reading program 152 00:05:38,993 --> 00:05:40,316 for kids on the east side. 153 00:05:40,316 --> 00:05:42,194 I want to start schooling some of them. 154 00:05:42,194 --> 00:05:44,139 I want to bring women in from the jail. 155 00:05:44,139 --> 00:05:46,804 I want to go door-to-door. 156 00:05:46,804 --> 00:05:49,932 I want to go and help down in Monterey. 157 00:05:49,932 --> 00:05:51,799 Or I want to go off to Lebanon. 158 00:05:51,799 --> 00:05:54,946 Or there's things happening in Nepal. 159 00:05:54,946 --> 00:05:56,526 I love that. 160 00:05:56,526 --> 00:05:58,240 Let's just be creative. 161 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:00,250 Let's let our minds go 162 00:06:00,250 --> 00:06:03,887 in feeding and clothing 163 00:06:03,887 --> 00:06:05,988 and taking in the stranger 164 00:06:05,988 --> 00:06:08,650 and doing the good and pouring out 165 00:06:08,650 --> 00:06:11,309 and loving like Christ loved. 166 00:06:11,309 --> 00:06:16,093 Brethren, this is what we are the creation of God for. 167 00:06:16,093 --> 00:06:17,846 Are we going to try to live as much 168 00:06:17,846 --> 00:06:19,358 like the world as possible? 169 00:06:19,358 --> 00:06:21,756 Try to live like what you were created to be: 170 00:06:21,756 --> 00:06:23,504 The new man. 171 00:06:23,504 --> 00:06:25,100 Righteousness. 172 00:06:25,100 --> 00:06:26,412 Holiness. 173 00:06:26,412 --> 00:06:27,750 The image of God. 174 00:06:27,750 --> 00:06:29,488 The way you learn Christ. 175 00:06:29,488 --> 00:06:31,538 Learn Christ. 176 00:06:31,538 --> 00:06:33,883 Be in those Gospels. 177 00:06:33,883 --> 00:06:36,941 And don't just read them to say, 178 00:06:36,941 --> 00:06:39,396 well, there, read my chapter for the day. 179 00:06:39,396 --> 00:06:40,459 Check it off. 180 00:06:40,459 --> 00:06:42,993 No! Read it to see Christ. 181 00:06:42,993 --> 00:06:45,151 Read it to learn of Christ. 182 00:06:45,151 --> 00:06:46,640 And what you learn that day 183 00:06:46,640 --> 00:06:47,665 in your devotions, 184 00:06:47,665 --> 00:06:48,767 make a mental note, 185 00:06:48,767 --> 00:06:51,225 I'm going to try to reflect that today. 186 00:06:51,225 --> 00:06:52,487 Lord, help me, 187 00:06:52,487 --> 00:06:54,433 by the power of Your Spirit, 188 00:06:54,433 --> 00:06:55,913 make me like that. 189 00:06:55,913 --> 00:06:58,437 Sanctify me by this Word, this truth, 190 00:06:58,437 --> 00:06:59,579 that I just read. 191 00:06:59,579 --> 00:07:01,727 Holy Spirit, You say when I behold the glory 192 00:07:01,727 --> 00:07:04,188 of the Lord, I'm transformed by You, 193 00:07:04,188 --> 00:07:06,159 glory to glory. 194 00:07:06,159 --> 00:07:08,061 Lord, do that in my life. 195 00:07:08,061 --> 00:07:09,988 Make me like Him more today. 196 00:07:09,988 --> 00:07:15,555 That is the beauty of God's artwork here. 197 00:07:15,555 --> 00:07:18,627 And there's coming that day; 198 00:07:18,627 --> 00:07:24,688 those sons of God are going to be revealed. 199 00:07:24,688 --> 00:07:29,066 We're going to be like Christ. 200 00:07:29,066 --> 00:07:33,264 Just look around. 201 00:07:33,264 --> 00:07:37,882 I see your faces. 202 00:07:37,882 --> 00:07:41,486 We're going to look at each other - 203 00:07:41,486 --> 00:07:43,742 many of us - 204 00:07:43,742 --> 00:07:45,724 and it's going to be: 205 00:07:45,724 --> 00:07:52,338 wow! Look what you are! 206 00:07:52,338 --> 00:07:54,768 And no boasting. 207 00:07:54,768 --> 00:07:57,647 Thank You, Lord. 208 00:07:57,647 --> 00:08:01,632 What is this! 209 00:08:01,632 --> 00:08:09,036 What glorious objects we have become! 210 00:08:09,036 --> 00:08:11,393 I say it again. 211 00:08:11,393 --> 00:08:13,608 I ask the question again. 212 00:08:13,608 --> 00:08:15,917 Brothers and sisters, 213 00:08:15,917 --> 00:08:20,999 do you know who you are? 214 00:08:20,999 --> 00:08:25,035 This is what you are. 215 00:08:25,035 --> 00:08:27,146 Many of you have heard Paul Washer say, 216 00:08:27,146 --> 00:08:28,783 if you could see yourself the way 217 00:08:28,783 --> 00:08:30,333 you're going to be in a glorified state, 218 00:08:30,333 --> 00:08:32,714 you would feel compelled to fall down and worship. 219 00:08:32,714 --> 00:08:39,825 That is not likely an overstatement. 220 00:08:39,825 --> 00:08:46,928 God is fashioning you into something, 221 00:08:46,928 --> 00:08:49,911 you know, it's to put on display 222 00:08:49,911 --> 00:08:52,024 His manifold wisdom before all 223 00:08:52,024 --> 00:09:00,836 the principalities and the powers. 224 00:09:00,836 --> 00:09:03,846 Do you know who you are?