THE VALUE OF JESUS’ OBJECT LESSON
John 14:8-10
We have sayings that testify to the power
of a human object lesson. “I would rather see a sermon than hear one.”
“Practice what you preach.” I can’t hear what you are saying because your
actions keep getting in the way.” These are but a few representations of how
important it is to see truth in action. When words are separated from the
actions designed to accompany them, they are largely dead in their effect.
The personal object lesson that is Jesus’
life is therefore of greatest value to us. In Him we see God’s purposes and
goals lived out in most compelling fashion. In the Christ we are dramatically
presented with a contrast between God’s way and the ways of mere men. God’s
actions are coherent, integrated, harmonious, purposeful, and directional—they
make sense, are not isolated from the Big Picture, they fit most pleasantly
into the fabric of God’s completeness, come from a well-thought-out plan, and
move beautifully toward a rendezvous with perfection. With men, such as the
Pharisees, actions are clearly incoherent, isolated, discordant, selfish and
self-serving—they make no real sense, are isolated from any constructive,
unified plan, are unpleasant and imbalanced,
limited to the self in intention, and unimaginative in scope.
Let us study Jesus as He animates God’s
word into a dynamic object lesson. In our study, let us be sure we understand
that His way is to be modeled by each of us. God seeks nothing short of a
complete conformity, a dramatic transformation, a death to self and new life of
Christlikeness (Rom. 8:29; 12:1-2; Gal. 2:20). If we are to be called “Christian,”
we must partake of the spirit of the Christ (Rom. 8:9; II Pet. 1:4).
CONDEMNATION
For God Did Not Send
The Son Into The World To Judge The World; But That The World Should Be Saved
Through Him (Jn. 3:17).
1. Matthew
9:9-13.
2. Matthew
12:1-8.
3. The
Pharisees sought to condemn as their first order of business.
4. Jesus
sought to save as His first priority.
5. The
world already stood condemned and in need of salvation (Rom. 1:18; Jn. 3:16).
6. The
incessant, self-righteous, railings of the Pharisees did nothing to address the
need.
7. The
merciful outreach of the heart by Christ did.
8. Jesus
shows us where condemnation is to find its place in real life.
9. Condemnation
would occur only if the patient, long-suffering efforts of God were rejected (I
Tim. 2:4; II Pet. 3:9).
10. And
so, while the Bible teaches that God will condemn the ungodly, Jesus puts this
into the full perspective of God’s truth.
11. Without
His clarifying example, we might “condemn the innocent” (Matt. 12:7).
MERCY
And His Mercy Is Upon
Generation After Generation Towards Those Who Fear Him (Lk. 1:50).
1. Matthew
23:1-39; Mark 3:5.
2. John
13:36-38; 18:15-27; 21:15-17.
3. Matthew
18:21-35.
4. The
Pharisees were shown no mercy because the were haughty of spirit.
5. They
did not show mercy to others (cf. Matt. 5:7).
6. Simon
Peter, though he made many mistakes, even denying the Lord, received mercy
because he kept coming back to Jesus.
7. Those
with hard hearts, and condemning, unmerciful spirits—beware!
8. Jesus
demonstrated with His manner of life that God has no mercy for the
self-righteous (cf. Lk. 18:9-14).
9. He
also showed the abundant mercy of God for those who come to Him with humble
hearts (cf. Matt. 11:28-30).
10. And
so, while the Bible teaches that mercy is to be highly prized, he puts mercy in
the fullness of God’s purpose.
11. Without
His clarifying example we might not “oppose the proud” (Jas. 4:6), or we might
not be “full of compassion and merciful” to the humble (Jas. 5:11).
BINDING
HUMAN TRADITIONS
Neglecting The
Commandment Of God , You Hold To The Tradition Of Men. …You Nicely Set Aside
The Commandment Of God In Order To Keep Your Tradition (Mk. 7:8-9).
1. Matthew
15:1-14.
2. John
4:34; 5:30; 6:38.
3. Matthew
6:16-18; Luke 18:12; Matthew 9:14.
4. No
tradition of men is to be bound as though it were religious law.
5. No
opinion, no matter how wise, can be given the force of law (cf. I Cor.
7:25-28).
6. We
are to be uncompromisingly bound only to God’s will.
7. However,
as long as a practice does not violate Scripture, such as fasting, it can be
practiced as a personal choice (cf. Rom. 14:1-13).
8. In
matters of opinion, private convictions are allowed, if not imposed on others.
9. Jesus’
life well illustrates the balance to be maintained between matters of faith and
matters of judgment.
10. Without
His clarifying example we might “invalidate” Scripture with tradition (Matt.
15:6), or view people with “contempt” in matters of judgment (Lk. 18:9, 12a).
Edwin
6/25/00
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