Christ is Our Role Model

Who needs role models? Many people! Young people, in particular, often have role models. They may be sports figures, teachers, parents,...whoever the person can look up to as being successful and worthy of admiration.

1 Pet 2:21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, [a role model] that you should follow in his steps.

Heb 13:7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. 

Today, I would like to provide you with 10 traits of Christ that you can and should adopt to follow in his steps, not just in suffering, which is what Peter is exemplifying here, but in the overall way that He lived.

1. Christ put God the Father first in his life and expects us to do the same.

John 5:30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but Him who sent me.

Mat 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

What do we put before Christ and His lifestyle? A job, a reputation, our independence, our vanity, our pride, pleasures? Do we allow our family or job or friends to influence us to disobey God's commandments? Are any of us ashamed to let others know we are a Christian? Real role models put ethics above self, every time.

 2. Christ did not put on a front. He was completely genuine.

Luke 20:45-47 While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, "Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows' houses (to gain possession of their property through wills, etc.) and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely."

Do we jump to conclusions, especially negative conclusions, about others? That's the easiest thing in the world to do.
Do we put on a front? And if we do, what is our motivation? To hide our true selves while we struggle to overcome...or to hide from others just to make a good impression? How many of us are whitened sepulchers ... or do we just want to look important? That's called vanity.

3. Christ had humility in spite of who he was.

Mat 19:16-17 Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Good Master, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" {17} "Why do you call me good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."

Although he was perfect, Christ passed the praise on to our Father. How do we accept praise? We are told to follow Christ’s example. Christ had humility...How humble are we?

4. Christ was bold, courageous and uncompromising.

Mark 1:21-22 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. {22} The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.

Teachers of the law were like lawyers today. They preach confusion to win their cases. Too few base their arguments on ethical or moral standards, especially if it might risk losing their case.

5. Christ was concerned about all kinds of people.

Mat 5:43-47 You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

What is an enemy? What characteristics does an enemy have? Will an enemy try to destroy you by simply injuring or killing you? Or does an enemy try to hurt or damage you in any way he or she can? Can you tolerate character assassination; threats to your family; slander; threats to your livelihood, property or treasure?
How many of us have the same problem with someone else, possibly one of another race or social position? Are you a sinner or are you righteous? We have all known people whose actions and even words proved they thought themselves to be of the righteous group.
Do we go out of our way to befriend worldly people?

6. Christ perceived human nature.

John 6:64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.

We too should perceive who is out to get us. We must not be willingly blind to those who would harm us. But still we must be decent to them. 

7. Christ strove to please His and our Father.

(John 8:29) The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases Him."

(John 5:30 ) "I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

(John 6:37-38) "All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. {38} "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

Do we strive to please our Father? Many people in the world around us want to please themselves first. Then, if they get around to it, they may do good to others. 

8. Christ was concerned about productivity.

John 15:8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

(Psa 92:12-15) The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the LORD, They will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still yield fruit in old age; They shall be full of sap and very green, To declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

Are we spiritually fruitful? If not, are we Christ's disciples? How is our productivity?...on the job, around the house, in Bible study, praying for others, being an example to others? Are you known as a producer or are you known as dead wood? Remember:

John 15:2 "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he [prunes] so that it will be even more fruitful."

We must be spiritually productive. 

9. Christ maintained his composure.

(Mark 4:37-40) And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"

Christ was not worried about perishing. We must have faith that He will protect us.
Christ did not get upset because he feared a competitor or unknown follower. What is our attitude about other people who may be doing better than others? Do we fly into a rage when things do not go our way or we feel threatened? Do we fly into a rage over the misdeeds of our government leaders which threaten our social or economic or physical security?

10. Christ served others.

(Mat 10:24) "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master”.

Mark 10:42-45 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

We should all be especially appreciative for the service of those who teach us. Paul states in 1 Tim 5:17: The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
We should not elevate any minister to some superior status, but we should show our appreciation for what he does for us and respect him for his leadership.  
What is the conclusion? Follow in Christ's steps. He is the greatest role model in history!