The Basis of the Christian Life
I. Introduction
A. What is the basis of the Christian life?
1. We recognize that the New Testament provides us with the
information we need to be Christians (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
2. But where do we really start in that life? What are the
fundamental and primary aspects to that life?
B. The Bible makes it evident that the basis of the Christian's
life is to be the example of Jesus of Nazareth
1. Romans 8:29, 1 Corinthians 11:1, 1 John 2:6
2. It is enough for Christians to be like their Lord and Master
(cf. Matthew 10:25)!
C. There is much to the example of Jesus!
D. Nevertheless, we can discern three fundamental values in the
life of Christ that should represent the basis of our lives as
Christians
E. These three values are love, humility, and service
F. Let us consider these values and how we can develop them in our
lives!
II. Love: The Prime Element
A. The New Testament is quite clear about the primary virtue and
element
B. God as love: 1 John 4:7-21
C. God's love manifest to us: John 3:16, Romans 5:5-11
D. Our need to love God, one another; primacy of love: John 14:15,
Romans 13:8-10, 1 Corinthians 13
E. Love permeates the life and work of Jesus of Nazareth
1. Teaching: Matthew 5:43-44, 46, Matthew 19:19, 22:37, 39
2. Practice: John 13:34, John 15:9, 13, Ephesians 5:25-27
F. How will people know that we follow Jesus? Our love for one
another (John 13:35)!
G. The first manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit
(Galatians 5:22)
H. This love not a feeling but a decision!
1. While feelings may come naturally at times, true Biblical
love is a decision
2. Seeks the best interest of the beloved, even if that is not
our best interest!
3. Is to be made manifest even toward enemies and those who
would do us evil (Matthew 5:43-44)!
4. Is to be demonstrated even when there is no love given in
return, even when unacknowledged!
5. As God loved us when unlovable, we are to love others even
when they are "unlovable" (Romans 5:5-11)!
I. Love's primacy evident
1. Without it, everything else ultimately profitless
(1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
2. Primary attribute of God and Jesus-- if we are to be godly,
we must love!
3. Love reforms the mind, attitude, and actions
J. All else must flow from love!
III. Humility: The Prime Perspective
A. A constant warning in the New Testament involves the need for
humility
1. Matthew 23:12, Luke 14:11, Luke 18:14, James 4:10,
1 Peter 5:6
2. Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, but those who
humble themselves will be exalted!
B. This speaks to the need for humility!
1. Matthew 18:4, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5
2. Humility is clearly an important element of Christianity!
C. Jesus of Nazareth represents the example of humility
1. Matthew 11:29
2. Philippians 2:1-11
D. In turn, Jesus' humility the model and pattern for our
humility!
1. If anyone had reason for pretension, it would have been
Jesus!
2. And yet consider how greatly He humbled Himself!
3. God dwelling as man, peasant from Galilee, no less, serving,
not being served, giving His life a ransom for many
4. If we truly understand the depth of Jesus' humility, how can
we continue to hold onto our pride and still consider
ourselves His disciples?
E. There are many reasons/justifications for various levels of
pride
1. Belief in superiority based on education, geography,
nationality, language, etc.
2. Belief in being better than that which is different from us
3. Belief that we are better based on being Christian,
"holiness," etc.
4. Pure racism, classism, sexism, etc.
F. Yet Jesus devastates all these reasons
1. We are no better than anyone else-- we are all sinners
needing God's grace (Romans 3:23, Ephesians 2:1-10,
1 John 1:8-10)
2. Belief in anyone's "superiority" or "inferiority" based in
worldly "wisdom," not in Scripture
3. God has given different people different talents and expects
all to use them for His glory (Matthew 25:14-30,
Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:12-28, 1 Peter 4:10-11)
4. None are "better" or "more necessary" than any other!
G. A difficult pill to swallow, but quite necessary!
H. Humility allows us to keep ourselves, others in perspective
1. When we develop humility, we recognize that we have no basis
for pretension
2. Compassion, love for our fellow man can flow
3. We will not insist on our own way to the detriment of God's
purposes (cf. Philippians 2:1-4)
4. We will be able to show the love of God more effectively!
I. Without humility, we cannot be like Christ!
1. If we maintain pride or arrogance, we are not reflecting
Christ
2. We will make excuses for not loving, showing compassion
toward our fellow man whom we consider "inferior" or
"insignificant"
3. We will have an improper view of our own opinions to our own
detriment (cf. Galatians 6:3-6)
4. We will not appreciate God's manifold wisdom made evident in
the church (Ephesians 3:10-11)-- interdependent, different
parts working together!
J. All things must flow from love while maintaining a humble
attitude!
IV. Service: The Prime Effort
A. Matthew 20:25-28
1. Jesus indicates values of the Kingdom here
2. Greatest is the one who serves
3. Jesus Himself as One who serves, not is served!
B. Prevailing Image: God as Master, We as Servants
1. Luke 17:7-10
2. Romans 6:15-22
3. Constantly used description of Biblical authors: Paul
(Romans 1:1), James (James 1:1), Simon Peter (2 Peter 1:1),
Jude (Jude 1:1), John (Revelation 1:1)
4. Note that those of "reputation" in the church consider
themselves as servants (cf. Galatians 2:6)!
C. Jesus provides the ultimate example of service
1. John 13:1-17
2. Jesus washes His disciples' feet-- the most humiliating task
3. Note Peter's sensitivity to this (vv. 6, 8-9)
4. Furthermore, Jesus is quite explicit about what He is doing:
He is providing an example for emulation (vv. 12-16)
D. Jesus' message should be loud and clear: we are not "too good"
for any form of service!
1. If Jesus of Nazareth, God in the flesh, the Lord and Savior,
washed feet, we have no right to claim that we are "too good"
to engage in any given act of service, no matter how
"degrading" or "humiliating!"
2. Furthermore, He expects us to follow His example and serve,
even if the service is unpleasant, seemingly trivial, or
repetitive!
3. How often does Jesus explicitly indicate that we are to do
exactly as He did, just as He does here in John 13?
4. Humility must be functioning here: we are certainly no better
than Jesus, and if He humbled Himself to wash feet, we ought
to humble ourselves to "wash feet" ourselves!
E. Service, then, critical for the Christian
1. Our lives as sacrifices to God-- Romans 12:1
2. We must do "what is our duty," obeying God (cf. Romans 1:5,
1 Peter 1:22)
3. That involves service: doing what God says because God says
it, not seeking self-gain or self-congratulation!
4. As Jesus has served us, so we ought to serve God and our
fellow man (cf. Matthew 20:25-28)!
F. All things must flow from love while maintaining a humble
attitude in order to serve!
V. Conclusion: The Basis of the Christian Life
A. We have considered love, humility, and service
1. Love: seeking the best interest of God, others
2. Humility: recognizing we are not better than anyone else,
our station
3. Service: doing what God says, "washing feet" of others
B. If we get these three elements right, everything else will
follow!
1. It is easy to get caught up in various matters of the faith
and get out of balance
2. If we focus on love, humility, and service, everything else
will follow as it ought
3. If we love God and recognize that He is in control, we will
seek to understand His will and do what He says to do
4. If we love our fellow Christians, we will seek to encourage
them at every opportunity
5. If we love our fellow man, recognize that we are no better
than they, and seek to help them, we will teach them the
good news of Jesus
6. Faith, doctrine/truth, assembling, evangelism, holiness,
hospitality, compassion, mercy, benevolence, and all kinds
of other things will be handled appropriately by the
Christian who reflects Christ's love, humility, and service!
C. If we fail to get these elements right, nothing else will work!
1. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3: it does not matter what we do without
love-- it is worthless if not accompanied by love!
2. We can understand God's truth and try to live properly, but
if we are pretentious and arrogant, we will repel people from
the Gospel and fail to love and serve God and our fellow man
3. Even if we love and are humble, if we are not serving God and
others, we are not putting the faith to work in our lives,
and we might as well be dead (cf. James 2:14-26)!
4. Be not deceived: it is possible to accept the truth
completely-- to be correct in all matters of doctrine-- and
still go to hell (cf. Matthew 7:21-23)!
5. Likewise, one can assemble with a church every time the doors
are open, and still go to hell!
D. Let us be conformed to the image of Jesus the Son of God, and
love, be humble, and serve!
E. Invitation/songbook