I invite your attention to the
gospel according to John, chapter 13, verse 15. John 13, 15. This morning's message
is titled, Followers of Jesus Christ's Example Described. Our text reads in these words,
John 13, 15, Jesus said, for I have given you an example that
you should do as I have done to you. Jesus' words here in John 13,
15 are at the conclusion of an instance
in which he washed the disciples' feet. And here in our text, Jesus
explained what he had done. Now, I'm not going to read that
entire passage right now. We read it a few moments ago
in our scripture reading, but we will come back to it in a
moment. But now I want you to focus on
the fact that Jesus said, for I have given you an example that
you should do as I have done to you. Jesus Christ should be
our example and we should do as he did. Before we consider Jesus as our
example, I want you to imagine what one would be if he has Satan
the devil for his example and there are indeed such people
for Jesus Christ tells them you are of your father the devil
and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer
from the beginning And he is a liar and the father of it. John chapter 8 verse 44. Jesus
told those words to some people. In saying that you desire to
do what your father the devil does, he says, you take him for
your example. Imitators of Satan willfully
disobey God and his law. Satan does and so do they who
follow his example. They who have Satan for their
example lie against and to others and they act malevolently toward
one another because they follow Satan's example and furthermore
followers of Satan's example refuse to repent of their sins
They refuse to believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. They refuse
to trust in Jesus Christ for their example. And they will
continue to do so unless God acts in mercy toward them. But
I want you to observe this also, that imitators of Satan Following
Satan's example is what you and I and every one of us is by nature. We were born with the devil for
our father and the deeds and the desires of our father we
willfully do. We follow his example. Second,
I would have you to imagine what one would be if he has Pharisees
for his example. He would be what Jesus Christ
called in Matthew 23 verse 27, a whitewashed tomb. What is a whitewashed tomb? Well, you know what a tomb is.
That would be a structure. in which you lay a dead body
at the end of a funeral and then you seal it up and perhaps you put a coat of
white paint on it. You make it look good on the
outside. Perhaps you put some ornate designs,
some pictures on it, maybe statues. And when you're done, you have
a beautiful tomb. But oh, what's in the inside? Death, corruption, and stench. And this is a very good description
of what Pharisees and their followers are, whitewashed tombs. Saints on the outside, but devils
on the inside. They hide their inward evil with
outward religion. They make showy displays of their
charity, their prayers, their fasting, and their sectarian
duties as Jesus taught us in Matthew's Gospel chapter 6. If they do what they think is
a good deed, they blow a trumpet first so that they can get people's
attention and get credit for what they've done. They love
to pray in public so that people will know they are praying people. When they fast, they put perhaps
ashes on their faces as the Pharisees did. When they fast, they want
you to know they're fasting. They want to get credit for what
they're doing. They're such good people on Sabbath
day or Sunday or holy days. But every bit of this is just
a facade to hide the evil that is within them. Imitators of Pharisees will be
self-righteous and holier than thou in their own eyes, but despicable
in God's eyes, and a hypocrite in the eyes of all who know what
they truly are. And my friend, you can spot a
Pharisee, can you not? You can spot a hypocrite. These
are people who follow the Pharisees for their example. But now I
want you to consider and imagine what one would be if he has Jesus
Christ for his example. Now twice in Holy Scriptures,
he is expressly said to be our example. One of these is here
in John chapter 13 verse 15. He said, I have given you an
example. that you should do as I have
done to you. Jesus Christ is also set forth
to be our example in 1 Peter 2 verses 20 through 23. But on
other occasions we are told to do just as he did. Those words are used. Just as,
that means having him for your example. We're going to look at some of
these instances that describe what Jesus Christ did as an example
to his people. We're going to describe the followers
of those who follow the example of Jesus Christ. First, they
are condescending to others. And it should not escape our
attention that thrice we are told we should follow the example
of Jesus Christ in regard to condescension toward others. I'm going to read these three
scripture references to you that speak of the humbling of Jesus
Christ, the self-humbling of our Lord and Savior, His humility
and condescending even from heaven down to where sinners are. The
first of these is Paul the Apostle's doctrine in Philippians 2 verses
3 through 9. Paul exhorts us to let nothing
be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness
of mind, let others esteem or let each esteem others better
than himself. Let each of you Look out, not
only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Now he here sets forth Jesus
Christ as our example in writing these words. Let this mind be
in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, what was in the mind of
Jesus Christ. What did he do? Paul continues,
Jesus Christ being in the form of God did not consider it robbery
to be equal with God. Meaning that Jesus Christ is
divine. Jesus Christ has deity. Jesus Christ is co-glorious. and co-eternal with God his Father. And he did not consider it robbery
to be equal with God. That is what Jesus Christ is
by nature. But nevertheless, He made Himself
of no reputation, taking the form of a bond, a servant, and
coming in the likeness of men. That is, He assumed our humanity,
and being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself
and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the
cross. Jesus Christ, very God of very
God, became a servant to men and came in the form of a bondservant. And then we read, therefore God
also has highly exalted him. Now the second passage I bring
to your attention is the doctrine of Jesus Christ in Matthew 20
verses 25 through 28. Jesus taught, you know that the
rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and those who are great
exercise authority over them. Yet It shall not be so among
you, but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your
servant. And whoever desires to be first
among you, let him be your slave. Just as, you see those words
just as? The example of Jesus Christ is
gonna be now set before us. Just as the son of man did not
come to be served, but to serve and to give his life a ransom
for many. Now the third instance I would
have you to see is here in the passage in which our text is
found. It's John chapter 13. In particular,
I want you to see verses 12 through 15. In verse 12, we read that,
so when Jesus had washed their feet, and this is described beginning
in verse number four, Jesus Christ was with his disciples. And at
the end of a meal, he took a basin of water Then he took a towel, put it
in his hand. He went to the feet of each of
his disciples, put their feet in the water, and washed their
feet, and then dried their feet with the towel with which he
had girded himself. When he was done, he sat down
and he said to them, John 13, 12, do you know what I have done
to you? You call me teacher and Lord,
and you say, well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and teacher,
have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. Now watch his words carefully
in verse 15. For I have given you an example
that you should do as I have done to you. Now consider this
instance of Jesus washing the disciples' feet. I want you to observe here that
Jesus Christ did not here establish a religious rite or a sacrament
or a church ordinance in which we must wash one another's feet. He did not do that, setting it
forth as a religious rite. That was not the design of what
he did. It is not a church ordinance.
For one reason, the apostles did not observe it as a church
ordinance, no record of it. The first century church did
not observe it as a church ordinance, no record of it. What Jesus Christ
has here done has set forth an example of humility
toward his disciples. To wash someone's feet was the
duty of a servant if you had a servant. To wash someone's
feet was an act of servitude toward that one and that is what
Jesus Christ has done. Some people in false religion
make a great theatrical display of this maybe one day a year
and on that day the bishops of this religion will claim to be
following Jesus Christ's example and they'll bring out a pail
of water or a basin of water and wash people's feet and people
say, oh, how holy and humble that person is. That is making
a theatrical display of what Jesus Christ is here taught and
completely ruins the meaning of what he's telling us. Jesus
Christ is letting us know that we must be humble toward others
and prove our humility and our condescension by the acts of
humility that we do toward them. And it is not limited to washing
someone's feet. We should learn these lessons
from these three instances that we here have cited. First, since
Christ, our example, condescended to sinners. putting their spiritual
needs above his own heavenly position, and eating with sinners
and being the friend of sinners, and bringing salvation to sinners. Let us follow his example. Let us not be like Pharisees
who would say to sinners, Keep to yourself, do not come near
me for I am holier than you. Isaiah 65 verse 5. We should be known for our service
even to the worst of sinners. Following Jesus Christ's example,
second We should learn from these three instances that since Christ,
our example, condescended to be the servant of the lowest,
so should we. Let us not be like heathen rulers,
whether civil or religious. who desire to be lords over others
and to be served by them. God forbid that any of us think
that we are so high and mighty that others should serve us. Rather, we should be servants
of one another. The third lesson we should learn
is that since Christ is the perfect example of he who humbles himself
will be exalted, As he taught in Luke 14, 11, let us follow
his example. And since Pharisees are a foremost
example of whoever exalts himself will be humbled, let us not follow
their example, but let us follow the example of Jesus Christ in
condescending to others. The second mark of those who
follow Jesus Christ's example is loving one another. We read this in John chapter
13, verse 34, and also in John chapter 15, verses 12 through
14. Two different texts, but in the
same discourse. Jesus Christ said to his disciples,
a new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as
I have loved you, that you also love one another. This is my
commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's
life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do
whatever I command you. Now observe the example that
Jesus Christ here set for the love that we should have for
one another, that is as his disciples. He loved God's children enough
to lay down his life for them, and we should love God's children
enough to lay down our lives for them as well. He is our example. We love one another even to the
point of death. We might find a commentary on
this in 1 John chapter 3, verses 11 through 18. John writes that this is the
message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should
love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that
wicked one, that is, he followed the devil's example and murdered
his brother, Abel. And why did he murder him? because
Cain's works were evil and his brother Abel's works were righteous. And do not marvel, my brethren,
if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from
death to life because we love the brethren. You see this? Brotherly
love is a proof that you have been regenerated. John writes
that he who does not love his brother abides in death. And
whoever hates his brother is a murderer. And you know that
no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. You may say,
well, I have never committed murder with my hands. Did you
ever think about it? You're guilty. Did you ever hate
your brother without a cause? In God's sight, that is murder. And by this we know love, John
writes, because Jesus laid down his life for us. That's what
love is. He showed it to us. And we also
ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. My friends, our
love for one another should be just like Jesus Christ's love
to us, and we should follow his example in loving one another.
Third, we should follow his example in forgiving one another. Colossians
3, verses 12 through 13. Therefore, as the elect of God,
holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility,
meekness, long-suffering, bearing with one another and forgiving
one another. If anyone has a complaint against
another, even as Christ forgave you, so you must also do. How are we to forgive others? Christ set the example. We should
forgive as he forgave us. Oh, that we who are Christ's
disciples might learn to forgive others as Christ forgives us,
even when their offenses against us are very grave and oft repeated
as ours are to him. The fourth mark is receiving
one another, Romans 15, 7. Therefore, receive one another
just as Christ also received us to the glory of God. Christ
received us sinners. That was one of the denunciations
that was made against him by pharisaical types. This man received
sinners and eats with them. Are you not glad that Jesus Christ
received sinners? You're glad if you know that
you are a sinner. He received sinners and therefore
let us received sinners, receive all other sinners, received by
him. Let us not reject anyone who
has been received by Christ. Be very careful, my brothers
and sisters, about drawing lines of fellowship with someone just
because he does not dot every I and cross every T just the
way you do. We may not be all agreed in everything,
but do not reject a brother or sister in Christ just because
he or she disagrees with you on some non-essential point. We should endeavor to be in complete
and full harmony and agreement, but do not reject anyone who
has been received by Christ. The fifth mark is pleasing one
another instead of ourselves. Romans 15 verses 1 through 3. We then who are strong in the
faith ought to bear with the scruples of the weak in the faith
and not to please ourselves. Let us each please his neighbor
for his good leading to edification. And here's the reason, note this,
for even Christ did not please himself. Jesus Christ was concerned
for the interests and for the good of others. Jesus Christ
would not offend a weaker brother. Therefore, we should not offend
a weaker brother. Let the weaker brother become
a stronger brother. We exhort him to do so. But we
that are strong should be tender toward him even as Jesus Christ
was to us when we were weak. Self-centeredness and egotism
have no place among saints, and Christ is our proof. The sixth
mark is walking exemplarily in all things. 1 John 2, verse 6. He who says he abides in Christ
ought himself also to walk just as Christ walked. Our example
in walking should be that of Jesus Christ. Now we are not
called to walk as Christ did in his miraculous walk, as when
he walked on the water, but rather we are called to walk as Christ
walked in his ordinary walk. For example, we are to walk as
Christ walked in devotion to God. We are to walk as Christ
walked in love to God. We are to walk as Christ walked
in communion with God. We are to walk as Christ walked
in singleness of purpose. We are to walk as Christ walked
in righteousness and holiness. We are to walk as Christ walked
in fellowship with God's people. We are to walk as Christ walked
in doing good to others and so forth. The whole of Christ's
life in walking should serve as our example. We should walk
in such a way in this world that people would say, must be a Christian. He walks just like Christ. She
walks just like Christ. That's what Christians do. They
walk like Christ. Seventh mark of they who follow
Jesus Christ example is exercising proper obedience and abiding. John 15 verse 10. Jesus said,
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. Now we are to keep Christ's commandments
and particularly that new commandment, love one another just as I have
loved you. We are to keep that commandment
just as Christ kept his father's commandments, particularly those
of the law, including the law of Moses, which Christ kept fully. And we are to abide in Christ's
love as Christ abode in his Father's love. And he did it wholeheartedly
and constantly without fail. The eighth mark of those who
follow the example of Christ is giving abundantly to needy
saints. 2 Corinthians 8 verses 7 through
9. But as you abound in everything,
in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your
love for us, see that you abound in this grace also, that is of
giving abundantly to needy saints. In verse nine we read, for you
know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich,
yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty
might become rich. Jesus Christ is our example in
giving to others. No one ever outgave Christ, and
if you think you can do so, Try, try, try as hard as you can to
out give Christ. You cannot do it, but follow
His example and give abundantly to needy saints as He did to
us. The ninth mark of day who follow
Jesus Christ's example is loving wives sacrificially. Ephesians 5 verses 25 through
29. Husbands, love your wives just
as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for her, that
he might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water
by the word, that he might present her to himself a glorious church,
not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that she should
be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their
own wives as they love their own bodies. He who loves his
wife loves himself, for no one ever hated his own flesh, but
nourishes it and cherishes it just as the Lord loves the church. Oh, my friend, if every husband
loved his wife. As Christ loves his wife, how
happy every wife should be. The tenth and final mark of those
who follow the example of Jesus Christ is suffering patiently
for doing good. 1 Peter 2 verses 20 through 23. Peter writes, for what credit
is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it
patiently? But when you do good and suffer,
if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For
to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us. Now watch this, leaving us an
example that you should follow his steps. He committed no sin,
nor was deceit found in his mouth. And when he was reviled, he did
not revile and return. When he suffered, he did not
threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously. My dear brothers and sisters,
if you faithfully follow Christ, your example, imitating all the
good that he did and abstaining from every form of evil like
he did, this sinful world will hate you and persecute you just
as they did to him. But when they do, follow his
example and bear it patiently. Now you know the answers to the
questions, what would Jesus do? You know it because he condescended
to others, told us to love one another as he loved us. He forgave
us and set an example for us. He received us so that we would
receive others. He pleased others instead of
himself and told us to do so. He walked exemplarily in all
things and told us to follow his example. He exercised proper
obedience and abiding and told us to do the same. He became
poor so that we could become rich and said, you do that also. He loves his wife sacrificially
and tells husbands to do the same. He suffered patiently for
doing good and told us we must do the same. So now you know
the answer to the question, what would Jesus do? And now you know
that what he did was an example to those who follow him. So the
question now is, will you do as Jesus did and
would do? Is Jesus Christ Your example. Are you walking in his footsteps?
Are you following his example? Have you proven yourself to be
truly a Christian?