Used No Force

Scripture 1 - Jesus found himself surrounded by a large group of people looking to be healed of their illnesses. He warned them not to tell others about them. This was a fulfilment of a prophesy regarding God sending a servant to save his people (Isaiah 42:1-4)

Matthew 12:18-21 - Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.

1. Jesus is repeating a prophesy spoken by the prophet Isaiah. In the bible prophesies were glimpses into the future that God gave to men he chose to announce them. So even though Jesus is repeating something Isaiah says, who is really speaking?

2. What does he call Jesus? His Servant, whom he loves and delights in.

3. Jesus will proclaim justice to the nations but he will not fight or argue with people. Jesus tells the truth and doesn’t get into debates with people.

4. No one likes to be yelled at. Do we listen to those that yell and scream at us or do we ignore them? So Jesus doesn't yell and scream at us. Instead he always proclaims the truth with quietness and gentleness.

5. He does not kick a man while he is down. He will not put out what little flame we have within ourselves. Instead he fans our little fires until they burn bright.

6. If we put a gun to someone's head and force them to say the sinners prayer and ask Jesus into their hearts is it real? Jesus Christ always presents the truth of salvation with love and gentleness and lets us decide to love him back. He is never intimidating and does not use a person's weakness or guilt against them.

Not Motivated by Worldly Ambition

Scripture 1 - Jesus is praying after he experiences many towns and people who want him to perform miracles but then do not believe in him and repent. In his frustration he speaks to the crowd to try and make them understand why he is there.

Matthew 11:25-30 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

1. First of all, what is a yoke? A wooden crosspiece that is fastened or hung over the neck of a person or animal to carry or pull a heavy burden.

2. What are some things that might make you emotionally weary or weighed down? Jesus tells us that he will give us rest from those things.

3. Not just that he will give you rest but that he will take your burden and replace it with his which is light. What if someone offered to carry your heavy backpack full of school books and in exchange you had to carry a feather for them? This is what Jesus does for us, unlike the world which will take advantage of us and use us for its own ends.

4. Again he reminds us that he is gentle and humble in heart. Didn't we learn that being humble was the same as being honest with yourself and others. Here he reminds us that he is honest.

5. Why does he do all these things for us? Simple, so that we will come to him, not be healed then be on our way like the people he performed miracles for but to come to him and stay and have a relationship with us.

6. His only ambition is to save us from our sin. He is not motivated by statistics, bragging rights or trophies.

Scripture 2 - Philippians 2:3 and/or 2:6 added later

Closing Statement

Jesus came to save people - not use them. He refused to take advantage of others on his way to the cross. He never violates or is disrespectful of the freedom to choose because when we do choose to follow him he wants it to be real. This gentle spirit is also how we should approach each other and non-believers.

APPLY

1. How do you feel when you are forced to do something you don't want to do? How did you react?

2. What are some ways Christians might use force or manipulate someone for a "good" goal?

3. How have you been tempted to use inappropriate methods to achieve your goals?

07 Jesus Style: Used No Force/Worldly Ambition