11 Jesus Style: The Ultimate Sacrifice
1 Corinthians 13:3
Scripture 1 - A rich man approaches Jesus and tells him that he already follows all God's commandments but wants to know what he needs to do to have eternal life.
Matthew 19:21 Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
1. We have already established Jesus had given up any possessions long ago. What are some other sacrifices that Jesus made?
a. No home
b. Family
c. Gave up having his life to himself
2. What do you think it means to be complete?
a. Having the emptiness inside me filled
b. Never feeling lonely
c. Being content
d. Feeling valuable and being happy with who you are
e. Having joy that isn't affected by the world around you.
f. Perfect
3. Why would sacrificing our possessions make us perfect or complete?
a. The Greek "Teleios" in this context is conveying the idea of goodness.
b. It also means that it has reached its end, it is finished or reached its goal.
c. What is the goal? To love others. And by giving up our possessions and giving them to the poor we have reached that goal.
4. Christ reminds us that this world is temporary and that our sacrifice here will earn the treasure of eternal life in heaven if we follow him.
Scripture 2 - This chapter is known as the love chapter.
1 Corinthians 13:3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but have not love, I gain nothing.
1. The previous scripture says to sacrifice your possessions and you will get treasures in Heaven. But let's make sure we don’t misunderstand what Jesus is telling us.
2. He is not saying that the act of giving up your possessions will get you into Heaven. What we do will never earn us our salvation.
3. Here it is very clear. That you can give up all you own but if you don’t do it out of love, you will get nothing.
4. Love is the ultimate and if we don’t act out of love our actions are worthless.
Scripture 3 - Jesus is describing different types of leaders to the Pharisees.
John 10:17-18 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life - only to take it up again. No one takes it from me but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.
1. Jesus sacrificed a lot of things but his ultimate sacrifice was his life. We all know that he died so that we didn't have to but he had a choice.
2. It is important to note that Jesus was not coerced or forced into any of this. He did it out of love and you cannot be forced to love.
3. Love is always a choice.
4. To choose to serve is to choose to love.
CLOSING
What things are you willing to sacrifice for? A place or places? A thing or things? A belief or a person? For what things would you stand and sacrifice for something even if it costs you your life? Our answer to that question ultimately determines the depth of our servanthood.
APPLY
1. Many people in history have died so guarantee certain privileges for us. Are there any who come to mind whose deaths and sacrifice you are thankful for?
2. Now I will ask again. What things are you willing to sacrifice for?