”Living, And Dying, Like Jesus”
(Romans 14:7-9)
I. Introduction.
A. Whenever we want to convey the idea that something is
truly important – even critical – we might say: “It’s a
matter of life and death.” Like most such maxims, used
so broadly may not always be applied to most important or
critical of matters. Use it for variety of circumstances.
1. But, there truly are such things; are matters so
crucial they mean difference between life and death.
2. If nothing else, there are times we should think
about significant matters of life, so that it will help
us to avoid “death” – particularly spiritual death.
B. To set stage for this lesson on “Living, And Dying, Like
Jesus”, listen to some general statements about “life” and
“death.”
1. “The great use of life is to spend it for something
that will outlast it.”
2. “Life is not something to be salvaged. It is an
investment to be used in the world.”
3. “Life is a grindstone. Whether it grinds you down
or polishes you up depends on what you are made
of.”
4. “The great business of life is to be, to do, to do
without, and to depart.”
5. All these statements originated with people – they
are not from Bible. But, they do stress truths on the
subject of life and death that have a biblical basis.
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C. Not only in our study of God’s Word, but in other ways, we
turn our attention to life and death.
1. The songs we sing as part of worship, lessons we
hear from pulpits and in Bible classes speak of the
way we should live, and the way we should die.
2. For child of God, both living and dying should
reflect our belief in the Father and our imitation
of His Son. (Romans 14).
3. God’s family has a model for both living and
dying – that model is Jesus. Accepting or
rejecting Him, living as He lived so we might die
as He died, these are the critical concerns of life
itself, now and forever.
D. How should we live?
1. Romans 12:18: “If it is possible, as much as
depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”
2. Philippians 1:20-21 (Paul says): “. . .with all
boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be
magnified in my body, whether by life or by
death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is
gain.”
3. Titus 2:11-12: “For the grace of God that brings
salvation has appeared to all men, (this is Jesus,
the Christ, the incarnation of God among men)
teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly
lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and
godly in the present age.”
4. Romans 12:1: Christians are – “ . . . a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, . . . “
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E. But, “. . .as it is appointed for men to die once, . . .”
(Hebrews 9:27), how should we die?
1. We should die without fear: “Then Paul answered,
‘what do you mean by weeping and breaking my
heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but
also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord
Jesus.’” (Acts 21:13).
2. We should face death with understanding of the
eternal reward that awaits us: (II Timothy 4:6;8:
“For I am already being poured out as a drink
offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
. . . there is laid up for me the crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge,
will give to me on that Day (of judgment), and not
to me only but also to all who have loved His
appearing.”
3. Peter says that an “. . . inheritance incorruptible and
undefiled is reserved in heaven. . .” (I Peter 1:4).
4. We should die, also, with trust and confidence in
God, the Father: (Luke 23:46: “And when Jesus
had cried out with a loud voice, He said, ‘Father,
into your hands I commit my Spirit’. . .”).
F. “Living, And Dying, Like Jesus” is critical. To imitate
Jesus as He lived and died is important. Let’s look at some
ways we can do this.
II. Living Like Jesus.
A. In His life, Jesus made sure He carried out God’s purpose
with conviction.
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1. Jesus summed up His whole purpose for coming in
the simple statement: “ . . . I have come down from
heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him
who sent Me.” (John 6:38).
2. Jesus’ life was dedicated to serving God – wherever
He was, whomever He was with, whatever the
circumstances He found himself in.
3. His dedication to such service was rooted in the
knowledge that His Father would never forsake
Him. That conviction carried Him through life to a
cruel death. That conviction allowed Him to put
self aside and put needs of others first.
4. Christians must have that conviction and that
dedication to putting God first. That conviction that
makes servants.
B. In His life, Jesus obeyed God’s will, even when it was
difficult to do so.
1. Hebrews 5:8-9 (READ). In a sense, all of us
“learn obedience,” by the consequences of our
actions. Usually, people learn because of the
negative consequences – sometimes disastrous –
of disobedience. That was not so with Jesus. He
set a course of absolute, perfect obedience. What
He endured was the consequence of that obedience.
He knew what obedience to His Father would bring
to Him – yet He obeyed anyway.
2. The terms of salvation also are made clear here
(Verse 9) – eternal life is dependent upon our
obeying God’s will – even when that is difficult or
we don’t understand all of the significance of what
God requires.
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C. A third point is in His life, Jesus was patient and suffering.
1. What this means is best illustrated by the scriptures:
I Peter 2:21-23 (READ).
a. If you read on to verse 25, in these 5 verses
see no less than 6 references to Christ as the
suffering Savior, as depicted in Isaiah 53.
Jesus suffered for all people and left us a
great example of patience in the midst of
trial.
2. Peter says that Christians are to be, can be, like
Him – “. . . follow His steps: . . .” (v. 21).
III. Dying Like Jesus.
A. It’s not out of ordinary to hear people encouraged to live
like Jesus. But, Christians should also plan to die like Him.
Not talking about form of His death (on cross). Talking
about way Jesus approached death.
B. Jesus approached death with a spirit of trust and victory.
1. Matthew 16:18 (set scene of discussion with
apostles on who people said He (Jesus) was?):
“ . . .on this rock (confession by Peter) I will
build My church, and the gates of Hades (death
itself) shall not prevail against it.” Even death
cannot interfere with God’s plans.
2. In John 2:19 Jesus says: “. . .Destroy this temple,
and in three days I will raise it up.” His complete
trust in the Father allowed Him to believe fully in
the victory of resurrection; that God would not –
“. . . allow [His] Holy One to see corruption.”
(Acts 2:27; Psalm 16:10).
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3. Are three things death cannot do to the Christian,
so that he or she can also approach it with
confidence.
a. Death cannot endanger a Christian’s
interests. If our interest is in heaven
and being with God for eternity death is
means to that end. Then, as Paul said,
“. . . to die is gain” and what we receive
is far more important than what we leave.
b. Death cannot destroy a Christian’s purpose
(II Corinthians 5:9: “Therefore we make it
our aim, whether present or absent, to be
well pleasing to Him [God].” If that’s our
purpose death is victory.
c. Third, death cannot take away a Christian’s
reward. People can take everything away
from us, and can withhold much from us.
But our spiritual reward for a life of
obedience cannot be taken . Only we can
give it away.
C. Jesus also approached death with a sense of peace and
submission.
1. After the struggle with Satan in Gethsemane,
a peace settled upon Jesus that carried Him all the
way to Calvary.
2. When the time of our death arrives will we be at
peace, or still struggling with ourselves, and with
God? Choices we make now help determine
answer to that critical question.
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D. And Jesus approached death looking beyond the moment
to eternity with His Father. His expectation was not
meaningless hope, as today, He has His place “. . . at the
right hand of God!” (Acts 7:56).
IV. Conclusion.
A. Jesus, “. . . brought life and immortality to light through the
gospel.” (II Timothy 1:10).
B. We can follow His example, in life and death, by fulfilling
God’s purpose for us, obeying God’s will for us, and
patiently serving now, in our lives, as we await the call to
go home to be with God forever.
C. In I Corinthians 11:1, Paul says: “Imitate me, just as I also
imitate Christ.” Being like Christ in our lives and in our
deaths is a matter of eternal salvation or eternal
condemnation. Which do we choose?