A Heart Like Jesus
Berry Kercheville
FILING INFORMATION:
2001022
Subject: evangelism; church growth
Preached Originally: 04/08/01
– Rapid City, SD
Introduction:
A. This congregation is concerned about growth.
1. Been a topic readily discussed in last few years.
2. Despite setbacks here and there – progress is being made in this congregation.
3. How? Growth in ANY church begins with the spiritual growth of individual Christians!
a) does my heart good to see us growing up & b/c stronger in Christ.
b) Look forward to more years of service together.
B. There = a direct relationship b/t how a person feels about his own sin and the quality of his zeal & service to God.
1. Mt. 5:3-5 – a person must be poor in spirit & mourn for his sins
2. before he will hunger/thirst after righteousness; be merciful; or be willing to suffer persecution.
3. we are all personally affected by our own sins – whether we realize it or not.
a) must let the realization of the seriousness of sin motivate us to serve God faithfully – not half-heartedly!
C. We must all endeavor to develop a heart like Jesus….
D. What does this mean?
I. A Heart Like Jesus begins with seeing the seriousness of my own sin!
A. Lk. 5:1-11
1. Peter had been w/Jesus on numerous occasions. Impressed by the miracle Jesus performed.
2. Peter reminded that he was in the presence of God…
3. He begins to clearly see the ugliness of his own sin.
B. Berry Kerchevile has said: it is not until we stop comparing ourselves with ourselves and begin seeing ourselves the way God sees us, that we truly recognize how filthy we are before God and how much we are in need of Him.
C. There are others who have recognized the seriousness of their sin when in the presence of God:
1. Isa. 6:1-6 – Isaiah standing b/f God in a vision – realized seriousness of his sin. See 6:5.
2. Zech. 3 – Joshua, the high priest, standing before God – clothed in filthy rags – a symbol if his sinfulness as a man.
D. Likewise, we must see ourselves in the presence of God & thus recognize the awfulness of our sin!
E. Why so important? Consider the response of God to these men when they recognized their position before God:
1. Jesus to Peter – Lk. 5:10 – Fear not…I’ll make you a fisher of men.
2. God to Isaiah – Isa. 6:6-8 – Your sins = forgiven; who shall I send to preach? Isa replies, Here am I send me.
3. God to Joshua – Zech 3:4 – puts clean clothes on him – promises new temple….w/the Messiah & people of the Messiah inviting their neighbors to come enjoy the kingdom.
F. Once we see our sin as it really is – THEN we are ready for the Lord’s use. Once he cleanses us – we are given the boldness to work for Him. We’ll note how this happens in the next part of our lesson:
II. Seeing Our Need for God Determines our Love for God.
A. Lk. 7:36-50 – Simon the Pharisee puts down Jesus for letting sinful woman touch Him.
1. Couldn’t see woman mourning for her sin; the love she displayed for Jesus…
2. Couldn’t see his need for Jesus was just as great as hers
B. Point of the parable: One who is forgiven much will love much – one who is forgiven little will love little.
C. Application for us:
1. if we provide little service to God – and our efforts and zeal are mediocre at best…
2. perhaps we do not see ourselves as very great sinners.
3. perhaps our appreciation for the forgiveness of sin is not great enough.
4. Look at woman in story – washed the feet of Jesus w/her tears; dries them w/the hair of her head.
5. anointed his feet w/fragrant oil….costing 1 years wages….
D. Are we like Simon the Pharisee or like the woman in our service to God?
III. Seeing my need for God determines my love for my fellowman.
A. Lk. 10:25-37
1. Why would priest/Levite walk past fellow Jew who beaten/left for dead?
2. Jews = circumstances as evidence of ones standing w/God.
a) poor circumstances or severe hardship indicated that God had turned against a person because of sin.
b) Job’s friends had the same attitude.
B. Priest/Levite saw beaten man as a greater sinner than they were.
1. saw themselves as better than this man – would not stoop to his level to help him.
C. Why did the Samaritan help then?
1. 10:33 – had compassion on him.
2. didn’t see himself as better – realized if not for grace of God – he could have been in same position.
3. thus, he comes to the man’s rescue.
D. Application for us:
1. We need as much grace today as the worst sinner in the world!
2. W/o forgiveness, we = in same boat w/every other sinner in the world!
a) Can’t look down on sinners.
b) Or show them neglect!
3. If we see ourselves as great sinners – we will have compassion on a lost world and come to their rescue!
Conclusion:
A. Let us develop a heart like Jesus.
B. Let us continue to grow up spiritually
C. Let us increase our desire to seek/save the lost!
D. I N V I T A T I O N