1 Corinthians 11 Lesson

IMITATING JESUS

• “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 11:1.

Paul makes this statement to the Corinthians. 

In doing so, he displays confidence that his behaviors and values mirror those of Jesus. 

Is that a statement that we are prepared to make? 

Most of us would admit that we are still a work in progress.  However, if our behavior is not currently worthy of being imitated, it does give us something to consider.  Something to strive for. 

FIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF JESUS

Jesus is the Savior of the world and the perfect example for us to follow. 

Throughout the Bible, we can read about Jesus’ love and compassion. 

For today’s lesson, we have highlighted five characteristics of Jesus that we can imitate as we strive to be more like our Lord and Savior:

1. Jesus forgave others.  As Jesus was being crucified, He uttered the following words, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” - Luke 23:34.  When Jesus was asked how often we should forgive a brother who sins, He was asked if that brother should be forgiven as many as seven times.  Jesus responded, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” – Mathew 18:22. Our Savior taught us through His words and actions that we are to forgive others,
2. Jesus promotedpeace and is referred to as the “Prince of Peace.” - Isaiah 9:6,
3. Jesus taught others.  There are many examples of Jesus teaching.  Often, we see Jesus perform a miracle, crowds would gather, and Jesus would teach them.  One of the most powerful examples of this is found in the Book of Mathew as Jesus delivered His Sermon on the Mount.  “When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them.” - Mathew 5:1,
4. Jesus was selfless.  He came to earth, not to be served, but to serve others.  Jesus said, “Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” - Mathew 20:26-28,
5. Jesus obeyed His Father.  As the hour of His crucifixion approached, Jesus prayed to His Father, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” – Mathew 26:39.  Because Jesus was both human and Deity, He was not looking forward to the torture that He experienced on the cross.  And yet, during the most challenging time of His life, when He was abandoned and left alone to die on the cross, He was obedient to His Father’s commands.  If we want to imitate Jesus, we need to remain obedient during the difficult times in our lives, and not only during times of prosperity and calmness. 

CHASING PERFECTION   

Jesus is our perfect example!

And although we can never be perfect, as He was, we need to try. 

The character is in the trying!

Have you ever wondered why Jesus asked us to be perfect (Mathew 5:48) if the Bible tells us that none of us will ever be perfect? (Romans 3:23)

The answer is that if we strive for perfection, we just might catch excellence.  

And while none of us will ever be perfect like God, it is something that we need to strive for. 

BIBLE VERSES ABOUT PERFECTION

The following five verses talk about perfection:

1. “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:12,
2. “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of allgrace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” - 1 Peter 5:10,
3. “For by one offering, He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified (“To be set apart for a sacred purpose. – Source: merriam-webster.com).” - Hebrews 10:14,
4. “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecterof faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:2,
5. “He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just.  A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.” - Deuteronomy 32:4.

We are not perfect, yet we can become perfected through God’s grace and Jesus’ redeeming blood.

CONCLUSION

As Christians, we are to imitate the characteristics and behaviors of Jesus. 

And while we will never be perfect as Jesus was, we have a responsibility to try. 

The character is in the trying. 

God wants us to live lives where other people see God working in us and want to emulate the behaviors and characteristics that they see in us. 

Jesus talked about this in His Sermon on the Mount when He said:

• “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.” – Mathew 5:16.

We will conclude today’s lesson with the following scripture:

• “For you have been called for this purpose, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you would follow in His steps.” -  1 Peter 2:21.

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