"Discipleship II - Transformation of Character: Live as Jesus Lived"by Ps (Dr) Chuah Seong Peng
Scripture: Matthew 4: 1-11
2010 Call to Discipleship
A call to live the kingdom life of kingdom obedience and abundance for the purpose of expanding His kingdom on earth.
Transformation series on conformation to Christ’s image
- Transformation of Mind – Believe as Jesus believed.
- Transformation of Character – Live as Jesus lived.
- Transformation of Relationship – Love as Jesus loved.
- Transformation of Habits – Train as Jesus trained.
- Transformation of Service – Minister as Jesus ministered.
- Transformation of Influence – Lead as Jesus led.
1st Sermon: Transformation of the Mind from the Inside-Out – Believe as Jesus believed
In the last sermon, we look at what discipleship, spiritual formation and transformation is about. Discipleship is about transformation from the inside-out. The key to discipleship is the transformation of the heart not external conformity, profession of correct doctrine, faithfulness to the church and seeking of spirituality and experience. To do so, we look at “SKB” for our transformation and growth to become like Christ
- S ee what Christ has done
- K now what Christ has revealed
- B elieve what Christ has promised
We concluded with the understanding that consecration is the key that activate our entrance into Christ’s school of disciple. John 14:21 “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
We are asked to consecrate ourselves, make the active choice to be his disciple as we respond to his love for us. As we make this small step of faith, the promise is we will grow deeper into him and see more of Jesus and come to know him more and love him more and obey him more.
‘Convert ME’
As we consecrate ourselves to be his disciples to obey his command to go and make disciples of all nations and tribes, are we now to go all out to ‘convert people and church’? My answer is yes and no. Yes we are to become witnesses of Christ love to help people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. No, because the first thing we need to do is not to ‘convert people’ or ‘convert church’. The first thing is to ‘convert ME’. God’s strategy to expand the KOG is through good witnessing; witnessing not converting is the key. To bear good witness, we are to demonstrate it through good conduct and deeds, not words alone. That’s why in the coming sermons we are going to look at the various areas of our lives that demonstrate our transformation in our whole beings to that of Christ. We are going to look at how we live, love, train, minister and lead as Christ did.
Transformation of Character: Live as Jesus Lived
In this sermon, we will look at the transformation of our character to live as Jesus lived. When we live as Jesus lived, we will become a good witness of him and his love to those around us.
How does Jesus live?
When we examine Jesus’ life, we see how he was the only perfect human being who live with humility, authenticity and strength in dealing with all the people he encountered. He showed love and compassion to all and yet was firm and courageous when dealing with those who did wrong. What is the secret of Jesus? What are the foundational principles that provide the basis on how Jesus lived? The best way to reveal a person’s character is through testing. We will look at the temptations of Christ that reveals his character and the foundational issues that governed how he lived
The Temptation of Jesus: Matthew 4:1-11
1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." 4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' 5Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' 7Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' 8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9"All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." 10Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.' 11Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
(Footnotes: Matthew 4:4 Deut. 8:3, 4:6 Psalm 91:11,12, 4:7 Deut. 6:16, 4:10 Deut. 6:13)
The Temptations of Jesus
Let us look at the three temptations to gain an insight into what the devil was trying to do and how Jesus dealt with the challenges that revealed his character and values in life.
What were the weapons Jesus used and what is the secret that gave him success?
The first temptation
3The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." 4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'
Satan used physical discomfort to challenge Jesus about his identity. Jesus was challenged by Satan that if he was the Son of God, surely God the Father would provide for all his needs if he was hungry. It was a challenge to his identity as the Son of God through exploiting the extreme physical deprivation Jesus was experiencing in his 40 days fast. His weapon to counter the temptation is his nourishment of the word of God taken in his solitude during the fast. Instead of finding ways and method to fight, he knew as a Son of God and he can rely on the promise of God’s words. He drew his strength and use God’s words in Deuteronomy 8:3 to fend off the enemy attack.
The second temptation
5Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:
" 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' 7Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”
The Satan now turned around and used Scripture to challenge Jesus. This time it was about security. If Jesus was truly the Son of God, God would naturally be there to save him. Satan again used half truth in quoting the Scripture; this time he missed out the verse “to guard you in all your ways” in Psalm 91:11.
Jesus knew he was secure in God’s love and there is no need to test God of his love. He knew he was the beloved Son of God with whom God is well pleased. God’s angels will not only protect him but also guard him in all the ways so that he will not fall prey to the enemy.
The third temptation
8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9”All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’
The Satan then tried to tempt him with issue of power to test his heart allegiance – who would he give his heart to? Satan tempted him with an easy way out. He can have the world without going to the cross. But he knew who he gave his allegiance; he will worship and serve God only as God says in Deut. 6:13.
Jesus knew the Satan well and responded appropriately
Satan was attacking Jesus, identity (who I am), security (who I belong), significance (how importance I am) and destiny (future and purpose). Jesus was clear on all four. He knew he was the beloved Son of God whom God is well pleased. His identity and security was in God and God alone. He is significance in God’s sight and his destiny is in God’s hand. He knew he can trust God and his words and do what the Father tells him. He worship and serve God only. He did not react but responded appropriately to the enemy’s attack. Jesus remembered the words of God to him in his baptism. When he came up out of the water, a voice from heaven declared in Matthew 3:17, “This is my Son whom I love, with whom I am well pleased.” He knew Satan told the half truth concerning him as the Son of God; Satan purposely left out the word “whom I loved”. Jesus was no fool and saw his deception. He knew how valuable he was in God’s sight.
The result: Jesus demonstrates humility, authenticity and strength in his life because his identity, security, significance and destiny were firmly rooted in God’s love
He was humble to receive everyone with compassion and love. He dined with the tax collector; forgave the adulteress, received the Samaritan lady, shed tears of sadness when Lazarus died. He was real with them, there was no pretense in him. He was also courageous and strong in confronting the false teachers, Pharisees and the enemy. He preached, taught, healed and ministered to everyone with power and love. He went to the cross.
Three marks of HLCE disciples of Jesus
- Humble –no pride, nothing to gain.
- Real – no mask, nothing to hide.
- Courageous – no fear, nothing to lose.
Three things we see in this temptation:
- The Father’s love.
- Jesus’ obedience
- The Spirit’s power
The Father’s love.
The Father’s love gives him the identity, security, significance and destiny to align his heart to worship and serve God only. It was this assurance and comfort of the Father’s love that helped him to stand up to the enemy’s attack. On both occasions when he was challenged of the Father’s providence and protection for him, he remembered the assurance of the Father’s word and love for him. When Jesus has his identity and security rooted in God’s love, he has his significance and destiny clarified. He lived with confident trust in God. He gave his heart allegiance to worship and serve God only.
Jesus’ obedience
Jesus obeyed God completely in his word
Because of this love, Jesus submitted completely to the Father and trust him in his word. Jesus further shared in John 5:19 that he only does what he sees the father is doing. He is completely obedience to the Father.
The Spirit’s power
Jesus was led and empowered by the Spirit in his life and work
He was led by the Spirit to be tempted in the desert and empowered by the Spirit to overcome the temptations. He continues to do so throughout his life and ministry.
“Convert ME” to live as Christ live
What can we learn from Jesus to be transformed in our character to live as Jesus’ lived in his triumphant victory over the enemy in his temptations and life? There are three things we can learn from Jesus to be transformed into his character and learn to live like him.
Our launching PAD
- P ersonal Revival in Christ
- A ctive Obedience to God
- D ivine assignments through the Spirit
Return to our first love: Receive God’s love through Christ and know who we are – His children whom He loves. John 1:12-13 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
Hear from the voice of God for us at our baptism,
“This is my Son whom I love, with whom I am well pleased.”
Refresh your love: Receive a fresh encounter of his love and be revived in our spirits to love him and one another through personal study, prayer, and retreat.
Active Obedience to God
Active obedience is an attitude of total surrender to God. We are to know whom we belong to and give allegiance to in our worship and service. We are to give our heart to God completely and be ready do what he says in his words. This is especially so when we are challenged in time of hunger, pain, sickness, financial troubles. In such time of temptations, we are to remember his love for us and his promise in his words to take care of us. We are to go into solitude to pray and seek God’s words and wisdom and guidance and do what his words say.
Active obedience signifies our readiness to serve and act. We are ready to act when the opportunity arise. We have made a commitment to do whatever God has impressed upon us concerning daily life and ministry.
An illustration: The sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham
Divine assignment through the Spirit
A Spirit-led and empowerment life: We are to be led by the Spirit and see divine opportunity that comes our ways and received the Spirit’s power to accomplish the divine assignments.
This applies to our daily life activities as much as to special assignment with the church. Be sensitive to the Spirit on all occasions and asked “Is this a divine opportunity and assignment?” in all our encounters in life whether mundane or special. Even a late appointment, an encounter with stranger, an unexpected delay, incident etc can be divine appointments and assignments awaiting for us.
A prayerful life: We are praying continuously practicing the Presence of God in our lives. We consciously avail ourselves to God and his presence.
Let us live as Jesus lived and be transformed in our character (PAD)
Let us received personal revival and surrender to God and live in active obedience to him, be led and empowered by the Spirit for diviner assignment on this journey of transformation,
“Convert ME”!
To God be the Glory!
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