Listen
Date written: April 2nd, 2006
Scripture ref: Isaiah 53:1-12
SUBJECT: Jesus
TITLE: “Let the Beauty of Jesus Be Seen”
PROPOSITION: Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me by my 1) pure life 2) pure speech 3) living sacrifice 4) charitable deeds.
Objectives: That each would resolve to be beautiful on the inside and not worry so much about external beauty.
Aim: To emphasize how beauty in God’s sight is radically different from man’s standard of beauty.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Isaiah 53:1-12
2. About the Text:
1) History contains no authentic picture, portrait, or likeness of Jesus.
2) The gospel writers don’t tell us anything about his appearance other than he was Jewish.
3) The one hint that we have is found in Isaiah 53:2 which says, “he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.”
4) So far as concerns the physical appearance of Jesus, men are mistaken when they make him out to be some beautiful person.
5) Here is a situation where God’s foolishness is greater than man’s wisdom.
6) Were mere men to have told us about Jesus, no doubt we would have had paintings, busts, and physical descriptions.
7) However, inspiration contains little reference to Jesus physical appearance.
8) What is emphasized to be beautiful about Jesus, however, was the way he lived and the doctrine he taught.
3. Our song “Let the Beauty of Jesus Be Seen” (392)
1) When we sing, “Let the Beauty of Jesus Be Seen In Me” we are not singing of outward beauty.
2) Rather, we are singing of spiritual beauty.
3) What is it that we need to do to let the beauty of Jesus be seen in us?
4. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION: Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me by my…
I. Pure Life
1. Jesus lived a pure life.
1) Hebrews 4:15 “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
2) 2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
3) Never was there more pure a life lived than that of Jesus.
2. We so ought to live as well.
1) If we desire Jesus blessing: Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
2) To be an example to those around us: 1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
3) If we want to see heaven: 1 John 3:3 “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
3. To be pure we must abstain from impure things.
1) WHY? 1 Corinthians 3:16 states, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
2) Acts 15:20 “But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.”
3) 1 Thessalonians 4:3 “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:”
4) 1 Peter 2:11 “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;”
II. Pure Speech
1. Jesus always had pure speech.
1) 1 Peter 2:22 “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:”
2) Isaiah 53:9 “And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.”
2. We need to be pure in speech as well.
1) 1 Peter 2:1 “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,”
2) Pro.4:24 “Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.”
3) Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
3. This means that we need to abstain from…
1) Telling dirty jokes. Ephesians 5:4 “Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.”
2) Engaging in gossip. Proverbs 26:20-23 “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.”
3) Lying. Ephesians 4:25, 29, 31 “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another… Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers… Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:”
III. Living Sacrifice
1. Jesus life was characterized by personal sacrifice.
1) Matthew 8:20 “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”
2) John 10:17-18 “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”
3) Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
2. Our lives need to be characterized by sacrifice as well.
1) Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
2) Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
3) Matthew 16:24-25 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”
3. How do we sacrifice?
1) Seek God first. Matthew 6:33 means we attend services before events.
2) We can give from our personal property. 2 Corinthians 8:1-3 “Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;”
3) Not going to that party, worldly event, or place. 1 Peter 4:3-4 “For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:”
IV. Charitable Deeds
1. Jesus did good things to and for others.
1) Acts 10:38 “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”
2) Matthew 15:32 Jesus had compassion on the hungry multitude.
3) Healing the blind (Matthew 20:34).
2. We must be about the business of doing good to others as well.
1) Galatians 6:10
2) Hebrews 13:16 “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
3. How?
1) Visit the sick, orphans, widows – James 1:27
2) Help those who are hungry – James 2:15-16
3) Give to the needy – 1 Timothy 6:17-18 “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.”
CONCLUSION:
1. Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in my by my…
1) Pure Life
2) Pure Speech
3) Living Sacrifice
4) Charitable Deeds
2. Read the song (392)
3. Invitation