Jesus Was Relational (Jesus Habits Series)

Jesus was relational.

If you read and study the Bible, especially the gospels, you'll quickly realize the habits of Jesus.  You'll see His characteristics and His behavior.  You'll recognize the habits of the Man who lived a sinless life.  My pastor is leading us through a series called Jesus Habits.  We are learning about various Jesus Habits because as Christ followers, we should be copying the habits of Jesus as closely as we possibly can.  Today, we are learning that Jesus was relational.  The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

 Jesus Was Relational

Relational people draw others to themselves.  They don't push others away.  They don't talk about others.  They talk to others.  They don't look down on others or pull others down.  They lift others up.  They don't take from others.  They give to others.  Instead of pre-judging others, they intentionally seek to get to know others.  

What habits have you formed regarding other people?  Would you be considered a relational person?

Relating to others is the key to opening the door to their hearts.

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near Jesus to listen to Him. 2 And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to complain, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them." - Luke 15:1-2

Jesus was relational.  Notice in Luke 15:1-2 above that the tax collectors and sinners were "coming near Jesus to listen to Him."  Jesus drew people to him.  Jesus loved people.  He cared and still cares about people.  Jesus was always intentional about bringing people to their greatest  need, a relationship with God.

In Luke 15, Jesus tells a series of stories about a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son.  Every one of those items were found.  Let's read the entire chapter together.

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near Jesus to listen to Him. ² And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to complain, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

³ And so He told them this parable, saying, ⁴ “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the other ninety-nine in the ^[c]open pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? ⁵ And when he has found it, he puts it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶ And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost!’ ⁷ I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

The Lost Coin

⁸ “Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? ⁹ And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the coin which I had lost!’ ¹⁰ In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

The Prodigal Son

¹¹ And He said, “A man had two sons. ¹² The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that is coming to me.’ And so he divided his wealth between them. ¹³ And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his estate in wild living. ¹⁴ Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began doing without. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ And he longed to have his fill of the carob pods that the pigs were eating, and no one was giving him anything. ¹⁷ But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired laborers have more than enough bread, but I am dying here from hunger! ¹⁸ I will set out and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired laborers.”’ ²⁰ So he set out and came to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. ²¹ And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ ²² But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet; ²³ and bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let’s eat and celebrate; ²⁴ for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.

²⁵ “Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. ²⁷ And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ ²⁸ But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. ²⁹ But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you never gave me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; ³⁰ but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ ³¹ And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’” - Luke 15

Did you notice that in all three of Jesus' stories, He illustrates the passion of loving relationships?  Jesus pursued relationships with others to bring them to God.

My pastor mentions the lyrics to a song called Reckless Love.  Some of the lyrics are:

There's no shadow You won't light up,

Mountain you won't climb up; coming after me.

There's no wall You won't kick down,

Lie You won't tear down; coming after me.

Oh, the overwhelming, never ending, reckless love of God . . . 

It chases me down, fights till I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine.

The love of God is powerful and relational!

All throughout the gospels, the examples of Jesus relating to others with love are everywhere.  Those examples are likely found around you as well, in your church and in Jesus-followers who live life around you.  

Jesus comes to you, relates to you, loves you where you are, and transforms you by His power.

Here are a few more examples of Jesus relating to others. 

Jesus began a relationship with a man named Matthew, an unpopular tax collector, and it opened many other doors. 

As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew sitting in the tax collector’s office; and He said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him. - Matthew 9:9-12

Jesus demonstrated that sharing a meal is one of the best steps to building relationships.

Jesus valued relationships over "red tape."

Now a man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. ⁶ Jesus, upon seeing this man lying there and knowing that he had already been in that condition for a long time, said to him, “Do you want to get well?” ⁷ The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” ⁸ Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” ⁹ Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk.

Now it was a Sabbath on that day. ¹⁰ So the Jews were saying to the man who was cured, “It is a Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet.” - John 5:5-10

Are you someone who removes "red tape" so some relationships can be formed and others can come to Christ?

 Jesus removed "red tape" multiple times.

*The Samaritan woman in John 4.

*A sinful woman in John 8.

*Zacchaeus in Luke 17.

*The leprous man in Luke 5.

*Nicodemus in John 3.

The last thing Jesus did before He died on the cross was to build a relationship with a person.

⁴² And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” ⁴³ And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” - Luke 23:42-43

If we want to follow Jesus's habits, what does this look like for you?

1.  Be authentic.

Be authentic in your identity.  Be yourself.  Some people will like you and some won't but you are unique and gifted to relate to others. God is always at work in YOU.  Be YOU.

Be authentic in your motives.  Your motive should always be about getting others into a relationship with God.

2.  Be aware.

If you want to be like Jesus, then you have to be aware of His work.  Be aware of His work around you.  Be aware of divine appointments.

But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” - John 5:17

Where has God placed you?  Do you view where you are as a divine appointment, His assignment?

3.  Be approachable.  

Smile.  Be nice.  Be kind.  Be friendly.  Be interested in others.

Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor. - Romans 12:9-10

Don't pretend to love others.  Really love them.

4.  Be affirming.  

Acceptance doesn't mean approval.  We can affirm others because they were made in the image of God.  Everyone has the same basic needs.  Our affirmation of others is always rooted in God's love for them.

All that you do must be done in love. - 1 Corinthians 16:14

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Is there a bad habit that you need to let go of so that you can begin to relate to others like Jesus did? 

Jesus wants a relationship with you!  

Learn more about how you can have a relationship with Jesus here.

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Jesus was relational.

Psalm 19: Glorifying God in Every Situation (Summer Playlist Series)

Glorifying God in Every Situation

As part of our Summer Playlist Series, our associate pastor delivered a sermon about glorifying God in every experience.  His text was Psalm 19, a Psalm of David.

The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
 
² Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
 
³ There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard.
 
⁴ Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their utterances to the end of the world.
In them He has placed a tent for the sun,
 
⁵ Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;
It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.
 
⁶ Its rising is from one end of the heavens,
And its circuit to the other end of them;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
 

⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

 
⁸ The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

 
⁹ The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.

 
¹⁰ They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.

 
¹¹ Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.

 
¹² Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.

 
¹³ Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins;
Let them not rule over me;
Then I will be blameless,
And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.

 
¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. - Psalm 19

You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

 Glorifying God in Every Situation

When we have something wonderful to celebrate, we want the whole world to know about it.  Maybe you are celebrating the birth of a child, a new relationship, an award at work, a big birthday, etc.  When we celebrate milestones, it's difficult to keep the good news to ourselves.

David wasn't always positive in his psalms, but in Psalm 19, David expresses joy in knowing God and in being known by God. 

We can glorify God in EVERY experience, good or bad.

Creation proclaims God's power.

God's power is seen when we look at the heavens and the skies.  Creation never stops pointing to its creator.  Creation was meant to glorify God.  Creation doesn't use words yet it proclaims the power of the God who created it.

We know there is a God because of His creation and works.

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.  Romans 1:20

We know God and His power when we see His creation.  Just look at it.  

Creation worships God.  God doesn't NEED us to worship Him so why did He create us?  He created us for relationship.  God doesn't need us.  He WANTS us.  Isn't that amazing?  

You are not an accident.  God is powerful enough to sustain creation.  He is powerful enough to sustain you.  

Scripture reveals God's perfection.

We can know God through His creation, but we can also know Him through His Word.  David describes God's Word as:

Perfect
Blameless
Sure
Firm
Faithful
Unchanging
Right
Correct
Level
Pure
Undefiled
Clean
True
Righteous

God's Word is a direct reflection of who God is.

God is perfect, blameless, sure, firm faithful, unchanging, right, correct, level, pure, undefiled, clean, true, and righteous.

David describes God's Word as more precious than anything else.  It is by God's Word that we are warned of sin and the dangers of it.  God's Word is an instruction manual about how to live and how to know God.

A perfect God can be trusted.  His Word is true and we can trust it.

Do you want to know God?  Then read His Word.

God is personal.

God is more than the God of creation or the author of the Bible.  God is personal.  

 God knows you and He wants you to know Him.

Our joy isn't dependent upon our circumstances.  Our joy comes from knowing God and glorifying Him in every situation.

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Glorifying God in Every Situation

Jesus Worshiped (Jesus Habits Series)

We are currently studying Jesus habits.  Jesus had no bad habits.  He lived a perfect life.  If we could all copy the good habits of Jesus, the world would be a much better place. Can you think of bad habits in your life?  We all have good and bad habits.  Our habits can make us or break us.  Your habits determine the direction of your life.  When we live like Jesus, it changes everything.  When we live like Jesus, it is called Christ-likeness.  Jesus worshiped.

Jesus worshiped.  We should worship like Jesus.

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

If you are a Christ follower, then Jesus lives in you.  

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. - Galatians 2:20

If you have given your life to Christ, He has given Himself to you.

The one who says that he remains in Him ought, himself also, walk just as He walked. - 1 John 2:6

We should live as Jesus did.  His habits should be our habits.

Jesus Worshiped

Worship is an expression, an experience, an encounter with God. When we worship, we are glorifying God.  We were created to glorify God.  Jesus glorified God.  Jesus worshiped every day of His life.  Worship was a lifestyle of Jesus.  Worship in the life of Jesus was both private and public.

1.  The Worship Habit of Jesus

Jesus grew up in a home where worship was a priority.

And when the days for their purification according to the Law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. - Luke 2:22

His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. ⁴² And when He was twelve years old, they went up there according to the custom of the feast. - Luke 2:41-42

And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and people. - Luke 2:52

Your kids will never prioritize what you marginalize.  Make worship a priority for your family every Sunday. - Pastor Paul Purvis

Jesus began His ministry by attending a worship service.

And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. - Luke 4:16

Jesus worshiped every day.

At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a man inciting a revolt? Every day I used to sit within the temple grounds teaching, and you did not arrest Me. - Matthew 26:55

Jesus was passionate about worship.

His disciples remembered that it was written: “Zeal for Your house will consume me.” - John 2:17

Jesus' Passion in Worship:

Jesus sang worship songs.

And after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. - Mark 14:26

Jesus loved to see children participate in worship.

But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were shouting in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became indignant, ¹⁶ and they said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘From the mouths of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself’?”- Matthew 21:15-16

Jesus loved to see people fed from the Word. 

And yet they could not find anything that they might do, for all the people were hanging on to every word He said. - Luke 19:48

And all the people would get up very early in the morning to come to Him in the temple to listen to Him. - Luke 21:38

Jesus was passionate about giving as an act of worship.

And Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and began watching how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large amounts. - Mark 12:41

Jesus' Promise About Worship

For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst. - Matthew 18:20

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Worship is Powerful!

2.  What does the habit of worship look like in our lives?

Everybody worships.  The question is not about whether or not we worship.  The question is about what we worship.  Worshiping wrongly results in emptiness and misery.

"Without Worship, we go about miserable."  - A.W. Tozer

True worship is not a place.

 God's Word tells us about the place of worship in our lives when it comes to priority.

Not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. - Hebrews 10:25

True worship is not about us.

We cannot make worship about ourselves.  Worship is not about our feelings, but about whether or not God is honored.  It is about whether or not our hearts are right so that God can be honored by us.

"Worship is the strategy by which we interrupt our preoccupation with ourselves, and attend to the presence of God." - Eugene Peterson 

True worship has requirements.

As the priests entered the house of God, there was a procedure as they entered the presence of God.  They didn't just show up and automatically worship.

Now even the first covenant had regulations for divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. - Hebrews 9:1

Read more about the detailed procedure for worship described in Hebrews 9 here at Bible Gateway. 

In Old Testament times, people who entered into the worship area (before the Holy of Holies), they came into the courtyard.  At the entrance was a brazen altar.  On the brazen alter, sacrifices were offered non stop.  It probably smelled horrible but it was a reminder to the people of their sins.  The symbolism of this tabernacle sacrifice points to Jesus in the future.  This carries over into the New Testament.

Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. - Romans 12:1

Worship begins when we yield ourselves to God and give Him everything.

Back in the courtyard of the tabernacle, there was a piece of furniture called a laver.  The laver was a huge bowl of water.  The priest was to wash his hands and feet before he went any further into the presence of God.  We are talking about cleansing.  Dirty hands and feet (dirty hearts) are a contradiction to true worship. 

This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far away from Me. - Matthew 15:8

In this condition,  our joy is gone.  Our focus is gone.  God is not honored.

Through Him then, let’s continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips praising His name. - Hebrews 13:15 (Now we are ready to worship.)

What does it look like to continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God?

It is praise, thanksgiving, singing.  It is the Word of God.  It is prayer, giving, and serving.  Worship is also nourishing, strengthening, healing, refreshing, and contagious. 

Worship is costly.

Worship cannot happen inside the church unless it first begins outside the church.

True worship is what God is seeking.

Worship is a matter of the heart.  It is about a truthful heart and an humble spirit - a repentant sinner abandoning all hypocrisy.   

Read the story about the woman at the well in the gospel of John, chapter 4.  The first person Jesus revealed Himself to as the Messiah in the book of John was a failed, despised woman who knew nothing but failure.  Jesus tells this woman that He is looking for people like her to worship Him.

God is looking for people YOU to worship Him.  

The best worshipers come with their brokenness, scars, failures . . . and God opens His heart to them.  Their hearts are forever changed.  

God is searching for true worshipers.  Being a true worshiper is a daily habit, just like Jesus.  

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Jesus worshiped. We should worship like Jesus (Jesus Habits)

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Jesus Habits: Prayer (Jesus Habits Series)

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  This sermon about prayer is part of my pastor's sermon series titled Jesus Habits. 

Jesus Habits:  Prayer

One reason habits matter is this.  Successful people do consistently what other people do occasionally.  In what area of your life do you need to become more consistent? 

While you are thinking about the answer to that question, you are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

There are three points to ponder while developing Jesus habits.  We need these three things.

1.  We need the power of Christ in our lives.

2.  We need a system.  We need a lifestyle that consistently allows us to develop Jesus habits.

3.  We need accountability and encouragement from others.  We were created for community.

Today's specific topic related to forming Jesus habits:  

Jesus Habit: Prayer

Jesus began His day by connecting with His Father, God, before doing anything else.  Jesus prayed.

In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. - Mark 1:35

All that God wants to do in your life, your family, your business, etc is done through prayer.

1.  Why did Jesus pray?

Jesus was and still is fully God and fully man.  He was and is flawless but He experienced the hard stuff of life such as temptation, pressure from others, etc.

Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You. - John 17:1

When Jesus experienced the hard stuff of life, He took refuge in His Father, God.

If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest. - Corrie Ten Boom

Let's focus on developing good Jesus habits, not bad habits.  Bad habits, even private bad habits, will eventually come out publicly.  Private good habits will eventually come out too. 

2.  When did Jesus pray?

Jesus prayed early in the morning.

Starting our day with God helps shield us during spiritual battles during the day.

Jesus also prayed at night.

It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. - Luke 6:12

If you wake up in the middle of the night, pray.

Jesus prayed in a variety of places.  He tells us to keep seeking, asking, and knocking.

Jesus prayed with people, not just for people.

Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. - Luke 9:28

Do you have a prayer group?  I am part of a small prayer group that meets once per week.  I always look forward to our prayer time together and I feel refreshed after we have prayed.  If you are not part of a prayer group, consider seeking one out or start one.

Jesus prayed before making decisions.

It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.  And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles. - Luke 6:12

Jesus prayed after great victories.

After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. - Matthew 14:23

 Jesus prayed to overcome temptations.

When He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”  And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray. - Luke 22:40-41

 Jesus prayed for those whom He loved. 

Jesus prayed during crisis.

3.  Why is prayer a difficult habit for us to develop?

Perhaps we pray while hanging on to sin in our lives.  Practice the habit of confession.  Confess your sins to the Lord and turn from them.

Perhaps we pray with wrong motives.

Perhaps we doubt prayer is effective. 

But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.  For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord. - James 1:6-7

Perhaps we aren't walking in faith.

Perhaps we have never been discipled.

It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples." - Luke 11:1

4.  When we embrace the habit of prayer, choose to pray.  Don't wait for a feeling.

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We need a system for developing the habit of prayer.  

Begin by praying every morning for 7 minutes for the next 7 days.

Prayer is about God's glory and should be centered on Him.

Variety is a good prayer habit.  Pray about a variety of situations, a variety of people, and in a variety of places.

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Never lose expectancy in prayer.  Our prayers are instantly heard in Heaven.  Consider the following beautifully written piece by Charles Spurgeon.

Prayers are instantly noticed in heaven. The moment Saul began to pray, the Lord heard him. Here is comfort for the distressed but praying soul. Oftentimes a poor broken-hearted one bends his knee, but can only utter his wailing in the language of sighs and tears; yet that groan has made all the harps of heaven thrill with music; that tear has been caught by God and treasured in the lachrymatory of Heaven. “You have collected all my tears in Your bottle.” This implies that they are caught as they flow!

The suppliant, who groans out his words, will be well understood by the Most High God. He may only look up with misty eye; but prayer is the falling of a tear! Tears are the diamonds of Heaven! Sighs are a part of the music of Jehovah’s court, and are numbered with the most sublime strains which reach the majesty on high!

Do not think that your prayers, however weak or trembling, will be unregarded. Our God not only hears prayers, but also loves to hear them. “He does not forget the cry of the humble.”

True, He does not regard proud looks and lofty words.
He has no concern for the pomp and pageantry of kings.
He does not listen to the swell of martial music.
He does not regard the triumph and pride of man.

But wherever there is a contrite heart full with sorrow, or a lip quivering with agony, or a deep groan, or a penitential sigh—the heart of Jehovah is open! He marks that prayer down in the registry of His memory! He puts our prayers, like rose leaves, between the pages of His book of remembrance, and when the volume is opened at last there shall be a precious fragrance springing up therefrom! - Charles Spurgeon

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Prayer is a relationship.  The more you talk to God, the more you will want to talk to Him and the more you will resemble Him.

Pray, just pray.

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Jesus Habits:  Prayer

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The Power of Habits, Jesus Habits

Everybody develops habits.  Some habits are good.  Some habits are bad.  We should definitely work on stopping those bad habits.  The best habits we can possibly have are Jesus habits.  We develop the best habits possible when we follow the example of Jesus.  Jesus had absolutely no bad habits.  He is the perfect example of successful abundant living.

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Today's Bible context is threefold:  Romans 7, Galatians 2:20, and Galatians 4:19.

Or do you not know, brothers and sisters (for I am speaking to those who know the Law), that the Law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives? ² For the married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he is alive; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband. ³ So then, if while her husband is alive she gives herself to another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress if she gives herself to another man.

⁴ Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you also were put to death in regard to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. ⁵ For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were brought to light by the Law, were at work in the parts of our body to bear fruit for death. ⁶ But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.

⁷ What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? Far from it! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “You shall not covet.” ⁸ But sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead. ⁹ I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin came to life, and I died; ¹⁰ and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me; ¹¹ for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me, and through it, killed me. ¹² So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

¹³ Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? Far from it! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by bringing about my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful.

The Conflict of Serving Two Masters

¹⁴ For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold into bondage to sin. ¹⁵ For I do not understand what I am doing; for I am not practicing what I want to do, but I do the very thing I hate. ¹⁶ However, if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, that the Law is good. ¹⁷ But now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin that dwells in me. ¹⁸ For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. ¹⁹ For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. ²⁰ But if I do the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin that dwells in me.

²¹ I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. ²² For I joyfully agree with the law of God in the inner person, ²³ but I see a different law in the parts of my body waging war against the law of my mind, and making me a prisoner of the law of sin, the law which is in my body’s parts. ²⁴ Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. - Romans 7:1-25

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. - Galatians 2:20

My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you. - Galatians 4:19

We can copy the habits of Jesus.

 For I gave you an example, so that you also would do just as I did for you. - John 13:15

A student is not above the teacher; but everyone, when he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher. - Luke 6:40

We will resemble Jesus when we copy his habits.  When people see us, they will see Jesus in us.  We become what we repeatedly do.  Half of all the things we do every day are the result of habits.

Successful people do consistently what others do occasionally.

Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him. - Colossians 2:6

We must be consistent in our Christian walk. To become more consistent, we need the power of Christ Jesus, a system, and accountability.  Daniel had a system.  He prayed.

To develop good Jesus habits. . .

1.  The life of Jesus must live in us.

Two people have to die for us to become a Christian.  Jesus had to die for you.  You have to die to yourself. We die to ourselves so Jesus can live through us.  We die to sin, to self, even our safety if it comes between you and Jesus.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. - 2 Corinthians 5:17

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2.  The habits of Jesus must be formed in us.

Is Christ being formed in you?  

Jesus is fiercely loyal.  He pursues you consistently.  Don't turn Him away.  Turn to Jesus.

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Developing Jesus Habits