Jesus Died on the Cross to Leave us an Example

1. Read: Philippians 2:5-11

2. About the Text:

1) This text gives us the heart of who Jesus is.

2) We are called to follow that example.

3) How do we let Jesus shape our lives?

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. He served the before the cross.

1) John 8:29 – “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”

2) Mark 10:45 – “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

3) He healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead – He served!

4) John 13:12-17

2. He served while on the cross.

1) He served his own mother – John 19:25-27.

2) He served the thief on the cross – Luke 23:39-43.

3) He served us by being our sacrifice for sins – Hebrews 10:12-13.

3. He serves today because of the cross.

1) Hebrews 2:17-18 – “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.”

2) Hebrews 7:25 – “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

4. Will we serve Him?

1. He was a sinless sacrifice.

1) Hebrews 4:15 – “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

2) 1 Peter 2:22 – ““Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth.”

2. He was a willing sacrifice.

1) “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes 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 command I have received from My Father” – John 10:17-18.

2) Luke 22:42 – “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”

3. He was a complete sacrifice.

1) Romans 6:10 – “For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.”

2) Hebrews 7:27 – “who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.”

4. Will we sacrifice for Him?

1. He showed love for His Father.

1) “But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do” (John 14:31).

2. He showed love for His disciples.

1) John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this . . . .”

2) Galatians 2:20 – “…who loved me…”

3. He showed love for the world.

1) John 3:16

2) “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him” (1 Jon 4:9).

4. Will we love Him?

1. Jesus died on the cross to leave an example.

1) Service

2) Sacrifice

3) Love

2. Invitation