7 Challenges Issued by Christ

1 Peter 2:11-25

Introductory Thoughts

Can you imagine a life without a goal or challenge?

Would you agree that the most miserable people in the world are those who have no goals, no incentives, and no particular aims in

life?.

Introductory Thoughts

A great man is not the one who has never made a mistake, but one who is bigger than any mistake he has ever made.Life is a challenge.

Introductory Thoughts

Jesus urged that we count the cost.

Luke 14:28

There are four good rules for accepting and meeting every challenge Christ has

made:

Understand what is to be done.Learn the best way to do it.

Be willing to tackle it.Show

determination to rise to it.

Live as He Lived

The life of Jesus had meaning.His aim - Matthew 20:28His mission - Luke 19:10His prayers displayed an unselfish

attitude.

Jesus lived to do God’s will.John 4:34 – John 6:38

Paul faced and met this challenge.Galatians 2:20

Grow as He Grew

Early in life, Christ grew.Luke 2:52

When we meet the challenge of being like Him we will grow as He did.2 Peter 3:18

Christ is our yardstick for growth.Hebrews 13:8

Think as He Thought

Normally, man does not think that way.Isaiah 55:8-9God gave us a book designed to

change our thinking – Hebrews 8:10.

This is the only way of knowing how the Lord

thinks – 1 Corinthians 2:11.

The way we think is very important.Proverbs 23:7

Think as He Thought

We can never live as Christ lived, until we first learn to think as He

thought.Christ always did right, because He

always thought right.What a challenge we have in these

words – Philippians 4:8.

Obey as He Obeyed

Christ learned it by suffering.Hebrews 5:8-9

Obedience is something that must be learned.

His secret – Philippians 2:8

Obey as He Obeyed

Obedience calls for humility.

We enter the kingdom through obedience.

Matthew 7:21-23

It is also through humility that we are permitted to enter.

Matthew 18:1-3

Give as He Gave

Christ gave His life for God’s cause.Ephesians 5:25

He gave himself a ransom for many.Matthew 20:28

Christ believed and taught that it is more blessed to give.Acts 20:35

Love as He Loved

Jesus loved us when we were unlovable, and when we were so unloving.

Romans 5:8

His challenge to us is stated in John 13:34-35.

Matthew 22:37

Forgive as He Forgave

Christ was a forgiving person.Luke 23:34

We are commanded to be forgiving.Ephesians 4:32 – Colossians 3:13

Matthew 6:14

Concluding Thoughts

These are great challenges for us.

Perhaps we should heed the warning of Mary.John 2:5

Accept the challenges today and begin life anew.