Challenges of Jesus

Challenges of Jesus

Introduction (John 12:21):
“Sir, we would see Jesus.” When we see Him clearly, He lovingly lays holy challenges before us—summons that shape us into the people God designed us to be.

Challenge 1: Follow Him as He Followed the Father
Jesus’ earthly life was a steady “Yes” to the Father’s will. He came not for self-direction but for divine obedience: “I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father” (John 5:30; cf. John 6:38). Scripture foresaw the Servant who would enter history to accomplish God’s purpose (Hebrews 10:4–7). Discipleship means tracing His footsteps, not merely learning His words (1 Peter 2:21). He calls us to deny self, take up our cross daily, and follow (Matthew 16:24; Luke 9:23). That path includes hardship—He had nowhere to lay His head (Luke 9:58) and foretold the world’s hatred toward His own (John 15:18–21). Yet He served rather than demanded service (Matthew 20:28), prayed for our unity on the eve of His sufferings (John 17:21–22), and even interceded for His executioners (Luke 23:34). Look to Him and endure (Hebrews 12:1–4). This first challenge reshapes our instincts from self-focus to Godward, others-serving faithfulness.

Challenge 2: Think as He Thought
Conduct follows contemplation. Our Lord acted rightly because He thought rightly. Scripture urges us to “arm” ourselves with His mindset (1 Peter 4:1) and to dwell on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). “As he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). We cannot think as Jesus thought unless we know how Jesus thought; therefore we must learn His word and let it renew our minds (Romans 12:1–2). He redeemed a people “zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14) because they “first gave their own selves to the Lord” (2 Corinthians 8:5). Christ challenges us to wholehearted commitment—no partial loyalties, no rationalizing around hard teachings, only a willing mind shaped by Scripture.

Challenge 3: Obey as He Obeyed
Though He is the Son, “yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8–9). He humbled Himself to the lowest place, “obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:5–8). Reviled, He did not revile back; suffering, He did not threaten; He entrusted Himself to the Father (1 Peter 2:23). He asks no less than real obedience from those who call Him Lord (Luke 6:46). Our warfare is spiritual; we pull down proud arguments by bringing “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4–5). His command-path leads to life (Revelation 22:14). The obedient way is not harsh; it is holy, wise, and good.

Challenge 4: Love as He Loved
Love is the atmosphere of all Christ’s challenges. He loved the Father perfectly and our souls sacrificially. He calls us to love God with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:30–31). Even our Savior “pleased not himself” (Romans 15:3). He loved your soul and mine enough to die for us; will we love our souls enough to live for Him? This love motivates following, thinking, and obeying; it turns duty into devotion and challenge into joy.

“Challenges of Jesus” Sermon Outline:

• Introduction: John 12:21—To see Jesus is to receive His holy challenges.

• I. Follow as He Followed the Father

  • His mission of obedience (John 5:30; 6:38; Hebrews 10:4–7).

  • Deny self; take up the cross (Matthew 16:24; Luke 9:23; Luke 9:58; John 15:18–21).

  • Serving heart; intercession and unity (Matthew 20:28; John 17:21–22; Luke 23:34; Hebrews 12:1–4).

• II. Think as He Thought

  • Christlike mindset (1 Peter 4:1; Philippians 4:8; Proverbs 23:7).

  • Renewed by the word (Romans 12:1–2); wholly given to God (Titus 2:14; 2 Corinthians 8:5).

• III. Obey as He Obeyed

  • Learned obedience; cross-shaped submission (Hebrews 5:8–9; Philippians 2:5–8).

  • Meek endurance (1 Peter 2:23); true lordship requires doing (Luke 6:46).

  • Captive thoughts, faithful walk (2 Corinthians 10:4–5; Revelation 22:14).

• IV. Love as He Loved

  • Supreme love for God and neighbor (Mark 12:30–31).

  • Self-forgetful service (Romans 15:3).

• Conclusion: These challenges form us into what God created us to be—Christlike in aim, mind, will, and love.

Call to Action:
Let Christ’s challenges become your way of life. Hear the word (Romans 10:17). Believe the gospel (John 3:16). Repent (Luke 13:3). Confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9–10). Be baptized into Christ and raised to new life (Romans 6:3–4). If you have drifted, return through confession; He is faithful and just to forgive (1 John 1:9). Walk in the light, thinking His thoughts, obeying His will, loving as He loved.

Key Takeaways:

• Jesus models joyful obedience to the Father and calls us to follow (John 5:30; 6:38; Hebrews 10:4–7; Matthew 16:24).

• Christlike thinking grows from Scripture and renews the whole life (Philippians 4:8; Romans 12:1–2; 1 Peter 4:1).

• True lordship means practical obedience, not lip-service (Hebrews 5:8–9; Luke 6:46; 2 Corinthians 10:4–5).

• Love for God and neighbor is the sum and spirit of every challenge (Mark 12:30–31; Romans 15:3).

• Endurance flows from fixing our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1–4).

Scripture Reference List:

• John 12:21—“Sir, we would see Jesus.”

• Hebrews 10:4–7—The Servant comes to do God’s will.

• John 5:30; 6:38—Not My will, but the Father’s.

• 1 Peter 2:21—Following in His steps.

• Matthew 16:24; Luke 9:23—Deny self; take up the cross daily.

• Luke 9:58—No place to lay His head.

• John 15:18–21—The world’s hatred toward disciples.

• Matthew 20:28—The Son of Man came to serve.

• John 17:21–22—Christ’s prayer for our unity.

• Luke 23:34—“Father, forgive them.”

• Hebrews 12:1–4—Look to Jesus; endure.

• 1 Peter 4:1—Arm yourselves with His mind.

• Philippians 4:8—Think on these things.

• Proverbs 23:7—As a man thinks, so is he.

• Romans 12:1–2—Living sacrifice; renewed mind.

• Titus 2:14—A people zealous of good works.

• 2 Corinthians 8:5—First gave themselves to the Lord.

• Hebrews 5:8–9—Learned obedience; author of salvation.

• Philippians 2:5–8—Obedient unto death.

• 1 Peter 2:23—Reviled not again.

• Luke 6:46—Why call Me Lord and not do what I say?

• 2 Corinthians 10:4–5—Every thought captive to Christ.

• Revelation 22:14—Blessed are those who do His commandments.

• Mark 12:30–31—Love God wholly; love your neighbor.

• Romans 15:3—Christ pleased not Himself.

Prepared by Robert Moss