FOOT PRINTS OF JESUS
  1. INTRODUCTION:
    1. SCRIPTURE: I Peter 2:21-23 "For even hereunto were ye called; because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously".

    B. GREEK WORD – HUPOGRAMMOS: (VINE’S EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY)

    1. Meaning "To write under, to trace letters for copying by scholars, hence, a writing copy."
    2. Used in this passage in reference to what Christ left for believers, by his sufferings, that they might " follow His steps".

    1. JESUS IS OUR COPY (PATTERN) TO FOLLOW IN OUR LIVES.

      1. Christ has left us the impression, into which we must place ourselves to be in his likeness.
      2. Consider what Paul wrote in Romans 6:4-5 "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:"
      3. LET’S EXAMINE MORE CLOSELY THE FOOTPRINTS RECORDED IN THE TEXT:

     

  2. DISCUSSION:

    1. SACRIFICIAL SUFFERING:

      1. Peter wrote in verse I Peter 2:21 "Christ also suffered for us."
      2. Christ suffered for the whole world.

        3.
        • John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoeverbelieveth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
        • II Corinthians 5:15 "And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live untothemselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again."

      1. Christ’s suffering for us, proved his great love for us.

        2.
        • 1 John 3:16 "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."


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    1. Are you willing to endure physical suffering of body and mind for the good of others?
      • 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 tothis 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.        "
      • (See also II Corinthians 8:11-15, II Corinthians 8:24.)

    1. SINLESSNESS:

      1. Peter wrote in verse I Peter 2:22 "who did no sin."
      2. Christ lived in a sinful world and felt the tremendous power of temptation, yet he never transgressed a single divine law.
      • 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."

    1. The life that Christ lived was above reproach even from his youth. Luke 2:52 "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."
    2. The life that we live should be free of sin to please God:

      1. Sins are washed away in baptism (Acts 22:16).
      2. Sins are forgiven, that are committed after baptism, by repentance and prayer (Luke 13:3, Acts 8:22)

    1. GUILELESSNESS:

      1. Peter wrote in verse I Peter 2:22 "Neither was guile found in his mouth."
      2. Christ spoke no deceitful words, nor used an cunning, crafty, or treacherous words. Thee was no falsehood in any form, or fashion, that parted the Lord’s lips.
      3. Like Christ we should be truthful and sincere in all that we say and do.
      • Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
      • Colossians 2:8 "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."

    1. We should keep ourselves from every kind of deception. I Peter 3:10 "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile."

    1. FORBEARANCE: (Longsuffering, patient)

      1. Peter wrote in verse I Peter 2:23 "Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered he threatened not; …"
      2. Jesus was not vengeful; Not one that retaliated; Not one that rendered evil for evil.
      3. When people hurt your body, your feelings, your good name – What is your reaction? (Read what Paul wrote in Romans 12:17-21).

    2. MEEKNESS: (Obedience)

      1. Peter wrote in verse I Peter 2:23 "… But committed himself to him that judgeth righteously."
      2. Christ willingly fit his life into God’s plan. John 5:30 "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me." (See John 6:38).
      3. Christ placed himself in the hands of His Father, the great judge.
      4. Christ prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done" Luke 22:42.
      5. Let us pray as taught in Christ example payer (Matthew 6:10) "…Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."

  3. CONCLUSION:

    1. Peter summed it up well in the next chapter (I Peter 4:1-2) when he wrote "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God."

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