The Jesus Style

Terry Siverd
03/19/23 - Sun AM

Link to sermon video: The Jesus Style - T Siverd        

THE JESUS STYLE

Sermon By Terry Siverd / March 19, 2023 / Cortland  Church of Christ  - - www.cortlandcoc.org

When I was a young lad (in my pre-teen years) I became fascinated by the writings of H.G. Wells.

In particular- - The Invisible Man … The War Of The Worlds … and The Time Machine.

These books were categorized as science fiction, but I opted to believe that they might somehow be real.

I also read from the We Were There book series - - We Were There With King Arthur and several other books about the knights of the round table.  When Camelot hit the big screen in the mid-60's I became mesmerized by knighthood.

I daydreamed about how cool it would be if I could take the time machine back in time and be a knight.  Sadly, as I grew older I came to terms with the realization that the time machine wasn't really real and that I could not go back in time.  But when my older friend Larry Wheeler (elder by a couple of years) came home from Harding College

wearing a t-shirt of the Knights social club, that's all I needed:  I was going to Harding. 

As a college freshman in the fall of 1972, I pledged the knights and was soon wearing my own t-shirt.

As a young teenager, I knew deep down I could never be an apprentice to King Arthur, but I came

to believe quite strongly that I could kneel at the feet of Jesus and be welcomed as one of His followers.

The more I began reading the gospels the more my mind began to focus on being a simple Christian.

Even at my young age I understood the appeal of being just a Christian, nothing more and nothing less.

What began long ago for me at around the age of ten, has continued to percolate over the last six decades.

Here I stand at the ripe age of sixty-nine urging us all to follow in the steps of Jesus. 

To follow in the steps of Jesus will require of us that we shine brightly.

If there is to be a radiance about our being, it will flow forth from the cultivation of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal.5:22f).

In Philp.2:15, Paul writes to the church at Philippi - - prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world.

We've spent a little time in the early stages of this series referring to various terminology that defines our make-up.

Terms like:  the mind of Christ (Col.3:16) … the aroma of Christ (2Cor.2:15) … and the brand-marks of Jesus (Gal.6:17).

This morning I want to include another:  sheep's clothing.

In His sermon on the mount (Mt.7:13f), Jesus urged His disciples to travel the narrow way that leads to life.

He warned them to be on guard against false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing.

Jesus went on to paint a picture of these charlatan impersonators who tried to give the

appearance of being legitimate sheep but were, in actuality, inwardly ravenous wolves.

On this occasion, Jesus mixed His metaphors.  When you are the Master Teacher you can do that!

He was talking about wolves in sheep clothing, but then He went on to say, you will know them by their fruits.

I want to stay with this clothing metaphor for the balance of this morning's sermon.  It's well-grounded in the Scriptures. 

In the Old Testament we read about the fall in the garden of Eden.

Gen.3:7 tells that Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.

A description of the virtuous woman (Proverbs 31) states: all her household are clothed with scarlet (vs.21b) …

She makes coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple (vs.22) …

strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future (vs.25).

Next week our sermon will springboard off of a text from Ps.30:11, which speaks of being clothed with joy.

In the New Testament we also encounter this “clothing” metaphor it in a number of citations.

Paul employs it frequently:  Rom.13:14 / put on the Lord Jesus Christ …

Gal.3:27 / all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Eph.6:11 / put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

In Col.3:5ff, he writes about a change of wardrobe - - putting off the old and putting on the new.

The apostle Peter also writes (1Pet.5:5), urging his readers:  clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.

So let's summarize a bit.

For the next few weeks we are going to talk about “sheep's clothing”.

Not the kind of sneaky costume that Jesus alluded to in Mt.7:13, but real sheep's clothing.

Over the last few decades a new cottage industry has sprung up - - gnerically, it's called WITNESS WEAR.

It includes clothing and jewelry and all manner of accouterments that serve to promote our faith.

Over the years I have personally shied away from this form of marketing.

But then, I tend to be a stick in the mud when it comes to fashion. 

If you like it, more power to you.  I am perhaps overly cautious in thinking it is too “in your face”.

One of the best books I've ever read was written by a preacher & college professor, Gayle Erwin, titled, The Jesus Style. 

At first I didn't like the title of the book, but more recently it has really grown on me.

When it comes to witness wear, we must be especially diligent that our lives measure up with the message

that is being broadcast and touted by our clothing and jewelry and bumper stickers.  If your car sports

a bumper sticker that declares, “honk, if you love Jesus”, you best not hurl obscenities at a fellow driver.

Someone has written, “pretty faces and fine clothes do not make character.”

Mark Jacobs has penned, “clothes mean nothing until someone lives in them.”

One fashion designer has noted:  “fashions fade but style is eternal.”

Rachel Zoe has sharply observed:  “style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.”

ARE WE ADORNED BY THE JESUS STYLE?

As ones who claim to be followers of Jesus, Do we walk in the same manner that He walked? (1Jn.2:6).

How proficient are we at truly walking in His steps?  1Pet.2:21 records - - you have been called

for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example to follow in His steps.

Several years back it was common to see a “protest” sign among crowed assemblies.

It was painful to read it, but we all can agree that it contained an element of truth.

The placard read:  “Jesus – yes!  Christianity – no!”

Essentially, the sign was a commentary on the abhorrence of hypocrisy.

As we continue considering how to grow the body of Christ we must become keenly aware

of the importance of being GENUINE.  Nothing turns people off more than half-baked disciples.

It is vitally important that we cultivate a culture of authenticity.

In our quest to be true disciples we must resolve to roll up our sleeves and GET REAL about following Christ.