"Friedrich Nietzsche, German philosopher of the 19th century, once said, 'The greatest hindrance to Christianity are the Christians.' " - Encyclopedia of Sermon Illustrations

We, as followers of the Lord Jesus, are to be "shining lights" in this dark world. We are to be godly examples to the ungodly. Hence, we should be the most honest, upright, faithful, and trustworthy citizens on the face of the whole earth. Our "word" unto others should mean everything. People should be able to count on us to keep our promises and commitments.

If we are truly following Christ as we boldly proclaim, then we should be affecting others in a godly sense. Our lives should convict those who are walking contrary to the Lord and His Holy Law. They should also provoke those who know Him to a greater passion for His Presence, Word, and Spirit in their lives. 

This ought not to be!
 
Certainly, the fault lies not in our Lord Jesus Christ - our Perfect Example.

Throughout the Scriptures, Jesus is presented as the believer's one and only example.
Let's look at some of the characteristics that He exemplified and see how closely we are modeling our lives after His.
 
1. Displaying Total Trust In God
 
Hebrews 12:2 - "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..."
 
Jesus is the "...author and finisher of our faith..." In other words, He is our Perfect Example of Faith and Confidence in God. We are to look away from the world and its secular concerns and place our total confidence - not in self, man, jobs, institutions, stock markets, banking systems, government programs, etc. - but in God alone. Like the Savior, we must do nothing but what the Father directs.
 
2. Forgiving Others
 
Colossians 3:13 - "Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."
 
"As Christ forgave" us, we are to have a readiness to forgive the injuries of others. We are never to harbor malice or bear any grudge, but freely and entirely - without hesitancy or delay - pardon all offences whenever they are acknowledged and owned up to by the offender.
 
3. Humbling Himself
 
Philippians 2:5-8 - "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
 
As our model, Jesus taught us to be willing to lay aside all rank and dignity and make ourselves of no reputation(become as nothing) in order that we might carry out His will in serving others.
 
4. Loving Others
 
John 13:34 - "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."
Ephesians 5:2 - "And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour."
 
How did Christ love us? Wasn't His love strong, enduring, and unremitting? Didn't He love us more than Himself? Didn't He demonstrate His love by laying down His life for us?
 
"...as Christ also hath loved us" - We are to be ready and willing to deny ourselves, endure hardships, encounter dangers, and even give up our own lives in order to benefit others.
 
We must have this mindset - No task is too difficult to perform or no sacrifice is too costly when it comes to the salvation of others.
 
5. Sacrificing For Others
 
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."
 
Jesus did it. The apostles, prophets, and martyrs - who have gone before us - imitated Him in this act.
 
What was it that they all accomplished? They laid down their lives in self-sacrifice for the good of others.
 
In following Christ, these servants of the Most High God were ready - at all times - to face various and sundry perils and dangers and even death itself for the cause of Truth and the salvation of souls.
 
6. Giving of Himself For Others
 
2 Corinthians 8:9 - "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich."
 
The Lord Jesus - the Creator of all and Proprietor of all things - laid aside the riches of heaven in order that He might give Himself to lowly conditions here on earth so that mankind could enjoy durable and eternal riches.
 
7. Becoming A Servant For All
 
Matthew 20:28 - "Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Mark 10:43 - "But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minster, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Luke 22:27 - "For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as He that serveth."
 
Christ Jesus - the Lord of all - presented Himself before His disciples as One Who waited at tables. He stooped to the meanest service for the good of all. He - the Master of the Universe - didn't come in pomp and glory or aim at the highest honors. Instead, when laboring for others and striving to do them good, He humbled Himself by taking on the form of a servant.
 
8. Willing To Suffer For The Benefit Of Others
 
1 Peter 2:21 - "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."
 
Jesus suffered wrongfully, patiently, and without cause. As long as we are His followers, we will suffer, too.
 
We must expect it. In fact, we must realize that it is a part of our calling as Christians.
 
In a spirit of gentleness and meekness, we are to handle any and all opposition - always committing ourselves to God in the process.

Behind the argument that the greatest hindrance to Christianity is the believers themselves - Could the reason be that they are so full of Self? They have never really learned what it means to die to Self. Self is too much alive. It hasn't been crucified. The Holy Spirit only has partial control over their lives - not total control.
 
Are you one who claims to be a follower of Christ, yet are still so full of yourself?

Examine yourself and see just how closely you are following the example of Jesus -
 
Do you have your total faith and confidence in God? Or do you still lean on human resources for help and aid when in trouble?
 
Are you quick to forgive those who repent of their offenses? Or do you have a tendency to keep a past record of it all?
 
Are you willing to lay aside all rank and dignity in order to accomplish God's will for your life? Or are you still caught up with titles and always looking for recognition from others for all that you do?
 
Just how strong is your love for others? Do you only love those who love you and benefit you?
 
Just how far will you go in sacrificing to see your fellow man saved and delivered from sin and Satan's power...to see the cause of Truth triumph over error in this world..to see righteousness exalted over ungodliness and perversion?
 
It seems as though the emphasis in the Church nowadays is to see how rich we can get. Jesus did the opposite. He came to earth as One Who was "poor" so that others could be "rich." We seem to have it all mixed up here. Who's supposed to become "rich" and who's supposed to become "poor"?
 
So many run from meeting to meeting looking for ministry. All they could think about is themselves. But where are those who are willing to lay aside their own agenda and problems so that others can be blessed and ministered to?
 
We have been called to suffer for Christ's sake. Are we suffering for His cause? Or are we spiritual "wimps"? What kind of persecution, if any, are we undergoing because of our walk with Him? How many choose to simply blend in with others at work or in the neighborhood so as to avoid any opposition? After all, we don't want anyone to classify us as being "extreme." We certainly don't want others to think that we have lost our minds for Him!

Could our disparity with His example be the very reason why the heathen mock and scorn us?
 
Let's use Lamentations 3:40 as our wake-up call from Heaven today - "Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD."

May God Bless His Word.
Connie