#BibleLesson Timeless Truths. Rediscovering Jesus--The Jesus Lifestyle- How Jesus handled pressure.The final post of a three-part series.

35-37 While it was still night, way before dawn, he got up and went out to a secluded spot and prayed. Simon and those with him went looking for him. They found him and said, “Everybody’s looking for you.”

38-39 Jesus said, “Let’s go to the rest of the villages so I can preach there also. This is why I’ve come.” He went to their meeting places all through Galilee, preaching and throwing out the demons.

Mark 1:35-39 - The Message

• Don't just follow Christ, lived his life in and through us.
• The closer you get to God, the more significant your life becomes.

I. INTRODUCTION

• Jesus lived a productive, effective, significant, God-centered life, the kind of life that we are called to live. 
• He did it by approaching life with three fundamental priorities.

 

II. THREE PRINCIPLES TO LIVING “THE “JESUS LIFESTYLE”

 

A. He spent time alone with God. (Luke 4:42; Luke 5:16; John 6:15; Matthew 14:23; Mark 1:35)

This is a way Jesus relieved pressure. 

• You need this strength.
• Time alone with God put your life in order. 
• Scripture indicates that he consistently spent time alone with God.

 Time: hours not just minutes. 

• If Jesus needed time alone with God, how much more do we need it? 
• Details while praying are important.

 A solitary place: alone time provides the opportunity for new perspectives. 

• Prayer is a great preparer or for what is happening and what will happen. 
• Prayer is the contemplation of life from the highest point of view. 

 

B. He lived with a sense of purpose. (John 10:10; Luke 19:10); Matthew 10:28; Luke 4:42-43; Mark 1:38; Matthew 17:4)

You have a God-given purpose.

• A sense of purpose is like a GPS, it helps define goals. 
• Even at the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus knew his purpose. 
• Purpose helps decide where to go and what to do as well as where you shouldn't go and shouldn't do. 
• Purpose helps organize your time. 
• What is your life purpose? 
• How was that defining your goals and schedule? (Purpose works both ways in this.)

C. He knew where to draw the line. (Luke 4:42; Mark 1:36-37)

Jesus served others, but he did not surrender to the will of others. 

• No one told Jesus how or what to do or where to go. 
• People were always trying to tell him what to do – Mary/Martha, etc. 
• Jesus did not surrender his identity to anyone. 
• Every person in ministry needs to know where to draw the line. 
• Jesus was called to be a servant, but how/where you serve is between yourself and God.

III. CONCLUSION

Jesus' life was defined by balance. 

• He balanced solitude with servitude. 
• He balanced living for others with living for God. 
• He gave up his life for others but he didn't give up his identity for others. 
• He did what he came to do, and let nothing stand in his way. 

Each aspect of ministry must be the priority at some time. 

Unless the priority shifts from time to time, your life becomes unbalanced.

 

Thanks to Pastor Larry Pitcher for the primary teaching in this post.

 

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