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Sunday, April 30, 2017 pm                                                                    Song Index

 

Sermons in Song
LET THE BEAUTY OF JESUS BE SEEN
#230, Sacred Selections

 

                Tonight, we want to examine the message of another song we sing from time to time.  We know very little about the background of this song.  The version we have in our song book is attributed to George L. Johnson.  However the first verse (though modified in our hymnal) was written by Albert Orsborn.  It was published around 1916.  

                The song is a reminder for us to live our lives letting the beauty of Jesus manifest itself in all that we do, especially when we are facing troubling times.

 I.                     Vs. 1 – Let the Beauty of Jesus be seen in me

a.       Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.  Jesus, our example, whom we are to imitate Him – 1 Peter 2:21-25, 1 Corinthians 11:1, Philippians 2:5, 1 John 2:6 – walk as He walked, Galatians 2:20
We need to let His light shine in and from us – Philippians 2:15-16, Ephesians 5:8 – walk as children of light.

b.        Beauty – the word means that describes things that are pleasing to the senses.  There are things in life that we see as beautiful (from our perspective) - I like the beauty of nature, a sunset, something that is finely crafted, a piece of music that moves you. 
It can also be descriptive of pleasant character – one who is well behaved, courteous, or one whose disposition makes us smile.  1 Peter 3:3 – when Peter describes the adornment of a godly woman, he notes it should be “the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”
Philippians 4:8 speaks of thinking of things that are lovely – that which is pleasing.
2 Corinthians 10:9, we make our aim to be well pleasing to Him. (Colossians 1:10 – fully pleasing Him)
A quality of humanity – to the best of our understanding, only humans appreciate beauty.  It is a quality given to us and I believe a quality that manifests us being made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26).  Our ability to appreciate beauty sets us apart from the rest of creation.

c.        Jesus lived a beautiful life – first, He was sinless – 1 Peter 2:22, Hebrews 4:15 tells us He was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin.  Which of you convicts Me of sin?  John 8:46   
He was pleasing to the Father – Matthew 3:17, 17:5 – this is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

d.       All His wonderful passion and purity.  Jesus was busy - I must work the works  - John 9:4.
He went about doing good – Acts 10:38
He genuinely cared – John 10:11-15 – as the Good Shepherd, He cares and willingly lays down His life for His sheep.  1 Peter 5:7 calls for us to cast all our cares upon God because He cares for us (and so did Jesus).
He was compassionate – Matthew 9:36, 14:14, 15:32, 20:34 – 4 times in this gospel alone, He was described as compassionate. 
Add to this His willingness to die for us – to bear our sins (1 Peter 2:24, 3:18, Romans 3:24-25; 2 Corinthians 5:21, etc.) – WHAT a beautiful Savior He IS!

e.       May His spirit divine, all my being refine – as we learn of Him, and strive to imitate Him, may we be ever reaching closer to perfection (maturity).

f.         Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me

II.                   Vs. 2 – When facing burdens

a.       When your burden is heavy and hard to bear – a burden is something that is heavy and oppressive.   Sometimes we get weighed down with troubles.  Hebrews 12:1 – speaks of the weights we are to lay aside.  Life is not easy – sometimes we make it harder spiritually by the choices we make, but then we have to face the consequences.  But regardless, it can be very hard to endure, and maybe even seem impossible.
Jesus on more than one occasion spoke of us taking up our cross (Matthew 16:24, 10:38).  A cross would not be an easy thing to bear. 

b.       When your neighbors refuse all your load to share – Galatians 6:2 tells us that there are heavy burdens that we ought to help each other with. 
Sadly, sometimes brethren are not there for each other and not willing to help you.  (NOTE: Be careful before placing blame.  Are you willing to share your needs with your brethren? James 5:16; Are you living with a refusal to repent? (i.e. tough love is being administered); Are you paying the price for your behavior and proclaiming pity (cf. 1 Peter 2:19-20).

c.        When you’re feeling so blue, don’t know just what to do.   Sometimes, we worry, much more than we ought to – well beyond simple concern (cf. Matthew 6:25-34).  We may feel hopeless and facing a dilemma that we don’t know the answer (at least one that we want to accept).  We may be discouraged or frustrated because of the way we have been treated, etc. 
Whatever the case…

d.       Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in you – LET His example govern how you handle these things.

                                                   i.      Turn to Him - Matthew 11:28-30.   Cast your cares on Him – He cares for you (Psalm 55:22 – “cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you.”)

                                                 ii.      Keep going, doing give up – Luke 9:62, Hebrews 10:35-36, etc.
Jesus never did!  Jesus LITERALLY bore His cross (John 19:17).  He endured it for us (Hebrews 12:2).

                                                iii.      LET others see that we put our trust in Him when dealing with our troubles and trials.  1 John 5:4 – faith is our victory that overcomes the world.  1 Peter 1:7 – the genuineness of your faith

                                                iv.      But even in this realize that He will never forsake you – Hebrews 13:5, cf. 2 Timothy 4:16-17

 

 III.                 Vs. 3 – When you are mistreated

a.       When somebody has been so unkind to you – sadly, not all are Christians, nor do they have interest in godly conduct.  There are many who will act hatefully toward the righteous. 
John 3:19-20 speaks of those that hate the light who practice evil. 

b.       Some word spoken that pierces you through and through – again be reminded that words to hurt.  1 Peter 4:5 warns that those who see your change life think it strange and speak evil of you.
Jesus warned His apostles the time would come they would be delivered and hated by all for His name’s sake Mark 13:9-13

c.        Think how He was beguiled, spat upon and reviled – this phrase, at least, refers to Jesus being prepared to be executed and perhaps on the cross (they brought false witnesses against Him [beguiled] – Matthew 26:59-68; He was spat upon by them and beaten – Mark 14:65, He was mocked before the counsel, by the solders and upon the cross - look to how Jesus responded to such attacks both in word and conduct.  He never got angry and sinned.  In fact, there is much to learn from His response!

d.       Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in you – How did He respond?
He opened not His mouth – Mark 14:60, 15:3-4,
While on the cross, He said, “Father forgive them…” (Luke 23:34). 
Earlier He taught in Matthew 5:44-46 – that we love our enemies and pray for them.
AGAIN, 1 Peter 2:23 describes how he was reviled, but did not revile in return, etc. 
When facing rejection and persecutions.  Do NOT act in kind.  Instead act in love, even as Jesus did.  Let His beauty be seen in you. 1 Peter 4:1 –Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

 

 IV.                 Vs. 4 – Let it be seen always

a.       From the dawn of the morning to close of day – all day long! Living as a Christian is not a one day a week thing, but every hour of every day.  Luke 9:23 – Jesus calls for us to take up our cross daily (NKJV).  Galatians 2:20 – if we are crucified with Him, we will serve Him all the time.

b.       In example, in deeds and in all you say – Colossians 3:17 – whatever you do – do it in the name of the Lord (by His authority, in a manner pleasing to Him). 
Be reminded that what you say is a reflection of what is in your heart (Matthew 12:34-37).
1 Peter 4:11 – speak as the oracles of God, minister with your ability – that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever.

c.        Lay your gifts at His feet – in all things, be reminded that we belong to Him.   All we do is a sacrifice to Him.  Again consider Galatians 2:20 – I am crucified with Christ…
Romans 12:1-2 – you belong to Him – present yourself a living sacrifice.
Hebrews 13:15-16 speaks of offering sacrifices of praise to Him, as well as doing good and sharing.
1 Peter 2:5 – we are being built up a spiritual house to offer spiritual sacrifices.

d.       Ever try to keep sweet – Going back to the idea of the word “beautiful” – it indicates being pleasant. There are many words and ideas in the NT that help us understand this – gentleness, caring, consideration. In this I think of the word, kindness - 1 Corinthians 13:4 says that love is kind. 
Colossians 3:12 calls for us to put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, etc. 
Galatians 5:22 – it is a fruit of the Spirit as well.

e.       Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in you – in this verse, let the beauty of Jesus not just been occasionally displayed, rather let it be who you are.

 

    And that is the point of this song.  Live your life as a reflection of Him.  So is the beauty of Jesus seen in you?