Sunday, April 30, 2017 pm
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.
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
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,
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?