Christ, Our Standard

I. Jesus is our Standard

Standard - as in “benchmark”, not “usual” Standard - as in “benchmark”, not “usual” For example, “Tektronix Sets New Industry Standard For High-Performance Oscilloscope Measurements and Analysis. “ For example, “Tektronix Sets New Industry Standard For High-Performance Oscilloscope Measurements and Analysis. “ Heb 4:14-15 Heb 4:14-15 “in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” “in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” When it comes to living without sin, Jesus is the standard. When it comes to living without sin, Jesus is the standard.

II. Jesus is our Standard

Standard usage in the Bible Standard – as in flag, banner, ensign Standard – as in flag, banner, ensign - for group identification - for group identification Num 1:52, 2:2 – the children of Israel were to camp by their tribe’s standard – this organized and labeled them Num 1:52, 2:2 – the children of Israel were to camp by their tribe’s standard – this organized and labeled them Num 2:17 – when they broke camp, they were led and kept together by their standards. (Num 10:14 – 25) Num 2:17 – when they broke camp, they were led and kept together by their standards. (Num 10:14 – 25)

Standard usage in the Bible - as a marker for a rallying point - as a marker for a rallying point - people coming together for a purpose - people coming together for a purpose Jer 4:5-6 – standards set up to lead the people to refuge, away from destruction Jer 4:5-6 – standards set up to lead the people to refuge, away from destruction Jer 4:19-21 – the standard indicated the presence of an army, where there was a standard, an army followed Jer 4:19-21 – the standard indicated the presence of an army, where there was a standard, an army followed Jer 51:27ff – a call to action Jer 51:27ff – a call to action

II. Jesus is our Standard Israelites identified by their standards: Israelites identified by their standards: Num 1:52, 2:2 Num 1:52, 2:2 We are identified by our Standard: We are identified by our Standard: Acts 11:26 – disciples called “Christians” Acts 11:26 – disciples called “Christians” Christian = Christ-like Christian = Christ-like 1 Jn 2:5-6 1 Jn 2:5-6

II. Jesus is our Standard Israelites were led by their standards: Israelites were led by their standards: Num 2:17; 10:14-25 Num 2:17; 10:14-25 We are led by our Standard: We are led by our Standard: 1 Cor 11:1 1 Cor 11:1 KJV: “Be followers of me as I am of Christ” KJV: “Be followers of me as I am of Christ”

II. Jesus is our Standard Israelites were led to refuge by their standards: Israelites were led to refuge by their standards: Jer 4:5-6 Jer 4:5-6 We are led to refuge by our Standard: We are led to refuge by our Standard: John 10: John 10: Our refuge is eternal life Our refuge is eternal life

II. Jesus is our Standard Israelites were led to battle by their standard: Israelites were led to battle by their standard: Jer. 4:19-21 Jer. 4:19-21 We are led to battle by our Standard: We are led to battle by our Standard: Rev. 17:13-14 Rev. 17:13-14 Our battle is against the devil, sin Our battle is against the devil, sin

II. Jesus is our Standard Israelites called to action by their standards: Israelites called to action by their standards: Jer. 51:27-ff Jer. 51:27-ff We are called to action by our Standard: We are called to action by our Standard: Mat 4:19, etc – calling the apostles Mat 4:19, etc – calling the apostles Mat 16:24 – “take up your cross” Mat 16:24 – “take up your cross”

III. Raising our Standards/ Our Standard Raised

III. Raising our Standards Christ set the standard for living without sin (Heb. 4:14-15) Christ set the standard for living without sin (Heb. 4:14-15) That is the standard that we should strive for: That is the standard that we should strive for: 1 Peter 1:13-16 – be holy, we must work at it 1 Peter 1:13-16 – be holy, we must work at it 1 Cor. 10:13 – not easy, but possible 1 Cor. 10:13 – not easy, but possible

III. Our Standard Raised God raised up Christ: God raised up Christ: Promised: Promised: Deut 18:15, 18; Deut 18:15, 18; 2 Sam 7: Sam 7:12-13 Fulfillment: Fulfillment: Luke 1:67ff – so we can be saved Luke 1:67ff – so we can be saved 1 Cor 6:13-20 – so we can live righteously 1 Cor 6:13-20 – so we can live righteously

III. Our Standard Raised Christ raised up on the cross: Christ raised up on the cross: John 3:14-15 John 3:14-15 Lifted up = crucified (Jn 8:28-30) Lifted up = crucified (Jn 8:28-30) Num 21:4-9 Num 21:4-9 John 12:32 John 12:32 “draw all peoples to Myself” – a gathering point “draw all peoples to Myself” – a gathering point Isa 11:10-12 – a banner to which all nations will flock, for salvation Isa 11:10-12 – a banner to which all nations will flock, for salvation

III. Our Standard Raised Christ raised up on the cross: Christ raised up on the cross: Ex. 17: Moses became a living banner Ex. 17: Moses became a living banner “Just as Moses was a standard or banner proclaiming Yahweh’s victory, so also was Christ raised up on the cross a proclamation of God’s victory over sin.” “Just as Moses was a standard or banner proclaiming Yahweh’s victory, so also was Christ raised up on the cross a proclamation of God’s victory over sin.” –ISBE, vol 1, p.409

III. Our Standard Raised Christ raised up from the dead Christ raised up from the dead Matt 16:21-23 – Christ predicts His resurrection Matt 16:21-23 – Christ predicts His resurrection I Cor 15: The Resurrection, Our Hope I Cor 15: The Resurrection, Our Hope v – consequences if there was no resurrection v – consequences if there was no resurrection v – Christ is risen from the dead v – Christ is risen from the dead v – victory through Christ v – victory through Christ

Summary Jesus is our Standard Jesus is our Standard We must raise our standards to meet Jesus’ We must raise our standards to meet Jesus’ Jesus was raised up – to bring salvation Jesus was raised up – to bring salvation Jesus was raised up – to die for us Jesus was raised up – to die for us Jesus was raised up – to conquer death Jesus was raised up – to conquer death