@ReadingSpurgeon: Acts 4:13 – Christ’s People – Imitators of Him (NPSP1S21)

“It would be a happy thing for this world and a blessed thing for us” if people would look us and conclude that “we had been with Jesus,” just like they did in Acts 4:13 – “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” – the text of this sermon from C. H. Spurgeon.

Making 4 points, Spurgeon wants “to stir up your minds by way of remembrance and urge you so to imitate Jesus Christ, our heavenly pattern, that men may perceive that you are disciples of the holy Son of God.”

I. What he should be

“A Christian should be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ… We should be pictures of Christ,” so that it can be said of us, “He has been with Jesus.  He has been taught of Him.  He is like Him.  He has caught the very idea of the holy Man of Nazareth, and he expands it out into his very life and every day actions.”

Though we will not be able to perfectly exhibit all the features of our Saviour, we should still desiring to be conformed more and more to His image.

What are some of the way we should be like Christ?  We should be like Him in His boldness, in His loveliness, in His humility, in His holiness, and by forgiving your enemies.  These are some of the ways we are to be like Christ.

II. When he should be so

“At all times and in every place let the Christian be what he professes to be.”

We are to be like Christ in public and in the church. “But most of all, take care to have religion in your houses.”

Make sure you imitate Jesus as well in secret. “When no eye sees you except the eye of God… Take care of your secret life.”

III. Why he should be so

We should be like Christ for our own sake. It is how we keep away from sin and are preserved from going astray.

We should be like Christ for religion’s sake. “If you love religion, for her own sake, be consistent and walk in the love of God. Follow Christ Jesus.”

We should be like Christ for Christ’s sake. “It is the argument of love and affection. Be like Christ since gratitude demands obedience.”

IV. How can he be so

How can we be transformed into the image of Christ?

“Do not seek to copy Him until you are bathed in the fountain filled with blood drawn from His veins. It is not possible for you to do so.”

Then study Christ’s character. “I behold Christ and I become like Christ. Look at Him, then.”

Then, “correct your poor copy every day… Let us rather examine ourselves each night and see wherein we have done amiss, that we may reform our lives.”

Finally, “seek more of the Spirit of God, for this is the way to become Christ-like.”

“Test yourselves by Christ. If you are like Christ, you are of Christ and shall be with Christ.”