Brushstrokes of the Master

This transcript was generated automatically. Its accuracy may vary

Short Summary
The discourse emphasizes the importance of deeply studying and internalizing the life and teachings of Jesus Christ to truly follow Him and develop Christlike qualities. It highlights key attributes of Jesus such as resolute focus on God’s will, humility, perfect love—including love for enemies—compassion, self-sacrifice, obedience, self-control, patience, respect for others, and a strong prayer life. The speaker encourages believers to emulate these traits in their daily lives, portraying Jesus as the ultimate example whose character should inspire continual growth and dedication.

Long Summary
Detailed Summary of the Discourse on Knowing and Emulating Jesus Christ

Introduction: Reflecting on Jesus During Memorial Season
– The discourse begins by emphasizing the importance of truly knowing Jesus during the memorial season.
– The speaker contrasts knowledge of Jesus with knowledge of Brother Russell, acknowledging the latter but stressing that Jesus is far more important to understand deeply.
– After decades of consecrated service, the speaker admits there is still much to learn and internalize about Jesus.
– Raises the question: How can believers truly follow Jesus without studying the Gospel accounts and meditating on His life, words, feelings, and actions?

The Goal: Developing the Mind of Christ
– Quoting Philippians 2:5: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”
– The goal is to paint a “portrait” of Jesus with brushstrokes representing His characteristics and example.
– Jesus is described as “the true light of the world” (John 1:9), the greatest human who ever lived.

Brushstroke 1: Jesus’ Resolute Focus and Loyalty to God’s Will
– At His baptism, Jesus declared: “Lo, I come to do thy will, O God” (Hebrews 10:9).
– In Gethsemane, He prayed: “Not my will, but thine be done.”
– Challenge to believers: Have we fully given our will to God, beyond mere words? Are we truly focused on doing the Father’s will?
– Proverbs 3:5-6 is cited to encourage acknowledging Jehovah to have our paths directed.
– Jesus’ loyalty was unshakable, resisting Satan’s temptations with Scripture (Matthew 4), demonstrating a steel-like shield of loyalty.
– James 4:7: “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
– Paul’s resolute focus is mentioned (Philippians 3:14): “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus.”

Brushstroke 2: Glorifying the Father, Not Self
– Jesus’ prayer in John 17:1-5 emphasizes glorifying God, not Himself.
– Warning against pride, especially among church leaders, which Satan uses to destroy consecrated lives.
– The discourse encourages humility and stamping out pride early.
– 2 Timothy 2:24-26 warns about the dangers of pride.
– Summary: Stay focused on glorifying God in all actions.

Brushstroke 3: Perfect Love
– The mark Jesus aimed for was perfect love (referenced as in “Where Our Lord Always Stood,” Vol. 6, p. 369).
– Love for God, brethren, and even enemies (Luke 6:32,35).
– Love is a gradual process requiring zeal, study, and application.
– Scripture references: 1 John 4:11 and Ephesians 3:17-19 emphasize God’s love working through believers.
– Jesus’ love extended to:
– Heavenly Father
– Earthly family and apostles
– Children (Matthew 19:14): “Suffer little children to come unto me…”
– Enemies, including those who crucified Him, because He saw what they could become in God’s kingdom.
– Emphasizes loving the sinner but hating the sin.
– Jesus’ example of mercy and forgiveness:
– Washing Judas’ feet at the Last Supper despite Judas’ betrayal.
– Loving even Pontius Pilate and the Sanhedrin priests.
– Jude 9: Jesus did not bring railing accusations against Satan but left judgment to God.
– Encourages humility in judgment; final judgment belongs to God.
– Examples of Jesus showing mercy to adulterous woman (John 8), tax collectors, and sinners (Luke 7:36).
– James 2:13 warns: “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy.”
– Jesus showed impartiality and respect to all, including the Samaritan woman (John 4).
– Encourages believers to treat all people, regardless of status, with respect and dignity.

Brushstroke 4: Compassion
– Compassion is likened to a “pinkish beige” brushstroke.
– Jesus showed tender kindness and empathy for human suffering.
– He bore grief and sorrows (Isaiah 53:4 implied), healed the sick, and touched hearts.
– Example: Healing the blind man (John 9).
– Compassion extends to animals and all suffering beings.
– Isaiah 49:9 references healing and restoration in the future kingdom.

Brushstroke 5: Self-Sacrifice
– Purple is the color for self-sacrifice.
– Example: Woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:24-34), illustrating Jesus giving of His strength even when tired.
– Encouragement for believers to give unselfishly of time, talents, and resources, even when physically or mentally drained.
– Philippians 2:25-30 mentions Epaphroditus’ joyful service.
– Jesus’ ultimate self-sacrifice: laying down His life (John 15:13).
– Jesus “made himself of no reputation” and took on the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7).
– A poem is cited expressing the desire to live selflessly, praying for others.
– Jesus learned obedience through suffering (Hebrews 5:8).
– Believers urged to humble themselves (1 Peter 5:6).

Brushstroke 6: Humility
– Humility is essential; one must humble oneself or God will humble them.
– The path to glory and humility are the same.
– Jesus endured opposition patiently (Hebrews 12:3 alluded).

Brushstroke 7: Prayer
– Prayer is the lifeline and connection to God.
– Jesus prayed often, sometimes for hours.
– Encouragement for believers to increase their prayer life, seeking God’s will and strength.
– 1 Peter 3:12 referenced regarding God’s attentive ear to prayer.

Brushstroke 8: Self-Control
– Pastel yellow represents self-control and restraint.
– Jesus demonstrated self-control during His arrest and suffering.
– Proverbs 16:32: “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty… he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”
– James 1:26 warns about controlling one’s speech.
– Believers should strive for patient self-control in daily life.

Brushstroke 9: Patience
– Soothing green symbolizes patience.
– Jesus was patient with imperfect disciples like Peter (John 21:22).
– He gently reproved without harshness.
– Luke 6:31 reminds us to treat others as we want to be treated.
– Encourages kindness in speech and demeanor.

Additional Observations
– Jesus loved righteousness and hated iniquity.
– His prayer life showed his dependence on the Father.
– Jesus was a peacemaker: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9).
– The portrait of Jesus is multi-colored, reflecting His perfect and majestic character.
– Believers are encouraged to “paint” their character with these brushstrokes to emulate Jesus.

Conclusion and Challenge
– The speaker provides a handout summarizing the colorful brushstrokes of Jesus’ character.
– Urges each listener to become a skilled “artist” in developing Christlike qualities.
– Final aspiration: from being painters of character to becoming great physicians who heal others spiritually.
– Ends with “To God be the glory. Amen.”

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Key Bible Verses Mentioned:

– John 1:9 — “The true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”
– Hebrews 10:9 — Jesus’ baptism declaration: “Lo, I come to do thy will, O God.”
– Proverbs 3:5-6 — “Trust in Jehovah with all your heart… and he shall direct your paths.”
– John 17:1-5 — Jesus’ prayer to glorify the Father.
– 2 Timothy 2:24-26 — Warning against pride in leaders.
– Matthew 4 — Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness.
– James 4:7 — “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
– Philippians 3:14 — Paul’s resolute pursuit of the goal.
– Luke 6:32,35 — Loving enemies.
– 1 John 4:11; Ephesians 3:17-19 — God’s love in believers.
– Matthew 19:14 — “Suffer little children to come unto me.”
– Jude 9 — Jesus not bringing railing accusation against the adversary.
– Luke 7:36 — Jesus and the sinful woman.
– James 2:13 — “Judgment without mercy to one who has shown no mercy.”
– John 4 — Jesus and the Samaritan woman.
– Philippians 2:7 — Jesus took the form of a servant.
– Hebrews 5:8 — Jesus learned obedience through suffering.
– 1 Peter 5:6 — “Humble yourselves… that he may exalt you.”
– 1 Peter 3:12 — God’s ears attentive to prayer.
– Proverbs 16:32 — Self-control better than strength.
– Matthew 5:9 — “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
– John 15:13 — “No greater love than to lay down one’s life for friends.”
– Mark 5:24-34 — Healing of the woman with issue of blood.
– Philippians 2:25-30 — Epaphroditus’ joyful service.

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Summary:

The discourse is a heartfelt call to deepen one’s knowledge and emulation of Jesus Christ, especially during the memorial season. Using the metaphor of painting a portrait, the speaker identifies key “brushstrokes” of Jesus’ character that believers should strive to internalize and reflect: resolute focus on God’s will, humility, perfect love (including love for enemies), compassion, self-sacrifice, patience, prayerfulness, self-control, and impartial respect for all. Scriptural examples and verses underpin these traits, reinforcing Jesus’ example as the ultimate model. The message challenges believers to examine their hearts, remove pride, increase prayer, and consistently strive to glorify God in all things, thereby becoming true reflections of Christ and “business cards” representing Him in the world. The ultimate goal is to become skilled “artists” in character development, preparing to serve as “physicians” to heal others spiritually in God’s kingdom.

Transcript

You know, during the memorial season, we are especially thinking about our Lord Jesus, are we not? But a truly serious question is, how much do you and I actually know about Jesus? Do we know as much about him, say, as we know about Brother Russell? I don’t know about you, but I know a lot of details about Brother Russell, who I greatly respect and appreciate. But Jesus was much, much more important to know about than even Brother Russell, right?

You’d all agree. Do we know what Jesus taught? All of his parables, what he said, every word, what he possibly felt, what actions he took in a variety of activities that are carefully recorded in the Bible’s gospel account. After 55 years of consecration, there are still more things I have to learn to meditate and internalize about my precious Savior. How about you?

I ask you, how do we truly follow Jesus unless we study his life right? How can we become more Christlike, have the Christ mind, if we haven’t studied the Gospel accounts and the scriptural record to really know what he modeled for us? To meditate on his words so we can echo the words of the apostle. Let this mind be in you that what was in Christ Jesus, the mind of Christ There is our goal, Is it not so? Our mission today is a simple one.

To take a look at some of the words and actions of our dear master Jesus Christ and try to paint a lovely portrait of him with brushstrokes of our master. Maybe those who are into art would really appreciate this. The greatest human being that ever and will ever walk on the face of this planet earth. Jesus Christ, the true light of the world that lighteth every man, as it says in John 1:9.

So now get out your white canvas, your easel, your brushes and your palette of colors and let’s paint a portrait together of the majestic perfect personality of Christ Jesus, our Savior. First of all, let us paint a beautiful golden brushstroke of Jesus resolute focus in his life and in each of these brushstrokes, see what we can glean to emulate and internalize more into our own character personalities. Recall what spirit and focus was in Jesus heart at his baptism when he said, lo, I come to do thy will, o God. Hebrews 10, verse 9. Did you catch that resolution?

Let me give that to you again. What did Jesus express in Gethsemane after he asked if the Lord would take away the cup of crucifixion? And dying as a blasphemer against God, remember not my will, but what thy will be done. Brethren, have you and I Truly given our full will, our all to God, have we? Are we fully resolute in our consecrations?

Not just in words, but introspectively? Now, really given our full will, let us check the cracks and the crevices of our hearts. Let’s all do a checkup from the neck up as new creatures. Is there even more that we can possibly give? Let us look deeply.

Jesus was never focused on his own will, but always focused on the Father’s will. Are we? Are we truly? Isn’t that what we all consecrated to do? So I ask you, as I ask myself, how often do I deflect in just going ahead and doing my own will in many matters of life?

Or are my intentions to as much as possible stop and ask, what would the Father want me to do in this situation? How about you? Do you know what I mean? Sometimes I just go right ahead on matters when I possibly could have stopped for a moment to say, what would the Father want me to do? Not that I don’t do this already, but can I do it more?

Do you have that same concern? Don’t you think Jesus was continually asking that of himself? Well then, how about us? Perhaps we can all work on this even more, right? Our daily focus should be in all my ways, acknowledge him and he what?

And he will direct your path, right? Jehovah God. Jehovah God will direct your path. That’s what he promised. But you got to acknowledge him, right?

Proverbs 3, verses 5 and 6. Another emerald green brushstroke of our radiant portrait of Jesus would be what he said in the 17th chapter of John. Recall the words, Father, the hour has come. Glorify thy Son. That thy Son also may what?

Glorify thee? We heard that in brother Edwinsky’s prayer, right? Glorify thee. Recall the words that I may glorify thee. I have glorified thee on the earth.

I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do. So what was the brushstroke that we see here in Jesus? It was to glorify not himself, but to glorify the Father in heaven, wasn’t it? Too many elders and church leaders of the past and present have fallen into the trap of the adversary by trying to glorify themselves rather than glorify only God and Jesus. Pride is a dark, deceptive bait that can slowly lure the unsuspecting heart into many traps of the adversary that he sets to destroy ecclesiastes families and the unsuspecting victim.

Whereas Jesus whole focus his prime directives were to not only do the Father’s will, but to rather glorify the Father in his life on this earth, not to glorify himself in any way. But this, of course could apply to some women also, right? Sisters are not exempt from this temptation. Jesus goes on to say in John 17:15 and now Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was it’s not for us to glorify ourselves. Let us always, as elders especially keep this properly aligned in our hearts, as we will be Satan’s targets especially 2nd Timothy 2, 2426 yes, the black paint of pride would be one of the favorite colors of the adversary that would cripple many once humble Christians in their consecrated lives.

Let’s all stamp out the small forest fires of pride that are in our hearts sometimes before they become a forest fire of destruction, and if we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, then he may exalt us in due time. The bottom line of these several brushstrokes that we can paint into our characters from the Master is what? Stay focused in trying to do your level best, giving our very best intentions of doing God’s will day by day and not our own. Direct all of your intentions on striving to glorify the Father in all that we say that we think that we do right and give a wide realistic silver blue brushstroke of humility within our heart.

Remember how totally focused Jesus was, how loyal Jesus was when the adversary tempted him three times in the wilderness. Remember, paint a super large brushstroke of royal blue for Jesus loyalty to the Father. Because no matter what sophistry or mental subterfuge of Satan’s darts, he could not derail Jesus loyalty from doing the Father’s will and the Father’s will only, and Jesus had zero pride. Zero.

Again, let this mind be in you and be in me. Remember again the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness. Matthew chapter four Right. Recall the it is written three times by Jesus. Finally, Jesus convinced the adversary that his resolute loyalty was too strong to penetrate the mind of Jesus like a strong steel shield, deflecting Satan’s darts of lies and deception.

And Satan left. James 4:7 right. Resist the adversary and what? He’ll flee from you. That’s what it says.

Genesis 15:1 talks about his shield also God. God is our shield. Are we that loyal and resolute, dear brethren? Lord, like our Master Jesus was Does Satan feel like he’s hit a brick wall when we quote Scriptures to him and flee away. The Apostle Paul was resolute in his loyalty.

Recall his words in Philippians 3, 14, 15. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus. Resolute. This one thing I do, that’s the resolution of Paul. We’ve all got to be resolutely focused and loyal in our consecrations, to have a target or a mark to aim at on a daily basis.

And what is that mark? Right. Which brings us to our next artistic breaststroke and painting this beautiful portrait of our hero Christ Jesus. You know it well. It’s the mark of perfect love.

Where our lord always stood. Volume 6, page 369. Volume 6, page 369. We must not only aim at having a duty, love for God, for Jesus and even our fellow man, but of course, love of our brethren. Right?

Overlooking their imperfections, flaws. Right. We must even have a love for our enemies, those that seek to harm or become our adversaries in some way or the other. More on this in a little bit. But this mark of perfect love is a gradual process.

It’s a process that if we show God, we wish to speed it up, perhaps by a more focused consecration of zeal, study and application with painstaking effort, God will not only be more pleased with us, but we certainly will be glorifying his holy name in the process, showing others what a wonderful effect that the truth has truly had upon our hearts and God’s Holy spirit of love. 1st John 4:11 and Ephesians 3:17, 19 strive to be a miracle of grace, and are we not the unmerited favor and grace of Jehovah God that we have been given. So let’s paint some more strokes of scarlet red, wide brushstrokes to show the enormous amount of love and abundant love that can come from a perfect man like Jesus. But we can only emulate his love.

In part, Jesus tender heart was demonstrated over and over in so many situations of his earthly career. How very much he loved his heavenly father, his earthly mother and father, his beloved apostles and so many others. He loves you too. Jesus had a super abundant love. Something we should all be diligently striving for as well, should we not Remember how the little children came to Jesus?

Our affectionate master was a lover of children. I can identify with that as a school teacher of many years. Their innocence, their joy, their openness, their honesty of heart, their ability to forgive and to forget, their trusting nature, their teachability. All this and more. Our Master wants to see in us as well.

Recall what he said in Matthew 19:14. Suffer not the little children to come unto me, for such is the kingdom of heaven. That’s us. We are his little children. Their teachability and purity of heart.

People cannot see our heart, but would they say that you and I are teachable? Would they? And have a true honesty of heart from what it appears to them? Was Peter teachable? Something we can learn from Peter?

What lesson was Jesus telling us here? If we truly wish to have a heavenly reward, we must develop like the children. Simple heartedness. Simple heartedness. Teachability, obedience, honesty and trust.

For us, a complete trusting nature in our Heavenly Father. That’s the lesson to me. These should be our goals, to be teachable and to trust. But Jesus love reached out not only to the Heavenly Father, who He loved with all his heart and with all his strength and with all his soul, but he also loved his disciples and his family and brethren, and his love even reached out, yes, even to his enemies.

Those who persecuted him, those who opposed him, even those who nailed him to a cruel, unrelenting cross. He loved them too. With a brushstroke of scarlet red, bring us all to the fourth quarter mark of love for even our enemies. Luke 6:32,35. Are we there yet?

We need to be if we’re going to graduate as a church.

But how could Jesus do this? You ask even those who worked as the adversary’s tools in delivering him to Golgotha. How could he even love? These two reasons come to mind. Number one.

And this, I believe, is a key, is a key to the fourth quarter mark. Listen carefully. Jesus saw them as to what they will become in the kingdom when all the cancerous effects of sin are eradicated by the priesthood. Christ Jesus and his bride. To see them for what they will become in the kingdom.

Changed individuals, loving individuals, righteous individuals. That was the key, number one, and secondly, Jesus had a big heart. The big heart of his Father, who loved the people. Oh, not.

Not the sin. But most certainly he loved the sinner. Jesus died for them. Jesus, who I believe the Bible teaches, created mankind as the logos in Colossians 1:16, the tool of Jehovah who wants all to become rehabilitated and perfected in the kingdom, brought back into harmony with the Heavenly Father once again, and knew that it would be the Father’s will to forgive the sin and to love the sinner.

Do we see sinners like that? Can we internalize Jesus, spirit of love and forgiveness in our own hearts? That, like a parent, will not let Go of the love of their children until the sin and the sinner are inseparable.

How long would you love your sinful child before you completely let them go?

Matthew 25:41 that’s a brushstroke that takes the steady hand of a seasoned artist. But it’s one our Master showed us how to do. How to leave the door open for a person to ask forgiveness. How to leave it open so they could come to you and ask forgiveness. Not make it so hard on him to do that.

Do you think Jesus was doing this even when he washed Judas feet at the Last Supper? All the time knowing. Knowing that Judas had an adversarial heart promoted by Satan but still had hope that he would repent? I believe Jesus still loved Judas in spite of Judas bad choices of life. Do you think Jesus loved Pontius Pilate who sentenced him to death?

Do you? Or even the Sanhedrin priests that cruelly plotted against him? I believe Jesus loved his enemies until you could not separate the sin from the sinner. Was Jesus judgmentally outside the scope of God’s given authority or direction? Do we ever step out of bounds here?

Perhaps at times in judging others inappropriately, harshly or in a final sense? What do I mean? Recall the scripture in Jude 9 that says even Jesus would not bring a railing accusation against the adversary, but let Jehovah pass sentence upon him and turn over the infliction of justice to Jehovah himself. Jude verse 9 Our understanding is that we do not have a right to pass final judgment on anybody or inflict penalties even for our enemies, even in our hearts. That’s for Jehovah to judge and to take vengeance.

God will fully know how to make proper allowances for the head and the heart of an individual. Factoring in all the variables, we are not to sit in God’s seat, and I don’t think any of us would want to make that mistake. Would we? However, Jesus did rather show mercy and forgiveness to others.

Others that the so called consecrated of the Jewish house would not. For example, how did Jesus react to the adulterous woman who was going to be stoned? Or the tax collectors? Or the sinful woman that came to Simon in the Pharisee’s house and washed his feet with her tears? Luke 7:36 Mercy and forgiveness are very radiant colors of sunshine orange in a figurative palette.

Should we have turned or would we have turned away from or condemned these people with a spiritual smugness of superiority and withheld our hand of compassionate forgiveness when Jesus did not? Would we weren’t we all sinners, more or less, when we consecrated, and even now, right by grace, we’re given a beautiful white robe of Christ’s righteousness. Weren’t we sinners and still are, and need the precious blood of Christ to appeal for God’s mercy and forgiveness on a daily basis? Jesus said to me, from what I’ve learned, that if I have not sinned, if I have not sinned, then I can cast the first stone. Let us not be too quick to cast stones, dear friends, for some of us may be living in glass houses, some of the brethren may be perhaps conscientious busybodies in the unauthorized seat of judgment and not entirely motivated by love either.

We’re not saying to not make certain judgments. We’re not saying that, but not final, mind you, right? Because there are some things that people need to deal with, right? First Corinthians 6:2:3 as well as First Corinthians 5:1:5. However, always apply mercy and love for the sinner in your judgments.

Never forget that we were all sinners unjustified at one time also. Now, a serious scripture is this. Listen carefully. Embed it down in your heart.

James 2:13 for he that is God shall have judgment without mercy, that has showed no mercy, and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. Serious Scripture. How much mercy do you want to get from God? Be careful how merciful you are to others.

Jesus certainly showed leniency, mercy and love in the way he treated those whom others would be quick to condemn and to judge. Jesus also showed impartiality in whom he spoke with. Didn’t he remember the woman at the well? The Samaritan woman. Now, if we were a Jew living in the area, we might have had a little of a condescending attitude that we were too good to speak to a Samaritan woman.

What do you think? But not Jesus. Not Jesus. He picked up on the indicators of her heart that she was a sinner who was apparently living with a man. But she had an honest heart and goodness in her personality.

From my recollection, there wasn’t anybody that Jesus had admitted to up to this point that he was the Messiah directly in conversation. How about that? But he did to the Samaritan woman, didn’t he? Like the sinners mentioned earlier, Jesus showed us a disposition that treated everybody with love and showed no partiality in his associations. Do we show partiality in ours to those with money, perhaps?

Or perhaps with a different outlook than we do? Like when Peter showed partiality in fellowshipping to the Jewish Brethren over the Gentile. You know God is no respecter of persons, is he? Jesus was no respecter persons either. What about us?

Look deeply into your hearts, dear friends, as I look deeply into mine. With all these people we mentioned and everybody else Jesus spoke to, except for the hypocrites, Jesus spoke with respect. People felt that Jesus respected them. No matter who they were or what they had done. They appreciated the respect he gave them as a human being.

Do we show respect and impartiality of treatment to the waitress at our table? Give me some more coffee. No, we should never do that. Right? Do we show respect for the oil change man at the service center?

The beautician that’s working on us? Stop that. Stop that. How do we come across? How about the custodian pushing the broom down the hallway?

How about the tone or manner of our voice or our actions with brethren that we disagree with? I can’t believe you believe that.

Are we truly like our Lord in not showing partiality and showing respect to all with whom we encounter? With all these people we mention and everybody else Jesus spoke to, except for the hypocrites, Jesus spoke with respect. People felt that Jesus respected them no matter who they were or what they had done. They appreciated the respect that he gave them as a human being. The Samaritan woman, the little children, the Roman centurion that asked Jesus if he would heal the servant, the adulteress, the leper, the blind man and the beggar on the street.

It didn’t matter. Jesus showed them all respect and spoke to them with dignity. As a human being, I ask you, do we all follow in Jesus footsteps and speak to everyone we meet with the respect that Jesus modeled for us to be his disciples? And especially towards our brethren? Do we treat them with the warmth and respect that Jesus would treat them?

Or do we get snappy and impatient and even rude at times?

Because sometimes we’ve even seen people get sarcastic or give a curt or terse response to an honest inquiry. How would our master look at us at that time? Brethren, I’ve said this before. We are Jesus business cards that he hands out. We are Jesus business cards that he hands out in the world that he says.

They represent me. They’re a reflection of one who follows in my footsteps. How well are we doing? The question is, how good of a business card are we, dear brethren? Right.

And do we act in respect and give respect to others the way Jesus would want us to, no matter who they are or what manner of life they come from? Yes. Everybody wants to be treated with respect and in some way we pay the price when we don’t, and you know what that price is? It’s what Brother Ed Winski talked about in his prayer.

We don’t glorify our Father in heaven when we don’t. Wasn’t that one of Jesus prime directives? Right. Shouldn’t that be one of ours as well? Glorifying God?

James 2:8:9, Acts 10:34, Galatians 2, 11, 13. Let us paint this brushstroke of respect carefully with straight strokes of teal blue.

Now the pinkish beige brushstroke of Jesus compassion. You know, if the milk of human kindness ever dwelled in any human being, it most abundantly dwelled in Jesus Christ, didn’t it? The tender gentle heart of the Son of God was a radiant reflection of character of the heart of the Almighty Himself. I believe that Jesus came to the earth not only to pay the ransom and to open up the new and the living way for the consecrated new creation, but additionally came to learn obedience and sensitivity to humans, humanity’s rather diseased condition. Firsthand.

He saw the pain close up and personal. He heard the cries of sadness and the pleas for help from the distressed.

Jesus bore people’s grief and carried their sorrows, did he not? He reached out to the afflicted, touched their hearts, healed their spirit and gave of his own virtue to alleviate and heal their physical infirmities. Jesus bore people’s grief and carried their sorrows. Jesus wanted to communicate God’s mind and heart for the value of human life and compassion for their plight of sin and ignorance. In many ways, Jesus internalized people’s pain and their sorrow and was immersed in an environment that had all the markings of sin and its ugly effects.

Recall in John 9 the event of the blind beggar. Remember? Perhaps representing what the blind world of mankind that will soon have their ignorance and superstition and fear removed by the great compassionate priest and and king of the Melchizedek priesthood that will heal the blind eyes of humanity so that they truly can see again. The great Physician, the great high Priest ordained for humanity who can have compassion on the ignorant and on them that are out of the way for that he himself, right? The composite Christian in essence is compassed with infirmity.

Read that in Hebrews 5, 2. It talks about Jesus, but I think it’s talking about us as well.

For we are the clay in God’s hands to honor his holy name. Remember the revelation scripture that says, and the leaves of the trees were for the healing of the nations. May we color our hearts, brethren, with compassion. The High Priest of mercy will touch the world’s hearts and bodies in the mediatorial kingdom, healing them from their lunacy of sinful recklessness and misguided choices. Just as Jesus empathetic mercy and compassion healed a lunatic boy at the request of a pleading father, awakened mankind will solicit the heavenly administration by prayer for their loved ones to come out and come forth from the grave and be healed mentally toward moral perfection.

Check out Isaiah 49:9 and tell me who you think that applies to and what they’ll be doing. 49 9. Yes, stroke compassion a beautiful pinkish beige on a canvas portrait. Because much of our human journey is to develop a compassionate heart that truly understands the aches, the pains, the distresses, the emotional traumas of mankind’s plight. Ask yourself, as I ask myself, do I really feel for people when they suffer in some way?

When I walk through the halls of the hospital or feel the humiliation of a beggar on the street corner that once had a sense of pride and dignity?

Do we tear up watching the news of a mother who loses her precious son’s life from the shot of a road raged gun or a man suffocating under the knee of a police officer who seems emotionally detached from the man’s cries for help?

Do I even feel compassion for animals in distress? You know, I believe that Jesus even felt compassion for a stray dog or a stray cat. What do you think? I think he even felt compassion for a limping horse or a bird with an injured wing. What about you paint Jesus heart with a caring background of pinkish beige.

Would you and I color our hearts the same?

Now let’s consider the unselfish brushstrokes of purple of Jesus self sacrificing character. We recall the story of a woman with the issue of blood. Remember disease for 12 years. We find this in Mark 5:24 and to 34. Remember that Jesus was on his way to heal someone with the throngs of people around him.

The woman who apparently had spent a lot of money on physicians to heal her over the years believed if she just. What? Yes, if she just touched the hem of his garment right, she would be healed. Jesus was tired and worn. She came up behind him.

He didn’t know she was there until what? Until the virtue of strength went out of him. It was an eye opener to some of the disciples who asked how did he know that? Then it was realized that Jesus had to give unselfishly of his own strength to heal others. Stroke our precious Jesus with another of many, many healings, of giving, of his own strength, his own time and attention.

Sometimes when he just wanted to rest.

Do you push yourself for the brethren? I know you do when you just want to rest sometimes. Does physical virtue go out of you too with the purplish brushstrokes of of a loving self sacrifice? How often do we see the sisters and brothers in the truth, unselfishly giving of their time, the last of their strength, their talents, their physical and health, and their mental energy in their monetary means, sometimes unselfishly to the brethren, even those outside the truth, when their strength or their health was waning. Philippians 2:25 28 yes, as God guides our hand while brushing these colorful strokes of Jesus character, we learn to be even better painters in sacrificing unselfishly of our time, our abilities and our means wherever we can find an opportunity to the best of our capabilities.

Thank you. This should be our intentions to to keep our eyes open and look for what we can do for others more than what we can do for ourselves. I’m working on this. I fail and come short many times. Truly this is one of the treasurous keys of eternal happiness, even for non Christians who find that the more that they give of themselves to others, the happier they feel about themselves or in themselves anyways.

Yes, truly serving others is a key to happiness, isn’t it? Sometimes something all of humanity. I guess they’re going to have to learn that too someday, aren’t they? Take a minute to read about your brother epaphroditus in Philippians 2:25 30 to observe his joy. He had the key like the hymn we sing, empty that he might fill us henceforth to his service I go broken that so unhindered his life through me might flow.

Jesus said, no greater love hath a man than this that he what? That he lay down his life for his brethren. John 15:13 clearly the greatest example of selflessness is that perfect man who voluntarily subjected himself to to the shame and ignominy of the cross for us. So what do we give him in return? I ask you, how much to him and to others?

How can it ever be enough? Truly Jesus made himself of no reputation that wasn’t his desire, but rather took on himself the form of a what? A servant and live for others. Philippians 2:7.

I think of a remarkable, well known sister from Chicago when I read this next passage. You all know her, but you wouldn’t want me to mention her name I’d be in trouble. It goes like Lord, help me live from day to day in such a self forgetful way that even when I kneel to pray my prayer shall be for others. Yes, others. Let this my motto be Help me live for others that I might live like Thee.

Help me in all the work I do to ever be sincere and true, and know that all I do for you must first be done for others. Let self be crucified and slain and buried deep and all in pain. My efforts be to rise again unless to live for others.

And when my, and when on earth my work is done and my new work in heaven’s begun. May I forget the crown I’ve won while thinking still of others. That sister like her master, like Mary who washed her master’s feet, gave a lot of sermons in her life. Hundreds and hundreds of sermons.

Some of you know what I’m talking about. Many more sermons than I will ever give. Most of her paintings are brushstroke with a lot of purple. I think this poem must have been written about her. I’m sure Lydia, a seller of purple in Acts 16, must have had the same virtue.

So tell me, how did Jesus learn obedience? Keep in mind that Jesus was royalty in his Father’s eyes. Right? Jesus learned obedience by what? By the things that he suffered.

The solid copper strokes of obedience. Positive obedience. Is God teaching us the strokes of obedience? Are we suffering in some way, but learning obedience in the process? Underscoring the color of silver blue strokes of humility?

With the right perspective in the matter.

And for all of us, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God that He may. What? That he may exalt you in due time. Yes. A beautiful portrait.

I believe you only have two choices on the sanctified path, brethren. Either you humble yourself or God will humble you. What do you think?

Which do you think is better?

Someone once said the path to glory and the path of humility are one in the same. It’s a path we all must walk down sooner or later. All created beings must eventually internalize this virtue of humility. I believe angels included. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself.

Lest ye be wearied in your own minds. Do you ever get weary, brethren? Want to set down your brush and walk away from the painting? Tired? Discouraged.

Because we can’t seem to do the painting justice. A little depressed maybe. That’s an opportunity for prayer, right? Which is our manna today, isn’t it? Prayer is a purplish blue stroke.

That is your electromagnetic connection with Your Heavenly Father, your lifeline for survival. Jesus used it constantly. As the saying goes, life is fragile. Handle with prayer. Our Father’s ears are always open unto you, brethren.

Do we also paint with a pastel yellow color of self control? Self restraint? Do we need to have more of Jesus self control? Do we sometimes fly off the handle at people or situations? Throwing our paint palette on the floor when we should actually reach down deep in self restraint and patiently trusting to endure the experiences that our Heavenly Father allows, realizing that all things work together for good.

Could Jesus have wiped out the guards that took him in the garden that night when he was kissed by Judas? Could he. Did he demonstrate self control for us? He could have just snapped his fingers and they would have been gone. Twelve legions of angels, right?

They fell back just by looking at them. What was that? And could he have fought back the insensitive Roman guards that lacerated his back and stuck a crown of jagged thorns in his noble head? Could he self control? Is this something we all have a good handle on?

Is it an area that maybe we could improve? I know I could. Even enduring injustice and mistreatment, Jesus demonstrated the pastel yellow brushstrokes of solid self control. We likewise must control our human passions to fight back, snap back and keep them in check under the submissive spirit of Christlike self control. Of course, he had the stainless steel color of human perfection.

But still we must strive for it. Let this mind be in you. Are we all perfect at this? No. But we must keep working at patient self control in the everyday challenges of life.

Proverbs 16:32. He that is slow to anger is what better than the mighty, right? And he that ruleth his spirit, then what? He that taketh a city? You know these scriptures.

He that is slow to anger. Wow. You know, teachers have a lot of opportunity for developing self control, believe me, and so do parents, right? Paint carefully these brushstrokes of self control.

Use the fine brush for detailing these pastel yellow characteristics very carefully, especially around the lips. James 1:26. Now let’s move on to another attribute of Jesus. Radiant personality. Patience.

Soothing green patience. Jesus was extremely intelligent, right? We have some very intelligent brethren. Also brethren who can think quicker and faster than most of the rest of us, right? It must be a special struggle of self control for intelligent brethren to be patient in dealing with those of us who don’t catch on as quickly as others.

Sometimes moving ahead without thinking or forgetful or ask inappropriate questions. Where we would be better perhaps to in some cases even mind our own business. Do you think Jesus had to be patient with the apostle Peter at times? Of course. Who was impatient or impetuous rather, and said things that tested the Lord’s patience with him.

Like when Peter asked about what kind of difficult experiences would happen to the apostle John.

What is that to you, Peter? If I will that John Terry till I come. That’s what he said, right? In other words, perhaps in a polite way of saying it, you just need to mind the business of Peter and not worry about how John will be dealt with in his experiences. John 21:22 the Father will take care of that.

Let’s take the color of a soothing green form of patience, right? A palette of patience to interact with others. Let’s color with a lot of green in our experiences with friends and brothers, brother and family. Luke 21:19 but notice just before Jesus said that, that Jesus asked Peter three times, lovest thou me? Why three times?

When you think that, wouldn’t you think that was a gentle reproof of Jesus to the fact that Peter had denied him three times, right? Jesus didn’t rub it in. So, like Jesus here and with the Samaritan woman, do we strive to communicate things in a gentle way to other people when a reproof or correction must be made? Or are we kind of sarcastic or in their face with a condescending retort of correction? Will Jesus do the same with us also?

Be careful. Remember Jesus words. If you have done it unto what the least of these you’ve what done it unto me. Let’s be careful. Let us all be kind with our words, the way we would wish others to be with us.

Luke 6:31 that’s the rules of the road for all of us. You see, our chairman’s up here, so I better wind it up. I got five minutes.

There’s so much more we can learn, dear friends, to pattern after Jesus if we search out a little bit more. Jesus was diligent, frugal. He loved righteousness and he hated iniquity. His prayer life was exemplary, sometimes praying for hours. But he loved and needed the connection he had with the Father and showed the Father his desire for it.

Do we, like I said before, how is our prayer life? How often do we all frequent the throne of grace and show the Father that we are looking for his will, his direction, thanking him for his provisions, the storehouse of provisions he has made for our spiritual growth and the trials, as well as the blessings for his strength in battling the worldly spirit, the selfish desires of our flesh and the wildly adversary, and certainly to increase our faith in patient endurance. Our Father is always there to listen. He’s just waiting to hear from you and I.

Do we pray enough? I know I could pray more. First. Peter 3:12 Jesus was also a peacemaker. He taught us, blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall what?

They shall see God. They shall see God. Let’s make that a brushstroke of orange sandals of peace, ability wherever we go. Our precious Lord Jesus, the portrait of one who radiates and reflects the Father’s glory in a brilliance of colorful majesty like Newton’s glass prism that reflects an array of colors from the light of the universe. Jehovah, God, his adoring Father.

Jesus, the most precious object of God’s heart’s affections, who left the mansions of his heavenly home with all the riches of their beauty, and the host of loyal angelic beings, cherubim and seraphim, the heavenly presence and joy of being with His Father in His heavenly home, came to our dying planet to purchase a pitifully lost and sinful race who were condemned to death because of Adam’s disobedience. Our Master’s portrait is radiant and colorful, and there are too many brushstrokes for this discourse. So I made up that handout that you got of the many colorful brushstrokes of our Master that you should be able to perhaps download from chat if you need to, and you’re online. I’m positive you can find even more than I have.

Take the challenge, and so, dear friends, may we all learn to be a great artist who will soon graduate to become a great physician. From a painter to a physician, have a colorful day. To God be the glory. Amen.

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