Show the Beauty Of Jesus – Titus 2:11-15

Showing the Beauty of Jesus in Life’s Challenges

Have you ever tried to recreate a picture-perfect cake you saw online, only to end up with something that looks more like a culinary disaster? Life can often feel that way when we try to reflect Christ in difficult situations. We have good intentions, but our reality falls short of our expectations. In this post, we’ll explore how we can truly show the beauty of Jesus, even when life gets messy.

The Gap Between Expectation and Reality

As Pastor Dan humorously pointed out, “So often what God expects of us and what happens in reality are not the same thing.” We might start out with grand plans to communicate Jesus in our trials, but when the moment comes, we can easily become discouraged, bitter, or frustrated.

So how do we bridge this gap? How can we actually show Christ’s beauty when our circumstances are anything but beautiful?

The Power of the Gospel

The answer lies in the gospel itself. As we read in Titus 2:11-12, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.”

This passage reminds us that we can be controlled by the work of Jesus in difficult situations. We don’t have to rely on our own strength or goodness. Instead, we can lean on what Christ has already done for us.

Pastor Dan explained, “When we Face a difficult situation and we want to show the beauty of Jesus, we go back to the gospel and realize without the work of Jesus I can’t do it, but with the work of Jesus depending on it, finding my power and my ability through what he has done, I can live a different life than what comes out naturally.”

Motivated by the Person of Jesus

Not only are we empowered by Christ’s work, but we can also be motivated by who He is. Titus 2:13 speaks of “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

This anticipation of Christ’s return should drive everything we do. As Pastor Dan put it, “Everything we do is driven by that day when we will see Him.” When we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and the future we have in Him, it changes how we respond to present difficulties.

Practical Steps to Show Christ’s Beauty

So how do we put this into practice? Pastor Dan gave us four simple (though not always easy) steps:

1. Teach Jesus: Share the truth of who He is and what He’s done.
2. Plead for Jesus: Have a heart for the lost and persistently share the gospel.
3. Correct for Jesus: Lovingly address false beliefs about salvation and who Jesus is.
4. Live for Jesus: Let your actions match your words, so no one can disregard your witness.

Life Application: Putting It Into Practice

As you face challenges this week, try these practical steps:

1. Start your day by reminding yourself of the gospel. What has Jesus done for you?
2. When you encounter a difficult situation, pause and ask, “How can I show Jesus in this moment?”
3. Look for opportunities to share Christ with others, both through your words and actions.
4. If you struggle, don’t be discouraged. Remember, it’s Christ’s power working through you, not your own strength.

Remember, as Pastor Dan said, “We can’t help but want to live for Him each day” when we are “controlled by the work of Christ and motivated by who He is.” Let’s strive to show the beauty of Jesus in every situation, knowing that He has given us everything we need to do so.