+I. Some things in which we cannot consider Christ as an
example.+--All those graces in us which suppose our guilt and fallen
state could not be exemplified to us by our Saviour.
+II. Some things related of Christ we must not pretend to
imitate.+--What He did under the character of Messiah was peculiar to
Himself, and not designed to put us on doing likewise.
+III. Why Christians should copy the mind and temper of
Christ.+--1. _It was the design of God to set His Son before us as
the model of the Christian temper._ 2. _He was a pattern admirably
fitted to be proposed to our imitation._ (1) He was an example in our
own nature. (2) His circumstances and conduct in our nature adapted
His example to the most general use. (3) His example was perfect, so
that it has the force of a rule. 3. _The relations in which we stand
to Christ and the concern we have with Him lay us under the strongest
engagements to endeavour a resemblance._ He is our friend, our Lord
and Master, our Head, our Judge, the model of our final happiness.
+Lessons.+--1. _Christianity in its main design is a practical
thing._ 2. _We see the advantages we have by the Gospel beyond any
other dispensation for true goodness._ 3. _How inexcusable must they
be who are not recovered to a God-like temper and conversation by
this most excellent dispensation!_ 4. _With what care and attention
should we study the life of Christ!--J. Evans, D.D._
_Christ our Pattern._
+I. The mind of Christ was a pure mind.+
+II. A self-sacrificing mind.+
+III. A lowly mind.+
+IV. A forbearing mind.+
+V. A constant mind.+
+VI. A prayerful mind.+--_Preacher's Magazine._
Vers. 6, 7. _Christ the Redeemer._--This which the Son of God did and
underwent is the one fact of heaven and earth, with which none in
creation, none in history, none in your own personal being, can for a
moment be compared, but in the presence and in the light of which all
these ought to be contemplated and concluded--that it is the great
object of faith and practice. Of faith--for upon the personal and
hearty reception of it as the foundation of your life before God,
that life itself, and all its prospects, depend; of practice--for
high above all other examples, shining over and blessing while it
surpasses them, is this mighty example of the Son of God. Oh,
brethren, how the selfish man and the selfish woman and the selfish
family ought to depart from such a theme as this, downcast for very
shame, and abased at their unlikeness to the pattern which they
profess to be imitating! Oh that this question might be fixed and
rankle like a dart in their bosoms, even till it will take no answer
but the surrender of the life to Him, and, by the daily grace of His
Spirit, living as He lived!--_Alford._