INTRODUCTION:

A. Jesus Christ is our example in every area of life (I Peter 2:21).
 The word "example" in I Peter 2:21 is hupogrammos and means "a writing copy," i. e., a pattern or 
 copybook.
C. When the life of Jesus Christ is considered, it is easy to see that He was valiant.
 1. "Valiant" is used a number of times in the Old Testament, but it is only found once in the New
  Testament at Hebrews 11:34.
 2. The word used, ischuros, means "strong, mighty."
 3. The "Pale Galilean" view of Jesus is a myth.  He was a strong, mighty, valiant man.
D. The purpose of this study is to show some specific areas in which Jesus was valiant and in which He  serves as an example for us.

DISCUSSION:

I. JESUS WAS VALIANT AS A LEADER OF MEN.

 A. Jesus did not say, "Do as I say and not as I do."  He led the way by example, as well as by word.
  1. It takes a valiant leader to be at the front with the troops.  Weaker men send; valiant men lead.
  2. My father, who served in the Medical Corps during WWII tells of having two very 
   large problem patients in a field hospital in the Philippines.  Others, who worked with him, were afraid of these men.  He could have ordered someone to handle them, but he    did not.  He put a cot between the two troublemakers, laid down and went to sleep.  The    two men, and the others who served in that hospital, respected his courage and 
   leadership.  In explaining his action, he said, "I would never ask the men to do something I wasn't willing to do."
 B. In choosing Peter and Andrew, Jesus said, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of  men" (Matthew 4:19).
  1. He said, "Follow Me."  He would show the way.
  2. He said, "I will make you..."   He would mold them into effective servants.
  3. His method was certainly effective, for He took twelve men and "turned the world    upside down" (Acts 17:6).
 C. Jesus was even strong enough to lead the way in service.
  1. Arthur Ashe once said, "True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic.  It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost."
  2. John 13 is a wonderful example of leadership in service.
   a. On that occasion, no one else was strong enough to stoop to serve, but Jesus was.
   b. When He had washed their feet, He asked, "Do you know what I have done to you?" (v. 14).
   c. He answered His own question by saying, "For I have given you an 
    example, that you should do as I have done to you" (v. 15). 
  3. Our goal should be to be humble servants and to serve Jesus Christ by serving others (Matthew 25:31 ff).

II. JESUS WAS VALIANT IN OPPOSING ERROR.

 A. Jesus was never mean with people, but He did stand firmly against all sin.
  1. Ephesians 4:15 states what is to be preached ("truth") and how we are to preach it ("in love").
  2. Jesus was always able to separate His hatred of sin and His love for the sinner.
 B. In cleansing the temple, Jesus dramatically demonstrated His valiancy in opposing greed 
  and materialism (John 2:13-16; Matthew 21:12,13).
  1. One cannot imagine a weakling, as Jesus is often depicted, doing this.
  2. He was righteously angry at those who made His "Father's house a house of merchandise" (John 2:16).
 C. In His scathing rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees, He showed His valiancy in opposing hypocrisy (Matthew 23:1 ff).
  1. Though Jesus was very patient with the frailties and weaknesses of those who strove to follow Him, He was intolerant of those who only pretended.
  2. Note some of the things for which He condemned them:
   a. "They say and do not" (v. 3).
   b. "They bind heavy burdens...but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers" (v. 4).
   c. "All their works they do to be seen of men" (v. 5).
   d. "They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogue,
    greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called of men, "Rabbi, Rabbi'" 
    (vv. 6,7).
  3. Beginning in verse 13, Jesus pronounces a series of woes upon them for their hypocrisy.
   a. He called them "hypocrites" (vv. 13, et al.), "blind guides" (vv. 16,24), "fools and blind" (vv. 17,19), "blind Pharisees" (v. 26), and "serpents,      brood of vipers" (v. 33). 
b. There is no doubt how He felt about their hypocrisy, and that He fearlessly stood against their pretense.
   c. We must remember, however, that He truly knew their hearts and was 
    absolutely rendering righteous judgment (cf. John 7:24).
 D. In dealing with the woman taken in adultery, Jesus showed His valiancy both in condemning 
  the self-serving schemes of the scribes and Pharisees and in dealing gently with the sinful woman (John 8:1-11).
  1. The Law was clear in stating what should be done to both  guilty parties in such a case (Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22).
  2. The purpose of the scribes and Pharisees was also quite clear to Jesus (v. 6).
  3. Instead of judging the woman, Jesus judged the judges.
   a. He was indignant at the way they were using this woman.
   b. His statements to them, and His writing in the dust, caused these men to be convicted by their consciences and quickly dispersed the crowd (v. 9).
  4. Jesus, of course, did not approve of what this woman did, but He realized she was a pawn in the hands of the religious leaders.
   a. By saying, "Neither do I condemn you," He took care of the past, and
   b. By saying, "go and sin no more," He took care of the future (v. 11).
 E. These examples simply serve to show that Jesus always stood against error and denounced it plainly.
  1. His boldness and authoritative pronouncements struck  terror into the hearts of these    arrogant and self righteous religious leaders.
  2. Yet, His tenderness and gentleness with struggling humanity made Him the friend of sinners (Matthew 11:29).
III. JESUS WAS VALIANT IN FACING TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS.
 A. In context, this is what I Peter 2:21 refers to.
  1. We would generally not expect a person to suffer as calmly and bravely as Jesus did.
   a. Yet, Isaiah had prophesied that this would be the case (Isaiah 53:7,8).
   b. "When He was reviled, (He) did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten..." (I Peter 2:23).
  2. His behavior during His illegal trials, during the scourging  and while He hung upon the cross is astounding.
   a. His words to Pilate show that He was always the One in control 
    (John 18:33-38).
        b. The cruel death, that caused strong men to curse and to lose their senses, was faced and overcome by Jesus.
 B. Perhaps earlier, as He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, we think we see a crack in His valiancy, but this is not the case (Matthew 26:36-46).
  1. Many died on a Roman cross for their evil deeds, but only of Jesus could it be said, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us..." (II Corinthians 5:21).
  2. And, in that awful hour, His Father would even turn away from Him (Matthew 27:46).
  3. Knowing these things caused Jesus to be repelled by the prospects of what would happen.
  4. Yet, He humbly, and valiantly, submitted Himself to the will of the Father and "steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51) to "drink the cup which 
   My Father has given Me" (John 18:11).
     5. His humility and submission to the will of God must not be seen as signs of weakness but of strength.
 C. Hebrews 4:15 broadens the scope to say that He "was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin."
     1. The fact that He faced trial and tribulation so courageously and successfully qualifies Him to be our High Priest (Hebrews 4:16-16), and
  2. Serves as a great example for us to follow when we are tried.

CONCLUSION:  
A. How do you spell valiancy?  I spell it J-E-S-U-S   C-H-R-I-S-T!
B. His valiancy came from the calm assurance that He was in the will of God (cf. John 5:30).
 1. Even in that trying hour in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed for God’s will to be done   (Luke 22:42). 
 2. And, He taught His disciples to pray that God’s will would "be done on earth as it is in    heaven" (Matthew 6:10).   
 3. Our valiancy will come from this same source!
These times demand valiancy on our part.   
 1. C. T. Studd once wrote:  "Heroism is the lost chord, the missing note of present-day Christianity.    Had we the pluck and heroism of the flyers, or the men who volunteered for the North or South   Polar expedition, or for the Great War, or for any ordinary daredevil enterprise, we could have   every soul on earth knowing the name and salvation of Jesus Christ in less than ten years."
 2. Our valiant Lord and Savior is One we can look up to, admire and imitate!

        Thomas C. Miller
        South Knoxville Church of Christ
        4604 Chapman Highway
        Knoxville, TN 37920