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The Footprints of Christ
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Sammy Tabuena
Sammy Tabuena is a preacher's son and his mother is a Christian school teacher. He was saved when he was six; his father taught him that salvation is by personally believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. Baptized at eleven years old, he preached his first church sermon at twelve. A graduate of both an A.C.E school at sixteen and of a Bible college, he began to pastor a Bible-believing Baptist church at twenty-one. He is also a teacher of the same High School and Bible college he graduated from.  
By Sammy Tabuena
Published on 02/2/2008
 
In this age when truly obeying Christ is so unpopular, this short and concise sermon exhorts those "who will live godly in Christ Jesus" to trust and follow His footprints. It's worth it!
The Footprints of Christ

THE FOOTPRINTS OF CHRIST

(1 Peter 2:21-24)

 

A Sermon by Pastor Sammy G. Tabuena

It is believed that the footprints of astronauts will last a million years on the moon; but there is one set of footprints on earth that will last forever – and that is, the footprints of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

When we talk about the “footprints of Christ”, we do not mean His mere footmarks on the sand.  We’re talking about “His way of life”, and Him being the “Way to life”.  In the past, the Lord Jesus Christ left us His footprints that we need to follow in this present time, for His footprints lead us to the bright future. 

The Bible says in 1 Peter 2:21-24:

21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

22  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

23  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

24  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

 

I. THE FOOTPRINTS OF CHRIST ARE THE RIGHT FOOTPRINTS

First of all, when Christ walked upon this earth, He did no sin.  He left us the right footprints.

In this world, many left their footprints: Paul, Plato, Shakespeare, Spurgeon, Magellan, and Bonifacio. Some of them were right, and some of them were wrong; some were good, some were bad.  Many follow Muhammad, Confucius, Stalin, or Pope John Paul II.  Others idolize Bill Gates, Michael Jackson, Michael Jordan, or  Manny Pacquiao.

There is one set of footprints, however, which are right for Christians to follow – the footprints of Christ.  He “did no sin.” The majority goes the popular way.  The Lord Jesus Christ warns us that “broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction” (Matt. 7:13).

The popular way is the path of sin; the narrow way is the footprints of Christ.  It may be unpopular, but the footprints of Christ are RIGHT.

 

II. THE FOOTPRINTS OF CHRIST ARE TRUE

Secondly, the Bible says that there was no guile found in the mouth of Christ.  Many have been enticed to follow a false set of footprints.  The Bible foretells that Antichrist will come and say, “I am Christ,” and will deceive many.

But the Lord Jesus Christ is “Faithful and True” (Rev.19:13).  He is “the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) 

Lincoln asked a stubborn man one day. He said, "How many legs does a cow have?"

The man replied, "Four."

"That's right," agreed Lincoln. "Now what if we call the cow's tail a leg; how many legs would the cow have?"

The man said, "Five, of course."

Lincoln said, "That's where you're wrong! Calling a cow's tail a leg doesn't make it a leg." 

Truth is truth, regardless of man’s opinion.  We are to follow Christ. The footprints of Christ are right.  Not only that, the footprints of Christ are TRUE.

III.  THE FOOTPRINTS OF CHRIST ARE HONORABLE

Next, when Christ was reviled, he reviled not again.  “He was despised and rejected”, Isaiah said (Isa. 53:1-3).  The Lord Jesus dealt with insult in a more honorable way.

A prince is trained to think like a king, talk like a king, and act like a king.  Likewise, Christians are to think like Christ, talk like Christ, and act like Christ.  We are to deal with problems and persecutions in an honorable way.  The footprints of Christ are HONORABLE.

IV.  THE FOOTPRINTS OF CHRIST ARE SAFE

Lastly, when Christ suffered, he threatened not.  He suffered as a lamb before his shearers.  He was harmless as a dove. 

Christ was nailed to the cross, for He seemed to be a threat to the people’s government, culture, and religion.  No, not at all.  Christ is a safe Person.

Yes, Christ may be a threat to their sin, to their vices, to their lies, and to their wicked gain.  There is no safety in iniquity, but there is safety in Christ.  Following Christ will lead us safely home – as the driver says, “Arrive alive.”

In  the poem, “Footprints in the Sand”, the man had a dream of walking with God by the sea.  When he looked back at their footprints, he wondered why there was only one set of footprints in his most troubled times.  The Lord told him, “My son, when you saw just one set of footprints, it was then when I carried you.”

The footprints of Christ are not only right, true, and honorable.  The footprints of Christ are SAFE. 

 

            As we face the uncertainties of tomorrow, I urge you, Christian, follow Christ!  As the song says,

“I don’t know about tomorrow,

but I know Who holds tomorrow,

and I know He holds my hand.”

The footprints of Christ are the FOOTPRINTS OF TOMORROW!