Examples
The Bible has a lot to say when it comes to examples. For instance it tells us to imitate those that are good examples.
1 Corinthians 11:1 Imitate
me, just as I also imitate Christ.
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things
and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.
Philippians 3:17
Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have
us for a pattern. 18 For many
walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that
they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction,
whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their
shame -- who set their mind on earthly things.
Here Paul tells to follow his example and not those who do so but he also tells us we shouldn’t follow the example of those who walk down their own path instead of God’s path.
Hebrews 13:7 Remember
those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith
follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.
But not only are we to
follow good examples we are to be good examples to others. Please consider Paul
tells Timothy in,
1 Timothy
Whenever we examine
scriptures like this it should began to make us think about certain questions
such us as.
Whose is my example I am
to follow?
Who am I being an example
to in my Christianity?
What kind of example am I
being good or bad?
These are the three
questions I want to examine this morning. So our first question is
Who should be your example?
Well first and foremost I
believe every Christian should make Jesus there example after all he is
foundation on which Christianity is built. Peter says this.
1 Peter 2:21 For to
this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that you should follow His steps:
22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His
mouth"; 23 who, when He
was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten,
but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in
His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for
righteousness -- by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going
astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
You
see Jesus is our ultimate example and he made it possible that you and I can have
eternal life. Paul says this,
2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you
through His poverty might become rich.
You
see Jesus should be our first example because he will not change and he has
never sinned.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today,
and forever.
Even
as great as an example as the apostle Paul is even he recognizes Jesus as being
the master example.
1 Corinthians 11:1 Imitate
me, just as I also imitate Christ.
Now there are many
beautiful passages in the Bible and one these comes from the lesson that Paul
teaches us as Christians on how we are treat each other and how we are to serve
God and he does by comparing what Jesus did for us and he served God.
Philippians 2:1 Therefore
if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any
fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being
like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one
mind. 3 Let nothing be
done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each
esteem others better than himself. 4
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the
interests of others. 5 Let
this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God,
did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no
reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness
of men. 8 And being found in
appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death,
even the death of the cross. 9
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above
every name, 10 that at the
name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth,
and of those under the earth, 11
and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. 12
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only,
but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and
trembling; 13 for it is God
who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
You
see the lesson is simple follow in Jesus footsteps by being humble and obedient
to god and be willing to put others before yourself and in doing so you can
know with all your heart that you are pleasing God and that you will find
yourself in heaven.
Jesus
also showed us over and over again how love one another.
Ephesians 5:1
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given
Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Not
only did Jesus show us how to love by his many examples he even commands to love one another.
John
The reason why it is so
important that we follow this command and his example when it comes to loving
one another is because he Jesus also says this.
John
So
certainly Jesus is our primary example.
However we can also use those in the Bible that were very faithful to God as
our examples as well. You can turn to
Heb. 11 and see the list of faithful men
that were recorded in the OT and you can learn from their example. Now
the Bible records both their shining moments and when they failed. So not only
can we learn from their good we can learn from bad moments so that we don’t
repeat their mistakes. For instance Paul talks about the sin of the children of
1 Corinthians
10:6 Now these things became our
examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also
lusted.
We
can also see that we can use the apostles and the first century Christians as
our examples.
1 Corinthians 4:6 Now these things, brethren, I have
figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may
learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed
up on behalf of one against the other.
Many times Paul set a
great example of what a Christian is all about. Notice what he says in,
Philippians 3:8 Yet
indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of
Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and
count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which
is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the
righteousness which is from God by faith;
10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and
the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain
to the resurrection from the dead. 12
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that
I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself
to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which
are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the
prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as
are mature, have this mind;
This is great attitude
for us a Christians to emulate. We need to understand as the apostles Paul did
that we need to put our past behind us and instead focus in on today and how
you can grow closer to God always keeping your sight on heaven and not allowing
things of this world to become your priority. It also tells that we are not to
be lax in Christianity because we are to press toward the goal for the prize of
heaven.
Not only can we follow
the example of those in the Bible we can also follow the example of those who
are faithful today.
Hebrews 6:11 And we
desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of
hope until the end, 12 that
you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience
inherit the promises.
Paul also said to note
those who walk this way. There are many of brothers and sister in Christ that
we can look toward as an example because they are following Christ’s example.
But please understand that people are human and they can become a bad example
and so you should never make a person your primary example because if you do
you will fall right with them if they fall away. So these others can be uses as
examples but the only one that you can rely up 100% is Jesus Christ.
2. Who are you an example to?
Well first of all you are
an example to other Christians especially those that are babes in Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:6
And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in
much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
7 so that you became examples to all in
Paul
also told Timothy to be an example to
the believers.
1 Timothy
Not only are we to be
examples to our brethren we are to be examples to our children. When our
children are growing up they learn many things from watching mom and dad
because we are a great influence on their life. Now I have known parents who
loved to drink alcohol and kept in their refrigerator and then they tell their
children they are never suppose to drink alcohol. What a mixed message that
sends. If they wanted to increases their chances that their children wont drink
alcohol then they need to lead by example and not have alcohol in their home
and to never touch a drop of the stuff. We should take our example that we give
our children very serious because Jesus says,
Matthew 18:6 "
But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would
be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned
in the depth of the sea.
Finally we are examples
to the unbeliever. They are watching and many times they will base what
Christianity is all about by watching your example. Notice what Peter says
about this when Christian is married to non-Christian.
1 Peter 3:1 Wives,
likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not
obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their
wives, 2 when they observe
your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.
You see by your example
you can lead your mate to Christ. Peter also speaks of the importance of
example to the world.
1 Peter 2:11
Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly
lusts which war against the soul, 12
having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against
you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe,
glorify God in the day of visitation. 13
Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake,
whether to the king as supreme, 14
or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of
evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God,
that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men --
You see whether you like it or not you are an example
to those around you and this brings us
to our final question.
What kind of example are you?
Are you showing the world
and those around that you are living your life for Christ? Are you showing your
brothers and sisters in Christ that your are a mature loving Christian or are
you being a negative example? Think about your life and try to determine
am I being Christ like example or a worldly example?
What kind of example are
you when it comes to church growth? Do you set a faithful example by attending
every service that you can and by being hear on time or do you only come when feel
like it? Do you set a good example when comes to being a part fellowships are
visitation programs or do you avoid such things and would rather just stay at
home? Think about this real carefully is
the example you are leading today helping or hindering the growth of the
church?
Finally is your example
that you set worth emulating? If every
member were to follow your example would the church be strong? Would it be
growing? Would the members be here at all the Bible classes and all the worship
services? Would the church even exist by following your example? One last
question Is your example helping or hindering the cause of Christ?
I hope this morning
lesson has really challenged you to think about the importance of examples. We
learned the Christ is out ultimate example and we can always rely upon him
because he does not falter. We can use the faithful example in the Bible and
learn from their mistakes. We can even follow the examples of faithful
Christians today. We have learned how important it is that we be good Christ
like examples so that we can lead others to Christ. Then finally I challenged
you to really think about what kind of example you are. If you have found that
you are not being the example you that you should be then start making changes
in your life today so that you can be a shining light in this dark world. Let
us never forget that our actions speak louder than our words.