Examples Worth Following

Titus 2:1-8 As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. 2 Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.3 Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers.[a] Instead, they should teach others what is good. 4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes,[b] to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.6 In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. 7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. 8 Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.

INTRODUCTION As a science teacher, in my class, my students learn to follow the scientific method. It is a way to systematically go from an idea to a proven fact. It starts with an idea (a hypothesis) and gathers facts to either prove or disprove that idea. What you end up with is either an idea that is based in evidence or you know what is wrong, in order to try a different path. I hope that you have a pen and paper handy, because I’m going to give you lots of scripture references, as evidence. Today, I want us to search through biblical evidence in order to discover…

"EXAMPLES WORTH FOLLOWING"

1. The Bible speaks of examples...

a. Imitating those who are good examples

1Co 11:1 Imitate ame, just as I also imitate Christ.

Php 3:17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.

Heb 13:7Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.

1Ti 4:12 Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

2. Such scriptures should cause one to wonder...

a. Who is my example, my role model as a Christian?

b. Whose example am I as a Christian?

c. What kind of example do I set as a Christian?

So… the 3 points I wish to make are these:

1. WHO IS YOUR EXAMPLE?

2. WHOSE EXAMPLE ARE YOU?

3. WHAT KIND OF EXAMPLE ARE YOU?

4. WHO IS YOUR EXAMPLE?

• IS IT JESUS?

• He was for the apostle Paul - 1Co 11:1 And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

He should be our example as well

• On how to please one another - Ro 15:1-3 We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. 2 We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. 3 For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.”

• On how to love one another - Ep 5:1-2 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us* and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

• On how to look out for one another - Php 2:4-5 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

• On how to suffer patiently when mistreated - 1Pe 2:20-23 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. 21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered(some manuscripts say ”died”) for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone.* 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.

Jesus certainly serves as the example for us to follow

• IS THE APOSTLE PAUL as good example to follow?

• As he urged the Corinthians - 1Co 4:6 Dear brothers and sisters,* I have used Apollos and myself to illustrate what I’ve been saying. If you pay attention to what I have quoted from the Scriptures,* you won’t be proud of one of your leaders at the expense of another.

• 1 Cor 11:1 Imitate ame, just as I also imitate Christ.

• To give no offense - 1Cor 10:32 Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles* or the church of God.

• To seek the benefit of others - 1Co 10:33 I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.

• As he urged the Philippians - Php 3:17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.

• To not consider themselves as having attained perfection Php 3:12-15 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,* but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. 15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you.

• To live according to the level they have learned - Php 3:16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.

• To enjoy a close relationship with the God of peace - Php 4:9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

• As he praised and encouraged the Thessalonians for receiving the Word despite affliction - 1Th 1:6 So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.

• To avoid being a burden to others - 2Th 3:7-10 For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you. 8 We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow. 10 Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”

• Paul and other New Testament Christians provide wonderful examples

• IS IT OTHER FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS...?

• As Paul exhorted (strongly encourage or urge someone to do something) the Philippians - Php 3:17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.

• To note those walking like Paul to consider them a pattern to follow, just as the book of Hebrews did, for the Jewish believers: He 6:12 Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.

• To follow the faith of those who rule over us - He 13:7 Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.

• Many Christians today provide examples worthy of emulation.

• Just because someone claims to be a Christian does not make them a good example to follow.

• Some “Christians” are Christians in name only.

Whose example are you following? You are imitating either Christ or some other Christian (either living or dead). Does your life suggest that the example you are following is less than exemplary (e.g., the Laodiceans - Rev 3:15-16 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!

Closely related to this is another question...]

1. WHOSE EXAMPLE ARE YOU?

• IS IT NOT OTHER CHRISTIANS...?

• Your brothers and sisters in the Lord?

• Especially those who are baby Christians?

• But even older Christians?

Christians should be mindful of the example they set for one another

• 1Th 1:7 So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord. 7 As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece—throughout both Macedonia and Achaia. (the Northern & Southern regions of Greece)

• 1Ti 4:12 Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

• Tit 2:7&8a And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. 8 Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized.

• IS IT NOT YOUNG CHILDREN...?

• Who naturally look up to their parents?

• Who are also influenced by others?

• Adults like their parents

• Older children as well

• Christians should be mindful of their example upon the young

• Mt 18:6 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.

• IS IT NOT UNBELIEVERS...?

• Who see if we "walk the talk"?

• Who often gauge the value of following Christ by our example?

• Who judge the church by its members?

• Christians should be mindful of their example seen by the world

• 1Pe 2:12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

Whether we want to be or not, we are examples to others, especially those who are young in years and young in faith.

So let me ask...

1. WHAT KIND OF EXAMPLE ARE YOU?

Does the life you live set an example of a faithful Christian?

• Showing the world what it means to be a Christian?

• Showing baby Christians what maturity means as a disciple?

• Is your example helping or hindering discipleship in others?

• IS IT CONDUCIVE TO CHURCH GROWTH...?

• Offering a noble pattern of faithful church attendance?

• Setting a good example of developing one's abilities for Christ?

• Providing a worthy model of involvement in service to the Lord and His Church?

• Is your example helping or hindering the progress of the church?

IS IT WORTHY OF EMULATION...?

• Would you want a child or new Christian to follow your example?

• If every member provided the same example as you...

• Would the church be strong?

• Would the church be growing?

• Would the church have service on Sunday and Wednesday nights?

• Would the church even exist?

• Is your example helping or hindering the cause of Christ?

CONCLUSION

• I watched a very interesting TED Talk by a successful business man. One of the things that he said, that stuck with me was this: We need to split our time into thirds. 1/3 of our time should be spent with people that we can help. 1/3 should be spent with peers; family, friends, & colleagues that are on our level. And, 1/3 should be spent with mentors and those above our level, who teach us.

• A wise young man recently told me “We need to spend some time with those who challenge our thinking. You shouldn’t always be the smartest person in the room.”

• I think this applies to not only business and education, bu t also spiritual matters.

• I hope the questions, we’ve discussed today, have prompted serious introspection on your part...as to who is your example or role model as a Christian and as to the sort of example or role model you are setting for others.

Though written to a young preacher, I encourage you to apply Paul's words to yourself...

• Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, & in purity - 1Tim 4:12 Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

• You cannot escape being an example to others. Your only choice is what kind of example you will be. Will you be an example of what not to be or will you be one of the

"Examples Worth Following"...?