God-Honoring Examples

Genesis 1:26–27 CSB

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.” So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female.

INTRO—

As we did with Women of Faith a few Sundays ago, so now we turn to Men of Faith—and men who are not usually or certainly not-as-much in the spotlight as our most well known heroes of our faith.

Genesis 1.26-27 “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.” So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female.”

[Context of “Shiny Happy People”…namely, Bill Gothard…]

**In light of all we see around us—a world devolving into more obvious chaos, confusion, & conflict…& churches, denominations, & affinity groups (like Evangelicals) cruising right on down that same road—I desire to encourage us to be, and to grow, & to raise up men and women of faith & faithfulness to follow Christ (and not merely be ‘seen’ as faithful for hating the right people with the right amount of anger). I want us to be known, honored, and remembered (as has Pastor Tim Keller been upon his recent death) as being the most ‘like Jesus men and women’—Christians—anyone has ever met.

INFLUENCING FAITH

[[A committed faithfulness which impacts/influences those around them.]]]

JETHRO [Exodus 2.15-22; 4.18; 18.1-12, 13-24, 25-27]

Meet Jethro (Exodus 2.16, 21-22; 4.18)

Jethro Converted (Exodus 18.1-12 — esp. vv. 9-12)

Jethro’s Advice (Exodus 18.13-24 — esp. vv. 13-14, 17-23)

CALEB [Numbers 13-14; 26.65; Joshua 14.6-14 …]

Caleb & the 12 Spies (Numbers 13-14)

Selected to the Team (Numbers 13.1-4a, 6)

Mission Given & Carried Out (Numbers 13.17-20, 21-25)

Caleb’s Courageous Faith Amid Fear (Numbers 13.26-33 — esp. v. 30)

Caleb’s & Joshua’s Tag-Team Call of Faith (Numbers 14.6-10)

Caleb’s Faith Honored (Numbers 14.24, 30, 38, 26.65, etc.)

Caleb’s Life Testimony (Joshua 14.6-14)

TESTED FAITH [Tested & Proved]

[[Life brings challenges and distractions which cloud our focus. Coming through times like that…or facing heartache, helplessness, or hopelessness—with a belief that God can, AND DOES, make a difference…strengthens us.]]

JAIRUS [Mark 5.21-43; Luke 8.40-56]

Jairus Seeks Jesus’ Help (Mark 5.21-24; Luke 8.40-42a)

Jairus Receives the Challenging News (Mark 5.35; Luke 8.49)

Jairus Continues with Jesus (Mark 5.36-43; Luke 8.50-56)

CLEOPAS [Luke 24.13-36]

Leaving Jerusalem with a Friend after the Crucifixion (Luke 24.13-14)

Jesus Joins their Conversation (Luke 24.15-16)

Cleopas Explains their Discouragement (Luke 24.17-24)

Jesus Shares. Cleopas & Friend Miss the Encouragement (Luke 24.25-29)

Truth Breaks Through (Luke 24.30-36)

CONCL—

**INVITATION: Responses & Preparation for Lord’s Supper.

1 Corinthians 11.27-28 “So, then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sin against the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself; in this way let him eat the bread and drink from the cup.”

[INVITATION]

[LORD’S SUPPER]

1 Corinthians 11.23-24 “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.””

1 Corinthians 11.25-26 “In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

Luke 24:18 CSB

The one named Cleopas answered him, “Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that happened there in these days?”