Be imitators of God

1 Corinthians 4:14–21 NASB95

I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me. For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church. Now some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant but their power. For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power. What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

Ephesians 5:1 NASB95

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;

Be imitators of God

Elders, deacons Pastors are to most certainly be imitators of God for they have a cloud of witnesses following them watching them

We must be careful with our speech our actions confessing sin renouncing sin for if we do not we may be a stumbling block to another ‘

1 Corinthians 8:9 NASB95

But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

2. Preachers are sent to remind Gods sheep to be imitators of God

Timothy was one sent

Jesus told peter about his sheep

John 21:15–18 NKJV

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”

listen to what peter say about Gods sheep

1 Peter 5:2–3 NKJV

Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;

Pastors are called to be shepherds. The Bible says that a pastor is to feed the flock and lead them to pasture. He is also to teach them the word of God and to rebuke them when they sin. A pastor is to be a s

servant of God and to care for His people.

3. Some have become Arrogant.................... Pastors call out and rebuke

other examples

Galatians 2:11–14 NKJV

Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?

Philippians 4:2–3 NASB95

I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

3 John 9–11 NASB95

I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church. Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.

Matthew 16:22–24 NASB95

Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.

Paul says all this remember in verse 14

1 Corinthians 4:14 NASB95

I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.

and now in verse 21

1 Corinthians 4:21 NASB95

What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

4. Do you desire love and gentleness or the Rod

gods Will will be done either way kicking and screaming or obedient and blessed