Untitled Sermon (37)

Be a Good Pattern (Christian Example))

CHRISTIAN EXAMPLE

1 Thessalonians 1:5–10 (NRSV)

5 because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. 9 For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.

(POSB: Introduction)

Like a dress that is cut and sewn according to a pattern, our lives are patterns—either good or bad—for others to follow. If someone patterned his life after you, what kind of life would be produced? The lines of our lives must be bold enough to see. The instructions on how to live as a Biblical Christian must be included in our pattern. It is very likely that you could be the only Bible that some people ever read.

The challenge before you is simply this: Will the pattern of your life produce a beautiful wardrobe of other Christians? Or will those who follow your example become embarrassing “factory seconds” with visible flaws?

The Apostle Paul says that the Thessalonian church was an excellent pattern. He says that they were examples not only to the heathen, but also to believers. Their example is primarily found in their strong conversion and in their thundering forth the Word of the Lord (1 Th. 1:8).