Jesus Our Example Book 1

This study is from the books of Stephen W. Rogers with some of my own thoughts added as I go through the study.

Introduction:

This book will delve into Jesus’ life and His example—What He did, How He acted, and how He reacted.

1 Corinthians 11:1 “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”

Paul repeatedly reaffirmed our responsibility to follow Him. Each reaffirmation underscores the second part of 1 Corinthians 11:1—that in following Him, we are ultimately following Christ.

1 Corinthians 4:16 “Therefore I urge you, imitate me.”

Paul sent Timothy to the Corinthians to help them carry out the instructions he had previously given.

1 Corinthians 4:17 “For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.”

Philippians 3:17 “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.”

1 Thessalonians 1:5–7 “For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.”

2 Thessalonians 3:7–9 “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.”

Ephesians 5:1–2 “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 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.”

“There are two types of students but neither of these approaches is broad enough. Neither approach will help us be all that God wants us to be.”

“Some Bible students focus mainly upon Jesus’ teachings. They may demand that only Truth be taught in the Church classroom or in the pulpit. They may avow loyalty to His Truth. However, some of these same people put forth little effort to look at the heart of Jesus or to try to truly imitatte His life and His heart in their own lives.”

“Other students focus upon His life and some of His traits like love but give little focus to His Teachings.”

Let’s be clear Jesus is so much more than just an example.

He is the Savior.

Acts 4:12 “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

He has the words of life or salvation.

John 6:68 “But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

He is Lord.

Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”

Luke 6:46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?”

Jesus’ teachings and His example are equally important.

To the persecuted Christians of the first century both His example and what He taught are emphasized.

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:”

The word translated example is from the Greek hypogrammos—

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Example

hupogrammos (ὑπογραμμός, 5261), lit., “an under-writing” (from hupographo, “to write under, to trace letters” for copying by scholars); hence, “a writing-copy, an example,”

The copybook—God’s Word—reveals who Jesus is so that we may imitate Him.

The copy book gives us the picture and then we imitate that picture by following in His steps.

The picture is the example because that is Christ

1 Peter 2:22–23“Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 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;”

This is the model

Who committed no sin

Nor was deceit found in His mouth

who, when reviled, did not revile in return

When He suffered, He did not threaten

Committed Himself to Him who judges righteously

“And Paul called upon Christians to examine and to imitate the servant heart of Christ as well when he penned.

Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,”

In order to have the mind of Christ in us we have to strive to understand how He treated circumstances.

How did He treat people and did He treat people differently?

Pharisees/Sadducees—Leaders

Matthew 23:1–12 “1 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ 8 But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Scribes

Jews that were may be supposed to know better.

Gentiles like the woman at the well.

People that had great faith—Jews or Gentiles.

People that were trying but maybe not all the way there yet.

People serving in the temple.

People that did not have great faith.