Apostle Paul, Imitator of Christ
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before kids:
thank helpers of fall festival
fall back next saturday
thank gretchen & inform about katie
service:
sicial media & life/culture imitating art/media
Twitter Bio.
Instagram, snap shot
Facebook About Me
All these Social Media spaces exist to help you inquiries and followers know what you are at a glance.
I stumbled upon this thought and came across an article about the meaning and background of the phrase:
Life Imitating Art:
Life Imitating Art:
The notion that an event in the real world was inspired by a creative work.
The notion that an event in the real world was inspired by a creative work.
Life Imitates Art far more than art imitates Life. Oscar Wilde. “Art makes us notice things that we often ignore, therefore, art gives meaning to life.”
Anti-mimesis, as it's known in the philosophical community, is the theory that people learn about self-expression from art and fiction. Our actions and thoughts are directly inspired by the art we see, rather than art being a reflection of our organic imagination.
I don’t want to get into a philosophical discussion about the degree of truth in this statement of philosophy.
Art makes us notice things that we often ignore, therefore, art gives meaning to life.
But from a cultural observational place we can see how this philosophy influences our culture. It is a warning and also an insight.
Current culture belief is that the brand and the person give meaning to your life. The digital interactions, these virtual encounters become more and more valuable and influential.
Image and optics are vital.
We are in the midst of a world where people get insta-famous, become Reality TV Stars, and YouTube celebrities; athletes and actors determining what is important and of value.
All of a sudden these individuals represent a brand that people want to follow. They have credibility and influence. The art and business they create shapes the life of those they come in contact with.
The warning:
The warning:
The problem with all of this is that if culture has swallowed and ingested what the artist, the athlete, the person, the brand, the image to have to say and communicate; creating way to much influence over people and culture.
What happens when the icon. the brand. the messanger. the idol doesn’t measure up?
Harvey Weinstein (sexual predator making movies and friends of the elite)--this is like the pedophiles safe haven in the Catholic Church & doing nothing about it. Complicit in silence.
NFL players (political statements conflicting with customers)
Kardashians (beauty products, but life is live drama)
Taylor Swift (relationship mess, but her songs are about love?)
President Trump & politicians (message manipulator, controlling the narrative while he pushes an agenda; elected by the people, for the people, yet only if those people are lobbyists, special interests, and money makers?)
What insight can this offer?
What insight can this offer?
But it got me into a line of thinking that is pertinent today, especially about the person of the Apostle Paul and some things he had to say about imitation.
I wondered what might Paul’s bio read if he were living in the 21st c. and the day & age of social media.
I wondered what ways he might try to influence in his friends on Facebook and his followers on Instagram and Twitter.
In my wanderings and ponderings I believe there is a place to identify themes and values woven throughout the letters and accounts of Paul’s life that he desires for his readers to capture and be influenced by.
So for the next 5 weeks leading up to Advent I want you to consider his life as a disciple, an apostle, an evangelist, and a surrendered follower of Christ; what where the themes of his message that he wanted his friends and foes to capture and begin to enliven?
I am sure you could add to or subtract from this summary, but Based upon the book of Acts, going through commentaries, and scouring his letters in the NT, here is what I surmise Paul would write about himself in the digital age of the 21st c..
Paul of tarsus, apostle and servant of God
______. ________. Thanks-giver, _______.
“All art is an imitation of Life.” Aristotle
imitator of Christ. Speaker of truth. Boaster of people. Thanks giver. Grace and peace proclaimer
Speaker of truth
Boaster of people
Thanks giver
Grace and peace proclaimer
So this morning I want to unpack what Paul stated frequently in his letters to various cities and churches across Asia. related to the word—
Imitate
Imitate
Greek: miméomai, mimētḗs, and symmimētḗs
imitating faith means not merely striving to live up to the faith of others but a readiness to take the same way of faith in full commitment to Christ.
The NT as a whole does not teach imitation in the primary sense of imitating an example but rather in the predominant sense of discipleship, i.e., of obedience to the word and will of the Lord either directly or by way of the apostles.
Moral attributes:
We can seek to imitate him in his moral attributes such as his holiness, righteousness, justice, goodness, love, mercy, compassion, tenderness, longsuffering, lovingkindnesss, faithfulness and forgiveness.
Actions:
Servant; Suffering;Surrendered.
Called to be ambassadors:
1 Corinthians 5:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
It is relational:
Whose we are influences how we live. This is a relationship of unfolding reality.
First to Christ:
Whose we are influences how we live. This is a relationship of unfolding reality. The righteousness of God is discovered in the way that we imitate the son of God.
Cloud of Witnesses:
Imitation involves who influences your life and how your life is an influence to others.
But imitation involves obeying the rule as well as copying Paul’s example. This is why Paul adds: “As I am of Christ.” The Corinthians should imitate Paul by heeding his word as he imitates Christ by understanding the apostolic ministry as Christ wishes. Paul’s own authority rests on the superior authority of Christ
Jesus said I am the way, the truth the life.
Jesus is the medium and the message, he gives meaning to life.
Paul understood this entirely.
That's why he told his friends, I have endeavors to live a life worthy of the calling IN Christ.
I have been faithful to introducing Christ to you through the way I live, teach, and lead.
Paul’s usage assumes a primary source, in his case it was Christ.
compare Greek understanding with current understanding (influence & obey vs. copy)
Paul’s usage assumes a primary source, in his case it was Christ.
Yet here is how he states--
Summarize imitate me as I imitate Christ.
Would any of you say to another person: imitate me as I imitate Christ?
Oh, the get that from their mother/ they get that from their dad. In our family we don’t talk, we silent treatment. in our family we yell.
Nothing is more painful that or source of great joy, when you witness your child imitate something you do
If we take that sort of thing seriously, why wouldn’t we take similar approach to the way our faith in Jesus has the potential to influence others.
Whether we like it or not, this is happening. It is happening for good and it is happening for the worse.
Truth speaker
Christ imitator
People boaster
Thanks giver
Grace giver
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. For you know how, like a father with his children,
And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,
,
Follow me as I follow Christ
,
I urge you, then, be imitators of me.
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
,
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
,
Who are the people influencing your life?
,
so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.
whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
What are thing things that get in the way of imitating Christ? Let go of the things that hinder us from imitating Christ
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.
shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
The challenge:
The challenge:
Endeavor to be a person that others want to imitate:
Yet here is how he states--
Summarize imitate me as I imitate Christ.
Would any of you say to another person: imitate me as I imitate Christ?
What would happen if our faith in Christ was dependant upon others imitating, following us?
We might shy away from this, but for those of you that have raised kids, know that this is something we regularly do.
Oh, the get that from their mother/ they get that from their dad. In our family we don’t talk, we silent treatment. in our family we yell.
Nothing is more painful that or source of great joy, when you witness your child imitate something you do
If we take that sort of thing seriously, why wouldn’t we take similar approach to the way our faith in Jesus has the potential to influence others.
OR right here:
imitator of Christ
Speaker of truth
Boaster of people
Thanks giver
Grace and peace proclaimer
Image and optics are vital.
The problem with all of this is that we are allowing the artist, the person, the brand, the image to have way to much influence over people and culture.
Harvey Weinstein (sexual predator making movies and friends of the elite)--this is like the pedophiles safe haven in the Catholic Church & doing nothing about it. Complicit in silence.
Whether we like it or not, this is happening. It is happening for good and it is happening for the worse.
NFL players (political statements conflicting with customers)
Kardashians (beauty products, but life is live drama)
Taylor Swift (relationship mess, but her songs are about love?)
President Trump & politicians (message manipulator, controlling the narrative while he pushes an agenda)
Jesus is the medium and the message, he gives meaning to life.
Paul understood this entirely.
That's why he told his friends, I have endeavors to live a life worthy of the calling IN Christ.
I have been faithful to introducing Christ to you through the way I live, teach, and lead.
the apostle: He could tell people to "follow me as I follow Christ." It was to look at Paul and the way he lived faithful to Christ, but Paul was not the work of art, the one to imitate, the brand to buy stock, Jesus is the work of art, our interaction with Christ is what gives meaning to life.
Hear what he has to say in these verses:
Concluding Questions:
Concluding Questions:
Jesus calls everyone to imitate Christ.
Does he shape the way you interact with God?
Does he influence how you live with yourself
Does he compel you to love others with the Love of Christ
Does he beckon you to daily & regularly live out the mission & mandate of the message?
Could you invite your family, friends, people you come in contact with:
Follow me as I follow Christ?
Closing Prayer: O For a Heart to Love My God. Charles Wesley
1 O for a heart to praise my God,
a heart from sin set free;
a heart that's sprinkled with the blood
so freely shed for me:
2 A heart resigned, submissive, meek,
my great Redeemer's throne;
where only Christ is heard to speak,
where Jesus reigns alone:
3 A humble, lowly, contrite heart,
believing, true, and clean,
which neither life nor death can part
from him that dwells within:
4 A heart in every thought renewed,
and full of love divine;
perfect and right and pure and good —
a copy, Lord, of thine.
5 Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart,
come quickly from above;
write thy new name upon my heart,
thy new best name of Love.
3 A humble, lowly, contrite heart,
believing, true, and clean,
which neither life nor death can part
from him that dwells within:
4 A heart in every thought renewed,
and full of love divine;
perfect and right and pure and good —
a copy, Lord, of thine.
5 Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart,
come quickly from above;
write thy new name upon my heart,
thy new best name of Love.
Opening Up 2 and 3 John Imitating the Perfect Example
But we can seek to imitate him in his moral attributes such as his holiness, righteousness, justice, goodness, love, mercy, compassion, tenderness, longsuffering, lovingkindnesss, faithfulness and forgiveness. Three particular areas of our Lord’s life are specifically highlighted in the New Testament as providing examples for us to imitate.
servant
sacrifice
suffering
loving
Opening Up 2 and 3 John Achieving the Seemingly Impossible
O for a heart to praise my God …
A heart in every thought renewed
And full of love divine,
Perfect and right and pure and good:
A copy, Lord, of thine.
The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged in One Volume μιμέομαι, μιμητής, συμμιμητής
miméomai, mimētḗs, and symmimētḗs
The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged in One Volume μιμέομαι, μιμητής, συμμιμητής
In Heb. 13:7 (cf. 11:4ff.; 12:1ff.) imitating faith means not merely striving to live up to the faith of others but a readiness to take the same way of faith in full commitment to Christ
The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged in One Volume μιμέομαι, μιμητής, συμμιμητής
which demands that the readers join in imitating Paul and also mark those who so walk
This would be a good intro for a letter this week.
The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged in One Volume μιμέομαι, μιμητής, συμμιμητής
But imitation involves obeying the rule as well as copying Paul’s example. This is why Paul adds: “As I am of Christ.” If he simply meant that Christ is a model for him, then he would surely have pointed the Corinthians themselves directly to Christ and explained in what sense Christ is a model. Christ is, of course, a model in this sense in Rom. 15:1ff. and Phil. 2:4ff. But in these passages Paul develops the thought, and in any case it is not certain that Christ as model is really the central concept in Phil. 2:4ff. The point, then, is rather that the Corinthians should imitate Paul by heeding his word as he imitates Christ by understanding the apostolic ministry as Christ wishes. Paul’s own authority rests on the superior authority of Christ.
The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged in One Volume μιμέομαι, μιμητής, συμμιμητής
The NT as a whole does not teach imitation in the primary sense of imitating an example but rather in the predominant sense of discipleship, i.e., of obedience to the word and will of the Lord either directly or by way of the apostles.
Collins Thesaurus of the Bible A4 Imitating Good People
Imitate the faith of your leaders (Heb. 13:7); you know how you should imitate us (2 Thess. 3:7); follow our example (2 Thess. 3:9); be imitators of me (1 Cor. 4:16; 1 Cor. 11:1; Phil. 3:17); the things you have seen in me, do (Phil. 4:9); you became imitators of us and of the Lord (1 Thess. 1:6); you followed my teaching, conduct etc. (2 Tim. 3:10); you imitated the churches of God (1 Thess. 2:14); imitators of those who inherit the promises (Heb. 6:12); go and do the same as the good Samaritan (Luke 10:37); you should have had mercy on your fellow-servant as I had mercy on you (Matt. 18:33); be like men waiting for their master to return (Luke 12:36); if you were Abraham’s children, do the works Abraham did (John 8:39).
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/instagram-model-natasha-oakley-iskra-lawrence-kayla-itsines-kendall-jenner-jordyn-woods-a6907551.html