Discipleship: Examples worth following
Discipleship: Equipping the Disciples • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 55:10
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Examples
Examples
Examples we have had many examples in our lives, some good, some maybe not so good. As a disciple of Jesus Christ we have some good instructions and examples we find in the scripture and that is what we are looking at tonight.
Bibles speaks:
Imitate good examples (1Cor11:1; Php3:17; Heb13:7)
Quote scripture below, not on the screen.
1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.
Look what Paul said to the Philippians
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.
and then there is the Hebrew writer
7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
(stop; expand on Hebrews passage)
Questions to ask yourself as we go through our study today.
Who is my example?
Whose example am I?
What kind of example am I?
May we be an example worth following as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Who is my example?
Who is my example?
As we look at this and the scriptures ask yourself, does my life reflect that I’m following good examples?
Is Jesus Christ your example? ( 1Cor11:1)
May he be our example
On how to please others (Rom15:1-3)
1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. 2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.
3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.”
On how to love one another (Eph5:1-2)
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
On how to look out for one another (Php2:4-5)
4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
Yes, and even how to be willing to suffer patiently (1Pt2:20-23)
20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. 21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,
22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;
Jesus is our example, should be our example. Let’s look at other biblical examples too
Is the Apostle Paul your example or an example for you?
He urged others like the Corinthians (1Cor4:6, 11:1)
6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.
Urged to give no offense , and to benefit others (1Cor10:32-33)
22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not stronger than He, are we? 23 All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.
He urged the Philippians (Php3:17)
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.
Regarding perfection, maturity, and application (Php3:12-16)
12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;
16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.
Regarding practice (Php4:9)
practice in enjoying the God of peace and the peace He gives
9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
He praised and encouraged the Thessalonians
Receiving the word despite affliction (1The1:6)
6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,
To not be a burden to others (2The3:7-10)
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you;
9 not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example. 10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.
(Transition) So is your example Jesus? Paul, it could be other faithful Christians as seen in the pages of the bible or in life.
Is your example other faithful Christians?
Paul told the Philippians to take note of such faithful examples (Php3:17)
17 Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal.
So those who are walking like Paul, who is imitating Jesus. Heading in the same direction for the same goal
The Hebrew writer says to imitate the faith (Heb6:12)
12 so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Those of the faith, Christian faith who are recipients of the promises
(expand) forgiveness of sins; eternal life in Christ, return of Christ to take us to our heavenly home
Hebrew writer also says to follow the faith (Heb13:7)
7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
(expand) Remember your examples, and the results of you following their examples, continue to imitate their faith, their example.
(give personal story of godly examples)
Again may we asks the question whose example are you following? Is it Jesus, Paul, other faithful Christians? For you too are an example
Whose example are you?
Whose example are you?
People may not have cell phone our videoing everything you do like the police, but people are watching you as a Christian and take notice.
People like:
Watched, observed by other Christians (1The1:7, 1Tim4:12; Tit2:7)
Your church family, your faith community
The young and old in faith
7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
(expand) - YOU ARE AN EXAMPLE
12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.
(Expand) let your actions speak louder than your words. But speech does matter too, so don’t discount it.
7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified,
This one, well, goes with the Timothy passage.
Watched, observed by children (Mt18:6)
From the mouth of Christ directly.
Children do not miss much, they watch, they see, they imitate, they are influenced by others.
6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
Watched, observed by unbelievers (1Pt2:12)
Unbelievers look, watch to see if walk matches the talk, are they living as they say, or are they a bunch of hypocrites?
People judge the church (body of believers) by the individual members, so be careful what kind of example you are.
12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.
(expand) Your example can lead to others to glorify God.
(Transition) Whether you like it or not, want to or not want to be, you are an example to others, we need to be mindful of the kind of example we are, so let’s look at that next.
What kind of example are you?
What kind of example are you?
Sermons are for edification, examination and application, so we are at the examination and application section now, so consider these things regarding examples worth following.
Consider is your example indicative of a faithful Christians?
Be an example to the world, your world, what it means to be a Christian.
Be faithful and a good example to new believers and old believers alike. Be an example of a good disciple of Jesus Christ.
Your example can help or hinder others, so be careful the kind of example you are.
Consider is your example conducive to church growth?
Are you a good example of an active Christian (attendance, participation, service)?
Are you a good example of study and application of God’s word and using God’s gifts for the common good?
Be a good example a worthy model of involvement in the body in service to the Lord and His church, a light to lead others to do the same.
Consider is your example worthy of emulation?
Some more questions to consider
Would you want someone to follow your example?
If every member provided the same example as you would we grow spiritually, that would lead to numerically, financially and in service?
Would we still have services on Sunday nights and Wednesday nights, have small groups and outreaches?
Are we helping, or hindering the kingdom by our example as a disciple of Jesus Christ?
I know this has been one of those examining sermons, self-examination, reflection looking for adjustments or additions needed to our Christian walk personally so it will impact the body collectively. Some words to close by
12 Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for the believers in your speech, your conduct, your love, faith, and purity.
Go, be an example, and example worth emulation. Follow the example of others, become a Christian, then be a devoted Christian.
(Invitation slide: Know Jesus) (Song) (Prayer)