The Importance of Example Through the Ages

Introduction:

The example of Brian:

1. Member of home congregation was both schizophrenic and bipolar.

2. Suffered from Alcoholism and could not live independently.

3. In and out of mental institutions and asylums since he was a teen.

4. However, since becoming a Christian, he lives independently, managed to work a number of Jobs and comes to church Sunday and midweek consistently.

5. A former asylum nurse who knew him from his troubled past drove past him each Sunday, and noticed him consistently walking to church with Bible in the hand.

6. This nurse couldn’t help but to go and speak with him and ask what had changed in his life and how he had developed so much schedule and independence.

7. This member took the opportunity to speak about the church in Devonport and how it helped him.

This demonstrates that humans are by their very nature extremely analytical of others, and make judgement’s accordingly (in this case, this Christian demonstrated

The importance of reflecting Christ in our lives, speech, and action is important.

Most of our analysis’ of others never leave our head; nevertheless, they always impact and influence how we deal with others.

While, it is not always good to act on judgments that we have made based on the smallest cues, it is ultimately, in our nature to do so.

The importance of living a good example is understood by all Christians and non-Christians alike.

Despite our recognition of the importance of example, and our familiarity with biblical teaching on the topic; ultimately, many Christians fall short in this regard.

We are familiar with what Christians need to do in order to become holy in the sight of God. It is not so much a lack of knowledge, but a lack of strength that causes us to fall short in regards to Christian example.

Therefore, in this sermon I want to focus not on the how of being a Christian example (so I do not walk over into Andrew’s lesson) but rather, I want to demonstrate the immense emphasis of why being a good example is so important in scripture.

This will be done by analyzing God’s emphasis on example throughout the biblical ages, and a common thread of doctrine that can be seen in both Testaments.

I want to focus on three points based on different sections of the scripture.

The importance of example is rooted in God’s purpose for the nation of Israel under the Old Covenant.

The importance of example is demonstrated by the perfection of Christ who lived what he taught.

The importance of example is preached by the inspired Apostles.

Body:

Point 1: The importance of example is rooted in God’s purpose for the nation of Israel

When man was created, he was created in the image of God and was to bring glory to God in creation; nevertheless, man very quickly turned aside to bring glory to himself through pride.

In God’s plan to redeem the world, we have the creation of the nation of Israel.

God’s ultimate purpose for the nation of Israel was to prepare the world for the coming of Christ by demonstrating the goodness of God.

Many of the covenantal mission statements that God gives to Israel emphasis the importance of God’s people making themselves distinct. Consider Exodus 19:5-6 (read).

Here obedience is equated with holiness and holiness will lead to a distinction from the nations of all the world.

The section of this passage I want us to focus on is in v. 5, Israel’s Godliness was to make them distinct from all the nations.

God was to be declared to the world through Israel, Israel was, therefore, suppose to exemplify Godliness.

Ultimately, Israel, for the most part, failed to live up to the standard that God had endowed them with and instead of bringing glory to God they brought reproach to his name.

Illustration: History channel documentary on ancient Israel.

Archaeologist claimed the biblical record was untrue because only pagan idols were found

In reality, this proves the biblical record and a sad truth about the nation of Israel. The Israelites did not exemplify God in most of their history.

Unfortunately, for the nation of Israel, the people of the world recognized their hypocrisy. Turn to Ezekiel 36:20-21

Ezekiel 36:20–21 NASB95

“When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the Lord; yet they have come out of His land.’ “But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where they went.

Take note of how the nations of the world reacted to the ungodliness of Israel.

The people of the world knew that Israel was supposed the people of the Lord.

Yet their poor example and the weakness they had put themselves in because of their lack of regard for God’s covenant, had lead them to bring shame to God.

God is concerned for his name, this should fill us with fear as his image bearers.

The application to us should be clear, As Christians (God’s new covenantal people) we bear the name of Christ; therefore, what we do reflects on his name.

We often teach our brethren to not build our faith on men, we cannot expect the world to appreciate this teaching.

Ultimately what the world sees in us is how they will judge the name of Christ; therefore, we must strive to imitate Christ.

This brings us to the question, how did Christ live and what does our Lord teach us about being being an example for him.

Point 2: The importance of example is demonstrated by the perfection of Christ who lived what he taught.

There have been many thinkers, authors and teachers, who though they have had powerful teachings, their message was ultimately hampered by their inability to live out what they spoke.

The great Stoic philosopher Seneca (brother of the proconsul Gallio who judged Paul in Acts 18:12), was well known for his teaching on contentment, the vanity of power, and the importance of honesty and moral restraint. He was so concerned about cruelty that he became a vegetarian.

Nevertheless, this same Seneca was responsible for propping up the regime of Nero, being the stable hand behind the emperor at the time.

In a letter penned in Nero’s name he justified Nero’s murder of his mother, and was involved in numerous murderous coups and political intrigues that kept him in power.

Ultimately, his life ended in suicide as Nero turned on him, finishing himself by cutting his wrists and telling his wife to the same in a bath.

In consideration of the disparity between his writings and his life, one author wrote, “[Seneca was] a hypocrite almost without equal in the ancient world,”

Many of us have known preachers and teachers in the church to be no different. Though they declare Christ and his doctrines faithfully, their lives do not bear witness to his teachings, and their sins caused many others to stumble also.

How than does Christ compare and what made Christ different? 1 Peter 2:22 in quotation of messianic prophecy

1 Peter 2:22 NASB95

who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth;

When we consider the gospels, the four accounts of the life of Christ, there is a consistent device in the way they are written which is common to them all...

The gospels show us what Christ taught and how he lived it out in his ministry. Jesus was a man of action, and his ministry was characterized by action. (ill. the gospels alternate between sections of teaching and sections of action).

Jesus taught that we ought to turn the other cheek when being reviled, when Christ was being treated with cruelty at his mock trial he said almost nothing.

Jesus taught that we ought to pray alone and not for show: we find a number of examples of Christ leaving the disciples and going into the wilderness to prayer alone.

Jesus taught that greed for wealth and material things would result in misery, so we see Christ living a life almost without any possessions, neglecting the things of this world for his spiritual mission on earth.

We could go on in this regard, but it should be clear to us that Christ set an example that he intended us to follow in more than just our word.

1 John 2:6 says

1 John 2:6 NASB95

the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

The only perfect example we have of someone walking in the same manner of Christ perfectly, is Christ himself.

It often makes me tremble to think that God the Son, came down to earth and lived a human life.

What Christ taught and how he acted is how God would and did act in this life.

By bearing the name of Christ, we bear the name of God; therefore, as Christians we have a lofty responsible in this regard.

Being a good example does not only show others that we are of God but it also serves to bring others to God, this is the basis of our final point.

Point 3: The importance of example is preached by the inspired Apostles

Finally, the inspired apostles, in their instructions for the Lord’s church, emphasized the importance of example in fulfilling the evangelistic mission of the church.

These divinely inspired men of God recognized the importance of example if the early church was to take off as God’s new representatives on earth.

Consider Paul’s apostolic exhortation to Titus in Titus 2:7-8,

Titus 2:7–8 NASB95

in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

In its context this scripture is not just for Titus but is rather, a message that Titus is to deliver to the young men of his congregation. The principle of course applies to everyone.

In this passage Paul identifies a number of things that are important for example.

Christians are to be an example of good deeds, that is showing love for others before ourselves through our actions.

Christians are to conduct themselves in a dignified manner, related to this is the injunction to speak soundly. I.e. avoiding vulgar and offensive speech.

Uniquely, Paul also emphasizes the importance of doctrinal purity in our example.

When talking about the importance of Christian example, this point is perhaps the most rejected.

Many men engage in good deeds but teach and believe in error, in this way their good deeds will misled people into their own misconceptions more than anything.

Nevertheless, ultimately sound doctrine and good works will be interconnected. If one truly believes in God, he will fear God and fear what God expects for us.

Finally, in this passage Paul gives us the reason why we ought to be a good example. So that we put our opponents to shame.

This is perhaps a secondary reason next to a genuine dedication to godliness; nevertheless, it is still an important one.

One of Satan’s greatest tools is a Christian that does not exemplify Christ. Instead of fulfilling the mission of the church and bringing souls to Christ, he repels them by his hypocritical behavior.

The Christian who does good works but teaches no sound doctrine brings only glory to himself and not to Christ. The man who teaches sound doctrine but engages in evil brings reproach on Christ.

Conclusion:

As we have seen, the importance of being an example is a theme that is found continually throughout scripture.

In the Old Testament, we see the nation of Israel were to be ambassadors for the name of God among the nation of Israel.

In the life and teachings of Christ, we see God the Son, as man, living out his teachings perfectly so that we might have an example of how God would live on earth; and, therefore, how we ought to live on earth as well.

The inspired apostles emphasized the importance of example in demonstrating to the world that Christians are indeed God’s holy people; nullifying any accusation they might make about our conduct.

Despite all this, we are not perfect and will from time to time, bring dishonor to Christ’s name by our conduct.

While we strive to reflect Christ in our lives, we do not do so to teach a message of moral perfection but rather to bring glory to the savior who has redeemed us from our unworthy state.

We begin our Christian journey not by becoming a good example, but by contacting the blood of Christ in baptism.

We invite those who have not yet lived a life for Christ to come forward.