A Christlike Example - John 1:6-13

On this fathers day weekend we want to honor those fathers who are spiritual leaders in their homes.

The ones who want what is best for their children and their family.

The ones who display Christ like qualities in their own lives.

We honor and thank you for all that you have done.

In saying that I want us to consider what it looks like for us to truly be Christlike in our own life.

Men I want us to consider what being a spiritual leader looks like.

Most of all I want us to consider what being a child of God looks like today.

You see in life we are constantly looking to someone and others are constantly looking to us.

Now I have never been a very good dancer but I consider the thoughts of a conga line.

One person leading the next through a not so talent filled dance.

The truth is, life is a lot like that.

Often, we are following the example of one, while also setting the example for another.

Fathers could you consider this.

For many fathers you lead your children how your father led you.

Now this may be right or it may be wrong but what will happen next most likely is your children will lead their children in the same way that you led them.

Imagine now this, what if we followed in this example, leading in way that would ultimately show Christ Likeness in our life.

I want to pose the question, do you act as a Christian should?

Meaning, as people follow in your example are they following in the right example.

John 1:6–13 KJV 1900

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

I. The Example of the Follower

Today, for our uses the follower is John.

For John He came before Jesus Christ came.

He came to tell of the coming messiah and to set the scene for Jesus Christ.

Now John was the forerunner of Jesus Christ.

His goal was simply to tell of the coming messiah

John set for us today the example of one who was willing to come into world with the goal of telling of Jesus Christ.

In all reality John had the same calling as the forerunner as we have as those who were to follow.

We have a mission to tell of the messiah.

So consider John as the start of our line.

He was telling of what was to come.

As we consider the example of us being a Christ like role model, John has given us as example that we are to go and to tell.

A good Christian role model goes and tells of the hope that is within Him.

Even though John was before Jesus he gives an example of what a heart for the Christ looks like.

So friends, as we look to be Christian examples, do we go and tell.

The first example of the word believe that was written in Johns gospel was found in verse 7.

This was before Jesus Christ began his ministry.

John 1:7 KJV 1900

The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

So here we get the reason why John was doing what he was doing.

A Christlike example goes and tells of the Father.

John was proclaiming Jesus because the hope was that people would believe and follow the Savior Jesus Christ.

II. The Example of Christ

Despite Johns efforts we learn that Christ was not accepted.

In fact he was rejected.

John 1:11 KJV 1900

He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

In other word’s Jesus Christ came to this earth for us as his people and his people rejected him.

You see Jesus came to this earth to die for the sins of those who rejected Him.

Christ set an example to love those who rejected Him.

What He did gives us the ultimate reason to live and act as a Christian

Jesus Christ was the ultimate example for us.

You see what He did on the cross gave us a means to a heavenly Father.

John 1:12 KJV 1900

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

You see, what John did was set an example so that we may believe.

What Jesus did was live an example so that we may believe.

What God the father did was accept us in as his children even after our rejection of him.

Christ set the ultimate example, dying for us so that we may live.

Not only so that we may live but that we would have a Heavenly father.

You see this heavenly father gives us so much.

He listens to our cries

John 10:27 KJV 1900

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Think of that for a moment.

God dwells with us when we accept and follow Him.

We have the father who is above all others, the one who reigns supreme and the one who is the perfect example.

III. Where do we fit in

So we see know what He has done for us but what does that mean for us.

We as His followers now have a great command to follow like Him

We have are to love those who reject and use us.

We are to share the truth of his word so that others may believe.

We are worship him in spirit and in truth, not out of vain.

You see the Father dwells with those who faithfully seek him.

For us today, this means that we have some responsibility.

We are responsible for living our life for Christ.

first and fore most, we do this because he has called us to.

But we also live for him because the example we set to our children, grandchildren, father, mothers, and friends is important.

Like John if we are to go and to tell we have to be able to first do that with our own life.

Many believed that John was the messiah until he corrected them.

John 1:8 KJV 1900

He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

Like John, we are here to point back to our Father.

The one who has saved and redeemed us despite our rejection.

What is the least we could do but live for Him.

Our heavenly father whom has given so much has done so, that we may live a life in which glorifies him.

He has done so that we may praise him through our actions.

I will ask you today, are you following the example that your heavenly father has set?

friends, if you are not following in the fathers examples how is it that we can eb his children.

How is it that we can affirm to be children of God if we are unwilling to love s as he has loved, pray how he has prayed, forgave how he has forgiven.

friends, are you completely focused on the father today.

The world we live in has fallen into the temptation of sin.

But often the reason is simple.

AT one time Christians followed the example of our heavenly father.

They acted as he acted, lived how he lived.

But, as time went on people began to fall away from the fathers example.

Earthly fathers and mothers began to live for the world.

This meant that sons and daughters began to follow in the example of their mothers and fathers.

Perhaps they would sprinkle in Jesus.

They would allow him to possess certain aspects of their life.

Over time we have gotten to a place where Jesus is little more in our hearts that a fairy whom we are wishing upon while we live in sin.

So once again what does your life look like, is it telling the story of Jesus Christ.

What kind of example are you setting?

friends, you have two options.

You can continue to live your life in the same old way.

Or you can do as John did, you can do as the early church did.

You can look to the Father to lead you today.

Many here may have had a wonderful example for a father, while many may not have any.

regardless of your circumstance our heavenly father is the father to all who believe.

Psalm 68:5 KJV 1900

A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, Is God in his holy habitation.

The real question today is much less about our individual situations and much more about who you are going to be.

You see if you are on this earth, and you are still breathing, you can follow the example of the savior.

Today, because he died on the cross for you and for I we can do that by believing in him, and through that faith and through our repentance we can be accepted into the kingdom of God.

How wonderful that is today.

After that happens the father sends his spirit to guide us through this life, and we always have the example of the savior through his word.

friends, today if you have not made that decision to follow him today is the day.

Don’t delay

As I pray today that we would apply this to ur life I ask that you would do just that.

I ask that you seek forgiveness for your sins today and trust in him to lead your life.