Become An Example

Alba 10-1-2023

BECOME AN EXAMPLE

I Thessalonians 1:6-8

Here is a story of what happened when Calvin Coolidge was President. Once he invited some friends from Vermont to dine at the White House. They were worried about their table manners, so they decided to do everything their host did.

All went well until coffee was served. Coolidge poured his into the saucer. The guests did the same. The President added sugar and cream. So did the visitors. Then Coolidge leaned over and placed his saucer on the floor for the cat.

It proves you need to be careful whose example you follow.

Red Rand says he worked at a place where one man had sign on his desk that said, “No one is useless, he can always be used as an example.”

Be aware that others could be following the things that you do, whether good or bad. Some things happen or are done unintentionally. But, as Christians, we should be intentional about being the best example to others we can be.

The Thessalonian church became a good example to others by intentionally doing certain things. They are the things we should be doing if we want to become an example worthy of wearing the name Christian.

As the apostle Paul writes in I Thessalonians 1:6-8, he says of them, “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. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.”

Paul, because of his own experience, recognized the genuineness of the example set by the Thessalonian church.

The Greek word for example (tupos) "was used to describe a seal that marked wax, or a stamp that minted coins. Paul commended the Thessalonians for being model believers leaving their mark on others" (John MacArthur, The MacArthur Study Bible).

So this tells us that the Thessalonians left an indelible impression on the world around them. Their example to others was seen in the way they received the gospel in spite of tribulation with the joy of the Lord in their hearts. It stamped the seal of their faith on the hearts of every believer who heard of their congregation.

So, how did they do that? Paul says that it was because they “became followers of us and of the Lord.” Paul, Silas and Timothy gave the Thessalonians good examples to follow.

Remember, in verse five Paul had just said, “you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.”

These Thessalonians became true followers of Jesus and the example of the lives His apostles. They watched the way that Paul, Silas and Timothy spoke and acted; they saw how they forgave and served.

They heard how they gently instructed in the truth; they observed their faith, love, hope and boldness. They saw their love for Jesus. And they adopted as their own this new Christian life. They did not play church.

Paul knew that people wanted to see a sermon, not just hear it. That's why he was able to write in Philippians 3:17 “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.”

It is in I John 2:6 where we are told to walk as Jesus did. But are we aware that we are also called to imitate the lives of godly people? That’s why Christian biographies and autobiographies are good to read. We learn how godly men and women throughout the ages have lived for Christ.

There was a time when the Corinthian church was questioning the apostleship of Paul. So he wrote to them in

I Corinthians 4:14-17 to tell them, “14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me.

He says, “I urge you to imitate me”!!! And then in the next verse he says, “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.”

And in I Corinthians 11:1 he again says, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” The NIV has that verse, “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.” “Imitate me.”

Sometimes we hear well intentioned Christians say, “Don’t look to me, look to Jesus”. But that’s not what Paul said! He kept asking people to imitate him. And yes, we should be always pointing people to our Lord as the answer to everything. But there is a sense in which God asks us to be examples for others to follow.