We Are The Example
08/16/09 AM
Text: 1 Timothy 4:12
Introduction
ILL: Story: Michael Vick Signs Contract With Eagles. Commentators debating the move speak to Vick’s role as an example, with one saying he didn’t consider Vick an example for anyone.
And that is what I would like us to consider this morning, not Michael Vick and the Eagles but the concept of example.
Edmund Burke, statesman of the United Kingdom and philosopher (most of us recognize his quote: “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”), also said, “Example is the school of humankind, and they will learn at no other.” (Letters On a Regicide Peace, 1796)
Albert Schweitzer, French philosopher and physician, said, “Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing.” (Thoughts for Our Times, 1975)
The power of example is a reality for human beings. We can see the evidence of it in the great American Marketing Machine. Every day we are bombarded with “examples” of how much better looking we could be, or how more successful or how better fit and every one of these ads parade images of people who have achieved these things by using this product or that product. But let’s not take the word of world in this matter. Let’s consider the power of example as shown by God.
I. The Power of Example
A. The power of example is found throughout the Bible.
1. In the Old and New Testament we are provided numerous examples, positive and negative.
a. The obedience of Able and the rebellion of Cain (Genesis)
b. The faith of Abraham (Hebrews 11) and the faithlessness of Ahaz, King of Judah (Kings 16)
c. The patience of Job (Job 1-2) and the rashness of Esau (Genesis 25)
d. The courage of Daniel (Daniel 3) and the fearfulness of the single talent servant (Matthew 5)
e. The leadership success of Joshua (Judges 23) and the leadership failure of the Pharisee’s in the time of Jesus (Matthew 6, 23)
2. William Bennett (former Secretary of the Department of Education) said in a speech delivered at Hillsdale College on 3 October 2002:
“Precepts are also important. The Ten Commandments, the principles of American democracy, rules of courteous behavior – these and other lists of rights and wrongs should be provided to young people. But as we provide them, young people need to know that we take these precepts seriously.”
He went on to say:
“If we want young people to take right and wrong seriously, there is an indispensable condition: They must be in the presence of adults who take right and wrong seriously. Only in this way will they see that virtue is not just a game, not just talk, but rather that it is something that grown-up people, people who have responsibilities in the world and at home, take seriously.”
3. God has given us His precepts and numerous examples to show us that we can live righteous and Godly lives.
4. We are told that a main reason we have the Old Testament is for example. Paul wrote of the account of the Children of Israel wandering the wilderness:
1 Corinthians 10:6a Now these things happened as examples for us,
And to the Romans Paul wrote:
Romans 15:4a For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction,
B. The apostle Paul understood the power of example.
1. He was aware of his own example.
a. He alluded to example in 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 when exhort the church to walk in a manner worthy of God.
1 Thessalonians 2:10 You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers;
2. In His letter to Timothy (1 Timothy 4:12) and Titus (2:7) he commanded them to set a proper example.
C. Jesus is given as the perfect example for us to follow.
1. 1 Peter 2:21 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,
II. Brothers And Sisters We Are Examples
A. Christians are to be the "light of the world."
1. Matthew 5:14 - 16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; “nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
2. Could this teaching any plainer?
a. Those who claim to be Christians are influencing people in one way or another.
b. As Christians, we must realize the world is judging Christianity by us.
ILL: Alexander White, one of Scotland’s greatest preachers, once noticed that a famous scientist was attending his services. White resolved that he would do all in his power to win this illustrious fellow to membership in the church, and so, for several weeks White preached sermons that would appeal to a scientific mind.
Imagine the preacher’s delight when the scientist declared his intention to join the congregation. White asked him what had convinced him that this was something he should do, hoping against hope that the distinguished new member would mention his sermons.
Alas, the preacher was destined to eat a generous portion of the humble pie to which many of us have grown accustomed, for the man never mentioned his erudite sermons. Instead, he told how an elderly woman spoke to him on the steps of the church one Sunday, asking him, quite simply, “Are you a Christian?” He replied, “I am thinking about it.” “Oh,” she said “do come further in than that. Jesus means the world to me.” Reported this towering intellect, “As I looked at her radiant face with its shining eyes, I knew that she had a secret which I didn’t have, and I wanted it with all my heart.”
B. By our lives we testify of Christ
1. There is that saying that our lives may be the only sermon some may receive.
2. 1 Timothy 4:12 reveals those areas in which Christians are to be examples.
1 Timothy 4:12 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.
a. Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt,
b. Words which come out of our mouths reflect our thoughts which reflect our hearts.
Matthew 12:34–37, Jesus warned,
“For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man out of his good treasure brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth what is evil. And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.”
3. Peter had much to say on the subject of conduct:
a. “Like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior” (1 Peter 1:15);
b. “Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may on account of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12);
c. “Keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame” (1 Peter 3:16).
4. If we say the right words and live the right way but lack love, we fail to meet God’s expectations for His children.
a. In John 15:13 our Lord said, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” That verse sums up the essence of our example as self-sacrificial love.
b. Read: 1 Corinthians 13:1-7
c. After words and actions have had their say, love makes the message ring true.
Galatians 5:6b “…but faith working through love.”
5. Faith here does not refer to belief, but to faithfulness or trustworthiness; fidelity.
a. “It is required of stewards,” Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:2, “that one be found trustworthy.”
b. Be faithful to our trust, to the brethren, to the public, to God.
c. At all times, and in all trials show to believers by your example, that they can maintain unshaken confidence in God.
6. Paul ends the list with a rarely used term for purity, virtue and chastity, it implies integrity and consistency and reinforces the entire list.
a. 2 Peter 3:14b “…be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless…”
Conclusion
It is our great privilege to be given as an example and it is a great responsibility to know that people are watching us, and some may make eternal decisions based on the example we are setting! What kind of example are you?
Give consideration to what example you set for the world around you. God has a great plan for His people and for His world; He calls us to show that in our lives, by our words and our actions. Are you doing that?
May God help each one of us to be faithful in this great calling!
Invitation
