Who Do You Imitate?

Shalom,

Scripture references are from,

the SET (Stone Edition Tanach) or the CJB (Complete Jewish Bible) for the OT

and the PNT (Power New Testament ) for the NT unless otherwise specified.

1 Thes 2:13. And because of this in fact we on our part, just as you do, give thanks to God constantly, because when you learned a message of divine preaching, you received it from us not as a doctrine of men but, as it truly is, a doctrine of God, Who is working among you who believe. 14. For you became imitators, brothers, of the called out ones of God, those who are in Messiah Jesus in Judea, because you suffered these things even under your own countrymen just as they under the Jewish people, 15. and those who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets also persecuted us severely and since they were not pleasing to God and because they were hostile to all men, 16. when they hindered us from speaking to the heathens so that they could be saved. In this manner they always fill up their sins to overflowing. But the wrath of God came upon them unexpectedly at last.

2:17. And we, brothers, since we have been made orphans by separation from you for a season of time, in person not heart, we are all the more eager with great desire to see you in person. 18. Because we have wanted to come to you, indeed I, Paul, did again and again, but Satan has hindered us. 19. Indeed what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before the Lord Jesus at His coming - is it not you? 20. For you are our glory and joy.

There is a difference!

A difference between the preaching of men and the divine preaching or preaching from YHVH...

1 Thes 2:13. And because of this in fact we on our part, just as you do, give thanks to God constantly, because when you learned a message of divine preaching, you received it from us not as a doctrine of men but, as it truly is, a doctrine of God, Who is working among you who believe.

Preacher be warned! A word from YHVH does not generally remain a word from YHVH when applied at your will or in your time.

At a time or in a season YHVH may have given you or someone else a word. It was a word in due season but it may not be such a word today!

Pro 15:23 Joy [is] to a man in the answer of his mouth, And a word in its season -- how good!

Pro 15:24 A path of life [is] on high for the wise, To turn aside from Sheol beneath. YLT (Young’s Literal Translation

That word which was perfectly timed by YHVH as just the word that was needed "then" may be of nearly no value when applied today. You personally may gain something from it but it may not be where your congregation is at all. Rather than speaking a word out of season it would be better for you and your congregation to take time to seek YHVH’s face.

2 Chr 7:14 then, if my people, who bear my name, will humble themselves, pray, seek my face and turn from their evil ways, I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land.

Sheep without a sheep dog tend to wander. They go here or there, to the left or the right or not at all. A congregation, without a word in due season will wander as well. They may all sit prim and proper before you and they may all respond as you think they should, yet their hearts may be off wandering all over the place. A word from a commentary or a collection of sermons from a denomination should be seen as little more than "good reading" material. Instead of seeking the words of these men you need to be seeking YHVH’s face. If you don’t have time then you need to stop doing so much that is not YHVH’s gifting for your life or you need to find your gifting that is not in the pulpit! I know, "If I don’t do it then who will?"

Rom 12.1. Therefore I urge you, brothers, through the compassion of God, to present your bodies holy, living offerings, pleasing to God, your spiritual service: 2. and stop being conformed to this age, but you must from the inside continually be changed into another form, by the renovation of your mind, to prove what is the good and pleasing and perfect will of God for you.

12:3. For I say, through the grace that has been given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think too highly of yourselves beyond which it is necessary to think, but to think to put a moderate estimate of yourself, in the same manner as God divided to each a measure of faith.