TEXT: 1 TIMOTHY 4:12, 1 PETER 2: 21
Bro. I. O. Ekaragha
INTRODUCTION
ROLE MODEL- Is someone whose behavior and
attitude are such that people try to imitate
because they admire them. Here, we emphasize
on positive role model whose influence impart
positive to others.
The church is the household of God consisting
one spiritual family entity but fundamentally
made up of people from different background
rendering worship to God and trying to
practice righteousness in varying degree of
commitment and fruitfulness.
Strive to be a Positive Role Model in the Church.
For the church to be more spiritual, morally
and physically vibrant and challenging there
should be intense of exponent apart from the
eldership in place, whose sterling attributes
would impart positively on the brotherhood,
paving the way of healthy imitation and
competitiveness. It is worthy of mention that
Christ is the chief positive role model in the
church. 1 Pet. 2:21.
God our creator is one master who is very
much interested in his kingdom. He is
interested in fruit bearing.
Strive to be a Positive Role Model in the Church.
He is interested in people wanting to be at the
forefront of his ministry business. He is
interested in people with outstanding
performances. And so, in the parable of the
talent in Matthew 25:14-30, he commended
the servants who made more profit in the five
and two talents respectively, while the servant
with one talent who buried it was cast into
outer darkness. Jesus also talked about the
harvest being plentiful and requested prayer
that labourers are sent to the harvest field.
Matthew 9: 37-38.
Strive to be a Positive Role Model in the Church.
This shows that the master is unhappy with
people who will not bear fruit or grow as
expected. Writing to Timothy, Apostle Paul had
this to say “that in a great house there are not
only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of
wood and of earth; and some to honour and
some to dishonor. If a man therefore purges
himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto
honour, sanctified and meet for the master’s
use and prepared unto every good work”. 2
Tim. 2: 20- 21.
Strive to be a Positive Role Model in the Church.
The choice is yours! God has endowed
everyone with several potentials or talents who
could enhance the cause of the gospel but the
problem is that we prefer to bury them. Let us
adhere to the admonition of Jesus in Matthew
5:16.
THE MAKING OF ROLE MODELS
Positive role models could be made in various
disciplines and backgrounds. According to
Shakespeare in one of his books “Some people
are born great, others achieve greatness while
some have greatness thrust upon them”.
Strive to be a Positive Role Model in the Church.
So also, are role models, some role models have
been born with innate (natural) instincts to be
positive role models; others cultivate the
tendency because they desire it while some are
persuasively urged to practice such because it
is a virtue.
Since not every Christian has this natural
instinct to be a positive role model, those
desirous of it should make supplication to God.
James 1:17; Matthew 7:7. It is also important
to imbibe the principle of the fruit of the spirit.
Strive to be a Positive Role Model in the Church.
SOME SCRIPTURAL CHARACTERS AS
EXEMPLARY ROLE MODELS
The bible is replete with characters who
distinguished themselves in the perspectives of
faith, humility, holiness, integrity, purity,
benevolence, love, forgiveness, unity of the
church etc.
Christ depicted role model for humility in
washing the disciples’ feet. John 13:5-9
Barnabas and Dorcas for benevolence. Acts
4:36-37; 9:39
Job depicted role model for integrity. Job 2:9
Strive to be a Positive Role Model in the Church.
Apostle Paul was a role model of faith and
concern for the church. 2 Cor. 11:28
Joseph was a role model for chastity. Gen. 39:79
David a role model for forgiveness. 1 Sam.
24:10-12
NECESSITY FOR ADVOCATING ROLE MODEL
•Ample availability of human resources for the
propagation of God’s work
•It engenders spiritual and physical growth in
the church.
Strive to be a Positive Role Model in the Church.
•It
includes
healthy
imitation
and
competitiveness.
•It promotes the perfection of the saints for the
work of the ministry.
•It promotes edification of the body of Christ.
Strive to be a Positive Role Model in the Church.
CONCLUSION
No sacrifice would be too much or small as far
as work of God is concerned. Let us all try to be
the forefront by doing what we can do best in
promoting the spread of the gospel of God.
Romans 8:28.
Strive to be a Positive Role Model in the Church.