1 Thessalonians
1:6-9
I'd rather see a sermon
than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me
than merely tell the way.
The eye is a better pupil,
more willing than the ear;
Fine counsel is confusing,
but example is always clear,
The best of all the preachers
are the men who live their creeds,
For to see a good put in action
is what everybody needs.
Edgar A. Guest
Became Followers of Examples
“Became followers”- imitators
- GK - mimētḗs - to mimic
“of us”
“of the Lord”
natural, right order
Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1
Became Followers of Examples
“Became followers”- imitators
- GK - mimētḗs - to mimic
“of us”
“of the Lord”
natural, right order
Became Followers of Examples
Became Examples for Followers
“Became examples”
“from you...sounded forth”
“your faith...has gone out”
“they declare to us...you”
Became Followers of Examples
Became Examples for Followers
➺ Example of Word of God
↳received - deliberately, readily to
welcome, to take to one’s self
↳2:13
↳ “you are the only Bible some will
ever read”
↳ you are the first Bible some will
read...be a good translation
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?
1 Corinthians 6:9
Do not be deceived. Neither
fornicators, nor idolaters, nor
adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor
sodomites, nor thieves, nor
covetous, nor drunkards, nor
revilers, nor extortioners will
inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:9
And such were some of you. But
you were washed, but you were
sanctified, but you were justified
in the name of the Lord Jesus
and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Corinthians 6:11
...speaking the truth in love...
Ephesians 4:15
Became Followers of Examples
Became Examples for Followers
➺ Example of Word of God
↳received - deliberately, readily to
welcome, to take to one’s self
↳2:13
↳ “you are the only Bible some will
ever read”
↳ you are the first Bible some will
read...be a good translation
Became Followers of Examples
Became Examples for Followers
➺ Example of Word of God
➺ Example of Joy of Spirit
↳ Unusual, unexpected joy
↳ Not the absence of affliction
(stress)
↳ presence of the Holy Spirit,
w/Joy
But we have this treasure in
earthen vessels, that the excellence
of the power may be of God and
not of us.
2 Corinthians 4:7
We are hard-pressed on every side,
yet not crushed;
we are perplexed,
but not in despair;
persecuted,
but not forsaken;
struck down,
but not destroyed
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
always carrying about in the body
the dying of the Lord Jesus, that
the life of Jesus also may be
manifested in our body.
2 Corinthians 4:10
For we who live are always
delivered to death for Jesus’ sake,
that the life of Jesus also may be
manifested in our mortal flesh.
2 Corinthians 4:11
Became Followers of Examples
Became Examples for Followers
➺ Example of Word of God
➺ Example of Joy of Spirit
↳ Unusual, unexpected joy
↳ Not the absence of affliction
(stress)
↳ presence of the Holy Spirit,
w/Joy
But the fruit of the Spirit is love,
joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
self-control.
Galatians 5:22-23
Now may the God of hope fill you
with all joy and peace in believing,
that you may abound in hope by
the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
Became Followers of Examples
Became Examples for Followers
➺ Example of Word of God
➺ Example of Joy of Spirit
↳ Unusual, unexpected joy
↳ Not the absence of affliction
(stress)
↳ presence of the Holy Spirit,
w/Joy
Became Followers of Examples
Became Examples for Followers
➺ Example of Word of God
➺ Example of Joy of Spirit
➺ Example of Turning to God
↳ synonymous w/ Repentance
↳ Turned to God
↳ Turned from idols
↳ Turned to serve the living, true
↳ “actions speak louder than
God
words”
Became Followers of Examples
Became Examples for Followers
➺ Example of Word of God
➺ Example of Joy of Spirit
➺ Example of Turning to God
➺ Example of Waiting for Heaven
I'd rather see a sermon
than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me
than merely tell the way.
The eye is a better pupil,
more willing than the ear;
Fine counsel is confusing,
but example is always clear,
The best of all the preachers
are the men who live their creeds,
For to see a good put in action
is what everybody needs.
Edgar A. Guest
I can soon learn how to do it
if you will let me see it done;
I can watch your hand in action,
but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lectures you deliver
may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lesson
by observing what you do.
For I may misunderstand you
and the high advice you give,
But there is no misunderstanding
how you act and how you live.
One good man teaches many;
men believe what they behold;
One deed of kindness noted
is worth forty that are told.
Who stands with men of honor
learns to hold his honor dear,
For right living speaks a language
which to everyone is clear.
Though an able speaker charms me
with his eloquence, I say,
I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day.
For since, in the wisdom of God,
the world through wisdom did
not know God, it pleased God
through the foolishness of the
message preached to save those
who believe.
1 Corinthians 1:21
Became Followers of Examples
Became Examples for Followers
➺ Example of Word of God
➺ Example of Joy of Spirit
➺ Example of Turning to God
➺ Example of Waiting for Heaven
Q.1) Do you have such an example in your
life?
- Christian?
- non-Christian?
Remember your leaders who
taught you the word of God.
Think of all the good that has
come from their lives, and follow
the example of their faith.
Hebrews 13:7, NLT
Became Followers of Examples
Became Examples for Followers
➺ Example of Word of God
➺ Example of Joy of Spirit
➺ Example of Turning to God
➺ Example of Waiting for Heaven
Q.1) Do you have such an example in your
life? Do you know all examples are
Q.2)
imperfect?
For what if some (of God’s
people) did not believe? Will their
unbelief make the faithfulness of
God without effect?
Romans 3:3
Certainly not! Indeed, let God be
true but every man a liar.
Romans 3:4
If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.
2 Timothy 2:13
Became Followers of Examples
Became Examples for Followers
➺ Example of Word of God
➺ Example of Joy of Spirit
➺ Example of Turning to God
➺ Example of Waiting for Heaven
Q.1) Do you have such an example in your
life? Do you know all examples are
Q.2)
imperfect?
Q.3) Will you commit to be such an example
Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1
“You are the light of the world. A
city that is set on a hill cannot be
hidden.
Matthew 5:14
Nor do they light a lamp and put
it under a basket, but on a
lampstand, and it gives light to
all who are in the house.
Matthew 5:15
Let your light so shine before
men, that they may see your good
works and glorify your Father in
heaven.
Matthew 5:16
You are our epistle...known and
read by all men; clearly you are an
epistle of Christ, ministered by us,
written not with ink but by the
Spirit of the living God, not on
tablets of stone but on tablets of
flesh, that is, of the heart.
2 Corinthians 3:2-3
You are our epistle...known and
read by all men; clearly you are an
epistle of Christ, ministered by us,
written not with ink but by the
Spirit of the living God, not on
tablets of stone but on tablets of
flesh, that is, of the heart.
2 Corinthians 3:2-3
Became Followers of Examples
Became Examples for Followers
➺ Example of Word of God
➺ Example of Joy of Spirit
➺ Example of Turning to God
➺ Example of Waiting for Heaven
Q.1) Do you have such an example in your
life?Do you know all examples are
Q.2)
imperfect?
Q.3) Will you commit to be such an example