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THE EXAMPLE THAT WE SHOULD FOLLOW AND BE
I.
INTRODUCTION
---The Bible tells us that
the reason that we are called is because of an example that was left for us.
-Do
you know what example I am making reference to?
-Do
you know what a great example was left?
-Do you realize what we are to do
with this example?
---If you answered NO to
any of these three questions, I trust after our discussion tonight, you will
be able to say YES to every one of them.
---The Bible affirms our
need for being examples, but there is a pattern that we should learn to follow?
II. Do you
know what example I am making reference to?
(I Peter 2:21)
A. Jesus Christ
our Lord.
---Jesus the Son of God
came in the flesh and suffered for you, left you an example, and wants you to
walk in His steps.
---So now you can answer
YES to question #1 because you know exactly who we are making reference to.
---Now that wasn’t so bad,
was it ...
III. Do you
know what a great example was left? (I
Peter 2:22-24)
A. Our Lord was
sinless.
1.
I Peter 2:22a; Isaiah 53:9-10; II Corinthians 5:21; 7:1.
B. Our Lord controlled His tongue.
1.
I Peter 2:22b; Ephesians 4:25, 29,31; James 3:8-10.
C. Our Lord endured wrong.
1.
I Peter 2:23a., 19-20; I Peter 4:14-16, 19 (see
23c of the text); Matthew
5:10-12.
D. Our Lord did not avenge Himself.
1.
I Peter 2:23b; Luke 6:27-28; Proverbs 20:22; Romans
12:14, 17-19.
E. Our Lord
prayed for the forgiveness of His enemies as He trusted God.
1.
I Peter 2:23c; Luke 23:34; Matthew 6:14-15.
F. Our Lord
sacrificed Himself.
1.
I Peter 2:24; Romans 12:1-2 (talk about OT sacrifice);
Romans 6:12-13
G. Our Lord
obeyed the Father in heaven.
1.
I Peter 2:24; Matthew 20:17-19; Philippians 2:5-9;
Hebrews 5:8-11.
H. Our Lord is
our Shepherd if only we will return to Him and follow His example.
1.
I Peter 2:25; John 10:10-15; John 15:13-14
---Christ left us an
excellent example and showed to mankind the greatest love that he has ever
known.
“Greater love has no man than this, that He lay down His
life for His friends.”
---At this point I know you
can answer question #2 because you can see the example set by Christ
IV. Do you
realize what we are to do with this example?
---Christ continues that
statement in John 15 by saying,:
“you
are my friend if you do whatsoever I command you.”
-WHAT DID CHRIST
COMMAND US?
-HEAR
John 12:47-48.
-BELIEVE John 8:24.
-REPENT
Luke 13:3,5.
-CONFESS
Matthew 10:32-33; Acts 8:37
-BAPTIZED
Mark 16:16.
-FAITHFUL
Revelation 2:10
---Have you kept the
commands of the Lord? Are you a friend to Jesus today?
---We must always seek to
follow Christ and be an example everyday.
---Keep in mind that we are
supposed to follow Christ’s’ steps, and this signifies doing exactly as He did
when He was here on the earth.
We are all to be examples:
Parents must set an example -Ephesians 6:4
Congregation must set an example -I Thessalonians 1:6-8
Young people must set an example -I Timothy 4:12
Consider this statement:
“You’re
writing each day a letter to men,
Take
care that your writing is true,
Tis the only
gospel some folks will read,
The
gospel according to you.
---May we all strive to be
an example in our everyday lives, showing others the gospel truth and proclaiming Christ to them.
---(Prayer)
- we all might follow Christ and His example
-
realize responsibilities to God.
- we
will grow spiritually and serve well in the local church of our Lord.
- young
or old we will love the Lord for laying down his life for us and the way that He has prepared for us.
- Thanks for the word of truth and the
gospel of our salvation.
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