Who's Example Are You?/An Example Worth Following.

Lately I have been writing so much about, "doing" and taking action as a Christian in order to represent Christ to the best of our abilities. I feel today I will post a study I wrote some time ago entitled "Who's Example Are You?/An Example Worth Following." It is a lengthy one but it is direction for our lives.

INTRODUCTION: Society has a poor view of Christians and what it means to be a Christian. Are we being bad examples to society as a whole?

--> -->The bible speaks of examples…
Imitating those who are good examples. Ph. 3:17 "Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you."

1 Corinthians 11:1 "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."

b. Being a good example to others (young people) 1 Tim 4:12 "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."

2. Such scriptures should cause one to wonder…

a. Who is my example, my role model as a Christian?

b. Whose example am I as a Christian?

c. What kind of example do I set as a Christian?

{in this study, "Examples Worth Following" , let's consider these questions more carefully…}

--> --> Who is your example?

--> -->A. Is it the lord Jesus Christ….?

--> -->1. --> -->He was for the apostle Paul- 1 Corinthians 1:11

--> -->2. He should be our example as well.

--> -->a. On how to please one another – Romans 15:1-3 "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.""

--> -->b. On how to love one another – Eph 5:1-2 "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

--> -->c. On how to look out for one another – Phil 2:4-5 "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus."

--> --> d. On how to suffer patiently when mistreated – 1 Peter 2:20-23 "But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

JESUS CERTAINLY SERVES AS OUR PRIME EXAMPLE.

--> --> B. Is it the apostle Paul…?

--> -->1. As he urged the Corinthians – 1 Cor 4:6 ; 11:1

--> --> a. To give no offense – 1 Cor 10:32

--> --> b. To seek the benefit of others – 1 Cor 10:33

--> --> 2. As he urged the Philippians – Ph 3:17

--> --> a. Not to consider themselves to have attained perfection – Ph 3:12 (beginning of verse)

--> --> b. To press on to maturity – Ph 3:12(end of verse)-15

--> -->c. To live according to the level they have learned – Ph 3:16

--> --> d. To enjoy a close relationship with the God of peace – Ph 4:9

--> --> 3. As he praised and encouraged the Thessalonians

--> --> a. For receiving the Word despite affliction – 1 Thes 1:6

--> --> b. To avoid being a burden to others – 2 Thes 3:7-10

PAUL AND OTHER NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANS PROVIDE WONDERFUL EXAMPLES.

--> --> C. Is it other faithful Christians…?

--> --> 1. As Paul exhorted the Philippians – Ph 3:17

--> --> a. To note those walking like Paul.

--> --> b. To consider them a pattern to follow.

--> --> 2. As exhorted be the writer to the Hebrews

--> --> a. To imitate the faith and patience of those who inherit the promises – He 6:12

--> --> b. To follow the faith of those who rule over us – He 13:7

MANY CHRISTIANS TODAY DO PROVIDE EXAMPLES WORTHY OF EMULATION.

{Whose example are you following? You are imitating either Christ or some other Christian (either living or dead) Does your life suggest the example you are following is less than exemplary (I.e. the Laodiceans – Re 3:14-16) Closely related to this is another question…}

--> --> II. Whose example are you…?

--> --> A. Is it not other Christians…?

--> --> 1. Your brothers and sisters in the Lord?

--> --> 2. Especially those who are babies in Christ?

--> --> 3. But even more mature Christians?

-- Christians should be mindful of their example on one another,

Note. 1 Th 1:7; 1 Ti 4:12, 2:7

--> --> B. Is it not young children…?

--> --> 1. Who naturally look up to their parents?

--> --> 2. Who are also influenced by others?

--> --> a. Adults often are like their parents

--> --> b. Older children too.

Christians should be mindful of their example upon the young – Mat 18:6

--> --> C. Is it not unbelievers…?

--> --> 1. Who see if we "walk the talk"?

--> --> 2. Who often gauge the value of following Christ by our example?

--> --> 3. Who judge the church by it's members?

Christians should be mindful of their example seen by the world – 1 Pet 2:12

{Whether we want to be or not, we are examples to others, especially the young in years and young in faith. So let me ask…}

--> --> III. What kind of an example are you?

--> --> A. Is it indicative of a faithful Christian..?

--> --> 1. Showing the world what it means to be a Christian?

--> --> 2. Showing Babies in Christ what maturity means as a disciple?

-- Is your example helping or hindering discipleship in others?

B. Is it Conducive to the church growth…?

1. Offering a noble pattern of faithful church
attendance?

2. Setting a good example of developing one's
abilities for Christ?

3. Providing a worthy model of involvement in service to the Lord and His Church?

-- Is your example helping or hindering the cause of Christ?

Conclusion.

--> --> 1. I hope these questions have prompted serious introspection on your part…

--> --> a. As to who is your example or role model as a Christian

--> --> b. As to the sort of example or role model you are setting for others.

Though written to a young preacher, I encourage you to apply Pauls words to yourself.

--> --> a. Be an example to the believers – 1 Tim 4:12 a

--> --> b. Be an example in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity – 1 Tim 4:12 b

You cannot escape being an example to others. Your only choice is what kind of example you will be. Will you be one of the many "examples worth following?"

Surprise!

Hey Guys I have a prayer request. Today during worship practice my wife came and whispered something in my ear which made me throw my guitar in it's case and run off the stage. My wife is 32 weeks pregnant and came to tell me she needed to go to the hospital. What else was there to do. April had tears in her eyes, she was scared. It turned out to be a very small complication and the baby is still in there, praise God. Don't you love surprises? Pray that the rest of the pregnancy goes well and both April and our unborn child (Selah) maintain good health.

"Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night." 1 Thess 5:1-2 Tells us we will not be sure of the exact time of His coming. We are later told to be watchful however; so we will be prepared for the big surprise.

Just yesterday I was looking out towards Lake michigan on my way home from church and I saw what looked to be an orange clock tower through a silhouette of tree branches. After a closer look I noticed it was a crimson moon and it was very low, my response: "O' God, I have not yet fully repented." talk about conviction through God's creation. Needless to say I am writing this now and the rapture did not occur. Being watchful for Jesus' return is a great thing, make sure you are prepared and your heart is right. There is no guarantee of tomorrow, give your life over to Him and ask Him to make you without blemish because His coming is not something we can plan.

Typically I would write more but it has been a long night and I have to get up for work soon, so God bless.

A Slave In Darkness

Posted this message as a blog on Myspace a little while ago and thought it fit just fine in this blog.

I was doing some studying in my bible and I found a piece of paper in it with a few verses written. Perhaps it was the rough for a sermon I planned to give, but God must have lead me in another direction. Any who, I found the paper and I feel I should complete the task I began with just a few verses long ago and apply them as a simple lesson. Isn't it amazing how God uses forgotten things to renew old ideas and dreams.
A SLAVE IN DARKNESS?

John 8:34 "Jesus answered them, "most assuredly, I say to you, Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin."" This reminds me of common claches such as "once a liar/cheater/thief/ect. always one." If a person has ever lied which I am sure most have, they are a "liar." They are held captive by the sin committed, they have been labeled with a permanent marker. Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God." We are all dirty sinners. God does not accept excuses like "But that was a long time ago," or "It never happened again, did it!" Once we have sin we are sinners and destined to burn. We are held prisoner by this sin, it weighs us down, fills us with guilt, denial or darkness. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23) Sin itself will eventually catch up to us, we can spend our time on earth running from past sin, denying sin, or in sin. What always happens in the end is Sin brings spiritual and physical death. All with sin are on death row in a cell called sin.

In the world today, we compromise eternity for fleshy ambitions, personal satisfaction, wealth, augmentation and glory. We legalize what our flesh wants and make it "good" and refuse to see any harm in it. The real sin resides in the root of the ambition. I have never heard of someone who wanted to build a mass of wealth so they could give it all away and glorify god. The motivation is personal and of the flesh, thus the actions taken in pursuit become motivated by sin, ie. a slave of sin. This may not be the case for all or even for many but the ultimate reality is that if we have sin we are separated from God and will spend our lives trying to find the missing element or content due to desensitization. All those with sin are slaves to sin.

John 3:20 "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds be exposed." Get this.... Those who live in sin try to hide it!!! People know what is right and wrong, it is the thing wired in our system, a conscience. The shame of sin can make us captive, One lie is covered up by another and another and so on. Instead of admitting to sin and being discovered as a sinner in need of salvation, they hide it in order to appear content to others or for stature of men. They deny it to avoid the humiliation and embarrassment. They deny their need for Christ because they don't want others to find out they were not strong enough to make it without Him. There is this little thing called pride and it comes right before destruction. Guess what! Nobody is strong enough, We all are sinners, and you cannot hide your sin from God. But still they run from Jesus and cover up sin with sin. They are prisoners of sin.

Escaping sin and it's grasp is impossible with out Jesus. Sin holds us in a spiritual Alcatraz and we cannot escape it without the greatest super-hero of all time, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the answer. He died to free us from sin. To free us from Satan's hold and hell itself. Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the Gift of God." We must have faith in God. We must turn to him in humility, Be broken fully and discovered as dirty sinners to be made precious and white as snow. We live in a world held captive by sin but believing in freedom. Live in a world of freedom and seek the captive. Jesus is the only way, the only truth and the only life, everything else is meaningless. Let us turn to God as humble and meek servants and help set some captives free.

May God Bless you all.

You Are Only Worth 1%.

Recently I have been doing some work as a roofer. I remember the first job site I showed up to, it seemed so defeating. The pitch of the roof was so steep that not one person could stand upright on the roof; we just slid on down. It was early in August and the heat hadn't given up, they say if you take the normal temperature and add fifteen to twenty degrees you get roof temperature. Synopsis: Hot, nasty, dirty work. Some enjoy this type of work, but I have been called to a pastoral office, this type of work is a new thing for me. As bad as this job gets; however, if God asked me to do it for Him, I would gladly do it.... without pay. Many of us are quick to do what someone may request of us especially if they are important. Perhaps helping a friend move or mowing the neighbors lawn without compensation. What if your pastor asked you to help him work on his car. For the most part these things are classified under "deeds or works" and are done with joy. Did you know that when you go to work each day, God has asked you to do that for Him; sometimes without pay.

Think of your job, whatever it is. What if God asked you to work a half day out of the week for free fro Him? Would you do it? What if He were manifest right in front of you and then asked you, would you do it, doesn't He deserve it? Would it really be that hard to do? The question is not, can you afford to do it. The question is would you do it and God is asking. Wouldn't you go to work for the equivalent (four hours) to help a friend in need.

I am going to let you in on a little secret..... God has already asked! Not only has He asked but He as added a promise to it too, Luke 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." It just so happens that half a day in a standard five day work week is a "tithe" or tenth of your work week, go figure.

God doesn't need our money, that is not the point of giving to Him. The Bible is full of people making sacrifices and giving to the church. Around Jesus' time people were spending up to 30% of their anual earnings every year for a sacrifice at a temple in Jerusalem. In Deuteronomy laws are given and among them were concepts of giving 10% or every tenth sheep in a flock. God want us to give back to Him and with good reason... So He can show us His provision and love.


Now 10% or a "Tithe" is a standard and is expected, but God cares more about why we give than how much we give sometimes too. Mark 12:41-44 "41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. 43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on." This lady gave 100% out of her heart, and because of that Jesus rejoiced and elevated her gift about that of the rich man which was many times greater.

Hopefully you have been giving your "tithe," it is God's money because He has asked of it. If you haven't been perhaps now you will, He deserves it. Don't tell God "you are only worth 1%" because after what He did for us He deserves more than we could ever give. Let God know you trust Him and He will bless you abundantly, Give your tithe, that is 10%.

Why Suffer?

Here's a remarkable thing: 1 Peter 3:17 "It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil." Who would have thunk it! This is one of those verses that seem to mention the obvious. I love these verses because sometimes the simplest most obvious things are also the most profound. Let me say it again, "It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil." Does this mean we are supposed to suffer?

Verse 18 goes on to say "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit." Our sins are as far away from us as the east is from the west. We have been set free from the binds and curse of sin. Hallelujah! However this does not mean we will not suffer at all, it just means we don't have to suffer for eternity for our sins. You with me?

Now check this out: Romans 8: 35-39 "35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: “ For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." How can we be conquerors if we have nothing to overcome? We may face "tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword," and we will be faced with principalities, powers, thing of past and present and all sorts of shapes. But always remember it is for and because of the love of Christ that we will come out victorious.

We must suffer, it is a part of life as morbid as it seems. Could you imagine being a Christian without suffering. Seems like it would be easy huh! EEEEEEEEEEERR Wrong! If being a Christian meant never suffering, what need would we have to depend on God for. We all need to go through some things so we can learn to lean on Him. In our walk with Christ we need to suffer from time to time for His sake and the sake of strengthening our faith. Haven't you heard the saying "if you don't use it you lose it." We exercise our faith not when we are doing well but when we need something or there is a mountain in front of us; we need to exercise our faith.

We all should have learned by the time were wee; it is really bad to suffer for being bad. It is something ingrained in us "if you do the crime you do the time." A person cannot escape the repercussions of their wrong actions on life, so it makes sense to suffer for wrong-doing, isn't that justice. But to suffer for Christ is a noble thing. It is also a required thing, without it Christianity as a whole would have perished at the cross because nobody would have made any sacrifices. Our relationship with God should be a take, take, give relationship, not a take, take, take. What I mean is God provides us with so much and he will continue to do so but He desires we give some back, perhaps make some sacrifices for Him; after all He did suffer and die for us and does deserve our sacrifice.

1 Peter 3:13-15 "13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." Our best defense against this unavoidable suffering is to be prepared standing on the word of God. The word of God is your sword, do not go into battle without it. Proverbs 16:7 "When a man's ways please th Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him."

God bless

Sensitive To The Irrational

One of my favorite stories is the story of Balaam. Numbers 22-24 There are a couple of things that happen here which tickle me to death. It makes me realize how creative God is in defining a path for us.

In case you didn't read Numbers 22-24 I will retell one of the parts that just gets me. Balaam was being summoned by Balak to curse Isreal because Balak knew he wasn't strong enough to defeat them fairly. Balaam heard from God and was told not to do it. Later God tells him to go with Balak's men but to only do as God tells him to. The next morning Balaam gets up and heads out on his donkey, Balaam left on his own and did not wait for God. This made God a little upset.

Now the irrational begins. God sends an angel to stop Balaam perhaps even kill him if he did not stop. The funny thing is Balaam's donkey saw the angel and flipped out, not once but three times, each time the donkey was beaten by Balaam. Eventually God "opened the mouth of the donkey: and the donkey spoke to Balaam saying something like "what have I done to you, why are you beating me?" Talk about being sensitive to the irrational, Balaam responded to the donkey as a matter of a fact the two had a full conversation. If my dog was like, "hey, what's up?" I would have been admitting myself to a psych institute or something, most definitely would not have carried out a conversation. But God used the donkey to convict Balaam and save his life.

Here comes the other irrational thing. Balaam has told Balak that he will only do what God commands him to but goes with him anyways. Balak still brings Balaam with hopes that he will curse Isreal. After altars and sacrifices are made Balaam recieves the words to say from God. Balaam opens his mouth not to curse Isreal but blesses them. If I were Balak I would have been torqued and he was but he was stupid too. Then Balak brings Balaam to another spot and tells Balaam to try again, and again he blesses them and tells Balak that Isreal cannot be cursed by God because He has already blessed them. I would think that would be enough to give up but Balak parades around with Balaam and Isreal keeps getting blessed. I just laugh every time I think about Balak's stupidity and stubbornness.

Is God going to speak to us through a donkey? Most likely.... no. But God does choose irrational things sometimes to guide us. Quitting a job to become a missionary in a third world country is completely foolish in the flesh but wise if God commands us to. Telling somebody you don't know about Jesus just because you were prompted to by the Holy Spirit doesn't make sense to the natural. God is always trying to get us out of our box. He is trying to get us out of the comfort zone so we have to rely on Him. Learn to discern the voice of God and get out of your comfort zone, you may be surprised at what God does in a situation. The more we get out of the box and just do as God leads us, the greater our faith will be, as I stated in a previous message "and by works faith was made perfect" When we do what God REALLY tells us to do, (even if it doesn't make complete sense,) we can expect to grow in faith and relationship with our Lord.

God bless.

What Does He Require?

Micah 6:8 "He has shown you, o man what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and walk humbly with you God." Micah chapter six is God's rebuke of His people who have neglected Him to the point of ignorance. In this verse it seems as if God is saying through Micah, "Is that really too much to ask for all I have done, to act like a decent person and pursue a relationship with Me?"

When I look at most of the minor prophet books in God's Word; I sometimes wonder why they are there. They are full of God's anger with His people and disappointment. But they also have a gleam of redemption. "What good is this doing me?" We live in the twenty-first century and the price has been paid for my mistakes, certainly we are not in danger of such wrath, or are we.

As I have stated in a previous message; "accepting His existence is not enough, even the demons believe in Him and know what he did, but that does not save them." (Doing.) The gist of it is Micah 6:8 and all the other books in the Old Testament are just as inspired and is as much God's Word as the New Testament, the two must be read and understood together because the two together complete God's Holy Word. I often find the old testament telling us of standard guidelines towards righteousness as well as learning about people, how they operate, and how people back then messed up just like we do today and God still uses them. There is an outline in Micah 6:8 which should still be used as an evaluation of ones walk with the God.

There are three things mentioned in this passage as an evaluation of what God may expect: Two types of spiritual fruit, inward and outward fruit, and a desire to walk with Him along life's journey.

"To act Justly," is the first of the requirements put on His people. This is the outward fruit. It is something which requires a deed or temperament adjustment. It is holding the door for someone or being a friend to one in need. It is to be salt, a light, or a city on a hill which cannot be hidden. God wants us to "represent" as some may put it. God wants us to be a reflection of Him and this definitely includes in our daily actions. It is something we all could work on and should labor towards.


"To love Mercy," Follows. Mercy is an attribute of God, and loving mercy is an inward fruit. I do not think if we just love this one attribute of our Father that it is what he really wants. I think He is saying we should love Him. However; there is a dual purpose here too. To love mercy also represents a change of heart. Loving mercy is to show mercy and enjoy doing it. It is realizing what mercy has already been shown you and reflecting it in our own lives.

Lastly is "to walk humbly with your God." God so desires a relationship with you, not just an acquainted type relationship but an intimate relationship. God wants to be in every step you make, he wants to be a major catalyst in your life... so much to the point He is jealous over the stupid things we sometimes place before Him. This relationship is the kicker, not having this relationship means eternal separation from Him. Matthew Chapter 7 21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" Those words "I never knew you," are to be taken to heart. Do not fall in love with deeds or religion, fall in love with Jesus and have real relationship.

Now take the time to evaluate yourself, if you so feel led o read my message Doing again. God just wants to know you and out of a real, intimate, relationship will come all sorts of fruit. God bless you, and keep living for Him.