This Sunday at Church: Be an Example of Christ

This Sunday at Church I want to encourage you to do the following:  Be an Example of Christ.

 

A few months ago I wrote “This Sunday at Church: Imitate someone as they imitate Christ” where I exhorted we go to church to look for others to imitate as they imitate Christ.  My exhortation was based upon 1 Corinthians 11:1: “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.”  But I also realize some people in the back of their mind say “But I don’t have anyone to see as an example to follow at church!”

First off I say be careful of assuming you can not learn from anyone’s example in church.  Make sure its not your pride that is driving you to say that.  I’ve learned from the examples of those I never considered before such as grandmothers in the church bearing the fruits of the Holy Spirit like long-suffering in the faith.  As I grew more in Christ I find more examples from the believers around me.  Secondly we are also called to be an example towards others in the Church!  So its not just the responsibilities of others to be an example for others’ to imitate; we are called to do so as well.  In fact the more you focus on this the more gracious you be with others and also notice others’ godly examples for your encouragement (and not jealousy, cynically, etc).

Leaders are called to be an example to the church: “nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3).  But this is not just a command only for believers; hear 1 Timothy 4:12: “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.”  Notice it says “show yourself an example of those who believe.”  This is applicable even for those who are young since Paul wrote “Let no one look down on your youthfulness.”

Pray about it.  Pray to God to grow you to be a genuine example on Sundays, if not even this Sunday.  Ask God to help you in this area that you not be doing this hypocritically for show.

Secondly this obviously involves things outside of Sunday.  Your walk with God in your daily life matters.  What you do in private matters.  Being an example isn’t an on and off switch.

Thirdly, you can’t be an example to others in an encouraging way if you aren’t involved with people’s life in a loving way.  If you are a godly example but then you don’t love others, you can appear distant and elite; and some might even wrongly think you are arrogant.  If you are a godly example but don’t love, that also don’t go as far in ministering to others.  So go to church to love others and not just be a trophy case.

Fourthly, review the list found in 1 Timothy 4:12 of what areas of our life we are to be an example in.  Is there any area you can grow in?  Strive to grow and be godly in those areas.  Read the Word concerning those areas and also books and sermons by others who are teaching based upon the Bible.  Too often people think of being an example in static terms; sometimes we can be an example not by reaching perfection but by our growth, our changes and development of Christian character.

Finally you need to know this: You won’t be an example by keep on thinking you need to be an example; you need to turn to the example of Christ.  But not just an example of Christ; you need to turn to Him as your Lord and Savior who saved you from sins and He did that because He loves you.  Let that love be something you bask in, till you love Him back and that love lead you to loving obedience, even in the hard things.