Be An Example

BE AN EXAMPLE
Utawala Baptist Church                                                                                                                     06-09-09                                                                                                                 II Timothy 1:1-7

Introduction:

I Timothy 4:12

•Timothy was the pastor of the church at Ephesus
•Timothy was probably between 30 and 40 years old
•Elders in leadership, all over 40 years old, not taking Timothy seriously
•Paul’s advice: earn their respect by being an example in six different areas

A. Be an example in word (speech)
         •Our words indicate what is in our heart (Matthew 12:34 – 37)

                   o What's coming out of your mouth? Complaints, discouragement,                            lies,   gossip, profanity?

         •Our word ought to make others curious about Christ (Colossians 4:6)
        

                   o Part of our witness – should be gracious, pleasant, courteous

         •A woman we saw at Java House!

         •Some of us run down our church, pastor, and other Christians and invite          those that we complain to to come to revival or other service.

                   Why would they want to come?

                            You’ve just told them how much you hate it!

B. Be an example in conversation (behavior)

         •We are to act as new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17;

         Ephesians         4:17 – 24)

         •We are to live victoriously over the addictions of the world by the Spirit’s          power (Ephesians 5:15 – 21)

                   o Alcohol, sex, drugs, gambling, pornography, materialism
                   Christians who still have problems with these things are saying that                           God is not powerful enough to deliver them from these habits

         •People are watching

C.  Be an example in charity (love)

         •Our love ought to be genuine and active (1 John 3:18)

         •Our love ought to be motivated by God’s love for us (1 John 4:7 – 11)

         •We should have no respect for “Christians” who say things like “All          homosexuals put on an island and bombed” – what about liars? They are          sinners too! (Proverbs 6:17)

D.  Be an example in spirit (demeanor)

         •Our attitude should be characterized by the fruit of the Spirit

         (Galatians 5:22, 23)

         •Our attitude should exemplify God’s love and grace

         (Colossians 3:12 –17)

E. Be an example in faith (faithfulness)

         •We should do things as if we are doing them for the Lord

         (Colossians 3:22 – 24)

                   o At church, work, home

         •We should encourage the faithfulness of other Christians

         (Hebrews 10:23 – 25)

         •We should not put people in leadership positions if they are not faithful

F. Be an example in purity (motives)

         Our motive or purpose for doing what we do as Christians must be PURE!

                   As Christians our purpose for doing what we do must be based on

                   TWO THINGS!

                            The GREAT COMMANDMENT (Mark 12:28- 31)

                                             and

                            THE GREAT COMMISSION (Matthew 28:19, 20)

         •Our motives should be based upon the great commission

         •It’s not a competition, we are not to glorify ourselves, our pastor, or our

         church

         •3 goals of the church: glorify God, edify the Church, testify to the lost

                   Actually two purposes for the church

                            to evangelize the lost.

                            To ediy or teach the beliver

         IF WE DO THESE TWO THINGS WE BRING GLORY TO GOD!!

        

Conclusion:

         •Do you want people to take you seriously as a Christian? What kind of          example are you setting?

                   Matthew 7:16

         •Some people say, "pray for my family," but they are not faithful to church       or acting and speaking like a Christian

•Everyone is an example, some good, some bad

         TOM

•Leaders, someone is following you; where are you leading them?

         Moses and Joshua

                   Joshua 24:15

•One day we will give an account of our lives

                   JOHN 5:22-27

WHAT WILL THE VERDICT BE?

         MATTHEW 25:23