The Power of an Example.

Pastor Walt Stowe

(Required Reading)

 

 

You may not want it, you may not like it, you may not can even help it but one thing for sure, you are an example whether you want to be or not! All it takes for you to be an example is the presence of one other person. They may view you up close or from afar, either way, but for good or for bad, you are an example. A good case could be made for the fact that even when we are most alone we are still an example before our God.

 

So what difference does it make, how important is this basic truth to the way you and I live our daily lives? Check out a few of the verses gleamed from the Word of God, even a casual reading will impress the reader with the fact that God Himself made great use of the power of the example.

 

             “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” John 13:15

 

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1 Tim.4:12

 

“Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.” James 5:10

 

“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:” 1Peter 2:21

 

“Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example,      

suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” Jude 7

 

“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample”.Phil. 3:17

 

            “Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. 2 Thes.3:9

 

 

“Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.” 1 Cor.10:6

 

“Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” 1 Peter 5:3

 

“So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.” 1 Thess.1:7

 

Here we have Jesus reinforcing His teaching on humility by giving them a specific example of His own humility. John 13:15 His example in this regard also should be observed by every pastor who is to rule by example. 1 Peter 5:3 Timothy was to set an example in certain specific areas of life. 1 Tim.4:12 We are to look to the prophets not only for their teaching but also to the example set by them. James 5:10 Sometimes we are to go out of our way just in order to set a right example. 2 Thess. 3:9 The bad guys can be spotted because they do not fit the example set by the good guys. Phil.3:17 A proper view of biblical examples can help keep us straight. 1 Cor.10:6 Doing right has a valuable by-product in that we have set a good example for others. 1 Thess.1:7 All these are just a few important truths gleamed from the above verses.

 

We note that there are good examples and there are bad examples. We’ve heard this all our lives haven’t we? Oh yes, ho-hum, so what else is new? But if I came to you and said, “I want to talk to you about your example!” I would get your attention instantly. You would know for a certainty that you were about to be commended or you were about to be rebuked.

 

The Fact of  Example.

 

You are an example, like it or not. As we said before, the only thing required for you to be an example is one other person. Man or woman, boy or girl, your own children, your neighbor’s children. Your husband, your wife, your boss, your fellow employees, your neighbors, your relatives. Could be your brothers and sisters in Christ and fellow church-members. You see being an example is all about others.

 

The Power of an Example.

 

On the battlefield the example of one courageous man has often turned the tide. A good example can inspire you to be your best while a bad example can discourage any effort at all toward improvement. The power of television is in its capability of using visual examples to stimulate certain behavior. You don’t know how to teach? Then don’t try to tell me, show me! Read Judges 9:48,49. The enemies of Abimelech had taken refuge in a tower. He cuts down a tree and piles the wood around the bottom of the tower and then tells his men, “What you have seen me do make haste and do as I have done.” His enemies were soon destroyed in the ensuing flames. Think of the time he saved and the uncertainty avoided by setting the example rather than just giving orders.

 

A young Christian will learn ten times faster from an example than in other way. You want to teach him faithfulness? Then you be faithful and put him in the company of faithful people. They will learn generosity, loyalty, witnessing and soul-winning far quicker as they have the right examples to follow than in any other way. It is absolutely vital that you and your children have good examples to follow in those who are your role models. Their mind-set must be that they will be good examples on purpose and not just by accident. The power of an example! Humanly speaking the greatest power you have for good will be in the example you set.

 

 

The Need For Good Examples.

 

             We could almost say that above all else we need examples who live out what we are trying to teach. Dear God give us at least one teenager who will set the right example. It could transform your youth group. O’ God give me one good godly man, give me one good godly woman! Churches are desperate for members who set the right example. And anybody can qualify. Whatever else you can or cannot do you can be a good example for others.

 

So you are intent on doing a good thing in the service of the Lord. You are looking forward to achieving great goals and seeing great results. Please be aware that in the doing of all this there is the element of  being an example. Your accomplishment need not just stand alone on the pages of history. The example you set can multiply the good accomplished as others are challenged and encouraged by your example. This thought is set before in 1 Thess.1:7-8

 

One of the most serious needs of your children is your good example. They observe you when its time to go to church. They watch you as you spend time in the Bible. They listen as you pray. They notice you attitude concerning authority. Your fellow church members are affected by your example. Where were you during the revival meetings? At the Missions Conference? On Soul-Winning night? How many young Christians have been discouraged from being out for soul-winning when they see such a low turn-out in spite of the importance the Pastor put on it. Will the god of the sports world win over the God of the Bible? Does my example indicate that’s it’s a time to serve the Lord or that it’s a time to play?  Your good example is priceless and is desperately needed.

 

The Bad Example.

 

It is a sad truth that we often spend half our time trying to overcome the influence of those who are bad examples. It seems so harmless to the ones doing it but to be engaged in conversation with the person sitting next to you in the pew while the preacher is trying to preach, not only is very rude and unchristian but it also sits a bad example to others. You name the wickedness, if they can do why can’t I? Others churches compromise why can’t our church? Other couples break up, why can’t I? Other Christians go there , why can’t I? Other kids get to do this, why can’t I?

 

According to the Bible the bad example of others and the terrible consequences resulting from their actions ought to help keep us from doing the same. That’s the point of 1Cor.10:5-11. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

 

But some body says,”It’s to late for me, I have already blown it.”  We can all look back with regret and remember having set a really bad example. And a good number of us still suffer from it. If that is the case with you then be an example of what a person ought to do in those circumstances. Confess the wrong, forsake the wrong, get forgiveness and get your life back on track and do it right this time. Show what God can do with a messed up life if that person will get right and mean business for the Lord. God’s grace is truly amazing, much to the chagrin of the legalistic crowd. So you have broken your life into a million pieces. Are you willing to gather up all the broken pieces of your life and with a contrite heart and spirit go to God and just tell Him, “ God I am so sorry that I have made such a mess of my life. Please forgive me and if you can get anything out of this worthless life of mine I give it to you 100%”. You may be astounded at what God will do.

 

To The Unsaved.

 

God has given examples in the Bible of those who continued in a life of sin and rejected Him. For instance Jude 7 “Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”  You need never wonder whether God hates sin or not. You need never wonder whether God will judge sin or not. He tells whoever will listen that you only have to look at the examples in the Bible to know for sure that he most certainly does hate sin with a passion and that he will judge it where ever he finds it. That means that some day it will be your turn to suffer the eternal consequences of a lost sinful life.

 

The greatest example of all time of God’s hatred for sin is found at Calvary when Jesus took your sin upon Himself and paid sin’s price on your behalf. And even though it was God’s own dear Son where the sin was found we read that God  “spared not His own Son…”  Rom.8:32  If God spared not His own Son don’t think for a moment that He will spare you.

 

 Be saved today. “Dear Lord right now I accept Jesus as my Lord and trust Him as my Saviour. Thank you Jesus for loving me and for dying for me and for saving me, amen.”