The Power of Example I. Introduction A. We seek to be disciples of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 11:26) B. How can we follow Jesus as Jesus would have us follow Him? C. We must "do the commandments" 1. 1 John 2:3-5, 5:3 2. Romans 6:17, 1 Peter 1:22 D. We must follow God's commands-- well and good E. But how are we to follow those commands? 1. We can recognize that the commands of God are timeless-- they work equally well at any period in time 2. Nevertheless, we are separated by twenty centuries almost from the events of the New Testament! 3. There are many who still confess the power of the Bible and its examples-- seeking to learn not just about the commands of God from Scripture, but using the examples of Scripture as patterns for our own lives 4. Yet, to many others, Biblical examples are almost entirely irrelevant-- relics of a bygone age 5. After all, we do not live under the Roman Empire, speak Koine Greek, wear togas, have patron/client relationships per se, have slaves or are slaves per se, and so on! 6. We have developed so many technologies and have plumbed greater depths of understanding of so many aspects of life! 7. Surely we can establish better ways of accomplishing God's purposes today than in the past! F. Such is the logic of many in the religious world-- but is that the way the Bible sees things? G. Let us consider these matters II. Liberty and Its Limitations A. We must hasten to recognize that when it comes to many aspects and elements of accomplishing God's commands, we are to use our best judgment as conditioned by the Bible and its principles to proceed (cf. John 7:24, 1 John 4:1) B. Furthermore, there are some examples of Scripture that are indeed incidental to the first century 1. Speaking Greek, or wearing togas, for instance 2. Passages relating to personal greetings (cf. Romans 16:1-16) 3. These things can be perceived from inconsistencies in example or matters concerning which there are no direct commands but a larger principle involved C. Nevertheless, does this mean that we have liberty in every aspect of the fulfillment of God's commands? D. We must recognize our limitations! 1. Jeremiah 10:23 2. Proverbs 3:5-7, 14:12 3. Isaiah 55:8-9 4. While it is comfortable for us to take over and do things as they seem right to us, consider what God says about the ways that seem right to us! 5. Perhaps God understands some things better than we do! 6. Perhaps the way that seems right to us is more conditioned by our environment than our faith, or we may have the best of intentions but do not consider some unforeseen consequences! E. A Better Way 1. If we understand our own limitations-- that the way we think is right is often not right, and that God understands better than we do-- and we want to be humble servants of God, to whom shall we turn to understand how to accomplish God's commands? 2. We would look to God and what He has said (cf. 2 Timothy 3:15-16)! 3. Therefore, what does God have to say to us? Does He put forth the idea that we always have liberty in terms of fulfilling His commands? III. The Bible and Examples A. The message of the Bible is unequivocally clear: there is power in example! B. The example of Jesus 1. 1 Corinthians 11:1, 1 John 2:6: value in imitating Jesus-- walking as He walked 2. John 13:1-15: Jesus provides examples to His disciples of how to conduct themselves 3. Hebrews 1:3, John 1:18, 14:6-12: Jesus as the exact imprint . and image of the Father, presenting God to us in word and deed 4. Therefore, Jesus is the ultimate Example and Pattern for the believer-- the perfect model C. Biblical examples 1. The Bible is full of examples and believers are encouraged to consider them 2. 1 Corinthians 10:1-11: Paul "Christianizes" the story of Israel in the wilderness, tells the Corinthians that they are a negative example for believers 3. Hebrews 11 sets forth the "cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1) that demonstrate to believers the power of obedient faith 4. The New Testament is replete with references to situations in the Old Testament and are used to illustrate God's truth in the new covenant (cf. Romans 4, 11:2-5, Galatians 3-4, Hebrews 7, 9-10, etc.) 5. Even the book of Revelation is full of references to the Old Testament! D. Therefore the Old Testament and Jesus provide plenty of examples for the believer E. But would that be all? F. If the Old Testament was so full of examples for the believer, how much more should believers gain from what is revealed in the examples of the New Testament? IV. The Power of Example A. There is a reason why God teaches by example as well as command! 1. Humans often learn to do by seeing others doing and then by imitating 2. Small children play house, play church, etc. by virtue of seeing what the big people do 3. How many times have we learned something or learned a better way to accomplish something by considering the examples of others? 4. How many have required job training? What is training but learning by example or guidance based on experience? B. So it is with Christianity! 1. God provided us with the ultimate Example in Jesus 2. Jesus entrusted His authority in His chosen Twelve to set forth His will after His ascension (Matthew 18:18) 3. They taught not just by word but also by example (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:1-2, 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9)! 4. We have examples to follow! C. There is value, therefore, in considering Biblical examples, and following them D. Example: Multiple Elders in Local Congregation 1. We see examples throughout the New Testament of individual congregations being shepherded by a plurality of men (Acts 14:23, Acts 20:20-35, Philippians 1:1) 2. Those men were expected to have demonstrated their fitness by exacting qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-8, Titus 1:5-7), and were to serve as examples to believers (1 Peter 5:1-4) 3. What happens when the NT example is left unheeded? 4. Congregations with one leader or no leadership do not have the direction or the example to which to aspire and suffer for it 5. Many a religious organization has been led astray by the one ruler over the congregation or over multiple congregations 6. Men who have not reached the level of qualifications who are given the responsibility often prove themselves unfit for the task to the detriment of all 7. In the end, God's way is best-- and it is perceived through NT examples! E. Example: Benevolence 1. God expected His people to be benevolent toward one another and those without (Galatians 2:10, 6:10, James 1:27) 2. The examples of the New Testament indicate that the churches were only burdened with the relief of needy saints, and individuals were to provide assistance themselves to their families, to believers, and to those without (cf. Acts 11:27-30, 1 Timothy 5:3-16, Galatians 6:10, James 1:27) 3. So many do not heed these things in this way anymore! 4. As a result, not a few "Christian" denominations have all but abandoned spiritual priorities since they have become so active in providing benevolence to non-saints 5. Plenty of times the material needs are addressed but not the spiritual 6. Organizations and institutions are not individuals, and it is just not the same as it is when an individual goes out of his way to assist another! 7. Perhaps there are good reasons for the particular examples of the New Testament! F. These are just two of many possible examples we could provide 1. They tend to tell the same story 2. People attempt to "improve" on the way God has specified how His will is to be done, believing that what is revealed is outmoded and "modern" methods are superior, or, if nothing else, more efficient or expedient 3. Yet, intentionally or unintentionally, important aspects of what God wants us to accomplish are missed or neglected because the things of God are not being done in the way that God has provided for us! G. Therefore, we do well when we recognize the power of example in Scripture! V. Conclusion A. Yes, we must follow God's commandments B. How do we follow those commandments? 1. In every circumstance we should search the Scriptures to see if we can find examples that relate somehow to what we are attempting to accomplish 2. Whenever such examples are found we ought to strive to do what God intends how God intends it to be done, be it by following a positive example, avoiding a negative example, or allowing examples to direct our decision process 3. In matters where specific, direct examples may be lacking, we should still ground whatever decision is made on the basis of Biblical command and example 4. Only when all such things are exhausted should we feel comfortable proclaiming a liberty that can be accomplished however we may see fit C. This is how we may respect the power of example in Scripture! D. Let us seek to follow God, accomplishing His commands in the way that He intends us to do so, and to always look to Jesus His Son as our example and pattern for life! E. Invitation/songbook