Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - 1/22/2006 1.

Don McClain W. 65th St. church of Christ - 1/22/2006

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The Importance of Examples: 1 Cor. 10:11; Rom. 15:4

Is Jesus Our Example?

Can We Follow Him?

Why Follow Him?


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““Christ Our Example”“The Bible is a book of examples. It records the lives of weak

and wicked men to teach us what not to be. The lives and deeds of great and good men are left to show us how to live and what to be. The power of an example is very great for good or evil. It is said that seventy five percent of what we

learn and do is the result of what we see in others. Our influence radiates in what we say. What we do, and what we are. Man is prone to follow a bad example, as well as a good

one; to copy defects as well as virtues. But one thing is certain: he will follow some example.” A.C. Dreaden, Gospel A.C. Dreaden, Gospel

Advocate, pg. 1227 of the December 26, 1940, issue.Advocate, pg. 1227 of the December 26, 1940, issue.


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Hebrews 12:1-3 (NKJV) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so

great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run

with endurance the race that is set before us, [2] looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for

the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand

of the throne of God. [3] For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you

become weary and discouraged in your souls.


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Author of our faith.Author of our faith. “author” (archeôgon) see Heb. “author” (archeôgon) see Heb. 2:10 - Jesus “pioneered” the 2:10 - Jesus “pioneered” the path - He has blazed the trail path - He has blazed the trail for us ... By having run the race for us ... By having run the race Himself. Himself. (Hebrews 2:14-18)(Hebrews 2:14-18)

Perfecter of our faithPerfecter of our faith He He has “perfected” the way of has “perfected” the way of faith since He reached its end faith since He reached its end successfully. successfully. (Heb 4:14-16)(Heb 4:14-16)

As a forerunner He has As a forerunner He has entered the heavenly entered the heavenly sanctuary, (the joy set sanctuary, (the joy set before Him) - before Him) - He 6:19-20; He 6:19-20; 10:2010:20

Provides all we need to Provides all we need to succeed – succeed – 2 Peter 1:32 Peter 1:3


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Who endured such hostility Who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, from sinners against Himself,

Not only on the cross, but Not only on the cross, but even before! – Luke even before! – Luke 4:28,29; 11:53,544:28,29; 11:53,54

Jesus is our example and Jesus is our example and we are to follow in His steps we are to follow in His steps – even in suffering! - 1 – even in suffering! - 1 Peter 2:21; Luke 9:23 Peter 2:21; Luke 9:23

Lest you become weary and Lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.discouraged in your souls.

Jesus, the author & finisher Jesus, the author & finisher of our faith, provides us of our faith, provides us with salvation through with salvation through hope!! Rom 5:1-11; Is. hope!! Rom 5:1-11; Is. 40:3140:31


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1 John 2:6 (NKJV) He who says he

abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He

walked.

2 Cor. 10:12 (NKJV) . . . they, measuring

themselves by themselves, and

comparing themselves among themselves, are

not wise.

Many Follow The Wrong Examples . . .


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What does it mean to be a follower What does it mean to be a follower of Christ? - Matt. 7:24-27of Christ? - Matt. 7:24-27

What does it mean to “put on What does it mean to “put on Christ?” – Rom. 13:14; Gal. 3:27 Christ?” – Rom. 13:14; Gal. 3:27

What does it mean for Christ to be What does it mean for Christ to be “living in me?” – Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. “living in me?” – Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. 4:104:10

What does it mean to be What does it mean to be “conformed into His image?” – “conformed into His image?” – Rom. 8:29; Col. 3:10Rom. 8:29; Col. 3:10


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Jesus committed Jesus committed Himself to His Himself to His Fathers business – Fathers business – Luke 2:49Luke 2:49

Jesus was baptized Jesus was baptized to fulfill to fulfill righteousness – righteousness – Mat. 3:13-17Mat. 3:13-17

Jesus said “NO” to Jesus said “NO” to temptation –- Mat. temptation –- Mat. 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-4:1-11; Luke 4:1-1313

Josh. 24:15; Rom. 6:16,17; Acts 11:23; 1 Cor. 15:58

Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38;

22:16

1 John 2:1; John 8:11;

Romans 6:1-2; 1 Cor. 15:34


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Jesus served Jesus served others –Mark others –Mark 10:45; Luke 4:18-10:45; Luke 4:18-21; Mat. 9:35-3821; Mat. 9:35-38

Jesus was willing Jesus was willing to sacrifice for to sacrifice for others – Phili. others – Phili. 2:5-102:5-10

The Father seen The Father seen in Jesus – John in Jesus – John 14:7,9,20; Heb 14:7,9,20; Heb 1:31:3

Mark 12:29-31; Gal. 5:13; 6:2;

1 John 3:17-19

Acts 2:44,45; 4:34-37; 1 Tim.

6:17-19

Mat. 5:13-16; Phili 2:15; 2 Cor. 4:10


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We will have fellowship with God and We will have fellowship with God and one another! - one another! - John 12:26; 1 John 1:5-7John 12:26; 1 John 1:5-7

We will fulfill God’s purpose for our life! We will fulfill God’s purpose for our life! - - John 4:34; Eccl. 12:13John 4:34; Eccl. 12:13

We will have peace & joy! - We will have peace & joy! - Phili 4:4-7Phili 4:4-7

We will seek to save others! – We will seek to save others! – Luke Luke 19:10; 1 John 4:9-1419:10; 1 John 4:9-14

We will live eternally in heaven! – We will live eternally in heaven! – Jn Jn 14:1-614:1-6


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Jesus Is Our Perfect Example!

John 8:12 (NKJV) Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I I

am the light of the am the light of the world. He who follows world. He who follows

Me shall not walk in Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the darkness, but have the

light of lifelight of life."


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John 10:27 (NKJV)

My sheep My sheep hear My voice, hear My voice,

and I know and I know them, and they them, and they

follow Mefollow Me.


We Can & Must Follow Him!


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John 12:26 (NKJV) John 12:26 (NKJV) If anyone serves If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me, let him follow

Me; and where I am, Me; and where I am, there My servant will there My servant will

be also. If anyone be also. If anyone serves Me, him My serves Me, him My Father will honorFather will honor. .



We Can Be Where He Is For All

Eternity


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Rev. 14:4 (NKJV) . . . These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were

redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.



We Can Be Where He Is For All

Eternity


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Are You Looking To Jesus & Are You Looking To Jesus & Following His teaching?Following His teaching?

If So – Keep Looking To Him – That If So – Keep Looking To Him – That You Do Not Become Weary!You Do Not Become Weary!

If Not – Start Following Him Today If Not – Start Following Him Today By Being Baptized Into Him!!By Being Baptized Into Him!!


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Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - 1/22/2006 1.

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