An Example to Follow, an Example to Set

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=50 BGCOLOR="#333366" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>An Example to Follow, an Example to Set</B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=165 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="132" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 35 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id516.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Celebrating Gods Transforming Work"><U><B><IMG SRC="007151d0.gif" border=0 width="21" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id518.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What It Means to Really Live (Part 1)"><U><B><IMG SRC="008151d0.gif" border=0 width="21" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="20"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="35" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="20" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="13"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="27"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <div> Previous/Next Sermon</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="www.stanbaker.org"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Biblical and Theological Studies"><U><B>Biblical and Theological Studies</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Church Ministry"><U><B>Church Ministry</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id15.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sermon Notes"><U>Sermon Notes</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U><B>Links</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id5.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Personal"><U><B>Personal</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> www.stanbaker.org</div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=430 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> "<B>An Example to Follow, an Example to Set,” 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12</B></div> <div> <B>Berean Bible Church, May 14-15, 2005</B></div> <bR> <div>      (Contributed by Janine Jaquet Biden, Reader’s Digest, January 1996, p. 12.) Just getting out of the driveway was a major feat during last year’s snow and ice storms. One co-worker was relating how he used his seven-year-old son’s baseball bat to smash the slick coat of ice on his driveway. He got cold and went inside for a cup of coffee before attempting to clear the car. Several minutes later, his son, who had been outside with him, came in. “Dad,” he said, “I got the ice off the car.” “How did you do that?” his father asked. “Same way you did,” the boy shrugged, “with the baseball bat.”  </div> <div>      One time, President Coolidge invited some friends from Vermont to dine at the White House. They were worried about their table manners, so they decided to do everything their host did. All went well until coffee was served. Coolidge poured his into the saucer. The guests did the same. The President added sugar and cream. So did the visitors. Then Coolidge leaned over and placed his saucer on the floor for the cat.</div> <div>      An example is a powerful thing. Someone else's example has the power to shape your life, and your example has the power to shape the life of another. Last week, we saw how Paul celebrated and encouraged the spiritual progress of the church he started in Thessalonica. In order for us to continue to make progress as followers of Jesus, we need <I>follow</I> the right examples and be committed to <I>showing</I> the right examples to help others make progress in their journey of faith.</div> <bR> <div>      Let's turn to <A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=1Thess+2:1-12" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U>1 Thessalonians 2:1-12</U></A>. Here Paul talks about his life and how he lived and served among the Thessalonians. And his words were a challenge to them, and to us, to follow his example. In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul said, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”</div> <div>      We are going to look at 3 areas to follow and set a good example:</div> <bR> <div> <B>1. Clarity of priorities and goals (1 Thessalonians 2:4, 6, 12).</B></div> <div>      These priorities become the basis for <I>everything</I> that matters in your life.</div> <div> a. Please God, not people (vss. 4, 6).</div> <div> b. Live a life worthy of God (vs. 12). Live out the implications of the gospel, measure up to what the gospel represents, live a life that honors God, because he saved you and forgave you through Jesus Christ.</div> <bR> <div> <B>2. Integrity (1 Thessalonians 2:3-5, 9-10).</B></div> <div>      There is to be no manipulation or misrepresentation. People of integrity deal in the truth. Pastor Stuart Briscoe tells of being hired by a bank. He was young, new, and just learning the business. One day his boss told him, “If Mr. _______ calls for me, tell him I’m out.” Briscoe replied, “Oh, are you planning to go somewhere?” “No, I just don’t want to speak to him, so tell him I’m out.” “Let me make sure I understand—Do you want me to lie for you?” The boss blew up at him. He was outraged, angered. Stuart prayed and God gave him a flash of insight. “You should be happy, because if I won’t lie <I>for</I> you, isn’t it safe to assume that I won’t lie <I>to</I> you?” (Moody Bible Institute Founder’s week, 1986).</div> <bR> <div> <B>3. Love and kindness toward others (1 Thessalonians 2:6-12).</B></div> <div>      Note the family metaphors (child, mother, father).</div> <div>      Please <I>God</I>, yes, but treat people with kindness (“I answer to God, so I don't care about what others think”).</div> <div>      Even at personal cost and sacrifice (vs. 9).</div> <bR> <div>      Find and follow good examples, both in the word of God and in life. Then be a good example to others.</div> <div> <I>     </I>Mickey Mantle, an almost mythical baseball star who feared he had failed to fulfill career expectations because of alcohol abuse and whose recent years were haunted by self-recrimination, died of cancer [when he] was 63. The former New York Yankees center fielder and a member of baseball’s Hall of Fame said at a July 28, 1995 news conference [less than a month before he died] that he had squandered a gifted life and warned admirers he was no role model. “God gave me the ability to play baseball. God gave me everything,” he said. “For the kids out there, don’t be like me.” (Los Angeles Times, Monday, August 14, 1995)</div> <div>      If you have to say “don't be like me,” it may too late - the example is already set. But with whatever days you have left, purpose from this day forward to follow the right examples and be the right example to your kids and to others who are watching your life. Maybe that is what people will remember - the change that took place today.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> copyright, 2005, Stanley Baker</div> <div> www.stanbaker.org</div> </td> </tr></table></body>