Historical Posts
The Light of the World – Audio
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Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12).
John explained that the world was in darkness until Jesus, the true Light, came into the world to give it light (John 1:4-9). As long as He was in the world, He was the light of the world (John 9:5). Jesus was not in the world for a very long period of time. In fact, when the time would come to leave the world, He would be sure the light would still shine.
Jesus also said to His disciples, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16).
Just as Jesus let His light shine in the world, so must His disciples. We are His disciples today! We must follow Him (1 Peter 2:21), letting our lights shine and being the light of the world today! John said, “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7).”
Are you walking in the light and letting your light shine as Jesus did?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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Be Thou an Example
Our Best Example Is Jesus
We may learn many things by watching others and learning from their example.
- Kids watch their parents or older kids, and copy their behavior.
- Students may follow examples in textbooks to learn how to solve problems.
- Employees watch their boss to learn how to do certain jobs.
- Athletes learn how to play a sport by copying the coach.
- The list goes on and on.
“…Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps (1 Peter 2:21).” Jesus Christ demonstrated the perfect model of living in both word and in conduct (1 Peter 2:22-24). By following His model life, we may lead other souls to Him. As He set the example for us, He commanded us to set the example for others.
After washing the disciples’ feet, He commanded them, “For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you (John 13:15).” He truly showed them what it meant to be a servant. After all, the “Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:28)…” That is exactly what they did; they served Him by preaching the gospel!
Saul of Tarsus began in a bad way by persecuting Christians; however, that changed when he became a Christian. Later known as the apostle Paul, he began to set a good example by preaching the gospel. He wanted to be sure that as he would set an example, those following it would set a good example as well. He told Timothy, “…Be thou an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity (1 Timothy 4:12).”
Christ demonstrated the perfect model for living and passed it on. Won’t you accept Him and then follow His example, and pass it on to others?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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A Good Example
A good example says more about us than what we say.
The apostle Paul wrote to two young preachers. Both were encouraged to set good examples. Timothy was admonished: “Let no man despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Titus was challenged: “In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you” (Titus 2:7-8).
The challenge of the gospel is to live life imitating the example of Jesus Christ, being a good example. He left us an example that we should follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21). We are to walk as He walked (1 John 2:6). A mature disciple is one who can say with Paul: “For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:19-20).
The effects of a good sermon are destroyed by bad living. The best parental advice is overruled by a bad example. Children imitate what they see and hear. Imagine the frustration of a child who is punished for smoking the cigarette butt his father threw away, or has his mouth washed out for saying a word he learned from his mother. Jesus warned regarding the Pharisees: “Therefore whatever they tell you to observe that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do” (Matthew 23:3). Sadly, the Pharisees are not the only ones to have their influence destroyed by living a bad example.
It’s impossible to place too much emphasis on the importance of a good example. What we do says more about us than what we say. Edgar Guest wrote: “I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day. I’d rather one should walk with me than merely show the way. The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear. Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear. And best of all the preachers are the men who live their creed. For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.”
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Be an Example – 1 Timothy 4:12-16 – audio
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Text: 1 Timothy 4:12-16 – Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Do as I Say, Not as I Do – audio
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While doing errands last week, one employee said, “no cell phones allowed.” Soon after uttering these very words, she pulled out a cell phone and proceeded to check her own facebook. In other words, she seemed to say, “do as I say not as I do.”
Jesus described the scribes and Pharisees in the same way. “Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do (Matthew 23:3).
In contrast, Jesus is always consistent!
Luke told Theophilus the things that Jesus “began both to do and teach (Acts 1:1).”
What Jesus told others to do, He did Himself.
He set an example for us to follow (1 Peter 2:21).
Are we following Jesus’ example? Are we consistent?
Are we showing the world the pattern of Christian living?
Let us put into practice every day of the week what we teach on Sunday and Wednesday.
Content by Richard Dillon
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Is God Seen and Heard in Us?
Parents need to be very careful around children.
Little eyes are watching and little ears are hearing everything—yes everything! How many times has a child repeated something the parent wished had not been said? How many times has a child acted like a parent to the embarrassment of the parent? Most parents agree that this happens more often than it should. On the other hand, when has a child made his or her parents proud by saying something or doing something good? This should happen more often!
How would God feel about His children?
After all, “you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Galatians 3:26-27).” As God’s children, are we trying to be like Him? Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, “…suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps (1 Peter 2:21).” Yes, God was proud of Him (Matthew 3:17; 17:5). He always did those things that pleased His Father in Heaven. He even told Philip, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father (John 14:9).”
When the world sees and hears us, is God seen and heard?
Are we doing a good job of following the example of Christ? Remember the words Paul told the church at Ephesus: “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children (Ephesians 5:1).” Let us be proud to be God’s children, and let God be proud to be our Heavenly Father!
Content by Richard Dillon
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Mark 10:17-22 The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of the Rich Young Ruler
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Text: Mark 10:17-22
Introduction
1. There is an old Clint Eastwood movie that I like very much that came to mind as I read this account in Mark
2. It is easy to only see the good but we need to look at the bad and the ugly
Body
I. The Good of the Rich Young Ruler
1. Came urgently / running – 2 Corinthians 6:2
2. Came reverently / kneeled – Acts 4:12
3. Came comprehending / Good Master – John 3:2
4. Came asking / what to do? – Acts 16:30-34
5. Came seeking / eternal life – John 6:63, 68
II. The Bad of the Rich Young Ruler
1. Went away / lacking one thing – James 2:10
2. Went away / not bearing cross – Luke 14:27
3. Went away / sad at the saying – James 4:17
4. Went away / grieved to give up – 2 Corinthians 8:12
5. Went away / trusting wealth – 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Conclusion
1. The ugly of the rich young ruler
a. We never of him changing his mind or his actions
b. Revelation 3:14-22
2. Are we following the good or the bad example of the rich young ruler
3. Will your end be wonderful or ugly?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Examples Worth Following
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Introduction
1. The Bible speaks of examples…
a. Imitating those who are good examples – cf. 1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17; Hebrews 13:7
b. Being a good example to others – cf. 1 Timothy 4:12
2. Such scriptures should cause one to wonder…
a. Who is my example, my role model as a Christian?
b. Whose example am I as a Christian?
c. What kind of example do I set as a Christian?
Body
I. WHO IS YOUR EXAMPLE?
A. IS IT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST…?
1. He was for the apostle Paul – 1 Corinthians 11:1
2. He should be our example as well
a. On how to please one another – Romans 15:1-3
b. On how to love one another – Ephesians 5:1-2
c. On how to look out for one another – Philippians 2:4-5
d. On how to suffer patiently when mistreated – 1 Peter 2:20-23
— Jesus certainly serves as our prime example
B. IS IT THE APOSTLE PAUL…?
1. As he urged the Corinthians – 1 Corinthians 4:6; 11:1
a. To give no offense – 1 Corinthians 10:32
b. To seek the benefit of others – 1 Corinthians 10:33
2. As he urged the Philippians – Philippians 3:17
a. To not consider themselves as having attained perfection – Philippians 3:12a
b. To press on to maturity – Philippians 3:12b-15
c. To live according to the level they have learned – Philippians 3:16
d. To enjoy a close relationship with the God of peace – Philippians 4:9
3. As he praised and encouraged the Thessalonians
a. For receiving the Word despite affliction – 1 Thessalonians 1:6
b. To avoid being a burden to others – 2 Thessalonians 3:7-10
— Paul and other New Testament Christians provide wonderful examples
C. IS IT OTHER FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS…?
1. As Paul exhorted the Philippians – Philippians 3:17
a. To note those walking like Paul
b. To consider them a pattern to follow
2. As exhorted by the writer to the Hebrews
a. To imitate the faith and patience of those who inherit the promises – Hebrews 6:12
b. To follow the faith of those who rule over us – Hebrews 13:7
— Many Christians today provide examples worthy of emulation
II. WHOSE EXAMPLE ARE YOU?
A. IS IT NOT OTHER CHRISTIANS…?
1. Your brothers and sisters in the Lord?
2. Especially those who are babes in Christ?
3. But even older Christians?
— Christians should be mindful of their example on one another – 1 Thessalonians 1:7; 1 Timothy 4:12; Titus 2:7
B. IS IT NOT YOUNG CHILDREN…?
1. Who naturally look up to their parents?
2. Who are also influenced by others?
a. Adults like their parents
b. Older children as well
— Christians should be mindful of their example upon the young – Matthew 18:6
C. IS IT NOT UNBELIEVERS…?
1. Who see if we “walk the talk”?
2. Who often gauge the value of following Christ by our example?
3. Who judge the church by its members?
— Christians should be mindful of their example seen by the world – 1 Peter 2:12
[Whether we want to be or not, we are examples to others, especially the young in years and young in faith. So let me ask…]
III. WHAT KIND OF EXAMPLE ARE YOU?
A. IS IT INDICATIVE OF A FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN…?
1. Showing the world what it means to be a Christian?
2. Showing babes in Christ what maturity means as a disciple?
— Is your example helping or hindering discipleship in others?
B. IS IT CONDUCIVE TO CHURCH GROWTH…?
1. Offering a noble pattern of faithful church attendance?
2. Setting a good example of developing one’s abilities for Christ?
3. Providing a worthy model of involvement in service to the Lord and His Church?
— Is your example helping or hindering the progress of the church?
C. IS IT WORTHY OF EMULATION…?
1. Would you want a child or new Christian to follow your example?
2. If every member provided the same example as you…
a. Would the church be strong?
b. Would the church be growing?
c. Would the church have service on Sunday and Wednesday nights?
d. Would the church even exist?
— Is your example helping or hindering the cause of Christ?
Conclusion
1. I hope this questions have prompted serious introspection on your part…
a. As to who is your example or role model as a Christian
b. As to the sort of example or role model you are setting for others
2. Though written to a young preacher, I encourage you to apply Paul’s words to yourself…
a. Be an example to the believers – 1 Timothy 4:12a
b. Be an example in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity – 1 Timothy 4:12b
3. You cannot escape being an example to others.
a. Your only choice is what kind of example you will be.
b. Will you be one of the many “Examples Worth Following”…?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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