Sunday, 1/27/19 am
LIGHTS IN A DARK WORLD
(3)
The Power of Example (2) – More Descriptions
a.
When you think of an
aroma, it is a smell. It is defined as a distinctive, typically pleasant
smell.
b.
In scripture almost
always associated with a sweet smell offered to God.
In the OT, the aroma was often associated with sacrifices to God – Lev
1:9, etc, speaks of offerings being “a sweet-smelling aroma” to God.
In fact, Genesis 8:21, after leaving the ark, Noah built an altar and
offered sacrifices of every clean animal.
The LORD smelled “a soothing aroma” and said in His heart He
would never again destroy the world by flood.
In the NT, Ephesians 5:2 speaks of the sacrifice of Christ being a
sweet-smelling aroma to God, AS AN EXAMPLE of how we are to walk in
love. In Philippians 4:18 Paul
speaks of the support the Philippians gave to him and described it as “a
sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.”
c.
2 Corinthians 2:14-16 –
speaks of our aroma to those around us.
This is the illustration of example.
We are to be diffusing the fragrance of Christ.
Does the fragrance of Christ
emanate from us?
Here it is noted that to some it is a fragrance of salvation, while to
others it is a fragrance of death.
In this illustration of example, what I see is that we simply
need to be living examples at all times, and our faith in Christ, ought
to be evident. Enough so,
that some will be attracted to Him, even though others might be repulsed
(because they don’t want to accept Him).
a.
Typically, when we speak
of leaven, it is bad thing.
But even then it is about influence.
b.
Bad leaven - Matthew
16:6, 11-12 – beware of the leaven of the Pharisees.
Explained that this is the doctrine of the Pharisees.
Don’t let false teachings influence you.
c.
Recall who Paul warned
in 1 Corinthians 5:6 & Galatians 5:9 – both mention that a little leaven
leavens the whole lump.
While both contexts are negative warnings (and negative influences can
spread like leaven), the principle would true with good influence as
well.
d.
Luke 13:20-21 – the
parable of leaven concerning the kingdom of heaven.
It will spread like leaven, starting small and eventually
permeating the whole loaf.
We may not fully understand all the properties of leaven, but we know
that you introduce just a little bit into a lump of dough and it will
rise and keep rising.
Similarly, our influence is like leaven.
We continue to live our lives as we ought to being proper
examples. It may be the LITTLE
things we are doing and not doing, or saying.
It might be the occasional quoting of a verse of scripture or
mentioning Jesus. It may
just be a small act of kindness. Who knows what that little “starter”
will do in the heart of someone later on.
Also, that which spreads from us to another may continue to
spread to another and so on (cf. 2 Timothy 2:2).
a.
An epistle is a Greek
word (ἐπιστολή, epistolē) for a letter.
Paul communicated with disciples everywhere by means of letters
(and many other ways). These
letters were written with the hope they would produce results, a
positive response.
b.
In 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 –
you are our epistle, known and read by all men. Paul in this text was
dealing with how these brethren were the fruit of his labors, “known and
read by men”. Bear in mind,
during that era, not everyone could read, NOR were the resources for
those who could readily available.
They didn’t have completed Bibles like we do, nor did everyone
have a copy. So what they
heard (when they gathered together) they would live it and teach –
others would hear and observe, and SOME would be converted.
Paul’s point was that when they lived their lives applying what they had
been taught by him (i.e. the teachings of Christ), they were being
examples to others. His hope
was they were being the proper examples.
c.
Note the qualities he
mentions:
i.
Known and read by all
men – be reminded that we are to be examples at all times and are
constantly being watched
ii.
It is an epistle of
Christ – He is to be the example we are emanating
iii.
Ministered and read by
“us” – in this text, that would be Paul and those with him.
In this, I am reminded that while we are an open letter, we are
copies of the letters we have previously received (cf. 1 Corinthians
11:1).
iv.
Written with the Spirit
of the living God – Ephesians 6:17 tells us the sword of the Spirit is
the word of God. It is God’s
word we need to be revealing by our lives
v.
Written not on tablets
of flesh, but on the heart – this must come from within us.
Not something superficial.
d.
We sometimes use the
expression that your life is “an open book” meaning that what is in
there is clearly visible. We
are again reminded that people are watching us to see how we live.
IF we profess to be followers of Christ, they know what that
means. What type of letter
are they “reading”?
e.
Romans 1:8 – Paul
commended them because their faith had gone out into all the world.
See also 1 Thessalonians 1:8 – their faith toward God had gone out, and
sounded forth in every place.
f.
Recall the song, “The
World’s Bible”. It
challenges us to be a proper example in all things.
So what type of epistle are you?
Is the “ink” clear and readable?
Or is it faded (hidden and unreadable – thus not read by all
men)? Or is it full of
misprints (inconsistencies or filled with doctrinal errors – thus not
written by the Spirit of the living God)?
a.
A pattern is another
illustration of an example.
When we think of patterns, it is a model or design that is used as a
guide[1].
This is a type of example.
b.
Patterns were (and are)
important to God. Much of
the Old Law (various sacrifices, the tabernacle and priesthood, etc.)
were designed to be a pattern for the coming of Jesus (cf. Hebrews 8:5)
and His Priesthood. It is
worthy of note that this text makes reference to Exodus 25:40, 9, 26:30
which find the LORD giving instructions to Moses and the Israelites
concerning the building of the tabernacle.
c.
Quite often the New
Testament makes reference to patterns. A
pattern is model or example of something that is to be made.
Titus 2:7 – young men
are called upon to show themselves as patterns of good work
Philippians 3:17, Paul challenges these brethren to follow his example,
“as you have us for a pattern.”
The word for pattern in Greek (τύπος, typos)
is the word from which our English word
type is derived.
That is word that has reference to an example.
Consider also 1
Thessalonians 1:7 - And you became
followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much
affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became
examples to all in Macedonia
and Achaia who believe. The word, examples, is this same Greek word
1 Timothy 4:12, Timothy
is called upon to be an example to the believers in every area of life.
1 Peter 5:3, elders are called upon to be examples to the flock, which
ought to be the primary way that they lead.
d.
Thinking of our example,
we simply need to be SHOWING the world what a Christian is like.
Other descriptions of examples could be added to these (e.g. a good
name), but we find here a sufficient collection to help us understand
what being an example involves.
In our next lesson, we want to talk about being lights and what
that involves. What does
your example say to those around you?
Think about it!