Sunday, March 3, 2019
am
LIGHTS IN A DARK
WORLD (8)
Examples of Example (3)
Examples of Good Examples (2)
I.
Joseph in prison
– In
our last lesson, we noted Joseph’s forgiveness of his brother.
But he also demonstrated great integrity.
Genesis 39, after being sold by his brothers, he ends up in
Egypt. First in the house
of Potiphar (39:1-6). Even
after being falsely accused and cast into prison, he again is of highest
character (39:20-23).
Chapter 40 – Joseph tells dreams and has an impact on the baker and
butler predicting their future.
When the butler is restored (and the baker executed), eventually,
Joseph is brought before Pharaoh to interpret dreams that he had.
The point - Joseph influenced those around him by his honorable
behavior. It resulted in
him being recognized and eventually he becomes second in command in
Egypt (41:40).
By simply being honorable and doing the best we can, we can be an
influence on others. That
is really what letting our light shine is about (1 Peter 2:12 – having
your conduct honorable among the Gentiles…).
II.
Daniel
– another
servant, very similar to Joseph as his influence is concerned.
Daniel acts with complete integrity and as a result, he too rises
in prominence and is greatly respected by the kings of Babylon and then
Medo/Persia. His godly
conduct is so prevalent that others are jealous and seek to discredit
him, but they fail. Note
that Daniel is so faithful, they know the only way to find fault in him
is to change the law so that Daniel could not serve God as he had done.
Daniel 6 records this event that results in him being cast into
the lion’s den. But Daniel
prevails because God is with him.
As a result of his faithfulness, Darius honors God, and even makes a
Decree that the God of Daniel was to be reverenced throughout the empire
(Daniel 6:24-28).
Like Joseph, Daniel shows incredible integrity.
But another observation is his consistency.
It was his daily conduct that others observed (Daniel 6:10 notes
that what Daniel did was no different than before).
The point is, he didn’t change behavior just to make a point.
We NEVER KNOW when our Godly example might cause one to honor God.
BUT, the real question is, do others see you imitating Christ?
III.
Shadrach, Meshach and
Abed-Nego
– they were carried to Babylon along with Daniel and demonstrated like
character and faithfulness to God.
In this account, Nebuchadnezzar arrogantly seeks the praise of
the people. He builds a
statue about 90 feet tall in plain view.
The edict is issued that when they hear music they are to fall
down and worship the golden image.
To refuse was to be cast into the fiery furnace.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego refused to bow and are cast into a fiery
furnace that was heated to 7 times its normal heat.
But they are spared by God and come out without even the smell of
smoke on them.
By their refusal to compromise, they influence King Nebuchadnezzar to
praise God (Daniel 3:26-30).
Again, the point I would make here is we never know the end result of
being a godly influence.
Especially when we have to make a godly decision that is unpopular.
Many will mock and reject, but you never know when that integrity
will cause one to turn to God (Matthew 5:44 calls for us to love our
enemies. Romans 12:17-21
calls for us to give place for wrath to God.
You do good to others, regardless of how they treat you.
IV.
Esther and Mordecai
– The
book of Esther is about this beautiful, young woman who through
providence becomes queen.
The ultimate result of this is that she delivers the Jewish people from
destruction.
The book is unique as it is only one of two books that never mentions
God. But you cannot read
this account without seeing the hand of God at work on every page.
Mordecai, Esther’s uncle and the one who raised her (Esther 2:7).
Again, we have a man of integrity and loyalty to God who will
influence Esther to do the right thing, while she will be able to
influence the king to help her save the Jews.
We have in these two, faithfulness and courage to stand for what is
right. Sometimes, our
courage in service to God, puts us in situations where by doing the
right thing, even when it is risky, leads to good results.
In fact, more often than not, good comes from such efforts.
How many of us don’t stand up for right, because of what MIGHT
happen, even though it likely will not?
We need an attitude like’s Paul’s where we are willing to go
regardless of what happens (cf. Philippians 1:21)
V.
Paul directly
influenced others
– this is seen throughout his letters and in Acts.
A.
The palace guard –
Philippians 1:12-13, by his conduct we know that “the whole palace
guard, and to all the rest” realized that he was a prisoner for Christ.
B.
Acts 27, Paul’s
influence with Julius, the centurion (27:1), caused him to later spare
his life and those of the other prisoners (Acts 27:42-44).
Then when he finally arrives in Rome, Paul is given liberties,
and permitted to dwell in a home and receive friends (house arrest –
Acts 28:16, 30-31). The
soldiers knew Paul was not a flight risk and trusted him.
Again, godly behavior might cause such respect.
C.
Philippians 1:14,
because of Paul’s boldness and confidence even in chains, “most
of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident in my chains, are
much more bold to speak the word without fear.”
Paul’s example emboldened others.
D.
Finally, consider
Timothy – Paul’s “son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2).
Consider the influence that Paul had on Timothy, as found in the
letters to him. 2 Timothy
1:6 – Paul had laid hands on him.
2 Timothy 1:13-14 – hold fast the pattern of sound words which
you have heard from me… That good thing which was committed to you…
2 Timothy 2:2 – you share it with others.
2 Timothy 3:10,
But you have carefully followed
my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love,
perseverance,…
Also 1 Corinthians 4:17 –
Timothy will “remind you of my ways”…, 16:10 –
he does the work of the Lord, as I also do…
VI.
The Thessalonians
– here
we find churches as examples.
1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 – these brethren were examples throughout the
regions of Macedonia and Achaia.
2:14 – they also followed the example of others, having imitated
the example of the churches of Judea in Christ Jesus, suffering as they
did.
Churches that faithful stand for the truth can be a source of strength
to other congregations.
VII.
Lois and Eunice
–
influenced Timothy. 2 Timothy 1:5 – Timothy’s faith was first in his
mother and grandmother. The
simple lesson here is that parents are an influence to their children
(Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:1-4).
And the greatest teaching tool you have is your example.
VIII.
Dorcas
– Acts 9:36-40,
esp. 39. At Joppa, this
woman became sick, so disciples sent for Peter who was in Lydda nearby.
Dorcas had died but they request that Peter come.
He arrives and the widows show Peter the tunics and garments she
had made for them (she was benevolent and it was remembered).
As we have stated on numerous occasions, People observe what you do and
the way to treat them and others.
Good works cause others to glorify God (cf. Matthew 5:16).
These are some examples that we might consider as worthy of imitation,
both in what they did, but also in HOW to be a godly example.
Our impact upon the world is going to be best manifested by the
example we set. Let us
learn from God’s word what that example is to be like.
I commend these examples to your thought.