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"SPIRITUAL GROWTH"
The Value Of Role Models
INTRODUCTION
1. In previous studies, I have stressed that spiritual growth
requires...
a. Choosing to obey the command of God to grow - 2 Pe 3:18
b. Believing that we are capable of growth, with God's help - Ph 2:
12-13; 4:13
c. Behavioral and functional goals, in concert with congregational
goals - 2 Pe 1:5-8; Ro 12:3-5
d. Developing habits to reach our goals - 1 Pe 2:2; Ph 4:6-7; He 10:
24-25; Ro 12:6-8
e. Maintaining positive attitudes about the value of our efforts
- 1 Co 15:58
f. Perseverance to remain steadfast in our efforts - He 10:36-39
2. To aid us further in spiritual growth, we need to appreciate the
value of role models...
a. We are commanded to emulate others - cf. Ph 3:17; 4:9
b. Even as they sought to emulate Christ - cf. 1 Co 11:1
[Why are we commanded to imitate others? Perhaps it is because...]
I. WE ARE NATURAL IMITATORS
A. CHILDREN IMITATE THEIR PARENTS...
1. Especially in their early years, children seem to delight in
imitating their parents
2. They quickly pick up their parent's mannerisms: the way they
talk, walk, etc.
3. It is as though there was some innate reason for them to
imitate mom and dad
B. TEENAGERS IMITATE THEIR PEERS AND POPULAR IDOLS...
1. As children get older, they may not seek to imitate their
parents, but they are still active imitators
2. For better or worse (usually worse), they seek to emulate those
in their peer group, or those whom they hold in high regard
(athletes, musicians, etc.)
3. Despite frequent claims to want to "be themselves", you can
usually tell by their behavior who they have been watching or
listening to
C. CHRISTIANS IMITATE THOSE THEY HOLD IN HIGH REGARD...
1. I have observed that many brethren often reflect the attitudes,
dispositions, and conduct of those preachers or elders for
whom they have much respect
2. This can be good, but in some cases it is not...
a. I have known some Christians (including preachers) whose
behavior greatly disturbed me, wondering how they could
justify their conduct
b. But when I saw their peers, or those brethren whom they held
in high regard acting in the same way, I began to understand
[So we seem to be natural born imitators. Why should we be careful
about who we seek to imitate? Consider...]
II. THE VALUE OF ROLE MODELS
A. GOOD ROLE MODELS CAN HELP...
1. By example, they show us what is possible
a. E.g., how a "son of thunder" can become the "apostle of
love" - Mk 3:17; Lk 9:54; 1 Jn 4:7-8
b. E.g., how "uneducated and untrained men" can boldly proclaim
the gospel of Christ- Ac 4:13
2. By example, they teach us how to reach the same goals
a. E.g., to enjoy a wonderful relationship with God - Ph 4:9
b. E.g., to remain steadfast despite trials - 2 Co 4:16-18
B. BAD ROLE MODELS CAN HINDER...
1. By example, they fail to show us what is possible
a. Perhaps preventing us from learning of our potential
b. Certainly not encouraging us to strive for excellence
2. By example, we can pick up their bad habits and dispositions
a. As indicated earlier, we are naturally imitators
b. It is not long before our conduct is similar to our role
models
[If we desire to grow spiritually, we need to have good role models.
Where are they? We are blessed with many...]
III. ROLE MODELS WORTHY OF EMULATION
A. WE HAVE DEITY...
1. As Christ encouraged us to do, in showing kindness to our
enemies - Mt 5:43-48
2. As Paul instructed the Ephesians to walk in love - Ep 5:1-2
3. What better example do we have, than that of God and Jesus
Christ?
4. Indeed, some of the very titles we wear imply such imitation:
a. Children of God
b. Disciples of Jesus Christ
-- Do we seek to learn as much about God and Jesus as we do other
role models?
B. WE HAVE BIBLICAL CHARACTERS...
1. To the degree they imitate Christ, as Paul wrote to the
Corinthians - 1 Co 11:1
2. The New Testament is filled with good examples for Christians
today...
a. For married couples, there is the example of Aquila and
Priscilla - Ro 16:3-5
b. For those blessed with things of this life, there is the
example of Philemon and Gaius - Phile 1-7; 3 Jn 5-8
c. For women, there is the example of Dorcas - Ac 9:36,39
d. For young men there is the example of Timothy - Ph 2:19-22
3. This does not mean to preclude many fine Old Testament examples
as well: Joseph, Daniel, Barzillai the Gileadite (an old man
who helped David in his affliction - 2 Sam 17:27-29; 19:31-39)
and many others
-- Indeed, the Scriptures are filled with many examples worthy of
our emulation!
C. WE HAVE MANY FELLOW CHRISTIANS TODAY...
1. As Paul encouraged his fellow Christians to imitate those who
provided a similar pattern as did he - Ph 3:17
a. There are many preachers, teachers, and elders we can
emulate
b. There are many older women that younger women can emulate
- cf. Ti 2:3-5
c. There are many younger people worthy of emulation - cf. 1 Ti
4:12
2. Yet we should be careful, for not all who profess to be
Christians behave as they should - cf. Ph 3:18-19
3. It is important, therefore, that we know the Scriptures well
enough to know when someone is worthy of our emulation
-- Yet there are many Christians who can teach and encourage us by
their own example, if we will but let them!
CONCLUSION
1. If you seek to grow spiritually, take advantage of role models...
a. Let them show you what is possible!
b. Let them teach you how to obtain the goals you are striving for!
c. Let them encourage you to persevere, knowing that others have
traveled the same path before you!
2. Since we are natural born imitators, let us make the choice to
imitate the good - 3 Jn 11
a. Only then do we have the hope of being "of God"
b. The only alternative is to imitate the evil, which prevents us
from ever "seeing God"
We conclude this lesson with the following words of Scripture:
"And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to
the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become
sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit
the promises." - He 6:11-12
Are we imitating those who through faith and patience inherit the
promises?
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© Mark A. Copeland, 2001
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