The Example We Set

Example –noun

1.	one of a number of things, or a part of something, taken to show the character of the whole: This painting is an example of his early work.

2.	a pattern or model, as of something to be imitated or avoided: to set a good example.

3.	an instance serving for illustration; specimen: The case histories gave carefully detailed examples of this disease.

4.	an instance illustrating a rule or method, as a mathematical problem proposed for solution.

5.	an instance, esp. of punishment, serving as a warning to others: Public executions were meant to be examples to the populace.

6.	a precedent; parallel case: an action without example.

–verb (used with object)

7.	Rare. to give or be an example of; exemplify (used in the passive).

[Origin: 1350–1400; ME exa(u)mple < MF example < L exemplum, akin to eximere to take out (ex- ex-¹ + emere to buy, orig. take); r. ME exemple < L, as above ] —Synonyms 1. Example, sample, specimen refer to an individual phenomenon taken as representative of a type, or to a part representative of the whole. Example is used of an object, condition, etc., that is assumed to illustrate a certain principle or standard: a good example of baroque architecture. Sample refers to a small portion of a substance or to a single representative of a group or type that is intended to show what the rest of the substance or the group is like: a sample of yarn. Specimen usually suggests that the “sample” chosen is intended to serve a scientific or technical purpose: a blood specimen;

Greek

deiÛgma

from the base of (1166)

1. a thing shown

2. a specimen of any thing, example, pattern

Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:

• This verse tells us Jesus is exact image of God – He is God that we can see – “if you have seen Me, you have seen God”-Jn 14:6

• Jesus is our example –

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ

1. Jesus fulfilled every one of these offices – note the word edify /Word only builds up –
2. That is how God treats His Kids – that is the example He sets for us

3. Every account in Word is there to give us answers, build us up and to set an example. Mat 17:24-26 shows us is an example of submitting to authority weather we agree or not – that is what God calls doing right “just because”

24 On their arrival in Capernaum, the tax collectors for the Temple tax came to Peter and asked him, "Doesn't your teacher pay the Temple tax?"

25 "Of course he does," Peter replied. Then he went into the house to talk to Jesus about it.

But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, "What do you think, Peter*? Do kings tax their own people or the foreigners they have conquered?"

26 "They tax the foreigners," Peter replied.

"Well, then," Jesus said, "the citizens are free! 27 However, we don't want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a coin. Take the coin and pay the tax for both of us."

Mat 20:28

Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many

Jn 13-17

13"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

In Paul’s 1^st letter to Timothy he cites The Lord’s mercy and example to us all:

 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

 15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Examples to set (set for):

1. Our children – Godly , do the right thing always (do right just because it’s right) God wants you to do this because good for us – what comes around, goes around.

Eph 6:4

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

.family

2. believers and non believers – there watching you.

1 Tim 4:12 Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an

example

1. Always build up
2. Don’t do things that are OK but don’t help or non-believers and many believers don’t understand - remember:

1 Cor 6:12 says - All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Set The Example - Do the right thing on purpose – just because it is the right thing to do!