Biblical Leadership

 Temple Baptist Church - 2-11-2026

1 Corinthians 11:1-16

 

Introduction:

A.  Paul continued the context of chapter 10 in chapter 11.  This is a very important chapter, as every one of us must follow and set an example for those who follow us.  As kids, we would play “Follow the Leader.” 

 

1.  He began with his responsibility in spiritual leadership and the believer’s responsibility to follow such.  You will never be a good leader if you are not a good follower.   

 

2.  We must follow a good example before we become one.  Paul said that the Corinthian believers were to follow him as he also followed Christ.  This is not blind following.  If the blind follow the blind, they both end up in the ditch!

 

B.  God gave gifts to the church, the evangelist and pastor/teacher, who were to set proper examples of following Christ before the people.  The people were to follow these men of God AS they also follow Christ.  This poses a two-fold problem for the end-time local churches.

 

1.  People blindly follow pastors who teach and do unbiblical things.  This creates congregations that have no idea what the Bible teaches and are, therefore, doctrinally incorrect.

 

2.  Then there are those people who refuse to follow pastors who preach the Bible and live a consistent life for Christ.  Laodicea means “The rights of the people!”  We are certainly there!

 

C.  Paul now moves from the leadership of the church to leadership in the home in verse 3.  Why is the home important?  A couple of things need to be explained first. 

 

1.  This section of Scripture is not about superiority or inferiority, as both the man and the woman are irreplaceable in the structure of both the home and the local church. 

 

2.  It is about authority and submission, which bring glory to someone other than self.  Each individual mentioned in verse 3 has a position to be filled and someone else to be glorified. 

 

3.  This section is important because the home was the first corporate union that the Lord created.  One man, one woman, living in harmony with God, was God’s plan for us to follow.

 

4.  It is also important because everything rises or falls upon the condition of our homes.  As goes the home, so goes the local church; as goes the home, so goes the nation; as goes the home, so go the children. 

 

D.  Chapter 11 shows the proper structure of a godly home.  God the Father, God the Son, the husband, and the woman. Verse 3 spells this out clearly so that no one can misunderstand this pattern.

 

1 Corinthians 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

 

1.  The Head of everything is God the Father.  “the head of Christ is God!”  The Bible says that all that we do is to be for the glory of God. 

 

1 Corinthians 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

 

John 8:29  And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

 

John 17:1  These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

 

2.  The Head of the man is Christ.  “the head of every man is Christ” 

 

Ephesians 5:23  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the Saviour of the body.

 

a.  We live in the days when men follow their wives instead of vice versa.  As many homes are out of order, so are many churches and denominations.

 

1 Timothy 3:1-2  This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.  (2)  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

 

1 Timothy 3:12  Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

 

b.  The husband is to be led by Christ so as to properly lead his wife.  In so many homes, the wife is more spiritual than the husband, leading them to think that if the man won’t do it, then I must step in and take his place. 

 

c.  The husband is not to be a dictator. 

 

Ephesians 5:22-25  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.  (23)  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.  (24)  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.  (25)  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

 

Ephesians 5:33  Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

 

1 Peter 3:6-7  Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.  (7)  Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

 

3.  The Head of the woman is the Man.  “The head of the woman is the man.”  Let me say this as we begin this last section: ladies, you are blessed!  Your accountability to God is your home and children.  The husband’s accountability is much greater, as to whom much is given, much is required.

 

Genesis 3:16-17  Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. 

 

Ephesians 5:21-28  Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.  (22)  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.  (23)  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.  (24)  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 

 

a.  The submission of the wife is important because the woman is the glory of the man (verse 7).  Behind every good man, there is a good woman!  The woman is the husband’s “Crown of Glory!”

 

1 Corinthians 11:7  For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

 

b.  The submission of the wife is important because of why she was created and what she was created for.

 

1 Corinthians 11:8-10  For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.  (9)  Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.  (10)  For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

 

c.  The submission of the wife is important because of Eve’s deception. 

 

1 Corinthians 11: 10  For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

 

1)  It amazes me that most commentaries either do not understand this verse or ignore it because it is not popular.

 

2)  The woman was subject to angelic deception!  Eve set the standard in Genesis chapter 3.  The serpent was the angel Lucifer’s tool of deception.

 

a)  The Woman’s Creation. 1 Corinthians 11:8-9  For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.  (9)  Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 

 

b)  The Woman’s Glory.  1 Corinthians 11:7  For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

 

c)  The Woman’s Deception.  1 Corinthians 11:10  For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

 

2 Corinthians 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

 

Genesis 3:13  And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat

 

1 Timothy 2:11-15  Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.  (12)  But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.  (13)  For Adam was first formed, then Eve.  (14)  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.  (15)  Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing (Messianic Prophecy), if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

 

d.  The Woman’s Exception.  The husband is to love and rule his wife righteously.

 

Ephesians 5:25, 28  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  …  (28)  So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

 

1)  The woman’s obligation is to live with him as long as you can while living for the Lord.

 

1 Corinthians 7:13-14  And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.  (14)  For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. 

 

1 Peter 3:1-2  Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;  (2)  While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 

 

2)  The woman’s release.  If the unbelieving husband leaves, let him depart.  The marriage vows no longer apply.

 

1 Corinthians 7:15  But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.

 

4.  Ephesians 5-6 expands the order of the home to its children.  The Heads of the children are Dad and Mom!

 

Ephesians 6:1-3  Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.  (2)  Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)  (3)  That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

The Lord Our Sanctuary

 Temple Baptist Church - 2-8-2026

Psalms 91:1-16

 

Introduction:

A. One of the most notable and quotable Psalms is the 91st.  I remember, during the last days of Bro. Merrill Smith’s life, reading this Psalm to him over and over again.  He would close his eyes and listen as I read, and the peace of God was in his heart when I finished.  The wonder of this Psalm never grew old to him.

 

1.  As Psalm 90 was Adamic, a Psalm of death.  Adamic because, through him, all men die.

 

Romans 5:12  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

 

2.  Psalm is Messianic, a Psalm of life through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

3.  Psalm 91 was quoted on the Mount of Temptation by Satan as he tempted the Lord.

 

B. It is a Psalm that describes the life of the believer from the moment of salvation until he finally reaches home.  In these verses, we find:

 

1.  Jesus Christ Is The Place Of Our Dwelling – Verses 1-2.

 

2.  Jesus Christ Is The Person Of Our Distress – Verses 3-8.

 

3.  Jesus Christ Is The Promise Of Our Defense – Verses 9-10.

 

4.  Jesus Christ Is The Peace Of Our Deliverance – Verses 11-13.

 

5.  Jesus Christ Is The Pleasures Of Our Days – Verses 14-16.

 

C. The child of God is not exempt from all problems but is given the blessed assurance that God will be with us and for us through them all. 

 

1.  In verse 16, it says, “With long life will I satisfy him.” Long life is not necessarily satisfying in itself.  It finds its satisfaction through the Lord.

 

2.  Without the Lord, many people live long but regrettable lives. They either destroy their lives or end up in an old folks home or nursing home for years with little or no visits. I would rather go on to Heaven personally.

 

D. Here we find the promise of being satisfied with a long life!  Life is not made up of what you have here.  When I preached my Mother’s funeral, I used this verse.

 

Luke 12:15  And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 

 

E. Life's satisfaction consists of who you are and what you are.  It consists of what you have done with and for Christ.  It consists of contentment with what you have, not with what you do not have.

 

1.  You cannot find your satisfaction in the things of the world because they are subject to change.

 

2.  You cannot find your satisfaction in money because it can take wings and fly.

 

3.  You cannot find your satisfaction in people alone because they can turn on you.

 

F.  You can be saved and know it, yet still be dissatisfied and remorseful when you come to old age.  God wants us to prosper.

 

3 John 2  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 

 

G.  Here are a few things that we need to find our satisfaction in.

 

1.  Verses 1-2.  We Can Find Satisfaction In Our Conversion – Our Dwelling

 

Psalms 91:1-2  He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  (2)  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

 

a.  Contentment In His Salvation - Psalms 90:14  O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.  (Where would I be without Christ?)

 

b.  Contentment In His Sanctuary - Psalms 36:8  They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

 

Psalms 65:4  Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.  (Where would I be without the Church?)

 

2.  Verses 3-8.  We Can Find Satisfaction In Our Circumstances – Our Dilemmas

 

Psalms 91:3-8  Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.  (4)  He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.  (5)  Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;  (6)  Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.  (7)  A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.  (8)  Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

 

a.  Contentment With His Goodness In Problems - Psalms 37:19  They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.  (I am not always spiritual enough to like problems but His hand still satisfies in them.)

 

b.  Contentment With His Guidance In Problems - Isaiah 58:11  And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.  (When I do not know what to do I just learn to “let her drive” and God controls through His sovereign providence and protection.)

 

3.  Verses 9-14.  We Can Find Satisfaction In Our Contentment – Our Desires

 

Psalms 91:9-14  Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;  (10)  There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.  (11)  For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.  (12)  They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.  (13)  Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.  (14)  Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

 

a.  Contentment With His Provisions - Psalms 132:15  I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.  (I have enough!)

 

Proverbs 12:11  He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. 

 

Proverbs 12:14  A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.

 

Jeremiah 31:14  And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD. 

1 Timothy 6:6  But godliness with contentment is great gain. 

 

b.  Contentment With His Protection, Promises, and Person - Hebrews 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 

 

Philippians 4:11  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  (I am His and I am in His hand!)

 

4.  Verses 15-16.  We Can Find Satisfaction In Our Commitment – Our Dependence

 

Psalms 91:15-16  He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.  (16)  With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

 

a.  Content With My Preservation - 2 Timothy 1:12  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.  (I have eternal, everlasting, forever and ever life!!!  Eternally secure and safe!)

 

b.  Content With My Prospect - Psalms 17:15  As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. 

 .

1 John 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  (One day soon, it will be over.  I will be in Heaven with Him.  I will have a new body.  I will have a new home.  I will have all that He has.  I know that I shall be eternally satisfied!)

Thriving in 2026 - Abiding and Rejoicing

Temple Baptist Church - 2-8-2026

John 15:11

 

Introduction: 

A.  In 2026, God wants His people to thrive, not just survive!  Thriving in Christ is abiding in Christ, and abiding in Christ is fullness of joy!  One of the essential characteristics of “fullness of Joy” is found in rejoicing.  Here are two verses that express what John is telling us in John 15:11.

 

Philippians 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:16  Rejoice evermore.

 

B.  Last week, we saw that abiding in Christ brings about the joy of the Lord in the life of the Christian.  How can one walk in fellowship and harmony with Christ Jesus and not have that inner joy and peace that comes through being with Him?

 

C.  Rejoicing is an outward expression of an inner joy!  When your joy becomes “full” it overflows in tears and praise.  There is an old saying, “When your cup gets full, the saucer gets the blessing!”

 

D.  The word “rejoice” in its various forms is found 258x in your King James Bible.

 

1.  The First Mention - Exodus 18:8-9  And Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the LORD delivered them.  (9)  And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.

 

2.  The Last Mention - Revelation 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

 

E.  “Alway” is an interesting word.  It is a word not found in this computer's spell checker.  Every time I type “alway”, the word processor corrects it to “always.”  “Always” is found 62 times in the Bible while “alway” is found only 23 times.  When the Bible makes a spelling distinction, it behooves us to take a closer look at the wording.

 

F.  Both words come from the same two root words which mean “every” and “when.”  Therefore, to the casual observer, the two words are the same but this is not the case.  The “s” on “always” makes the word plural while the lack of the “s” makes “alway” singular.  This difference is an important one to the believer as our text verse will bear out.

 

1.  The word “always” refers to an expanse of time more than just an instance of time.

 

2.  The seemingly opposite is true in the context of the word “alway.” It seems that “alway” refers to a specific instance of time and encompasses many instances of time, but one at a time.

 

G.  Whether one agrees fully with that distinction or not, the truth it points us to is unmistakable: our joy is not tied to long stretches of ease, but to Christ’s presence in every moment.  I enjoy reading Philippians 4:4 and am glad that the Holy Ghost said, “Alway!”  It has been and is a joy during the hard times of my life.

H.  Let me give you another instance where the Bible uses the “alway” instead of “always.”  We know that the Lord said that He would never leave nor forsake us in Hebrews 13.  Though the word “always” is not used, the sense of the word is there.  I am glad that the Lord will be there with me and for me until the day He calls me home!  But, in Matthew 18:20, He said, “And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.  Amen.”  I believe that the difference is that, now, our Lord said that He would be with in every place, in every instance, and in every circumstance of life as we carry the gospel to a lost world.  Every situation and circumstance, He is there with us while having the power to deliver and sustain us.  “Even unto the end of the world” tells us that he will be with us in every circumstance all of the way home!

 

J.  I want to look at the latter part of this verse again this morning.  “That your joy might be full!”  “Fulness of joy.”

 

John 15:11  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

 

1.  Our Joy Comes Through Fellowship, not circumstances - Psalms 16:11  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

 

2.  Our Joy Comes Through Faith, not circumstances - Philippians 1:25  And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

 

3.  Our Joy Comes Through Faithfulness, not circumstances - Psalms 84:4  Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.

 

K.  Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”  Notice with me that the verse says to “rejoice in the Lord alway.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16 says, “Rejoice evermore.”

 

1.  To rejoice in all times and all seasons.  In season and out of season!

 

2.  To rejoice in all conditions and all circumstances.  Good times and bad times, times of plenty and times of little, times of health and times of sickness, times when you are up and times when you are down.

 

L.  It is easy to rejoice when you are up on the mountain, but how can we rejoice in the bad times?  By being full of the joy of the Lord.  Keeping our hearts and minds stayed upon Him, not on our surroundings and circumstances.

 

Philippians 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 

 

1.  Normally, “Rejoice in the Lord” would have sufficed, but Paul reinforced the word by beginning and ending the sentence with “rejoice.”  It shows us the importance of having the right attitude and a trusting one.

 

2.  Our mental state has as much to do with our general outlook on life as our circumstances do.  As a “merry heart” doeth good like a medicine, a positive state of mind makes our outlook on life positive.  God controls, and He loves His children!

 

1 Thessalonians 5:16  Rejoice evermore.  (From now throughout our lives and all of the instances thereof.)

 

1.  Rejoice in the Lord during the good times of life.

 

a.  It is easy to forget God when things go well.

 

Deuteronomy 8:12-14  Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;  (13)  And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;  (14)  Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;

 

b.  We need to rejoice in the Lord because He has been so good to us.

 

Psalms 106:1  Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

 

c.  We need to rejoice when our health is good. 

 

3 John 2  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

 

d.  We need to rejoice when our power is still on and our cupboards are full.

 

Ecclesiastes 9:7  Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.

 

 

2.  Rejoice in the Lord during the hard times of life.

 

a.  We can rejoice because God’s providence controls our circumstances.

 

Job 23:10, 13  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold … But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.

 

b.  We can rejoice because it is then that God provides our needs in hard times.

 

Philippians 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

c.  We can rejoice because God protects our lives in desperate situations.

 

2 Timothy 4:17-18  Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.  (18)  And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

d.  We can rejoice because We can count our many blessings in the valleys.

 

Psalms 145:8-10  The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.  (9)  The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.  (10)  All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.

 

 

e.  We can rejoice because God will bring about a right end when the trial is past.

 

1 Corinthians 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Be Ye Followers of Me

 Temple Baptist Church - 2-4-2026

1 Corinthians 11:1

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Paul has set an example for the Corinthian believers over and over, but the last verse of chapter 10 expresses the will and example of leadership. 

 

1.  First, we are individual priests.  In the Old Testament, the priests represented men to God.  Apostles in the New Testament represented God to men.  It is important that we understand these precepts.

 

2.  There are religions where priests still represent men to God.  The Old Testament priesthood had both High Priests and the priesthood under them.  Today, the Lord Jesus Christ is our High Priest, and we represent ourselves to God through Him.

 

Romans 14:12  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

 

B.  Though every believer is a priest, representing themselves to God, God has given pastors and mentors whom it does well to follow.  The words “example” and “examples” are New Testament terms not used at all in the Old Testament. 

 

C.  The Christian life is not lived in isolation. God never intended believers to grow merely through private devotion, but also through visible examples.

 

1.  Christianity is a followed faith. In this single verse, the Apostle Paul lays down a profound principle: “even as I also am of Christ!”  Spiritual leadership is legitimate only when it mirrors Christ.

 

2.  Paul does not point men to himself as the final authority, but as a living illustration of Christlikeness.

 

D.   Now, let’s look at some examples of following the “examples.”

 

1 Corinthians 4:15-16  For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.  (16)  Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

 

Philippians 4:9  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

 

Philippians 3:17  Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

 

Philippians 4:9  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

 

1 Thessalonians 1:5-7  For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.  (6)  And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:  (7)  So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

 

2 Thessalonians 3:7-9  For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;  (8)  Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:  (9)  Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

 

E.  When writing to young Timothy, Paul said that he, as a pastor, was to set an example that his people could follow.

 

1 Timothy 4:12  Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

 

2 Timothy 3:10-11  But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,  (11)  Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

 

F.  Paul was obligated to set an example that the Corinthians could follow.

 

1 Corinthians 11:1  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

 

G.  In our verse for tonight, we find a two-fold obligation.  The obligation of the one to be followed and the obligation of the one who is to be the follower.  This had been problematic from the first chapter of the Corinthian Epistle.

 

1 Corinthians 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

 

1 Corinthians 4:15-16  For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.  (16)  Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

 

Judges 17:6  In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

 

1.  The Person being followed.  I want to clarify that, at this point, if the person following is a faultfinder, then the person you are following is just a man, and you will find fault.

 

a.  Following God’s Pattern.  Ephesians 4:11-13  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  (12)  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  (13)  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

 

b. Following Paul’s Life.  Philippians 1:20-21  According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.  (21)  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

 

c.  Following Paul’s Doctrine.  2 Timothy 3:14  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

 

d.  Following Paul’s Expected End.  2 Timothy 4:7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

 

2.  The Person who is to be following.  Paul explained to young Timothy what a good example to be followed was.

 

2 Timothy 3:10-11  But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,  (11)  Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

 

 

a.  Follow Godly Examples.

 

1)   The call to follow godly examples:  “Be ye followers of me…”  The word “followers” means imitators: people who pattern their lives after others.

 

2)  Paul is not advocating personality worship or blind allegiance. Rather, he recognizes a biblical reality: people learn the truth best when they see it lived out.  I have often said that a life lived is worth a thousand sermons preached.

 

Philippians 3:17  Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

 

Hebrews 13:7  Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

 

3)  Truth must be incarnated before it is imitated. Doctrine without demonstration is weak; doctrine lived out is powerful.

b.  Christ Is The Standard!  Paul does not say to follow me no matter what I do.  Follow me as I follow Christ and, if I quit following Christ, you follow Christ!

 

Acts 5:29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

 

c.  This establishes a vital truth: no preacher, no pastor, no teacher, no tradition, and no doctrine has any authority apart from conformity to THE Pattern, Christ Jesus!

 

Conclusion:  1 Corinthians 11:1 calls us to two sober reflections:  (1) Who are we following? (2)   Who is following us?