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?