Follow the leader

People are very good imitators. We imitate many things around us. We are very influenced by the world to do mostly bad things. Why don't we imitate the good instead of the bad?

Imitation is both inward and outward. Inward are not really obvious but are powerful. Example attitudes of the parents stay till we die.

Paul followed Jesus' example of imitating His Father in heaven.

John 5:19-20
19 Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.
20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these.

a. 1 Thessalonians 1:6
You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

Paul, Silas and Timothy had been deeply involved for some time in the life of the church in Thessalonica. They admired Paul and changed their own life styles and attitudes.

b. 1 Thessalonians 1:7-8
7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
8 The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia--your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it,

The church not only was imitating Paul but also was a prototype for others to follow and came to be known everywhere.

c. 1 Thessalonians 3:12
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

Paul want to follow their example by loving each other.

d. 1 Corinthians 11:1
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

Paul expected imitation as long as he is following Christ. Even though he was not perfect, he had a clear conscious to ask others to imitate him.

e. 1 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore I urge you to imitate me.

Paul asks Timothy to imitate him. So Timothy imitated Paul.

f. 1 Timothy 3
1 Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.
2 Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.
5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?)
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.
7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.
8 Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.
9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.
10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
11 In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
12 A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well.
13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that,
15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

Leadership is actually evaluated by the character of the person rather than the skills or qualifications. So it is important to imitate the discipler.

g. 2 Corinthians 3:1-3
1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you?
2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody.
3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

The word of God we teach would becomew alive and effective if it is alive in our own lives. So no hypocrisy.

h. 1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

Paul worked harder than any one else, but understood God's grace. Discipleship is denying yourself and taking up the cross.

i. Philippians 3:17
Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.

We need to join with others who are a model to us.

Conclusion

The kind of person you are should be far more impressive than your title "Christian".