It is human nature to model our lives after the people we admire. Some people model their lives after sports figures, or media figures, or in some sad cases some model their lives after criminal figures. You will see people adopt certain mannerisms, catch phrases, and attitudes of their models.
The right role model can spur us on in our lives. I have benefited greatly from various role models. There are preachers whose style has impacted my own. There are scholars who have changed my way of thinking. There are writers who have spurred me on in my own writing. There are Pastors who have influenced the way I serve. Role models can lead us forward. But they can also drag us down if we choose the wrong models.
Paul understood this. As he wrote to the Philippians he understood that the people they chose to follow would impact the growth that they experienced. There are generally two kinds of people in any church. There are those who imitate the Savior and those who imitate the world. Paul encourages the Philippians to "mark" or "observe with a view to imitate" those who lived godly lives.
In 1 Corinthians 15:33 Paul quotes a Greek poet when he said, "Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals" If you have bad models you will move in the wrong direction in your Christian life. So, this morning we want to examine this issue further. What should we be looking for? What are the characteristics of good models and bad models. We'll start with the negative.
The right role model can spur us on in our lives. I have benefited greatly from various role models. There are preachers whose style has impacted my own. There are scholars who have changed my way of thinking. There are writers who have spurred me on in my own writing. There are Pastors who have influenced the way I serve. Role models can lead us forward. But they can also drag us down if we choose the wrong models.
Paul understood this. As he wrote to the Philippians he understood that the people they chose to follow would impact the growth that they experienced. There are generally two kinds of people in any church. There are those who imitate the Savior and those who imitate the world. Paul encourages the Philippians to "mark" or "observe with a view to imitate" those who lived godly lives.
In 1 Corinthians 15:33 Paul quotes a Greek poet when he said, "Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals" If you have bad models you will move in the wrong direction in your Christian life. So, this morning we want to examine this issue further. What should we be looking for? What are the characteristics of good models and bad models. We'll start with the negative.
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