I can recall many years ago when I accepted the call of God, the Holy Spirit said, “Live your life as an example in Jesus Christ.” When I heard those words, I said, “How can I do that? And I heard the words, “Follow the example of Jesus Christ.”
In other words, Christ is the example for us to follow. The Apostle Paul even said, “Imitate me or follow me as I follow Christ!” (1 Cor 11:1) As I mentioned before, when I first received the call of God, the LORD gave me a mission mandate and it was, “Live your life as an example in Jesus Christ, preach the gospel and minister the Word of God in true righteousness, holiness, deliverance and truth.” This word became the guiding principle from which I launched into ministry, and it has set the tone for what we do today in our church!
Saints of God, we are to follow the example of Christ and no other. There is no one on this earth dead or alive who can, or will ever come close to who Jesus Christ is and was! Remember what Jesus said in John 8:12, “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” Did you get that? I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life!
There is no way you can walk in darkness if you follow Christ. There is no way you can embrace the darkness, if you follow Christ. Why? Because Jesus passed the baton to you and me, and said we are now the light of the world! Look what the scripture says!
Mat 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Mat 5:15 “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.”
Mat 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Question? Are you letting your light shine? Can people see Jesus in you and through you? Look what the disciples who followed Jesus and became Apostles said about being an example:
John 13:15 – For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.
Phil 3:17 – Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.
2 Thess 3:9 Not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
1 Tim 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Jam 5:10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.
1 Pet 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
Saints if you are not following the example of Christ in word or deed, you are not bringing God glory in the earth. As a matter of fact, you may be deceived! Christ was in the world, but not of the world. Christ loved the sinner, but he did no sin. One of the things we see today in churches today is that people love certain aspects of church like teaching, preaching, and outreach, but they don’t like the deliverance ministry of Jesus Christ.
In other words, Christ preached, teached, evangelized, prayed, prophesied and even cast out demons. Jesus even told the disciples to do the same thing he did!
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Mar 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Mar 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
If we are going to fully do the work of ministry the way Christ did it, lets follow his example in preaching, teaching, ministering, serving, giving, evangelizing, prophesying and even casting out demons! In many churches today, people say, “Give me the Pastor, Teacher, and Evangelist, but I want nothing to do with apostolic and prophetic ministry!
They say Pastor that is just too much! Well if you only want part of Christ’s ministry, how can you truly be effective? The Bible says that God will give us Pastor’s after his own heart, who will feed his sheep with knowledge and understanding.
Jer 3:15 – “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
What does this mean? It means that God will give you leaders and shepherds after his heart, who will do what Christ did, speak like Christ did, take care of the people like Christ did, and feed you like Christ did!
So the real question is, “Will you follow them that follow Jesus Christ example?”
God bless, Pastor Quinn