1. 2019 Theme
Lights in a Dark World
Philippians 2:15

2. Examples that influenced

3. Examples of conduct
Consider the prophets and Job James 5: as examples of patience and suffering
Paul called for others to follow his example – Philippians 3:17, 1 Corinthians 11:1
Joseph and Esau as examples of forgiveness
The faith of Hebrews 11

4. Jesus recognized others
Throughout his ministry, we find numerous examples that Jesus recognized
Mark 12:41-45, the widow with two mites (small coins).
Matthew 15:22-28, Jesus casts out the demon of the daughter of a Syrophoenician woman.
Mark 14:5-3-9, as Mary anoints the feet of Jesus with costly oil.
Luke 7:36-39, a woman washes the feet of Jesus with her tears, and wipes them with her hair
Matthew 8:10, a centurion pleads with Jesus to heal his servant

5. Examples that influenced
Joseph in prison
Genesis 39-40, though his slavery was the result of hatred, yet he made the best of his circumstances.
Both Potiphar and the keeper of the prison saw his ethics & faithfulness and promoted him to high status. And so did Pharaoh.

6. Examples that influenced
Joseph in prison
Even his fellow prisoners saw his faithfulness to God
By simply being honorable and doing your best can influence others 1 Peter 2:12

7. Examples that influenced
Daniel in captivity
Daniel 1:8, while carried to Babylon to serve the king, Daniel determined that he would not defile himself. God was with him
With integrity Daniel rises in prominence in the kingdom.
Even after Babylon falls to Medo-Persia (Ch. 5), he quickly rises in prominence (6:3) because of an excellent spirit in him

8. Examples that influenced
Daniel in captivity
Daniel 6, because of his recognition there is jealousy and a determination to defeat Daniel
As a result, he is cast into the den of lions because he continued to pray to God 3 times a day, “as was his custom” (Dan. 6:10)
Daniel 6:16-17, Darius knows God is with Daniel and hopes for deliverance

9. Examples that influenced
Daniel in captivity
Daniel 6:24-29, the decree of Darius to honor “the God of Daniel”
We never know when our shining light will cause others to glorify God (Matthew 5:16)

10. Examples that influenced
Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego
Daniel 3, contemporaries of Daniel, they too are loyal to God. They refuse to bow before a heathen statue and are cast into a furnace of fire
Daniel 3:28-30, Nebuchadnezzar praises God and makes a decree that all fear Him because of their faithfulness and promoted them

11. Examples that influenced
Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego
We never know the end of a godly example, or who it will influence.
Matthew 5:44, Romans 12:17-21, we are to love our enemies, and let give place to God for wrath

12. Examples that influenced
Esther and Mordecai
Through providential circumstances, Esther becomes queen and delivers the Jews from destruction.
Mordecai, her uncle raised her – Esther 2:7, he influenced her for good.
Both were able to influence the king.

13. Examples that influenced
Esther and Mordecai
Faithfulness and courage to stand for what is right.
Sometimes doing the right thing is uncertain, but we must.
And we never know how that will result in good results.
Usually, our fears are proven unfounded.
Philippians 1:21, Is this our attitude?

14. Examples that influenced
Paul, a great influence to many
Philippians 1:12-13, the whole palace guard, realized why he was in chains
Acts 27-28, Paul headed toward Rome has influence on Julius, the centurion (27:1), – Paul’s life spared
Acts 28:16, 30-31, permitted to dwell in his own house for 2 years

15. Examples that influenced
Paul, a great influence to many
Philippians 1:14, the Philippians became more confident, in boldness and confidence because of Paul’s example
Paul’s influence on Timothy. As a “true son in the faith”, i.e. a mentor, 1 Timothy 1:2,
2 Timothy 1:6, 13-14, 2:2, 3:10, “you have carefully followed my doctrine…”
1 Corinthians 4:17, 16:10 – Timothy followed his example

16. Examples that influenced
The Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 1:6-7, followers of us and the Lord, examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia
1 Thessalonians 2:14, they imitated the churches of God in Judea in Christ Jesus
Congregations that stand faithful can influence other congregations to do likewise, and be a source of strength

17. Examples that influenced
Lois and Eunice
2 Timothy 1:5, Timothy’s grandmother and mother, whose genuine faith they instilled in Timothy
Godly parents will influence their children. Example is the greatest teaching tool in a home (Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:4, Titus 2:3-4)

18. Examples that influenced
Dorcas
Acts 9:36-40, Peter comes to Joppa and raises Dorcas from the dead
She was known for her benevolence, making tunics for widows (9:39)
Again, we see how the way we care and treat others can be a source of influence.

19. How is our example influencing others?