1. Building Strong Hearts, Cultivating Deep Life! 1 Corinthians 11:1; 4:16

2. 1 Corinthians 11:1…. “Be imitators of me, as I also am of Christ.” [HCSB] “Be imitators of me, as I also am of Christ.” [HCSB] “Therefore I urge you, be imitators of me.” [HCSB] “Therefore I urge you, be imitators of me.” [HCSB] 1 Corinthians 4:16….

3. 1 Thessalonians 1:6…. “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with the joy from the Holy Spirit.” [HCSB] “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with the joy from the Holy Spirit.” [HCSB]

4. 2 Thessalonians 3:7…. “For you yourselves know how you must imitate us: we were not irresponsible among you.” [HCSB]

5. “asked” “little”

6. A Benjamite. A Pharisee trained under the famous Gamaliel, circumcised on the eight day. A Roman citizen. Extremely zealous follower of Judaism. Hebrew of Hebrews.

7. We want to particularly mention many of the good examples of the apostle Paul that we ought to imitate. We want to particularly mention many of the good examples of the apostle Paul that we ought to imitate.

9. Philippians 1:21…. “For me, living is Christ and dying is gain.” [HCSB] “For me, living is Christ and dying is gain.” [HCSB] A) Paul was earnest in seeking his own salvation.

10. B) Paul was careful to run as not in vain but resolving to win the prize of salvation.

11. 1 Corinthians 9:27…. “Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” [HCSB]

13. A) Paul was strong in faith 2 Corinthians 5:6-8…. “Therefore, though we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord ….

14. “…. – for we walk by faith, not by sight – yet we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord.” [HCSB]

15. B) Paul had deep love for Christ B) Paul had deep love for Christ “For Christ’s love compels us, since we have reached this conclusion: If One died for all, then all died.” [HCSB] 2 Corinthians 5:14….

16. Romans 8:35-37…. “ Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: …. “ Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ….

17. …. Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us.” [HCSB] …. Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us.” [HCSB]

18. Romans 1:16…. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.” [HCSB] C) Paul was not ashamed of the gospel C) Paul was not ashamed of the gospel

19. D) Paul had heaven- mindedness

20. “So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on what is above and not what is on the earth.” [HCSB] Colossians 3:1-2….

21. “So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen; for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” [HCSB] “So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen; for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” [HCSB] 2 Corinthians 4:18….

22. Romans 1:8-10…. “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you because the news of your faith is being reported in all the world. …. “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you because the news of your faith is being reported in all the world. …. E) Paul abound in prayer and praise E) Paul abound in prayer and praise

23. …. For God, whom I serve with my spirit in [telling] the good news about His Son, is my witness that I constantly mention you, always asking in my prayers that if it is somehow in God’s will, I may now at last succeed in coming to you.” [HCSB]

24. Philippians 4:11-13…. “I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. … “I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. … F) Paul was contented

25. … In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret [of being content] – whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.” [HCSB] … In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret [of being content] – whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.” [HCSB]

26. G) Paul was cautious in his words G) Paul was cautious in his words

27. 2 Corinthians 12:6…. “For if I want to boast, I will not be a fool, because I will be telling the truth. But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me.” [HCSB]

29. A) His meekness and love for his enemies

30. “… we labor, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we entreat. We are, even now, like the world’s garbage, like the filth of all things.” [HCSB] “… we labor, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we entreat. We are, even now, like the world’s garbage, like the filth of all things.” [HCSB] 1 Corinthians 4:12-13….

31. B) He delighted in peace Philippians 2:1-2…. “If then there is encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection ….

32. …. and mercy, fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal.” [HCSB] …. and mercy, fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal.” [HCSB]

33. C) He was tender and compassionate towards those in affliction 2 Corinthians 11:29…. “Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?” [HCSB]

34. D) He rejoiced at other’s prosperity and joy Romans 12:15…. “Rejoice with those who rejoice,...” [HCSB] “Rejoice with those who rejoice,...” [HCSB]

35. E) He delighted in the fellowship of God’s people Philippians 1:8…. “For my God is my witness, how I deeply miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.” [HCSB] “For my God is my witness, how I deeply miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.” [HCSB]

36. Romans 1:11-12…. “For I want very much to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is, to be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” [HCSB] “For I want very much to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is, to be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” [HCSB]

37. F) He was truly courteous in his behavior towards others F) He was truly courteous in his behavior towards others