1. WELCOME TO THE JACKSON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES

2. 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.

3. BE AN EXAMPLE

4. EXAMPLES A.The value of examples (patterns) in making things, clothing, food, houses, crafts etc. B.EXAMPLES CAN BE GOOD - (1 Pet 5:3) nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; C.EXAMPLES CAN BE BAD - (James 4:4) Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. D.We have all been influenced by examples around us: relatives, teachers, associates, friends.

5. I. EXAMPLES IN WORD A.(Mat 12:34-37) “Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. {35} “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. {36} “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. {37} “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

6. I. EXAMPLES IN WORD B.(Eph 4:29) Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. C.(Col 4:6) Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. D.(1 Pet 4:11) If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.

7. II. EXAMPLES IN CONDUCT A.(Mat 5:16) “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. B.(1 Pet 3:1) Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, C.(1 Cor 8:10) For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? D.(2 Pet 3:11-12) Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, {12} looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?

8. III. EXAMPLES IN LOVE A.(Mat 22:36-40) "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" {37} Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' {38} "This is the first and great commandment. {39} "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' {40} "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." B.(John 13:35) “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” C.(John 15:13) “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

9. III. EXAMPLES IN LOVE D.(Mat 5:43-47) "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' {44} "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, {45} "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. {46} "For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? {47} "And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?

10. IV. EXAMPLES IN SPIRIT A.(Rom 8:1) There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. B.(Rom 12:11) not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; C.(1 Cor 6:17) But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. D.(1 Cor 6:20) For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

11. V. EXAMPLES IN FAITH A.(Rom 1:8) First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. B.(2 Cor 5:7) For we walk by faith, not by sight. C.(2 Cor 13:5) Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?; unless indeed you are disqualified. D.(1 Th 1:6-8) And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, {7} so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. {8} For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.

12. VI. EXAMPLES IN PURITY A.(Mat 5:8) Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. B.(James 1:27) Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. C.(1 Tim 5:22-25) Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure. {23} No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities. {24} Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. {25} Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden. D.(1 John 3:2-3) Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. {3} And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

13. WHAT ABOUT YOU? A.What kind of example are you? B.Good or bad C.Have you been a good example… in word? in conduct? in love? in spirit? in faith? in purity?

15. TONIGHT’S SERMON MARY, MARY, MARY.