CAN YOU IMITATE PAUL IN WHAT HE SAYS?

INTRODUCTION-- When Paul invited others to imitate him, was it conceit or arrogance (perhaps more mildly audacity)? I prefer to think that his invitation proceeded from poise and self-confidence.

1. He made direct appeals in 1 Corinthians 4:16 ("I beseech you therefore, be ye imitators of me.") and Philippians 3:17 ("Brethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an ensample").
   
2. He qualified his appeal in 1 Corinthians 11:1. "Be ye imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ."
   
3. The church at Thessalonica imitated Paul faithfully in an important and vital work. 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8 "And ye became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit; 7 so that ye became an ensample to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For from you hath sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith to God-ward is gone forth; so that we need not to speak anything."
   
4. Are we to follow his example in actions, only? Philippians 4:9 "The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you."
   
   

LESSON-- CAN WE SAY WITH PAUL......

1. "I am not ashamed of the Gospel..." Romans 1:16-17
   
   1. Paul gives sound reasons why he is not ashamed of the Gospel. "For it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith."
      
   2. He knew the value of salvation, personally, as "chief of sinners." 1 Tim-othy 1:12-17 "I thank him that enabled me, even Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he counted me faithful, appointing me to his service; 13 though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief; 14 and the grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief: 16 howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me as chief might Jesus Christ show forth all his longsuffering, for an ensample of them that should thereafter believe on him unto eternal life. 17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen."
      
   3. But this same value is available to all. 1 Corinthians 15:1-2 "Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand, 2 by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain." (NOTE: Some want the value of salvation for themselves, but are ashamed of it when they hear it preached boldly and firmly to others!)

2. "I am free from the blood of all men." Acts 20:26
   
   1. Paul gives sound reasons for this, also. Read Vs. 17-27. "And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church. 18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, after what manner I was with you all the time, 19 serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with trials which befell me by the plots of the Jews; 20 how I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23 save that the Holy Spirit testifieth unto me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24 But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall see my face no more. 26 Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God."
      
   2. I am particularly chastised by this claim of Paul, but I should not be alone in trying to be free from the blood of all men.
      
   3. If we say we are hindered from imitating Paul in this because of weakness, consider his next statement.

3. "I take pleasure in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:10
   
   1. To understand why Paul would say this, read Vs. 7-10. "And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch. 8 Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
      
   2. Many heroes of faith "from weakness were made strong." Hebrews 11:34
      
4. "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21
   
   1. Why would Paul say this? Read Vs. 19-24. "For I know that this shall turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing shall I be put to shame, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if to live in the flesh, --if this shall bring fruit from my work, then what I shall choose I know not. 23 But I am in a strait betwixt the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ; for it is very far better: 24 yet to abide in the flesh is more needful for your sake."
      
   2. This sentiment should be held by all. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 "For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and he died for all, that they that live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who for their sakes died and rose again." (Compare Revelation 14:13. "And I heard the voice from heaven saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them.")

5. "I am ready to be offered." 2 Timothy 4:6-8
   
   1. His reasons are found in the same verses. "....the time of my departure is come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: 8 henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing."
      
   2. "The sting of death is sin" (1 Corinthians 15:56), making many unwilling to face death, hopefully, as Paul did.
      
   3. Our solution is found in Vs. 57-58 "But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord."

APPLICATION-- We must not seek to justify our failure to follow Paul in these things, but rather find and develop the incentives within ourselves to duplicate his attitudes (if not his tremendous accomplishments).

APPEAL-- The non-Christian can imitate Paul, also, in being obedient to Christ.

1. Acts 22:10, 16 "And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do........16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name."
   
2. Acts 26:19 "Wherefore, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:"