Role Models

Services

Sunday - 9:15 AM Sunday School, 10:30 AM Worship Service

by: Denise Robinson

04/24/2024

0

Did you have a role model growing up? Do you have one now? Perhaps it was/is a parent or grandparent, a teacher or mentor, a coach, or ... you fill in the blank. I think we see people we admire or think we might want to be like on television - the movie or TV star, the famous athlete, the politician - but because we don't really know them, they're not our role models. I know I have my faults and limitations and I know my role models have them as well, but they overcome or deal with their own "issues" in ways I admire. You might say that their weaknesses make them an even better role model for me because I can aspire to be like they are at their best while accepting that they're not always at their best. Make sense?
In chapter 3 of his letter to the churches in Philippi, the Apostle Paul begins by providing - for those who may not know him - a short overview of his religious education and training. Then he says, bluntly, that all of that amounts to nothing. It's not what he is on paper that matters. What matters is that he knows Jesus. 
"Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord ... in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith." Then Paul repeats, "I want to know Christ."
Paul offers himself as a role model to those just coming into the Christian faith, not because of his education, status, pedigree, or wealth, but because of his faith and knowledge of Jesus. He admits openly his faults but his hope is that when they see him and how he lives, they will see Jesus in him. 
Is that what you think of when you think of a role model? When it comes to modeling Jesus it's how we love God and one another and how we contribute to God's Kingdom that matters. That's a true role model. My hope for you today is that you not only have a role model but that you are one as well. It's an incredible responsibility but quite an honor as well. What do you think?
Blog comments will be sent to the moderator
Did you have a role model growing up? Do you have one now? Perhaps it was/is a parent or grandparent, a teacher or mentor, a coach, or ... you fill in the blank. I think we see people we admire or think we might want to be like on television - the movie or TV star, the famous athlete, the politician - but because we don't really know them, they're not our role models. I know I have my faults and limitations and I know my role models have them as well, but they overcome or deal with their own "issues" in ways I admire. You might say that their weaknesses make them an even better role model for me because I can aspire to be like they are at their best while accepting that they're not always at their best. Make sense?
In chapter 3 of his letter to the churches in Philippi, the Apostle Paul begins by providing - for those who may not know him - a short overview of his religious education and training. Then he says, bluntly, that all of that amounts to nothing. It's not what he is on paper that matters. What matters is that he knows Jesus. 
"Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord ... in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith." Then Paul repeats, "I want to know Christ."
Paul offers himself as a role model to those just coming into the Christian faith, not because of his education, status, pedigree, or wealth, but because of his faith and knowledge of Jesus. He admits openly his faults but his hope is that when they see him and how he lives, they will see Jesus in him. 
Is that what you think of when you think of a role model? When it comes to modeling Jesus it's how we love God and one another and how we contribute to God's Kingdom that matters. That's a true role model. My hope for you today is that you not only have a role model but that you are one as well. It's an incredible responsibility but quite an honor as well. What do you think?
cancel save

0 Comments on this post:

write a comment
post comment cancel