Example
Preached by Apostle Aje Pelser, Harvester Reformational Church, Cape Town
30 January 2022

One of the best ways to make disciples is to set a good example.
Here are some ways to do just that and set an example like Jesus showed his disciples, who continued what He started. I hope this message inspires you and equips you to set an example too and fulfil His great command to love, and His great commission to go and make disciples of all nations.

The Foot-washing Lord
Joh 13:12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?
Joh 13:13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.
Joh 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
Joh_13:15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.
Example G5262 hupodeigma Thayer Definition:
1) a sign suggestive of anything, delineation of a thing, representation, figure, copy
2) an example: for imitation
2a) of the thing to be imitated
2b) for a warning, of a thing to be shunned

Jesus creates an unforgettable figure for us to follow, a servant leader that humbly washes the feet of those He came to serve and raise up.
1Pe_5:3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;

Type Set patterns to leave an imprint of Jesus
Php_3:17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.
1Ti_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.
The word for pattern is ‘tupos’ which reminds us of type
G5179 ‘tupos’
Thayer Definition:
1) the mark of a stroke or blow, print
2) a figure formed by a blow or impression
2a) of a figure or image
2b) of the image of the gods
3) form
3a) the teaching which embodies the sum and substance of religion and represents it to the mind, manner of writing, the contents and form of a letter
4) an example
4a) in the technical sense, the pattern in conformity to which a thing must be made
4b) in an ethical sense, a dissuasive example, a pattern of warning
4b1) of ruinous events which serve as admonitions or warnings to others
4c) an example to be imitated
4c1) of men worthy of imitation
4d) in a doctrinal sense
4d1) of a type, i.e. a person or thing prefiguring a future (Messianic) person or thing

Paul K Williams explains the origins of the word:
“This pictures an interesting process. An engraver wishes to leave the impression of something, let’s say the outline of a horse, in clay. The artisan fashions the “type” (one meaning of tupos) in metal and fixes it on the end of a piece of wood. He positions the engraving over the unhardened clay and hits the wood a sharp blow. When he takes away the metal, he finds an impression of the horse in the clay. This is an “example.”

Here Apostle Paul both asks believers to imitate his example as he imitates Christ’s. He carries on the thought in his letter to Timothy to be the example to the believers too and highlights the categories where Christ should be formed.

Such an imprint of Christ is found in much affliction:
1Th 1:6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
1Th_1:7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.
When you suffer any form of affliction for the sake of your faith, it leaves an imprint in those who observe you. At the same time, you start to fulfil in your body, the sufferings of Christ. The good news is that whenever you suffer, it releases an eternal weight of glory on your life.
2Co 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

Negative examples that warn of the consequences of disobedience
The Bible warns us of negative examples:
2Pe_2:6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly;
Jud_1:7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
1Co_10:6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.
1Co_10:11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
Heb_4:11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.

Patience suffering gives us an example of character and perseverance
Jas_5:10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.

1Pe_2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
It’s like an A-Z of principles to practise when we go through suffering in any form.
G5261 “hupogrammos”
Thayer Definition:
1) a writing copy, including all the letters of the alphabet, given to beginners as an aid in learning to draw them
2) an example set before one