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You Have Carefully Followed My...Manner of Life

Text: 2 Timothy 3:10-11
22 September 2019

INTRODUCTION

1. We are already examples, whether good or bad!

a. As parents / grandparents, we are examples for our children
b. As older ones in church, we are examples for the younger ones

2. Our challenge at the Evening Bilingual Worship Service is to be good examples

a. This is what we have attempted to do all our life
b. This is what we want to continue to seek to do

UNDERSTANDING THE PHRASE “MANNER OF LIFE”

“But you have carefully followed my…manner of life”   2 Timothy 3:10

1. The Apostle Paul was an excellent example for people to follow

2. One aspect he highlighted was his “manner of life”

a. The phrase “manner of life” contains the idea of “leading”
b. It refers to the life of a person who leads by example

3. Paul was leading others

a. As a leading apostle in the church
b. As a teacher
c. As one who is older

4. Thus, he sought to live as one who was leading others

HOW WE MAY BE GOOD EXAMPLES IN OUR MANNER OF LIFE

1. Consciousness of leading others

a. Paul’s example
i. Conscious of his Apostleship   (2 Timothy 1: 2)
ii. Conscious of his role as spiritual father to Timothy   (2 Timothy 1: 2)
b. We too can be conscious
i. Of our roles in life
ii. Of the influence we will make on others

2. Carefulness in living our life

a. Paul was careful to be an example of all that he said and taught Timothy
b. Whatever he said to Timothy, he would first practise it himself
i. In the way he suffered for the Lord (2 Timothy 1: 8, 12)
ii. In the way he endured all things (2 Timothy 2: 3, 10)

3. Cultivation of our lives

a. Many aspects may be cultivated   (2 Timothy 3: 10)
b. What is needed
i. Concreteness
ii. Consistency

4. Commendation

a. The greatest commendation comes when someone else follows you
i. Timothy carefully followed Paul in every aspect
ii. His life was moulded and impacted significantly because of Paul
b. The challenge is to cultivate our lives until others can follow us

APPLICATION TO THE BILINGUAL BRETHREN

1. Let’s be encouraged to keep cultivating our manner of life!

2. Let’s persevere

a. For the sake of the Lord
b. For the sake of those who will follow our example