Christ is our model for our faith, our endurance, our longsuffering, our love, our self-sacrifice, our suffering, our walk, our purity and our service.

1. Christ: Our
Model

2. John 10:1-5 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he
who does not enter the sheepfold by the door,
but climbs up some other way, the same is a
thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the
door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him
the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his
voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and
leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his
own sheep, he goes before them; and the
sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5
Yet they will by no means follow a stranger,
but will flee from him, for they do not know
the voice of strangers.“

3. MODEL?
A. If I use the word model, what picture comes to your
mind?
1. A tall slender woman in fancy clothing?
2. A model car, boat or plane?
B. Have you every built a model of something?
C. What is a model?
1. A three-dimensional representation of a person
or thing or of a proposed structure, typically on a
smaller scale than the original.
2. A person, system or thing used as an example to
follow or imitate.
D. Jesus is our model, example to follow and imitate.

4. I. MODEL FOR OUR FAITH
A. Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are
surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us
lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily
ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race
that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the
author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that
was set before Him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the
throne of God.
B. Hebrews 3:1-2 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers
of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and
High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, 2 who
was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses
also was faithful in all His house.

5. II. MODEL FOR OUR ENDURANCE
A. Hebrews 12:3-4 For consider Him who endured
such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest
you become weary and discouraged in your
souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed,
striving against sin.
B. 2 Timothy 2:11-13 This is a faithful saying: For if
we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. 12
If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we
deny Him, He also will deny us. 13 If we are
faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny
Himself.

6. III. MODEL FOR OUR LONGSUFFERING
A. 1 Timothy 1:12-16 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who
has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting
me into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a
blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I
obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14
And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with
faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful
saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came
into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16
However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first
Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to
those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
B. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as
some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not
willing that any should perish but that all should come to
repentance.

7. IV. MODEL FOR OUR LOVE
A. Ephesians 5:1-7 Therefore be imitators of God as
dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has
loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a
sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3 But
fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let
it not even be named among you, as is fitting for
saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor
coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather
giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no
fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who
is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of
Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with
empty words, for because of these things the wrath
of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7
Therefore do not be partakers with them.

8. IV. MODEL FOR OUR LOVE
B. Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just
as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself
for her,
C. John 15:12-13 This is My commandment, that
you love one another as I have loved you. 13
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay
down one's life for his friends.

9. V. MODEL FOR OUR SELF-SACRIFICE
A. Philippians 2:3-8 Let nothing be done through
selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind
let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let
each of you look out not only for his own interests,
but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind
be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who,
being in the form of God, did not consider it
robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself
of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant,
and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being
found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself
and became obedient to the point of death, even
the death of the cross.

10. V. MODEL FOR OUR SELF-SACRIFICE
B. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For the love of Christ
compels us, because we judge thus: that if One
died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all,
that those who live should live no longer for
themselves, but for Him who died for them and
rose again.

11. VI. MODEL FOR OUR SUFFERING
A. 1 Peter 2:19-23 For this is commendable, if because of
conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering
wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten
for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do
good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is
commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called,
because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example,
that you should follow His steps: 22 "Who committed no
sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 23 who, when He
was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He
did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who
judges righteously;
B. Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our
spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then
heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed
we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified
together.

12. VII. MODEL FOR OUR WALK
A. 1 John 2:3-6 Now by this we know that we know
Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says,
"I know Him," and does not keep His
commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God
is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in
Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself
also to walk just as He walked.
B. 1 John 1:6-7 If we say that we have fellowship with
Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not
practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He
is in the light, we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us
from all sin.

13. VIII. MODEL FOR OUR PURITY
A. 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.
B. Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation
has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for
the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God
and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that
He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify
for Himself His own special people, zealous for good
works.

14. IX. MODEL FOR OUR SERVICE
A. John 13:12-17 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? 13
You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for
so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have
washed your feet, you also ought to wash one
another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example,
that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most
assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than
his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he
who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed
are you if you do them.

15. IX. MODEL FOR OUR SERVICE
B. Mark 10:42-45 But Jesus called them to Himself
and said to them, "You know that those who are
considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over
them, and their great ones exercise authority
over them. 43 Yet it shall not be so among you;
but whoever desires to become great among you
shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you
desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For
even the Son of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for
many.”

16. WHO IS YOUR MODEL
A. Are you following Jesus?
B. B. Following Him begins with following Him
in baptism.
C. Following Him ends at our death.

18. HAVE A CHRIST-LIKE WEEK