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1. Some years ago there was a small town at the base of a great mountain. In the side of the mountain some distance up a large stone face had been carved. It was the very expression of kindness and compassion. A small boy had often looked at this face and was told that one day a man would come into town who looked like the face on the mountain and would be kind and compassionate. Each day the boy looked at the stone face and would go the railroad station and look for a man who looked like the stone face. As the years past, he continued to look until one day the people began to notice that he looked like the face on the mountain. He had become like his example.

2. The story is told about a church in Paducah, KY, where a half-drunk man came into the worship service. When he reached the front, he turned and faced the audience. He said, "I am running from the police because I killed a man in a game of gambling. If they knew I was here, they would come for me. Before that happens, I want to tell you my story. When I was a boy, I attended Bible classes here. I had a wonderful teacher. She had a special class at her house each Saturday morning and after it was over, she served refreshments. Many times after class the teacher would sit down and teach us how to play cards as a nice friendly game. After a while, we started giving prizes to the one who won the most games. From that small beginning, I became a gambler and here I am. I wish my teacher had set a better example."

Just as he finished his story, a little old lady stumbled out of her pew and cried, "Oh, Dear God, forgive me. I am that teacher."

3. An example is so powerful. Since we tend to become like the examples around us, let us be sure to follow the right one.

4. Our text tells us that Christ left us an example, a perfect one to follow.

A. Christ gave up the riches of Heaven and became poor (2 Cor. 8:9). (Humanity of Christ)

B. Christ gave up equality with God (Phil. 2:5-11). He called Himself "the son of man." (Matt. 24:27 & other passages).

1. Example of the officer in the army who went into the enlisted men’s barrack. They snapped to attention and were not comfortable with him being there. If he gave up his officer status and associated with them, they would be more at ease. This is what Jesus did. He gave up His ranking position in Heaven to come to Earth as our Savior.

C. Christ suffered and gave His life for all who believe on Him (Hebrews 2:9,10).

A. "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness…" (Matt. 5:10-12).

B. The Apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ (Acts 5:41). (Beaten, bloody but happy).

C. Many entered the Kingdom through much tribulation (Acts 14:19-23).

D. All that live Godly will suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12).

E. We have not suffered like Christ (Heb. 12:1-4).

F. God’s people have suffered throughout all history (Heb. 11:36-38).

A. Strong are to bear the infirmities of the weak. (Rom. 15:1,2).

B. We must bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2; Phil. 2:3,4).

A. God exhalted Christ (Phil. 2:9).

B. The humble will be exhalted. At the end of the Civil War, General Sherman was organizing the great parade that was to march down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington. One General, O.O. Howard, was to ride at the head of his division of troops. On the morning of the parade, Sherman came to Howard to ask a favor of him. General Howard replied, "Yours to command." General Sherman told him that another General had commanded the troops before Howard took charge of them. Sherman said, " I know you commanded them during these last campaigns, but, you are a Christian. Would you step down and let this other general take your place?"

Howard swallowed hard. He had fought with those men, had lived with them on the battlefield and campground and had lost an arm in the service. By rights he had earned the place of honor, and there was no reason why he should give it to his predecessor. Nevertheless, he turned to General Sherman and said, "Yes, Sir. Since you put that way, and since I am a Christian, I will do it gladly. The other General may ride at the head of my troops."

Sherman looked at him in admiration and partial amazement. "General Howard," He replied, "I expected you would say that. Now you may ride with me at the head of the army."

C. One must be willing to step down before he can be lifted up. Jesus said, "He that shall humble himself shall be exalted." (Matthew 23:12).

A. Christ made God’s will His will.

1. "Thy will be done." (Matt. 26:42; Luke 22:42).

2. "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me" (John 4:34).

3. "I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which has sent me." (John 5:30).

4. "For I came down from heaven, not to do my will, but the will of Him that sent me." (John 6:38).

5. Whatever God wanted Him to do, He did it. That is why God said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," (Matthew 3:17).

B. With Christ as our example, we should make God’s word our supreme rule in our lives because:

1. It is a light and lamp (Ps. 119:105).

2. We are to live by it (Matt. 4:4).

3. Only those who obey the word will be saved (Matt. 7:21).

4. It will make us free (John 8:32).

5. Judgement by the words of Jesus (John 12:48).

6. It is able to save our soul (James 1:21; Rom. 1:16).

7. It furnishes all our spiritual needs (2 Tim. 3:16,17).

8. Those who obey will have eternal life (1 John 2:17).

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