Text Gen. 26:7 What sort of example are we?

A. We have recognized for some time in our studies how we are to follow the example of Christ, but today we ask, do we want those around us to follow our example?

1. We see here in our text Isaac lied about who his wife was.

a. Lying never solves a problem.

b. Isaac had a good reason to lie.

c. What if others around him lied because Isaac did.

2. Children look and learn from us, parents and grand-parents.

a. Isaac learned this way of lying from his father.

b. Genesis 12:10-13 “And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land. (11.) And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon: (12.) Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. (14.) Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.

c. While it well had saved their lives, we cannot fail to see that this same lie went from father to son. What examples are we setting for those around us?

B. Being a good parent includes both our words and our actions. Proverbs 1:8 “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:”

1. Can a parent tell their children not to do something if we do it ourselves? Just as faith without words is dead, so are words without action.

2. How can a child learn values, morals, and priorities if the parents are not leading by example?

3. Children observe how their parents act and react every day. Here we see a son use the same lie his father used.

4. The Lord reminds us in Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

5. We should all train ourselves to follow our great example (Christ) so that we can be good examples for our children.

6. If we pray together, study together, and worship together then we are training our children to make these things part of their lives.

C. Christ is our great example. Matthew 4:1 “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.”

1. This temptation shows us that even when we are tempted we do not have to give in to it.

2. What kind of example would we have if the Son of man had given in?

3. What kind of example are we if our children or a grandchild observes us giving in?

4. Jesus' temptation was an important demonstration of his sinlessness. He faced temptation and did not give in. Therefore we gain strength from His example just as other does from us.

D. We are to follow our supreme example. Hebrews 12:12-13 “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; (13.) And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

1. The Lord fasted 40 days before being tempted, And He was offered bread, He was weak, hungry, and worn out, but He still did not sin. This is our example.

2. What example do others learn from us? Do we gut it up and move forward as the Lord did or do we give in.

3. We must all ask ourselves, do we leave a good example to others as Christ did?