When Are Biblical Examples Binding?

Text: II Thessalonians 3:1-18

I.         At first glance, the question seems to be trivial

            A.        But then do people think of Judas hanging himself?

                        1.         Well, obviously examples of sin is not to be followed

            B.        How about meeting in someone’s home as the disciples did?

                        1.         There are people who believe that a church owning a building is wrong.

            C.        Why do we bind the example of eating the Lord’s supper on the first day of the week, but not bind traveling on foot to spread the gospel as Paul did?

            D.        What we are really searching for is how to distinguish when an examples tells us how we may do something versus telling us how we must do something.

II.        Examples are authoritative

            A.        Paul commanded the Philippians to do the things both learned from Paul and seen in his behavior - Philippians 4:9

            B.        Following Paul’s example was taught in all the churches - I Corinthians 4:15-17

            C.        Commanded to imitate Paul as he imitated Christ - I Corinthians 11:1

III.       Examples that violate a command of God are not binding

            A.        God is not the author of confusion. He does not tell us one thing and then allows people to do differently. - I Corinthians 14:33

            B.        Bad examples

                        1.         Demas deserting Paul - II Timothy 4:10; I John 2:15

                        2.         Simon desiring to buy the gift of the Holy Spirit - Acts 8:18-23; I Timothy 6:5

            C.        The command is simple, don’t imitate evil - III John 11

            D.        Why are there examples of wrong doing in the Bible?

                        1.         To serve as warnings - I Corinthians 10:5-12

                        2.         We don’t want to fall by following their example - Hebrews 4:11

IV.      Three states of good examples

            A.        Commanded, but no specific example

                        1.         Matthew 28:19 - Go into all the world

                                    a.         However, Jesus did not say how we are to go.

                                    b.         When we look for examples we find a variety

                                                (1)       Running - Acts 8:30

                                                (2)       Riding in a chariot - Acts 8:28-29, 31

                                                (3)       Sailing on a boat - Acts 13:4

                                                (4)       Walking - Acts 20:13

                                                (5)       Etc.

                                    c.         Since no particular method was employed we justly conclude any method that does not violate a command of God may be used.

                                    d.         If I were to insist that everyone must walk because Paul walked, I would be binding where God had not bound.

                        2.         Hebrews 10:25 - Commanded not to forsake the assembling of ourselves

                                    a.         I Corinthians 11:18 - We see that the Corinthians came together as a church

                                    b.         Acts 20:7 - We see that the Christians at Troas gathered on the first day of the week

                                    c.         Yet, there is no direct command as to where we are to worship

                                    d.         When we look for examples, we find a variety of meeting places

                                                (1)       By a river - Acts 16:11-15

                                                (2)       In a rented upper room - Acts 20:7-12

                                                (3)       In homes - Romans 16:3-5; Colossians 4:15: Philemon 1:2

                                    e.         Since no particular place was used, we justly conclude that any place of worship is acceptable.

                                    f.         If I were to insist that we only make use of rented facilities, I would be binding where God had not bound.

            B.        Commanded with specific examples

                        1.         Give cheerfully, not of necessity or grudgingly - II Corinthians 9:7

                        2.         When we look for examples, we find

                                    a.         II Corinthians 8:1-5 - They gave liberally and willingly

                                    b.         Acts 2:44-45 - They held nothing back

                                    c.         Acts 4:32-35 - They did not count their possessions as their own

                        3.         Each example agrees with and illustrates the command to given cheerfully.

                        4.         When examples are backed up by a command, they are always binding.

            C.        Not directly commanded, but specific examples exist

                        1.         There is no direct command as to when we partake of the Lord’s Supper.

                        2.         However, there is an example of when the disciples partook - Acts 20:7

                        3.         Because it is the only example, it binds us to do the same.

V.        Why people have had difficulty

            A.        They already have decided what they desire to do. If they Scriptures are twisted, or applicable verses are ignored, so be it.

            B.        Some are too lazy to look deeply for everything that does apply and so they draw the wrong conclusion.

            C.        Others rely solely on what others tell them. They never search to verify the truth of a person’s word.

            D.        We invite you to open your Bibles, open your hearts, learn what the Lord wants of his people. What better time than now for becoming a New Testament child of God?