Transcription
This morning we share from the Word of God.
On the theme of this convention, becoming a worthy role model. And this is a topic that applies to every one of us. And not certainly not exclusively to the men, but it affects every one of us. Men, women, fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, the old and the young.
We take our text this morning from Second Timothy, chapter 3, verse 1 to 5. Second Timothy, chapter 3, verse 1 to 5.
Now, if we look closely at verse 5. If you look closely at verse 5, Second Timothy, chapter 2, 3, verse 5. In the Easy to Read Version, it says, "They will go on pretending to be devoted to God."
What are we looking for today? Becoming a worthy role model. There is a desperate search for genuine, genuine, genuine role models. What we see publicly is not often the real person privately.
Verse 5 from the Easy, Easy to Read Version says, "They will go on pretending to be devoted to God, but they will refuse to let that devotion change the way they live. Stay away from these people because they will influence you, they will pollute you, they would mislead you."
And you are going to discover that the wife knows that everything the scripture is saying in verse 5 here is true. The children know that everything the scripture is saying here is true because they are surprised that the father comes back home to water down what they had in church. He said that we go to church, yes, but they won't really believe anything in the year. He said, "Don't be taken in by people like that."
In The Message version, it says, "They will make a show of religion, but behind the scenes, they are animals." This is scripture. This is just one of the credible Bibles, Bible versions. It's a behind the scenes. He didn't even use some software words. He said, "Behind the scenes, they are what? They are animals. Stay clear of these people because the values you have, you will lose them when you stay too close to them."
So, we, we need to define who a role model truly is. A role model is a person regarded by others, especially younger people, as a good example to follow. A good example to follow. A good example to follow. A person whose behavior can be emulated by others, especially younger people. A person whose attitude, whose values, whose principles, whose habits, habits, habits, habits, whose example of success can be emulated by people, especially the younger ones.
A role model is a person other people look up to. They look up to to help determine appropriate behaviors. "Does my pastor do this?" And if they observe that the pastor does that, then they conclude that it is right to do. So, you can imagine what happens when a child takes his father as a role model. And so, he begins to justify what is right from wrong by what he sees his father do.
The word "example" comes from a Greek word that implies a type or a model or a pattern. So, when we think of role models, we are looking at those who we look up to, those we admire, those we respect. We are looking at those that set an example for us to follow. An example for us to follow. We are looking at those who portray values and virtues that should be imitated. That should be imitated.
We live today, more than ever before, in a cultural society where there is a desperate need, desperate need for good role models. Good role models. And there are different types of role models. There are different types. Role models can either be positive or negative.
And have you observed that negative role models, they corrupt younger people? They corrupt younger people. Apart from that, they corrupt people that follow them. They corrupt people that follow them. And that is why you must be sensitive in your journey in life. Because you could be following someone, and at the point, it becomes, it's so clear that you know there are some very, very sensitive things that the person is doing wrong, and he's, he's not, uh, and he feels right about it. And you know clearly that those things are wrong. And so, we have seen some people put a stop in their connection with certain people they had followed respectfully before.
Positive role models also have a great influence on younger people. Negative role models, on the other hand, offer examples of harmful behaviors, destructive behaviors. Most of these people can be considered either negative or positive role models depending on their behaviors. And you'll observe that negatively figures like drug dealers, gang members, those are exclusively negative role models because of the behavior they display, the vices they are hooked to.
And then there are common examples of role models. Common examples of role models. Virtually anyone can be a role model. But in certain climes, publicly visible figures such as athletes, actors, musicians, and celebrities are the most common examples. Other common role models include members of the clergy, police officers, and parents.
Why are certain people easily chosen as role models, especially by younger people? Visibility. Visibility plays an important role in making someone become a preferred role model to others who are watching. So, you observe that the most visible examples like athletes, actors, involve individual individuals for whom public visibility is part of their job. Since many people can observe this individual's behavior, it is likely people will imitate their behaviors and attitudes.
Can you see instantly the impact of a father on the children and the, how members of the household? The impact and influence of a mother on the children and members of the household. Then we look at the influence of role models in Proverbs chapter 13, verse 20. Proverbs 13, verse 20, Contemporary English Version says, "Wise friends make you wise." Wise friends make you. There is a predictable outcome from your intentional association with them. If you begin to observe and copy key things about them, their habits, their behavior, their attitude, and you begin to also practice it, there's going to be a predictable transformation. It says, "Wise friends make you wise, but you hurt yourself by going around with fools."
Easy to Read Version, Proverbs 13:20 says, "Befriend is a command. Intentionally, intentionally get closer. Listen more. Watch more certain people because the more you do that, the more a positive impact is flowing towards your life without you even knowing. Be friends with those who are wise, and you will become wise." You will become wise. It's a predictable outcome. So, who you follow will influence what you will become. Therefore, the Bible says, "Be friends intentionally. Get closer intentionally. Listen more. Follow more. Watch more certain people that you can clearly see there is something good to take from them. Be friends with those who are wise, and you will become wise." Choose fools to be your friends, and you will have trouble.
A role model is a perceived standard bearer. A role model is a perceived standard bearer. That is why in Deuteronomy chapter 28, verse 13, Deuteronomy 28, verse 13, it says, "You, God says, you shall be the head." Can I hear somebody say, "Amen"? You shall be at the top. Can I hear that same person say, "Another amen"? God is raising you to be the head. God is raising you to the very top. Can that man, that father, that mother, that woman, that young man, say loudly, "Amen" to heaven? You shall be the head. You shall be the top.
And one of the reasons why God wants you to be up there is for you to be a standard bearer, a role model that others who also want to rise can see. So they begin to, you know, by the way you do things, the way you conduct yourself, the way you behave, your attitude, your habits, they, they see that as, you know, without you preaching it, they see those things as the secrets behind your rising to the top. So obviously, this change, this lifestyle you have, is what has brought you to where you are today. And since they want to also be on that level, they begin to copy, copy, copy everything. They observe about you.
We are promoted by God to be the head in order to serve as good role models in different spheres of life, starting from our homes, the church, community, nation.