Synonyms: replica, copy, representation, mock-up, dummy, imitation, double, duplicate, lookalike, reproduction, prototype, stereotype, archetype, type, version, style, ideal, paragon, perfect example, specimen, perfect specimen, fashion model, supermodel, mannequin, sitter, poser, subject, artist's model, photographic model, design, mark, configuration, variety, kind, sort, original, original design, exclusive, toy, miniature, facsimile, prototypical, prototypal, archetypal, illustrative, perfect, exemplary, classic, flawless, faultless, consummate, impeccable
Antonyms: deficient, imperfect
Showing 1 to 25 of 164 results
1. Overseers and Deacons
1 Timothy 3:1-16
Understanding Series
Gordon D. Fee
... for leadership (3:8; Titus 1:7; cf. Acts 20:33). On this matter, see especially discussion on 6:5–10 and 2 Timothy 3:6–7. 3:4–5 Paul now moves on in verses 4–7 to address three further concerns. The church leader must have an exemplary family (vv. 4–5), must not be a new convert (v. 6), and must be a person of good reputation with outsiders (v. 7). These, too, probably reflect the situation in Ephesus. This passage also assumes the episkopos will be married (but does not thereby require it; cf. v ...
2. The Disciples Confess Jesus as the Messiah
Matthew 16:1-4, Matthew 16:5-12, Matthew 16:13-20
Teach the Text
Jeannine K. Brown
... all power (see 1 Cor. 15:24–28), in the face of a world where perceived evidence to the contrary abounds. 2. Although Peter and the rest of the Twelve confess Jesus’ true identity, they do not provide an exemplary portrait of discipleship. We might be tempted to preach how the disciples are exemplary in their confession of Jesus as the Messiah. We are justified in doing so only if we also provide the alternate portrait of the disciples as a foil for discipleship, as they are in 16:5–12. The disciples ...
Teach the Text
Daniel J. Estes
... the material blessings he wants. Unstated, but perhaps hinted implicitly, is that Yahweh may be using Job to get the worship he craves from humans. If this is the case, then the adversary is making an accusation concerning the motivation that prompts Job’s apparently exemplary piety. 1:10–11 Have you not put a hedge around him? The Bible often speaks about how God is the protector of his people (cf. Pss. 91; 121). Here, the adversary asks a question about the motivation for Job’s piety, and then he ...
4. Every Shot I Ever Hit
1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Sermon
Robert R. Kopp
... only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life" (John 3:16). We remember his unconditional love. He said, "Love your enemies ... If you love those who love you, what reward do you have?" (Matthew 5:43ff.). We remember his exemplary love. He said, "Love each other just as much as I love you" (John 13:34, paraphrase). We remember his sacrificial love. He said, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and on the third day he will ...
5. It's Your Funeral
Matthew 21:28-32
Sermon
Roger G. Talbott
... you specifically what you would like said about this person. You can be loving and you can be honest at the same time. You can find the good in the worst life. You can find high aspirations in the most wasted life. You can admit the faults of the most exemplary life and celebrate the grace of God in every life, because we are all children of God. Those who outwardly reject God and secretly obey, as well as those who profess faith in God and desire to please God and fail to live by that faith or to do God ...
6. Maundy Thursday
Lk 22:14-30 · Jn 13:1-17, 31b-35 · 1 Cor 11:17-32 · Ex 12:1-14 · Ps 116
Sermon Aid
Russell F. Anderson
... people. No person can follow Christ without the humility to let Christ and others meet his or her needs. Such service cleanses us from pride and the illusion of self-sufficiency. An exemplary Christian. After the foot washing, Christ informed his disciples that he had set an example which they were to follow (v. 15). An exemplary Christian is not one who does all things perfectly but rather one who incarnates the love of Christ. PREACHING POSSIBILITIES Old Testament: Exodus 12:1-14 1. Sermon Title: A Meal ...
7. Mother's Day Gifts
Ephesians 6:10-20
Sermon
R. E. Lybrand
... now I want us to look briefly at the other side of the coin and examine Mother's responsibility. Mother, you are not only the recipient of gifts, but you also have a responsibility to offer gifts to your children on this "great day" as well as on every day. Exemplary Life The first gift you must present to your children is to be the kind of person you want them to be! You must give them a Christian example in what you say and do. Notice how a little girl mimics her mother. If Mom wears high heels, she will ...
Sermon
Joseph M. Freeman
... ... four passages of scripture on it -- Exodus 13:1-10 and 13:11-16 and Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21 ... The Pharisees, in order to draw attention to themselves ... wore especially big ones, so that they might demonstrate their exemplary obedience to the Law and their exemplary piety.2 The fringes or tassels referred to the borders of the Pharisees' garments, serving to remind them of God's commandments. They too could be made large enough to display piety all the more. Many a scholar will say that Jesus ...
Sermon
Chris Ewing
... officially recognize saints in that sense, we have a more generalized — and perhaps more idealized — vision of a saint as someone absolutely loving and Christlike, who not only knows what God wants them to do, but who always does it. A saint in this definition is an exemplary (and probably unreal) model of faith, whose example may make the rest of us feel like failures, or at least may tempt us to think that, since we're never going to be in their league, it really doesn't matter how we live.1 There are ...
Understanding Series
Gordon D. Fee
... a word used in the LXX of Eli’s sons, 1 Sam. 10:27). The word disobedient is repeated later (v. 10) of the false teachers (“who rebel”). Here we have the first hint of what will become the dominant theme of the letter—good works with exemplary behavior, with a concern for what outsiders think. It is probably significant for newer churches that, before Paul gives a further list of vices and virtues, these two items should head the list of qualifications. As noted on 1 Timothy 3:4, the first elders in ...
Understanding Series
Gordon D. Fee
... than any similarities. In fact, if it were not for the section on slaves (vv 9–10), and to a lesser extent the young wives (vv. 4–5), one wonders what would ever have given scholars the suggestion. This is not a domestic code, but a call to exemplary behavior, with the outsider in view. 2:2 For a discussion of the triad faith, hope, and love as a common pre-Pauline formula for ethical instruction, see A. M. Hunter, Paul and His Predecessors, rev. ed. (London: SCM, 1961), pp. 33–35. 2:3 That the older ...
12. Jesus Eats with Sinners and Heals the Sick
Matthew 9:9-13, Matthew 9:14-17, Matthew 9:18-26, Matthew 9:27-34
Teach the Text
Jeannine K. Brown
... girl, with Matthew drawing on one of Mark’s famous “sandwich” story pairs (using an ABA pattern; see Mark 5:21–43). So the two intertwining stories should be read as mutually interpretive. In both stories Jesus’ compassion and authority are emphasized, along with exemplary faith (9:18, 22). Although it is possible, depending on the source of her bleeding, that the women was ritually unclean (see Lev. 15:25), it is not clear that she would have caused impurity to those with whom she came in contact ...
Teach the Text
C. Marvin Pate
... , Paul’s hermeneutical argument in 4:6–8 reinforces his theological argument in 4:1–5. Theological Insights Several theological insights jump out at the reader of Romans 4:1–8. First, God is no one’s debtor. In other words, no one can live a life exemplary enough to force God’s hand to save them: not Abraham, not David, not Paul, not anyone. Rather, God offers his salvation in Christ freely to all who will receive it as a gift. Second, related to the previous point, faith is not a work. It is ...
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
... the Babylonian king Marduk-Baladan, whose rebellion against the Assyrians is attested in ancient Near Eastern records (see COS 2.118J; 2.119A; cf. Verse Account of Nabonidus). The way Hezekiah deals with this flaw when facing divine discipline is, ironically, exemplary, as the southern king and his community humble themselves and repent. This opens the way for divine blessing in the form of economic success and construction projects. The account closes in 32:32–33 with the typical concluding summary note ...
15. Prologue
Job 1:1-5
One Volume
Gary M. Burge
... ” (Newsom 1996, 634). A reader is thrown toward more contemplation about the book’s issues. The story is merely a morsel for a reader’s thought process, not a full meal. 1:1–5 · The scene: Earth. Here we are introduced to Job and his exemplary piety, which even embraces actions on behalf of family. Prologue: Job’s name (Hebrew iyyob) appears to be not uncommon. W. F. Albright suggested, from cognate evidence from the second millennium BC, that iyyob should be seen as a Hebrew form traceable to an ...
Sermon
King Duncan
... World War II, Private First Class William Kiessel wrote to friends that he did not want prayer for his safety, because “safety isn’t the ultimate goal.” The goal, he stated, was “true exemplary conduct.” Apply that thought to your own life as a follower of Jesus: “Safety isn’t the ultimate goal. True exemplary conduct is.” Private First Class Kiessel added, “What is important is that whatever does happen to me I will do absolutely nothing that will shame my character or my God.” (6) Let ...
Sermon
Mary Austin
... told us it is possible to know him and it is possible to have a relationship with him.” Because he says that, we can have confidence. But we are invited to be more than sheep. As we follow Jesus, we are invited to live lives of faith like the exemplary shepherd. We’re invited to follow where the good shepherd leads us and to lead and serve like he did. We can’t get anything done in God’s world by charging off, hoping God’s people will follow our powerful vision or our ten-point plan. We have to ...
Sermon
Sandra Hefter Herrma
... ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness." Notice that Paul includes the ungodly in this -- in other words, even those who cannot measure up to the stature of Abraham will receive their inheritance by trusting God. It is certainly not that Abraham led an exemplary life himself, for that matter. This man lied twice to powerful rulers in order to save his neck; used a surrogate when his wife didn't conceive; at his wife's insistence, banished this hapless slave along with their son, in a desert place ...
19. Proper 15
Psalm 80:1-19, Luke 12:49-53
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... are thankful for the human parents, pastors, teachers, elders, friends, who have been speaking your word to us and have been useful to you in the process of our discipline. We value the peaceful harvest of an honest life. All praise to you, spiritual Parent, exemplary Son, Holy Spirit. Amen. Prayer of Dedication Use your church, bold Jesus, to seek justice for the weak and orphan, to see that right is done for the destitute and downtrodden, to rescue them from the power of wicked people, and to witness to ...
20. Written On The Heart
Jeremiah 30:1--31:40
Sermon
E. Carver McGriff
... very successful because everyone knew he was a cheat. There's a popular excuse sometimes offered for people like that: "He paid his debt to society." Sorry, it doesn't work that way. We still know what kind of man he is. It takes a lot of exemplary living to offset a dishonest act. People remember. And once a person reveals himself as dishonest, later claims to having changed can sound empty since the person who will steal and cheat may easily lie. This is not to say we don't give such a person another ...
21. Advent 2
2 Peter 3:1-18, Isaiah 40:1-31, Mark 1:1-8
Sermon Aid
Russell F. Anderson
... and said: "Sir, we wish to see Jesus" (John 12:21). One pastor has this phrase printed on a card and affixed inside his pulpit. This reminds him that his role is not to magnify himself but the Lord Jesus Christ. John the Baptist did an exemplary job of maintaining a low profile so that people might see Jesus. He proclaimed: "After me will come one more powerful than I..." (v. 7). SERMON POSSIBILITIES Old Testament: Isaiah 40:1-11 Sermon Title: The Shepherd King. Sermon Angle: Many kings have boasted of ...
22. Epiphany 4
Mark 1:21-28, Psalm 111:1-10, Deuteronomy 18:14-22
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... we may have additional cares that divide our minds, giving undue weight to the provision of daily bread and too little attention to what is good, what is seemly, what is true devotion to your work. Forgive faithless anxiety and half-hearted discipleship, unlike your exemplary Son, Jesus Christ, who was and is dedicated to you in body and in spirit. Amen. DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS Hear the Good News! Jesus has power to rid us of unclean spirits, to cast out our sins. Friends, believe the Good News. In ...
23. Robert Paul, You Were Right!
Daniel 7:1-14, Daniel 7:15-28
Sermon
Richard Hasler
... are exhorted to run their own race of faith spurred on by their vital connection with the faithful of the past. But do we really feel comfortable having the saints looking over our shoulder as we attempt to run our own race of faith? Are not these exemplary women and men in a class by themselves? Charles Schulz captures our fears in one of his cartoons. Lucy is trying to develop a close relationship with Schroeder, but his idol Beethoven keeps getting in the way. In the first scene Lucy is leaning on the ...
Drama
Thomas A. Renquist
... the Teluga Indians. His decision was strongly influenced by Huddleston Stokes, an Englishman. Reader 2: “Here at Guntur we met with a very kind reception from Huddleston Stokes, Esquire, an ardent friend of mission and missionaries, as well as a very exemplary Christian gentleman.” Reader 1: For Heyer, his acceptance by Stokes was persuasive evidence of a divine call. As it turned out, Mr. Stokes was also a very generous financial supporter of the mission. In fact, without Mr. Stokes’ aid, the mission ...
25. Step Nine - Discipline
Mt 5:21-26 · Eph 4:25-32 · Num 5:5-10
Sermon
John A. Terry
... Don't say bad words and don't lie. If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything." But again, listen to the purpose for which Paul says this: that (God's work) may impart grace to those who hear." There is an exemplary behavior expected of Christians, behavior which can make right the things that we and others have made wrong. We are not just talking here about social graces. Any good book of social behavior will tell you, "Do not show bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander and malice - in ...
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