Can you honestly say follow my example?

I was deeply saddened by the recent news that the evangelist Steve Hill passed away after a prolonged fight against cancer. I first heard him preach many years ago when my pastor loaned me a cassette tape of one of Steve’s best known messages called “White Cane Religion”. Up to that point I had heard many well-preached evangelistic messages; but when I listened to Steve, I was deeply moved by his passion and zeal. From then on, I became a regular listener of his messages, watched his videos on television  and read many of his books.

Back then and even now as I write this, I am still challenged as Steve’s words make me consider my own passion and desperation for the lost. We have many examples both in scripture and in Christians we know, who demonstrate the reality of their faith through their lives.

I feel blessed to have come under his ministry in Pensacola during the revival as well as being part of two missions he led in Wales.  I was delighted to meet him on a number of occasions.

These scriptures come to mind when I think of Steve:

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”

 1 Corinthians 11: 1

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” Romans 1:16

“But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast. For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” 1 Corinthians 9:15-16

I often say that I like to be challenged when people preach and without a doubt, when Steve preached the Gospel I always was!

Key Point: There are many great examples we can follow in Scripture and there will also be many Christians that model a godly attitude, have consistent prayer lives and much more.

As Christians we go through a process of sanctification as we follow Christ and His example. There are always areas we need to work on, parts of our lives we haven’t fully given to God. Steve was just a man like me, a sinner saved by grace.

Reflecting upon this, here are three examples he set that still challenge me. How do they challenge you?

Demonstrating that you believe what you say: When you talk to people who have not accepted Christ how do you come across? Do you show a deep conviction and passion for the one who saved you?

In my own case there are times when I don’t do this as I should. When we demonstrate passion and zeal for Jesus, inspired by the Holy Spirit, things happen! I remember being on a training course in a hotel some years ago. Relaxing after our evening meal with about ten colleagues, I introduced the subject of church and before long everyone in the group was listening intently. One of them asked “Do you really believe that the Bible is true?” I answered with real passion saying “I know that it is true! As I spoke they all fell silent, a number of them looking visibly shocked. That night I was able to share the gospel and as a result had many more opportunities to witness.

Passion and zeal for those who don’t know Jesus: Considering this I would say that I am passionate for the lost, but not anywhere as near as much as I should be. Sometimes I allow the business and daily events of life to distract me so that I lose focus.

You don’t have to look very far in the Bible to realise that we are in the end times. Jesus could literally return at any minute and I want to be ready when He does. Like the men in the parable of the talents who couldn't wait to see the master when he returned.

We should all have a desire to reach the lost and demonstrate that in our prayer life as well as talking about Christ to people who don’t know Him as Lord. I often pray asking God to give me just a little of the passion that Jesus had for the lost. I believe that with an impartation of just a tiny spark of Jesus’ passion would set me on fire.

An example to follow: I wonder, do people consider for even a millisecond the example that I set? Would my actions inspire another  believer? Would I want to be like me? 

Can I truly say like the apostle Paul when he said, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”

Could you say it? Its good to be challenged isn’t it?