The subject worked out for this month is-
Christian Example illustrated by the lives of Bible saints, and especially by that of the apostle Paul.
The subject has not been treated in this instance exhaustively, as that would be well nigh impossible, but for the first part of this subject, twelve leading graces have been chosen, and the twelve best examples selected of each; for the second, a somewhat full list has been given of the life of Paul as an example of Christian practice.
Part 1.-Examples For Saints Generally Of:
I.-Compassion and Sympathy:-
Moses-on account of the oppression of his people, Ex. 2:11.
David-for Mephibosheth, 2 Sam. 9
Jonathan-for David, 1 Sam. 20:41.
Boaz-for Ruth, Ruth 2:15, 16.
Job-with those in sorrow, Job 30:25.
Ebedmelech-for Jeremiah, Jer. 38:7.
Daniel-for God's people, Dan. 9
Jailor-for Paul and Silas, Acts 16:33.
Mary-with Christ about His death, Mark 14:8.
Hebrews—to Paul, Heb. 10:34.
Onesiphorus-to Paul, 2 Tim. 1:16.
II.-Faith for Spiritual Blessings:
Patriarchs-for the heavenly city, Heb. 11:14.
Jacob-for God's blessing, Gen. 32:28.
David-when in trouble, Psa. 23, &c.
Simeon-to see Christ, Luke 2:25,34.
Peter-for an incorruptible inheritance, 1 Peter 1:3.
A woman which was a sinner-for forgiveness, Luke 7
Elisha-for a double portion of Elijah's spirit, 2 Kings 2:9.
Moses-for spiritual reward, Heb. 11:26.
Jailor-for eternal life, Acts 16:32.
Cornelius-for further light, Acts 10
Dying thief-for admittance into the kingdom, Luke 23
Blind man-to receive Christ, John 9:38.
III.-Faith for Temporal Mercies:-
Abraham-for the land, Gen. 15:6.
Abraham's servant-for a wife for Isaac, Gen. 24
Rahab-for bodily safety, Josh. 2:21.
Ezra-for bodily safety, Ezra 8:22.
Hannah-for a son, 1 Sam. 1:18.
Two blind men-for their sight, Matt. 9:29.
Diseased woman-for healing, Mark 5:34. Jairus-for his daughter's healing, Mark 5:24.
Bartimaeus-for his sight, Mark 10:52.
Centurion-for his servant, Luke 7
Nobleman-for his son, John 4:50.
Widow at Sarepta-for food, 1 Kings 17:8.
(We have no proof that all these were children of God.)
IV.-Humility:-
Abraham-in giving way to Lot, Gen. 18:27.
Jacob-before God, Gen. 32:10.
Moses-according to God's testimony, Num. 12:3.
Hannah-in meekness when accused of drunkenness, 1 Sam. 1:16.
David-before God, 2 Sam. 7:18.
Solomon-before God, 1 Kings 3:7.
Daniel-in ascribing all wisdom to God, Dan. 2:30.
Jeremiah-before God, Jer. 1:6.
John the Baptist-in taking a low place, Mark 1:7.
Syrophoenician woman-in taking a dog's place, Matt. 15:25.
Centurion-in not being worthy to receive Christ, Matt. 8:8, 9.
Publican-before God, Luke 18:13.
V.-Joy in God:-
Miriam-for His great deliverance, Ex. 15
Hannah-for answer to prayer, 1 Sam. 2:1.
David-for help and refuge, Psa. 63:7, &c.
Nehemiah-to keep the feast of tabernacles, Neh. 8:10.
Children of Israel-when giving for His service, 1 Chron. 29:9.
Isaiah-for salvation, Isa. 61:10.
Habakkuk-in spite of the loss of all, Heb. 3:18.
Jeremiah-on account of God's word, Jer. 15:16.
Mary-for the birth of Christ, Luke 1:46.
Zacharias-for the birth of John, Luke 1:68.
Apostles-for suffering for Christ, Acts 5:41.
Silas-in prison, Acts 16:25.
VI.-Liberality:-
Abraham-to three strangers, Gen. 18:3-8.
Joseph-to his brethren, Gen. 43:32.
Abigail-to David in his rejection, 1 Sam. 25:18.
Queen of Sheba-to Solomon in his glory, 1 Kings 10:10.
Nehemiah-in entertaining others, Neh. 5:17, 18.
Shunamite woman-in entertaining Elisha. 2 Kings 4:18.
Obadiah-in feeding 100 prophets, 1 Kings 18:13.
Gaius-in receiving strangers, Rom. 16:23. 3 John 5, 6.
Macedonian christians-in helping Paul, 2 Cor. 8:1-4.
Dorcas-in working for the poor, Acts 9:36.
Mary-towards Christ, Mark 14:3.
Widow-in giving all her living, Mark 12:42.
Joseph-to his brethren, Gen. 45:1-4.
Moses-to God's people, Ex. 2:11.
Ruth-for God's people, Ruth 1:16.
Jonathan-for David, 1 Sam. 18:14.
Mephibosheth-for David, 2 Sam. 19:30.
Nehemiah-for Jerusalem, Neh. 1
Sinful woman-for Christ, Luke 7
Mary-for Christ, John 12:3.
Mary Magdalene-for Christ, John 20:11, 13.
John-for Christ, John 13:23.
Philippians-for Paul, Phil. 4:15.
Epaphroditus-for Colossians, Col. 4:12.
VIII.-Obedience to God:-
Noah-to direct command, Gen. 6:14-32.
Abraham- to direct command, Heb. 11:8.
Moses-concerning Divine worship, Ex. 40:16.
Gideon-as to God's way of working, Judg. 7:4, 5.
Elijah-to go to Jordan, 1 Kings 17:5.
Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego-to God's word, Dan. 3
The Wise men-in a dream, Matt. 2
Peter, James, and John-to Christ's word, Luke 5:5.
Joseph-to take Mary, etc., Matt. 1:24;2. 21.
The disciples-to leave all, for Christ. Matt. 4:18.
Peter and other apostles-to Divine commission, Acts 5:29.
Peter-in receiving Gentiles, Acts 10
IX.-Patience:-
Abraham-in bearing with Lot, Gen. 13:8.
Jacob-in long service for Rachel, Gen. 29:20.
Joseph-with his brethren, Gen. 45:5.
Moses-in bearing with the people, Ex. 33:13.
Joshua-in compassing Jericho seven times, Josh. 6
David-under Goliath's taunts, 1 Sam. 16:13.
Nehemiah-in all his work at Jerusalem, Neh.
Jeremiah and the prophets-in various ways, James 5:10.
Job-in his afflictions, Job 2:10; James 5:11.
Stephen-as a martyr, Acts 3:54-60.
Simeon-in waiting for Christ's first coming, Luke 2:25.
Thessalonians—in waiting for Christ's second coming, 1 Thess. 1:3.
X.-Prayerfulness:-
Abraham's servant-when fetching Rebekah, Gen. 24
Jabez-for himself, 1 Chron. 4:10.
Hannah-for a child, 1 Sam. 1:10.
Samuel-for deliverance, 1 Sam. 7:9.
Hezekiah-for deliverance, 2 Kings 19:15-20.
Daniel-for God's people, Dan. 9
Nehemiah-tor guidance, Neh. 1:11.
David-about God's house, 2 Sam. 7:18-29.
Jeremiah-for God's people, Jer. 27:16.
Peter—for a miracle, Acts 9:40.
Cornelius-continually, Acts 10:2.
The Church-without ceasing, Acts 12:5.
XI.-Repentance:-
Job-after sore affliction, Job 40:3.
David-for great sin, 2 Sam. 12:13.
Children of Israel-for sins, Judg. 10:15,
Nineveh-at Jonah's preaching, Jonah 3; Matt. 12
Dying thief-from railing at Christ, Luke 23:40, 41.
Those baptized by John-for their sins, Matt. 3:6.
Jailor-for his sins and treatment of Paul, Acts 16:30-33.
Sinful woman-for her sins, Luke 7
Zacchaeus-for defrauding, Luke 19:8.
Peter-for denying Christ, Matt. 26:75.
Joseph's brethren-for their sin, Gen. 44:16.
Darius-for what he had done, Dan. 6:14.
(These were not all children of God.)
XII.-Truthfulness:-
Samuel-to Eli, 1 Sam. 3:18.
Hushai-to Absalom, 2 Sam. 16:18.
David-in confession, 2 Sam. 24:17.
Micaiah-in speaking God s word only, 1 Kings 22:14.
Daniel-in action, Dan. 6:10.
John Baptist-in saying who he was, John 1:20.
Diseased woman-in saying who cured her, Mark 5:33.
Dying thief-in owning his just condemnation, Luke 23:41.
Peter-in preaching, Acts 4:13.
Peter and John-before the rulers, Acts 4:20.
Peter-in narrating events, Acts 11
Officers-in stating their convictions, John 7:40.
Part 2-Example Of Paul The Apostle.
Public acknowledgment of Jesus as the Son of God, Acts 9:20.
Meekness in bearing suspicion from believers. Acts 9:23, 27.
Boldness in the confession of Christ. Acts 9:29; 14:3; 19:8.
Following the leading of the Holy Ghost. Acts 13:4; 16:6-10.
Proving all things by the word of God. Acts 13:16-41; 17:2.
Honoring the Jews as the beloved nation. Acts 5:46; 14:1.
Obedience to the commands of Jesus (Mark 6:11; Matt. 10:23)
Acts 13.51. Refusing honor due to God only. Acts 14:14, 15.
Suffering for Christ-
(1) Reproach and contradiction. Acts 13:8, 45.
(2) Pain and shame. Acts 14:5-19; 16:23, 24.
(3) False accusation. Acts 16:20, 21; 17:7.
Resisting false doctrine. Acts 15:2; Eph. to Gal. throughout.
Care for the spiritual welfare of saints. Acts 14:21-23; 15:36.
Care for the bodily necessities of saints. Rom. 15:25-28; 1 Cor. 16:1-4.
Preaching not in human wisdom, but by Divine power. 1 Cor. 2:9.
Independence of man's judgment. 1 Cor. 4:3.
Carefulness as regards the conscience of the weak. 1 Cor. 8:13.
Relinquishing rights and claims, lest the gospel be hindered. 1 Cor. 9.12.
Free from all men, yet a servant to all. 1 Cor. 9:19.
Beeping under the body. 1 Cor. 9:27.
Pleasing all men in all things, that they may be saved. 1 Cor. 10:33.
Preaching the simple Gospel,-the facts relating to Christ. 1 Cor. 15:.3, 4
Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. 1 Cor. 16:3.
Comforting those who are in trouble. 2 Cor. 1:4.
Trusting not in self, but in God. 2 Cor. 1:9.
Simplicity and godly sincerity. 2 Cor. 1:12.
Grief for the sin of the church. 2 Cor. 2:4.
Continual triumph in Christ. 2 Cor. 2:14.
Not corrupting the word of God. 2 Cor. 2:17.
Being the vessel for the treasure of God. 2 Cor. 4:7.
Occupied not with the things seen, but unseen, 2 Cor. 4:18.
Willing to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 2 Cor. 5:18.
Being a worker together with God. 2 Cor. 6:1.
Giving no offense in anything, lest the ministry be blamed. 2 Cor. 6:3.
Sorrowful yet alway rejoicing. 2 Cor. 6:10.
Poor, yet making many rich. 2 Cor. 6:10.
Having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 2 Cor. 6:10.
Neither wronging, corrupting, nor defrauding any man. 2 Cor. 7:2.
Giving proof of care for the souls of saints. 2 Cor. 7:12.
Rejoicing with those that rejoice. 2 Cor. 7:13.
Not warring after the flesh, and discarding carnal weapons. 2 Cor. 10:3, 4.
Jealous lest the saints should be untrue to Christ. 2 Cor. 11:2.
Preaching the gospel fully without reward. 2 Cor. 11:7-9.
Not only feeling, but expressing love. 2 Cor. 11:11.
Sympathy with the weak and the offended. 2 Cor. 11:29.
Glorying in infirmities, because they display the power of Christ. 2 Cor. 12:9.
Taking pleasure in infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecutions, and distresses for Christ's sake. 2 Cor. 12:10.
Gladly spending, and being spent for the saints. 2 Cor. 12:15.
Loving without return of love, and when love is withdrawn. 2 Cor. 12:15.
Doing all for edification. 2 Cor. 12:19.
Faithfulness in rebuking sin. 2 Cor. 13:2.
Not seeking to please men, but God. Gal. 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:4.
Not conferring with flesh and blood. Gal. 1:16.
Not giving place by subjection to false teachers. Gal. 2:5.
Remembering the poor. Gal. 2:10.
Telling the truth even if it provokes enmity. Gal. 4:16.
Not shrinking from the offense of the cross. Gal. 5:11.
Glorying in nothing save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Gal. 6:14.
Crucified to the world, the world to him. Gal. 6:14.
Prayer for the Saints. Eph. 1:16; 3:14. Phil. 1:4; 1 Thess. 3:10.
Humility as to spiritual attainments. Eph. 3:8.
Trusting in the loving interest of the saints. Eph. 6:21.
Longing after the saints. Phil. 1:8.
Rejoicing that Christ is preached, if even for unworthy reasons. Phil. 1:18.
Confidence that in nothing I shall be ashamed. Phil. 1:20.
" To me to live is Christ, to die is gain." Phil. 1:21.
Desiring to depart and to be with Christ, yet willing to remain in the flesh for the sake of the Church. Phil. 1:23,24.
Rejoicing in the unity of the Spirit as kept by the saints. Phil. 2:2.
Rejoicing in the proclamation of the word by the saints. Phil. 2:16.
Rejoicing in being offered up for the saints. Phil. 2:17.
Caring to know the state of the saints. Phil. 2:19.
Willingly sparing Epaphroditus " who ministered to my wants," in order that he and the Philippians might have the comfort of seeing one another. Phil. 2:25.
Counting all loss for Christ. Phil. 3:7.
Not trusting in his own righteousness. Phil. 3:9
Desire to know Christ, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death. Phil. 3:10.
Not satisfied with present attainments, but following after. Phil. 3:12.
Doing one thing, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to those things which are before, pressing toward the mark for the prize for the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3:13,14. Being a peacemaker. Phil. 4:2.
Having learned in all states to be content. Phil. 4:11, 12,
Doing all things through Christ which strengthened him. Phil. 4:13.
Not desiring a gift except for the gain to him who gives. Phil. 4:17.
Perfect satisfaction. Phil. 4:18.
Warning every man in all wisdom by the preaching of Christ. Col. 1:28.
Laboring and striving, according to the working of God. Col. 1:29.
Caring earnestly even for saints unknown in the flesh. Col. 2:1.
Rejoicing in the order, and in the faith of the saints. Col. 2:5.
Bestowing praise where due. Phil. 2:29, 30. Col. 4:12, 13. 1 Thess. 4:9.
Carefulness to set an example in all things. 1 Thess. 1:5.
Free from deceit, uncleanness or guile. 1 Thess. 2:3.
Not using flattering words. 1 Thess. 2.5.
Nor a cloak of covetousness. 1 Thess. 2:5.
Not seeking glory of men. 1 Thess. 2:6.
Gentle, even as a nurse cherisheth her children. 1 Thess. 2:7.
Laboring night and day, not to be chargeable to any. 1 Thess. 2:9.
Living holily, justly, and unblameably. 1 Thess. 2:10.
Exhorting, and comforting, and charging others, as a father doth his children. 1 Thess. 2:11, 12.
Love not weakened by absence. 1 Thess. 2:17.
Diligence to make known the things to come-(Paul was but 3 weeks at. Thessalonica, and found no believers there when he arrived). 2 Thess. 2:5.
Deep sense of sinfulness. 1 Tim. 1:15, 16.
Trust in the living God. 1 Tim. 4:10.
Conscientious service. 2 Tim. 1:3; Acts 24:16.
Full trust in Christ. 2 Tim. 1:12.
Gratitude for love and kindness, and affectionate remembrance of service rendered. 2 Tim. 1:16-18.
Enduring all things for the elect's sake. 2 Tim. 2:10.
Fought a good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith. 2 Tim. 4:7.
Love for the Lord's appearing. 2 Tim. 4:8.
Personal and individual remembrance of the saints, and love for them. Last Chapters of Rom., of 1 Cor., of 2 Tim., &c.
Care for little matters relating to the personal wants of the saints. Titus 3:13.
Rather desirous to beseech, than to command or enjoin. Philem. 1:8, 9.
Anxiety to give the opportunity for willing, rather than constrained service. Philem. 1:13, 14.
Carefulness in money matters, to do all honestly, as regards the creditor, and generously, in taking the place of the debtor. Philem. 1:18, 19.
In all things being willing to live honestly. Heb. 13:11.