Traditionally, in church, the answer is always Jesus.
Or the bible.
If one of these is not the correct answer then you've misheard the question or the person posing the query is greatly confused...
But, having Jesus as your sole example in a sermon may not be as helpful as we assume.
Why?
Because Jesus was faultiness and those listening have never personally seen Him nor are able to follow him around for a few hours.
Don't get me wrong, Jesus is a phenomenal God-man. Perfect even. I'm not bagging out Jesus in any way...
But, when giving an example of holiness, sacrifice, integrity, holy discontent, compassion, ect... if the ONLY example we present others is Jesus then, at times, the example might feel out of reach.
Because, let's face it, who can measure up to Jesus?
I know I can't.
And, if He's the only example you give me to emulate, then a part of me wonders why I should bother... (I'm fully prepared to admit that this is only me, but I suspect it's not)
A better plan would be, in addition to using Jesus, pointing to someone known personally by the congregation.
I feel, if they're able to associate your point with someone they're familiar with - having had a conversation with them, knowing their life-journey personally and being able to observe your point lived out - then the goal or holiness, sacrifice, integrity, whatever... seems far more attainable to those in the pews.
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