Preaching All of Christ for Sanctification: The Value of Biblical Examples

Preaching demands a robust proclamation of Christ—His redemptive work and His exemplary life. To some, these two emphases might seem contradictory, as theological discourse often pits them against each other. How can a preacher herald what Christ accomplished—His death, burial, and resurrection—while also presenting Scripture as a gallery of examples to emulate? Does not every biblical narrative exalt God as the ultimate hero? Can flawed human characters, even the sinless Christ, serve as realistic models for our lives? After all, Jesus is divine; His miracles and perfection seem beyond human reach. Skeptics might argue, “We cannot do what He did, so why preach His example?” This tension has led some to assert that preaching Christ’s work excludes preaching His example, insisting that only God’s actions matter.

The pivotal question is not whether we can reconcile these ideas but whether the Bible itself teaches them. Does Scripture present Christ’s work and His example—along with those of other biblical figures—as complementary truths for our growth? Unequivocally, it does. Redemption, anchored in Christ’s atoning work, pulses at the heart of the Bible. No character’s story overshadows this truth. David’s victory over Goliath, for instance, is not a lesson in human courage but a display of God’s power to deliver His people. The five smooth stones he wielded hold no secret to success; they are mere tools in the hands of a sovereign God. Likewise, Abraham’s faith points not to his own merit but to the promise-keeping God who justifies the ungodly. These accounts magnify divine grace, not human achievement.

At the same time, Scripture does not limit itself to proclaiming Christ’s work. It also employs examples from the redemptive narrative—Christ’s life, the faithfulness of godly believers, and the experiences of Old Testament saints—as instruments of grace for sanctification. These examples do not rival the work of Christ but enhance it, stirring worship and faith that propel us toward holiness. The Bible presents these truths as partners, not competitors, and preaching for sanctification must reflect this harmony. This essay will establish the priority of preaching Christ’s work, defend the legitimacy of preaching His example and those of others, and provide comprehensive principles for Bible students to draw sanctifying lessons from biblical examples, demonstrating how these narratives enrich our pursuit of holiness.

The Priority of Preaching Christ’s Work

Sanctification hinges on the work of Christ—His death, burial, and resurrection. For the unbeliever, salvation requires receiving this work; for the believer, growth demands being anchored in it. No spiritual progress occurs apart from Christ’s finished atonement. Thus, a preacher’s foremost task is to deliver this gospel. A mailman who fails to deliver the mail violates his duty and will face the consequences. Likewise, a preacher who neglects Christ’s work abandons his calling and stands accountable before God.

The Apostle Paul epitomized this priority. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-5, he writes, “I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” Paul’s preaching revolved around Christ’s substitutionary death and victorious resurrection, the twin pillars of redemption. This focus was not his own invention but a divine commission. Galatians 1:11-12 reveals, “The gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” Further, in Galatians 1:15-16, Paul explains that God “was pleased to reveal His Son to me, in order that I might preach Him among the Gentiles.” Christ Himself entrusted Paul with this message, making His work the bedrock of Paul’s ministry.

Preaching “Christ died for our sins” requires unflinching clarity on substitutionary atonement. John Murray emphasizes that Scripture defines Christ’s work through terms like obedience, sacrifice, propitiation, reconciliation, and redemption—categories indispensable to biblical preaching. To dilute or omit this truth is to distort the gospel. Yet, the story extends beyond the cross. Paul includes Christ’s burial and resurrection, acts that complete our salvation, affirm His lordship, and secure our future hope. The resurrection is not a mere epilogue or apologetic tool; it is the power by which believers are raised to new life (Rom. 6:4) and assured of their own resurrection (1 Cor. 15:20-22). Preaching that stops at the cross falls short of proclaiming Christ’s full work.

This priority aligns with the entirety of Scripture, as Paul notes twice: “in accordance with the Scriptures.” From Old Testament prophecies (Isa. 53) to New Testament fulfillment (Luke 24), Christ’s work is the Bible’s crescendo. Expository preaching must trace this thread—proclaiming the predictions, records, and explanations of His atonement. While no single sermon can exhaust this theme, it must remain the “first importance” (Greek: prōtos) in a preacher’s ministry. In Corinth, Paul preached “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2) to establish a young church, but his letters later address additional truths (1 Cor. 3:2), showing that Christ’s work is the foundation, not the entirety, of biblical preaching. It is the spring from which all sanctification flows, the indispensable priority.

The Legitimacy of Preaching Christ’s Example

Because of this emphasis, some resist using biblical examples, fearing moralistic pitfalls like “Be a Daniel” sermons. Paul’s focus on Christ’s work might tempt us to avoid examples entirely. Yet, such a reaction risks missing Scripture’s richness. Even in highlighting Paul’s priority, I subtly used him as an example—a legitimate move, as Scripture itself does. The Bible employs Christ’s life and others’ as authoritative models for sanctification, not as alternatives to His work but as its fruit.

Philippians 2:5-11 illustrates this: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,” followed by a theological portrait of Christ’s incarnation and humility unto death. Paul’s purpose is clear: believers should emulate Christ’s selflessness (Phil. 2:4). The Greek phroneō (“have this mind”) calls for ongoing, active reflection on Christ’s example—a command empowered by our union with Him. This mind, “yours in Christ Jesus,” links His work to His example; His atonement enables our imitation. Ephesians 5:1-2 echoes this: “Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us.” We cannot replicate His sacrifice, but we can reflect His love, an authoritative call rooted in His work.

In 1 Peter 2:21, Peter writes, “Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps.” Christ’s atonement is primary, but His suffering also models endurance, a secondary yet vital purpose. John reinforces this in 1 John 2:5-6: “Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.” Assurance of salvation comes not from intellectual mastery of doctrine but from evidencing Christ’s life in ours—not earning salvation but proving its reality. Christ Himself preached this principle in John 13:14-15: “I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you,” after washing the disciples’ feet. The Greek hupodeigma denotes moral instruction, a method Jesus endorsed. The example of Christ is a grace propelling us toward conformity to Him (Rom. 8:29).

Other Biblical Examples

Scripture extends this principle beyond Christ. Paul invites imitation: “Be imitators of me, as I imitate Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1), and cites his diligence as a model (2 Thess. 3:7-9). In 1 Timothy 1:15-16, he presents himself as an example of God’s patience. Negative examples, like Israel’s idolatry (1 Cor. 10:6), warn against sin, while positive ones, like the prophets’ perseverance (James 5:10), inspire faithfulness. Hebrews 12:1-2 balances both: “Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses… let us run with endurance… looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” The “witnesses” of Hebrews 11—Abel, Noah, Abraham—exemplify faith’s triumph, not as saviors but as testimonies to God’s redemptive power. These examples are not moralistic detours but integral to Scripture’s narrative. Preaching that ignores them discards a divinely ordained tool for sanctification. Like runners spurred by a crowd, we fix our eyes on Christ’s finished work while drawing strength from those who ran before us.

Principles for Drawing Examples from Scripture for Bible Study

For those studying the Bible, extracting sanctifying lessons from its examples requires diligence and reverence. Scripture’s narratives are not a grab-bag of moral tales but a unified revelation of God’s redemptive plan. To learn from biblical examples without distorting their purpose, consider these principles:

1. What is the point of the passage?

2. How does the portrayal of the characters in the account relate to the main point of the passage?

3. Could the characters in the account function as an example for Christians?

   1. Is this the primary meaning of the passage?

   2. Is this an explicit feature of the passage?

   3. Is this a legitimate implication of the primary meaning of the passage?

   4. Is there another passage or principle that explicitly teaches what is exemplified in this passage?

4. Is the example positive or negative?

   1. If negative:

      1. What did they do that violated God’s will?

      2. What did they miss about God’s character?

      3. What truth did they fail to understand from God’s Word?

      4. What did they love more than God’s presence?

      5. What earthly treasure was prioritized over eternal treasure?

      6. What did they trust more than God’s promises?

      7. What were the consequences of their actions?

      8. What is the contemporary equivalent of their sin?

      9. What is the contemporary equivalent of their character?

      10. (10) How does the work of Christ empower Christians to avoid following this example?

          
          

   2. If positive:

      1. What did they do that was commendable before God?

      2. What did they know about God’s character that motivated obedience?

      3. What did they know from God’s word that motivated obedience?

      4. What promises did they trust to motivate obedience?

      5. What sacrifice was required for their obedience?

      6. What earthly treasure was forfeited for eternal treasure?

      7. What is the contemporary equivalent of their obedience?

      8. What were the results of their actions?

      9. What is the contemporary equivalent of their character?

      10. How does the work of Christ empower Christians to follow this example?

   
   

   This grid of questions provides the framework for preaching all of Christ–his work and his example–for sanctification. It may not answer every question on the topic, but it will prevent a lot of “dare to be a Daniel” sermon series without cutting you off from legitimate uses of exemplary preaching.

Conclusion

Biblical examples are a treasure trove for sanctification, amplifying the priority of Christ’s work. From Christ’s humility to the faith of the saints, these lives showcase God’s redemptive power, guiding us toward holiness. Preaching—and studying—all of Christ—His work and example—mirrors Scripture’s design, offering a potent means of grace. Handle these truths with care, never eclipsing the atonement’s primacy. For if a preacher doesn’t deliver the gospel, he ceases to be a preacher.