He is _not_ here _for himself_. As an unconverted man an end is to be served by his being. As a converted man a far higher end is to be served by his being in Christ. He is God’s workmanship, God’s appointment _for others_;—a privilege for those amongst whom he is placed; a light to see by; salt to be savoured by; a leader to be marked; a guide to be followed. The apostle recognises this truth in the scripture before us. He is writing to a people whom he wishes to establish in the faith. For this he plies them with motives, and suggests means. In so doing he comes to set before them those who were their guides in the faith. He urges them to follow their example whilst living, to treasure their memory when dead. They would find this a mighty help towards standing fast. Brethren, _we_ are called to a like duty this day. We are met together, the poorer, most of us, by a friend; the richer, all of us, by a memory and an example. We have had—we still have—a gift of God, in the person of His sainted servant. We have had a real Christian to look upon and live by. Let us listen, then, to these words of earnest exhortation, and “remember those who are the guides—following their faith, and considering the end (the termination), of their conversation.” Will you not pray that God the Holy Ghost may clothe His Word with new power, and enable me to speak so as to glorify God—to quicken, to comfort, to edify souls? I propose more especially to take up the latter half of the verse, and to mark— I. What God would have us _to follow_; II. What God would have us to _consider_. I. _What is it_, _then_, _which God would have us to follow_? The faith of those who are “guides.” This leads me to observe _one view which every Christian ought to take of his position_. He is called to be a guide in the faith—by his life, if not by his words. Now, brethren, I am aware that this is held to be almost exclusively the duty of ministers. The text is usually so applied. I have no wish to shift off the responsibility from them. They, if any, ought to go before the flock. Nor do I wish to put young Christians out of their proper place.