Sermons on Character (Page 9)
Endure to the End
Rather you, than me 1.Demands great physical and mental stamina 2.Excessive investment –Years of work. –Long distances –Controlled Diet 3.Punishing toll –Injuries –Hours alone Could be doing something else 4.For what? –A medal –Fame –Money –Personal satisfaction Spiritual Endurance 1.Demands great physical and mental stamina. •Struggle against the devil •Excesses of this world •Staying focus amidst constant distractions 2.Excessive investment –2Cor.12:15—“I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls.” –Mt.19:21—“Sell all and give to the poor…come follow me”…
The Company You Keep
Bad Company •Remember that God forgives you and I multiple times a day •7 times is being generous •Jesus has made friends of ‘Bad Company.’ Proverbs 22:24-25 (ESV) 24 Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man,25 lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
Time For A Change
Each one of us has a role—Even in isolation I need to adjust to a new reality Matthew 15:18-20 (ESV) 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
Brotherly Kindness, Too
Brotherly love must be kept alive and active— -Fuelled to continue: -Takes time spent -Takes needs met – Takes patience invested -Takes a desire IN YOU that everyone do well in the Lord—This is a given! 2 Peter 1:5-7 (ESV) 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,[a] and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
Times of Refreshing
Faith, like trees need water to live and thrive. Jesus gives us Living Water. Jesus is our Life. It is only from him that comes “Times of Refreshing.” Acts 3:19 (NASB) 19 Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;
The More Blessed Way
Does it belong in the of the worship of the saints? NO! 2 Corinthians 8:1-2 (NASB) Great Generosity 8 Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.
The Prize
Philippians 3:14 (NASB) 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus
The Truth About Truth
1.In Basic terms— a)It is defined as that which conforms with fact or reality. b)It is genuineness, veracity, or actuality. c)In a word, truth is reality. d)It is how things actually are. John 8:44 (NASB) 44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks [a]a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a…
Guidance
Guidance comes in various forms… a.First an foremost the Word of God—Not an optional extra, but the words of life. b.The Word being taught and lived around us. c.Godly advice from others d.Experiences – Good and bad. Proverbs 12:15 (NASB) 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.
Tolerance-Eph 4:1-2
Every relationship needs it If you think that no one ever has to tolerate you, you might want to ask the Lord for clarification on that point—but be prepared for disappointment With a scoffing tone we ask, “How do you put up with that?” Sanctification takes time No one changes over night We have to accept matters of opinion I don’t always have to be right Ephesians 4:1-2 (NASB) 4 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner…