An Invitation to Character 2018: The Year of the Winner

Transcription

1 An Invitation to Character 2018: The Year of the Winner Scripture Matthew28: Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Subject Question: When summing up Jesus call for His disciples to be sharers of the Great Commission what one characteristic trait does He imply all Christians should know, live out, and fulfill? Compliment answer: A shepherd s heart Big Idea: When summing up Jesus call for His disciples to be sharers of the Great Commission the one characteristic trait He implies all Christians should know, live out, and fulfill is a shepherd s heart. Homiletical Idea: A Shepherd with a Heart of Go Purpose: I want the congregation to comprehend and grasp not the duties demanded in the Great Commission, but the character needed to be able to fulfill each of our calls as Disciples of Christ. Ground Work: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 28:16-20 This evangelist passes over other appearances of Christ, recorded by Luke and John, and hastens to the most solemn; one appointed before his death, and after his resurrection. All that see the Lord Jesus with an eye of faith, will worship him. Yet the faith of the sincere may be very weak and wavering. But Christ gave such convincing proofs of his resurrection, as made their faith to triumph over doubts. He now solemnly commissioned the apostles and his ministers to go forth among all nations. The salvation they were to preach, is a common salvation; whoever will, let him come, and take the benefit; all are welcome to Christ Jesus. Christianity is the religion of a 1

2 sinner who applies for salvation from deserved wrath and from sin; he applies to the mercy of the Father, through the atonement of the incarnate Son, and by the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, and gives up himself to be the worshipper and servant of God, as the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, three Persons but one God, in all his ordinances and commandments. Baptism is an outward sign of that inward washing, or sanctification of the Spirit, which seals and evidences the believer's justification. Let us examine ourselves, whether we really possess the inward and spiritual grace of a death unto sin, and a new birth unto righteousness, by which those who were the children of wrath become the children of God. Believers shall have the constant presence of their Lord always; all days, every day. There is no day, no hour of the day, in which our Lord Jesus is not present with his churches and with his ministers; if there were, in that day, that hour, they would be undone. The God of Israel, the Saviour, is sometimes a God that hideth himself, but never a God at a distance. To these precious words Amen is added. Even so, Lord Jesus, be thou with us and all thy people; cause thy face to shine upon us, that thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. 49 Godly Character Qualities By GOLBlog, Christian Parenting This is an excellent list of godly character qualities to use as you prayerfully shepherd the hearts of your children to Christlikeness. Remember, however, our goal as Christian parents is not moralism or behaviorism. These character qualities are a reflection of the new man, a regenerate heart. So as you see deficiency in your children we must point them to Christ for forgiveness and growth in grace. We want our children to realize that external character, obedience or polish without a new heart is nothing but a works righteousness and legalism. Character Qualities 1. Alertness vs. Unawareness Being aware of that which is taking place around me so I can have the right response to it (Mark 14:38) 2. Attentiveness vs. Unconcern Showing the worth of a person by giving undivided attention to his words and emotions (Hebrews 2:1) 2

3 3. Availability vs. Self-centeredness Making my own schedule and priorities secondary to the wishes of those I am serving (Philippians 2:20 21) 4. Boldness vs. Fearfulness Confidence that what I have to say or do is true and right and just in the sight of God (Acts 4:29) 5. Cautiousness vs. Rashness Knowing how important right timing is in accomplishing right actions (Proverbs 19:2) 6. Compassion vs. Indifference Investing whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others (I John 3:17) 7. Contentment vs. Covetousness Realizing that God has provided everything I need for my present happiness (I Timothy 6:8) 8. Creativity vs. Underachievement Approaching a need, a task, an idea from a new perspective (Romans 12:2) 9. Decisiveness vs. Double-mindedness The ability to finalize difficult decisions based on the will and ways of God (James 1:5) 10. Deference vs. Rudeness Limiting my freedom in order not offend the tastes of those whom God has called me to serve (Romans 14:21) 11. Dependability vs. Inconsistency Fulfilling what I consented to do even if it means unexpected sacrifice (Psalm 15:4) 12. Determination vs. Faintheartedness Purposing to accomplish God s goals in God s time regardless of the opposition (II Timothy 4:7 8) 13. Dligence vs. Slothfulness Visualizing each task as a special assignment from the Lord and using all my energies to accomplish it (Colossians 3:23) 14. Discernment vs. Judgment The God-given ability to understand why things happen (I Samuel 16:7) 15. Discretion vs. Simplemindedness The ability to avoid words, actions, and attitudes which could result in undesirable consequences (Proverbs 22:3) 3

4 16. Endurance vs. Giving up The inward strength to withstand stress to accomplish God s best (Galatians 6:9) 17. Enthusiasm vs. Apathy Expressing with my soul the joy of my spirit (I Thessalonians 5:16,19) 18. Faith vs. Presumption Visualizing what God intends to do in a given situation and acting in harmony with it (Hebrews 11:1) 19. Flexibility vs. Resistance Not setting my affections on ideas or plans which could be changed by God or others (Colossians 3:2) 20. Forgiveness vs. Rejection Clearing the record of those who have wronged me and allowing God to love them through me (Ephesians 4:32) 21. Generosity vs. Stinginess Realizing that all I have belongs to God and using it for His purposes (II Corinthians 9:6) 22. Gentleness vs. Harshness Showing personal care and concern in meeting the need of others (I Thessalonians 2:7) 23. Gratefulness vs. Unthankfulness Making known to God and others in what ways they have benefited my life (I Corinthians 4:7) 24. Hospitality vs. Loneliness Cheerfully sharing food, shelter, and spiritual refreshment with those whom God brings into my life (Hebrews 13:2) 25. Humility vs. Pride Recognizing that it is actually God and others who are responsible for the achievements in my life (James 4:6) 26. Initiative vs. Unresponsiveness Recognizing and doing what needs to be done before I am asked to do it (Romans 12:21) 27. Joyfulness vs. Self-pity The spontaneous enthusiasm of my spirit when my soul is in fellowship with the Lord (Psalm 16:11) 28. Justice vs. Fairness Personal responsibility to God s unchanging laws (Micah 6:8) 4

5 29. Love vs. Selfishness Giving to others basic needs without having as my motive personal reward (I Corinthians 13:3) 30. Loyalty vs. Unfaithfulness Using difficult times to demonstrate my commitment to God and to those whom He has called me to serve (John 15:13) 31. Meekness vs. Anger Yielding my personal rights and expectations to God (Psalm 62:5) 32. Obedience vs. Willfulness Freedom to be creative under the protection of divinely appointed authority (II Corinthians 10:5) 33. Orderliness vs. Disorganization Preparing myself and my surroundings so I will achieve the greatest efficiency (I Corinthians 14:40) 34. Patience vs. Restlessness Accepting a difficult situation from God without giving Him a deadline to remove it (Romans 5:3 4) 35. Persuasiveness vs. Contentiousness Guiding vital truths around another s mental roadblocks (II Timothy 2:24) 36. Punctuality vs. Tardiness Showing high esteem for other people and their time (Ecclesiastes 3:1) 37. Resourcefulness vs. Wastefulness Wise use of that which others would normally overlook or discard (Luke 16:10) 38. Responsibility vs. Unreliability Knowing and doing what both God and others are expecting from me (Romans 14:12) 39. Reverence vs. Disrespect Awareness of how God is working through the people and events in my life to produce the character of Christ in me (Proverbs 23:17 18) 40. Security vs. Anxiety Structuring my life around that which is eternal and cannot be destroyed or taken away (John 6:27) 41. Self-Control vs. Self-indulgence Instant obedience to the initial promptings of God s Spirit (Galatians 5:24 25) 5

6 42. Sensitivity vs. Callousness Exercising my senses so I can perceive the true spirit and emotions of those around me (Romans 12:15) 43. Sincerity vs. Hypocrisy Eagerness to do what is right with transparent motives (I Peter 1:22) 44. Thoroughness vs. Incompleteness Knowing what factors will diminish the effectiveness of my work or words if neglected (Proverbs 18:15) 45. Thriftiness vs. Extravagance Not letting myself or others spend that which is not necessary (Luke 16:11) 46. Tolerance vs. Prejudice Acceptance of others as unique expressions of specific character qualities in varying degrees of maturity (Philippians 2:2) 47. Truthfulness vs. Deception Earning future trust by accurately reporting past facts (Ephesians 4:25) 48. Virtue vs. Impurity The moral excellence and purity of spirit that radiate from my life as I obey God s Word (II Peter 1:3) 49. Wisdom vs. Natural Inclinations Seeing and responding to life s situations from God s frame of reference (Proverbs 9:10) Introduction: The Matsuyama Mirror Japanese Folktale A long, long time ago there lived in a quiet spot a young man and his wife. They had one child, a little daughter, whom they both loved with all their hearts. I cannot tell you their names, for they have long since been forgotten; but the name of the place where they lived was Matsuyama, in the Province of Echigo. It happened once, while the little girl was still a baby, that the father was obliged to go to the great city, the capital of Japan, upon some business. It was too far for the mother and her little baby to go, so he set out alone, after bidding them goodbye and promising to bring them home some pretty present. 6

7 The mother had never been farther from home than the next village, and she could not help being a little frightened at the thought of her husband taking such a long journey; and yet she was a little proud too, for he was the first man in all that country-side who had been to the big town where the king and his great lords lived, and where there were so many beautiful and curious things to be seen. At last the time came when she might expect her husband back, so she dressed the baby in its best clothes, and herself put on a pretty blue dress which she knew her husband liked. You may fancy how glad this good wife was to see him come home safe and sound, and how the little girl clapped her hands, and laughed with delight when she saw the pretty toys her father had brought for her. He had much to tell of all the wonderful things he had seen upon the journey, and in the town itself. I have brought you a very pretty thing, said he to his wife; it is called a mirror. Look and tell me what you see inside. He gave to her a plain white wooden box, in which, when she had opened it, she found a round piece of metal. One side was white, like frosted silver, and ornamented with raised figures of birds and flowers; the other was bright as the clearest crystal. Into it the young mother looked with delight and astonishment, for, from its depths was looking at her with parted lips and bright eyes, a smiling happy face. What do you see? again asked the husband, pleased at her astonishment and glad to show that he had learned something while he had been away. Commented [DC1]: :plxmo;9i y76tr54 I see a pretty woman looking at me, and she moves her lips as if she was speaking, and dear me, how odd, she has on a blue dress just like mine! Why, you silly woman, it is your own face that you see! said the husband, proud of knowing something that his wife didn t know. That round piece of metal is called a mirror. In the town everybody has one, although we have not seen them in this country-place before. The wife was charmed with her present, and for a few days could not look into the mirror often enough; for you must remember that as this was the first time she had seen a mirror, so, of course, it was the first time she had ever seen 7

8 the reflection of her own pretty face. But she considered such a wonderful thing far too precious for everyday use, and soon shut it up in its box again and put it away carefully among her most valued treasures. Years passed on, and the husband and wife still lived happily. The joy of their life was their little daughter, who grew up the very image of her mother, and who was so dutiful and affectionate that everybody loved her. Mindful of her own little passing vanity on finding herself so lovely, the mother kept the mirror carefully hidden away, fearing that the use of it might breed a spirit of pride in her little girl. She never spoke of it, and as for the father he had forgotten all about it. So it happened that the daughter grew up as simple as the mother had been, and knew nothing of her own good looks, or of the mirror which would have reflected them. But by-and-by a terrible misfortune happened to this happy little family. The good, kind mother fell sick; and, although her daughter waited upon her, day and night, with loving care, she got worse and worse, until at last there was no doubt but that she must die. When she found that she must so soon leave her husband and child, the poor woman felt very sorrowful, grieving for those she was going to leave behind, and most of all for her little daughter. She called the girl to her and said, My darling child, you know that I am very sick; soon I must die and leave your dear father and you alone. When I am gone, promise me that you will look into this mirror every night and every morning; there you will see me, and know that I am still watching over you. With these words she took the mirror from its hiding-place and gave it to her daughter. The child promised, with many tears, and so the mother, seeming now calm and resigned, died a short time after. Now this obedient and dutiful daughter never forgot her mother s last request, but each morning and evening took the mirror from its hiding-place, and looked in it long and earnestly. There she saw the bright and smiling vision of her lost mother. Not pale and sickly as in her last days, but the beautiful young mother of long ago. To her at night she told the story of the trials and 8

9 difficulties of the day; to her in the morning she looked for sympathy and encouragement in whatever might be in store for her. So day by day she lived as in her mother s sight, striving still to please her as she had done in her lifetime, and careful always to avoid whatever might pain or grieve her. Her greatest joy was to be able to look in the mirror and say, Mother, I have been to-day what you would have me to be. Seeing her look into the mirror every night and morning without fail, and seem to hold converse with it, her father at length asked her the reason of her strange behavior. Father, she said, I look in the mirror every day to see my dear mother and to talk with her. Then she told him of her mother s dying wish, and how she had never failed to fulfil it. Touched by so much simplicity, and such faithful, loving obedience, the father shed tears of pity and affection. Nor could he find it in his heart to tell the child that the image she saw in the mirror was but the reflection of her own sweet face, becoming by constant sympathy and association more and more like her dead mother s day by day. 9