Character

Choose Character

• Pray
• Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering

1. Definitions – character

1. The sum of our traits that we are known by.

2. Reputation – How you are known
3. Faithfulness
4. Character is the total of what makes us up, or the “whole”. Integrity is the parts and pieces that make up the “whole” – We are going to talk about both. Many times the two are used interchangeably, but keep in mind the differences.

1. The milk of the Word vs. the meat of the Word

1. The milk is what Jesus or the Kingdom of God will do for you. – (Heb 5:12)

a) salvation

b) hope and comfort in troubled times

c) healing – physical, emotional

(all are benefits of Jesus’ work at The Cross or Atonement)

2. The meat of the Word is what you do for The Kingdom

1. Hebrews 5:12 (NIV)
   In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!

a) baby food

2) James 2 : 8 (Mess) I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, "Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I'll handle the works department." Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove

Show your faith – God expects it, from ourselves, show to family and friends benefit

1. an example - practical Christianity / meat of The Word
2. God does the supernatural – all miracles of past, present, and future – Jesus, conquering Love, re-establishing His Kingdom and making us part of it.
3. He expects us to do the natural (because of our faith – IN HIM) to show His Love to others – Shows Him to others (family, those around us) – perhaps we are the only God that person will see!

3) Character of God

a) Isaiah 11:5

5 Righteousness will be his belt
 and faithfulness the sash around his waist

note: faithfulness one of the deffs. Of character

2. 1 Thessalonians 5:24

The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

c) Deuteronomy 7:9

9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands

The Word says to “Be like Him” – 1 John 3:2

Kids want to be like their father – they naturally emulate their parents

We are made in His image, since He is of character and it is a trait that we all can and should develop, He expects us to be of character for our own good as well as everyone we come in contact with.

4) Characteristics Traits Of The Saints

a) Bible says anyone who is saved is a saint. – We ARE people of character

2. There are many character traits we can identify
   • Blameless
   • Bold
   • Faithful
   • Just
   • Godly
   • Humble
   • Attentive to Christ’s voice - John 10:3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
   • Prudent - Proverbs 16:21 The wise in heart will be called prudent,
           And sweetness of the lips increases learning.
   • If we are saved The traits are in us – Romans 12:3 – up to us to develop them by exercising and using.

God Is The God Of Patience

This Bible study was presented in 2007. The topic was "patience" - something we all need more of. A very astute observation came out of our conversation.

An inmate noted that we sometimes "try" way to hard to be followers of Christ. We try to "be" Christians. We often try to be followers of Christ by changing our behavior. The fact is though, that will never happen. No matter how hard you or I try, we can NEVER change the inside, the part of us that defines us, the important part,  the part of us God sees, cares about and loves, from the outside.

Paul, in his letter to the Galatians points this out. He calls this the fruit of the spirit (Gal 5:18). Paul is referring to the fact that it's the things inside us, the way we treat others, "humbly out of love", are the signs of those who believe. The way we ARE on the inside is  what matters.

The fact that these come from the inside - not some external force making us behave a certain way, is the way God works.Thats what Paul was saying. He tells them if they want to be circumcised (an external sign) then they will be judged by the law and that Jesus and the freedom He brings is irrelevant to them! He is saying to them God, through Jesus, works from the inside out not the outside in!

Jesus tells us this in many places and in many ways. At one point (I get the feeling He is tired of making a point He had made many times before)  He tells the religious leaders that it is what is on the inside of the cup that matters not the outside.

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• pray

Patience = Greek word “hupermone” – compound of “hupo” = under and “meno”  =  abide – together, literally means to abide under. The idea is enduring under a load.

Dictionary.com defines patience this way:

1. the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.
2. an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay: to have patience with a slow learner.
3. quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence: to work with patience.

James 2-6(read) out of KJV

Now out of NLT -  2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

• James tells us that the only way for us to develop patience is to go through some stuff. Then he tells us to go ahead and take and let good, (patience) come out of it.

Romans 8:28 tells us this will happen if we love The Lord.

Roman 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who    love him, and who have been called according to his purpose. 

(ALL OF US CALLED TO HIS PURPOSE)

Romans 15:5   (God is the God of patience)

 5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus

                       

1. How does God show us show patience?

Encouragement - Jeremiah  33:3, James 1:5

Harmony with others -  1 John 4:8, Rom 8:39

God is telling us that patience, harmony and encouragement (of others) go together. Since love is the most important thing, 1 Cor a3:13 we can draw a parallel on how important patience is.

James 5:11              (Patience Exemplified)

11 We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.

1.    With regard to the definitions we have read, how does point to, and encourage us?

Job

Job 1:21 He said,   “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave.
     The Lord gave me what I had and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the   Lord!”

 Hebrews 6:12        

Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance

 Heb 6:15 - Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.

1.    How does this show patience?

2.      is faith involved? –

3.      After reading about Job’s trials and Heb 6:12 &15  is faith in God an element of patience?      

·       An example of patient faith:

ACTS 8:26 – 40

·        Phillip had patience with the Ethiopian eunuch to teach and endure his ignorance of The Gospel

·        Phillip patiently waited for the opportunity to fulfill the general calling we all have “to be ready in season and out of season”

Lamentations 3:26 (New Living Translation)

So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord

Romans 12:12

12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

Galatians 6:9  

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.

·       At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. For our own good and well being.

1. Why should we exercise patience?
2. Do we benefit from showing patience?
3. Do others benefit
4. Do we benefit from other benefiting?
5. How?

A Humble And Contrite Spirit

NLT)

15 The high and lofty one who lives in eternity,
      the Holy One, says this:
   “I live in the high and holy place
      with those whose spirits are contrite and humble.
   I restore the crushed spirit of the humble
      and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.

 This was one of the verses in my meditation of The Word this week, (Rom 12:2

 [ NLT] Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.) God reveals to us – line upon line precept upon precept His plans for us when we meditate on His Word.

Of interest words humble and contrite – in light of Fruit of Spirit in our study last week -  Gal 5:22  Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control.

PRAY

Humble

1.	not proud or arrogant; modest: to be humble although successful.

2.	having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience, etc.: In the presence of so many world-famous writers I felt very humble.

3.	low in rank, importance, status, quality, etc.; lowly: of humble origin; a humble home.

4.	courteously respectful: In my humble opinion you are wrong.

5.	low in height, level, etc.; small in size: a humble member of the galaxy.

–verb (used with object)

6.	to lower in condition, importance, or dignity; abase.

7.	to destroy the independence, power, or will of.

8.	to make meek: to humble one's heart.

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[Origin: 1200–50; ME (h)umble < OF < L humilis lowly, insignificant, on the ground. See humus, -ile]

Humus

the dark organic material in soils, produced by the decomposition of vegetable or animal matter and essential to the fertility of the earth.

Note: Essential for growth

I would submit that every fruit of the spirit mentioned in Gal 5, parallels

Humble and contriteness (deeply sorry or repentant)

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Lets look at Isa. 57:15 – 15 The high and lofty one who lives in eternity,
    (God always has been, always will be – My habitation, no time needed, where I live)         

 the Holy One, says this:
   (The Great I Am – not was…not a has been, or will be – Jesus tells us Love God with all your heart and have faith that He will provide what we need, then He says -  “sufficient for this day are this days troubles” – In other words don’t worry, The Great I Am, who takes care of you in the present.

A. how many examples  of Jesus saying I Am can you think of :

1. Way, Truth and Life – Vine and you are branches…. – (class)

“I live in the high and holy place
   (My domain – where I live)  

He says to us:

those whose spirits are contrite and humble.
  (truly sorry and are righteous through My Only Begotten, and who are or have an attitude or mentality or lifestyle of meekness or teachable ness preferring others over themselves)

 I restore the crushed spirit of the humble
     (Take care of the ones who have a lifestyle of putting other first)

 and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.

(Bring back to life the boldness of those who truly have an attitude of repentance)

·        The idea is that if we have an attitude, or make a lifestyle of showing the fruit of the spirit.  We will live with Him and He will do al of these things for us.

He will prefer us – put us first – humble Himself to us!

(all about you to him, to you, etc.…. all about us to GOD! )

·        We have been equipped by the Power of God (His Word Of Power, not by the power of His Word – {explain diff}), and it is essential if Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior to put others first. God through Paul & Timothy tells us to put each other first

(read) Rom 12:10 & 1 Tim 5:21

·        We must choose to be humble / if we have a free will to worship God and to be saved, we have to choose to show the attributes of Him

2 Cor. 5:7 -  We live by faith, not by sight. – We do the right thing (have a humble attitude show the fruit of the Spirit) because we have faith that it is the right thing to do not because or when we feel like it.

There will always be times when we don’t feel like being nice or being humble, (examples) but when we do it because it is the right thing to do that is when GOD rejoices.

·        When we put other first, we will never be offended, we will arrest the offense by saying to ourselves (why should he … examples)

The Things We Think

Text scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:5   Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

1. God never tells us to do anything He does not give us the ability to do – EVER

2. Last week talked about the fact that we choose good over evil –

Only two choices Good or evil:

 Deuteronomy 30:19
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

     

3. Last wk question asked about keeping line of thought while in prayer etc.
4. The fact is it is possible – our text says so! – we have to believe what Word says is true – take it as true – no matter what circumstances, your friends, your family, or anybody else tells you.

·        We need to start believing what God says instead of what the devil says –

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

• Always know that no matter what’s happening in your life right at the moment God’s Word is always true

5. Don’t believe it’s not possible to control what you think – God says it is! - its simple not easy!

6. When we slip up and think the wrong thoughts or negative (toxic) our brain actually emits a poison into our body. – This is not what God wants for you and me. (His kids) - 2 Timothy 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

7.     Don’t get down on yourself for this or any other thing we do wrong – do your best to make the    correction and go on in God (God sees your heart) (we all are responsible for what we know and the revelation we have) 

Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit

Ehp 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

·         Paul says – if you don’t get anything else, GET THIS!

·         Wiles = Greek word “methodia” translated means “cunning” “crafty”, - comes from a root word “hodiu” which can be translated to journey on or road

·         Paul is saying here that the only road or access that Satan has to you is through our mind!

·         God has already told us that He has given us the ability to make choices – He wants you to make good choices.

About what we think – what we think about is what we do

Deuteronomy 30:19  I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

2 Timothy 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

How do we take control of what we think?

1. God says to think more like Him  -  Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God

Meditate on Word – mull it over, kick it around in your mind, your cunning and craftiness, use your roadway to access The Mind Of God – make the choice to do so!

   

2. Think about the right things on purpose -  2 Tim 6:11  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness   Phil. 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things  
   
• Follow after the things in vs. 2 Tim. 6:11 - righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness (meekness = power under control / example of horses, Harley story)