What Real Christian Character Looks Like

What real Christian Character Looks like

27 keys to Christian character

The Bible has a very serious character challenge for you tonight

A list of Christian character traits… 27 character traits

what “being like Jesus” really means.

Really evaluate yourself, let down your guard, its or Christ

Be open to evaluate yourself

Some see it as a test that they pass or fail, others as a calling to be reminded of.

9Let love be without hypocrisy.

The emphasis isn’t whether we love, it’s HOW
Do you think about HOW you love?
Without hypocrisy?
Going through the motions
Why bother saying this? Because it’s needful advice
Don’t think “not me”, think “maybe me”
Examples in the Bible
Annanias and Sapphira
Hypocrisy
Say one thing do another? Not exactly
It means FAKE or INSINCERE
Actors!
Hypocrisy will kill the church!
Why would we be hypocrites in love?
To fit in
Because people are fooled by it
But God isn’t!
To feel good about our
prefer looking good to being good
Wrong solution to hypocrisy
To accept weak-sauce Christianity
Solution?
Stop it
Look to God who looks into your heart
1 Samuel 16:7 (NKJV) 7But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
BE rather than APPEAR
“what God seeks in the believer is not so much a single worthy act as it is a continuing quality of life”(New American Commentary: Romans)
It may be that the rest of these 27 keys to character are really about LOVE that isn’t fake

Abhor what is evil.

3 popular compromises I want to talk about
1-Embracing sin
Homosexuality, perverse humor, sex outside of marriage
2-Acknowledging things as “sin” but being embarrassed about it
I don’t need to apologize
I don’t need to feel awkward
This misrepresents God
3-Turning grace into license
What should my attitude be toward evil?
Abhor
This is beyond simply admitting it’s bad
Abhor = to hate utterly, to despise, to shrink away from
ἀποστυγέω: to have a strong dislike for someone or something, implying repulsion and desire for avoidance
Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 763). New York: United Bible Societies.
To see God’s attitude toward sin we only need to see the cross.
Hell is NOT an overreaction!
Demonize man or God
It’s the depth of sin that makes the love of God so amazing!
A little grace or a lot?
Have we stopped abhorring?
Become too tolerant?
Not just in our preaching… in our living.
Love doesn’t mean accepting wickedness into any area of our lives, it means the opposite!
If I don’t, perhaps it’s hypocritical love toward God!
Ps 97:10 “you who love the Lord, hate evil”

Cling to what is good.

Cling to - join oneself to, become part of
A good cause
A good ministry
A good attitude
A good action
Cling – because it slips away!!
So easily!
We get tired, we get soft, lazy, cravings
One foot out the door, that’s not clinging.
Need 10 confirmations for ministry, but none for a bowling league
Titus 2:14 (NKJV) 14who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Busy yourself about good
You’ll be accused of legalism… stay the course
“too often Christians are known for what they’re against instead of what they are for”
I’m not sure what that means – and I’m sure its not biblical
This is a slippery slope to compromising our love for God to placate a wicked world.
It doesn’t extend our reach, it just leavens the church.
It’s both. I MUST be both.
If nothing else, it keeps me from my own tendency toward sin

10Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love,

Kindly affectionate
Immediately many will have images of marital actions
But that’s our confusion and distortion!
With brotherly love
Gk - “Philadelphia”
In other words, don’t be the family that doesn’t treat each other like family. Brothers and sisters in Christ are eternal brothers and sisters.
Church hoppers/disfellowshippers/cut-em-offers
BUT it’s not enough to “show up”
We all have a limited number of close people…
How are you treating them?
Brotherly love?

in honor giving preference to one another;

So opposite the world.
Seek to elevate others above yourself in honor!
This follows Jesus!
Made himself low to bring us up.
“outdo”
This rubs us wrong!
50/50!
Do it
But what SPECIFICALLY am I being asked to do?
Give honor (respect, value, status)
I feel we really need this reminder
What do I see when I see you
A problem?
A series of criticisms?
A list of disqualifiers?
A vessel of the Holy Spirit?
The called of God?
A deliberate, attitude
Even if we have valid criticisms, seek to show honor
Important in marriage
But Jesus draws that circle much wider!
Parable of the good Samaritan

6, 7, 8

11not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

3 pieces of advice for ministry
And you ARE in ministry, already
A kingdom of priests
Understanding this these issues first requires that you adopt the biblical mindset of seeing your LIFE as ministry
And each responsibility as a ministry
Colossians 3:17 (NKJV) 17And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Not lagging
“lazy, lacking in ambition”
“Diligence”
ESV has it as “zeal”
Has the idea of eagerness, doing your best,
So, are you?
Diligence isn’t the start of the race
Diligence isn’t the end
Diligence is the boring part in the middle
Christianity is a marathon
Would someone else shame you?
Serving your best!! Or just “good enough”
“Fervent in spirit” (acts 18:25, Apollos was “fervent in spirit”)
“diligence” seems to be about actions
“fervent in spirit” seems to be about spiritual overflow in your life
Fervent “boiling”
Spirit – yours or the Holy Spirit
Either way. It’s spiritually sourced energy
What’s the difference between an emotional person and one who has fervor in spirit?
The fruit?
My opinion
I think I see new believers like this
And old believers like this
But those in the middle…
Start with abiding! (John 15)
Revelation 2:1–7 (NKJV) 1“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’
“Serving the Lord”
Serving (which makes me the servant)
Not just serving.
Serving the LORD
It’s personal. I teach this study unto Him. I do it all for Him.
NOW it’s an act of worship
An relational service

9, 10, 11

12rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

How can you rejoice at all times?
We rejoice for what’s COMING, not for how things are.
HOPE
It’s that thing that my heart is holding out for.
Does future glory honestly overpower today’s griefs?
Patient in tribulation
Why isn’t more of the NT about how to deal with prosperity?
Hmmmmm…
Your job… waiting.
Patience is a particular KIND of waiting.
A faithful waiting.
Because with tribulation comes temptation
Jesus in the wilderness (Satan came when Jesus was weak)
Continuing steadfastly in prayer
How is your prayer life?
Oh man

GO BACK over this list before bed tonight. Pray through it.

12, 13

13distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

Hospitality
The difference between bless me and bless you

14, 15

14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Elsewhere Jesus says something similar
Who? Those who persecute
Pursue and harass
Not ONLY do I not curse.
I bless.
I think God means it.
Take a moment – bless them
Remember #1 “without hypocrisy”

16, 17

15Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Connecting this to verse 14 it seems to be saying
Instead of focusing on your hurt, focus on what’s going on with the other person
In this case, sharing in their joy and sorrow
First, joy
Why?
Because this is an act of love

18, 19, 20, 21

16Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Same mind –
A mind that is set on high things
Fame, glory, celebrity status
Associate with the humble
Make them your friends
Be wise, just not in your own opinion

22, 23

17Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.

18If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

And if it’s not possible? See vs 19-20

25, 26,

19Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

20Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

When I return evil for evil, evil overcomes me
When I return good for evil, I overcome it