Character Development: Embracing New Beginnings with God

 

Summary

Embrace the new beginnings that God offers each day. Let go of the past and focus on the person you are becoming. The essence of life is not about achieving happiness but about developing character. The main thing God gains from our lives is the person we become. This journey involves a struggle against sin, a concept often misunderstood or neglected in modern discourse. Sin is not just about moral failings but about the deeper issues of character, justice, and love.

Parents often express a desire for their children's happiness, but more fundamentally, they want their children to be good. This desire reflects the deeper truth that life is about character development. Stories like those of Mary Johnson, who forgave her son's murderer, and Louis Zamperini, who overcame personal demons, illustrate the power of redemption and the importance of character.

The biblical narrative of Adam and Eve highlights the struggle against sin and the temptation to become our own gods. This story is not about blaming humanity for the original sin but about recognizing the ongoing battle against forces too strong for us alone. The drama of our lives is about the person we are becoming, and the challenge is to listen to God and follow His guidance.

In the moments of quiet reflection, we can invite God to speak to us. This practice, inspired by the Oxford Group, encourages us to be still, listen, and be honest about our thoughts and feelings. God is alive and willing to guide us, but we must be open to hearing what we need to know, not just what we want to know. By being honest and obedient to God's voice, we can move towards the life He desires for us.

Key Takeaways:

- Life is fundamentally about character development, not just the pursuit of happiness. The person you become is the main thing God gains from your life. This journey involves a struggle against sin, which is often misunderstood in modern times. [01:45]

- Parents' deepest desires for their children reflect a universal truth: more than happiness, we want our children to be good. This desire underscores the importance of character over mere contentment. [02:14]

- Stories of redemption, like those of Mary Johnson and Louis Zamperini, highlight the transformative power of forgiveness and the importance of overcoming personal demons. These narratives remind us that character is about moving towards the good. [04:26]

- The biblical story of Adam and Eve illustrates the ongoing struggle against sin and the temptation to become our own gods. This narrative is not about blame but about recognizing the battle against forces too strong for us alone. [06:51]

- In moments of quiet reflection, we can invite God to speak to us. By being still, listening, and being honest about our thoughts, we can hear God's guidance and move towards the life He desires for us. [09:31]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:42] - Embracing New Beginnings
- [00:53] - The Person You Are Becoming
- [01:18] - Understanding Sin
- [01:45] - The Importance of Character
- [02:14] - Parental Desires and Goodness
- [02:30] - Story of Forgiveness
- [03:20] - The Pain of Wrong Choices
- [03:50] - Character and Redemption
- [04:41] - Stories of Transformation
- [05:23] - The Drama of Life
- [06:03] - Original Sin and Its Misunderstanding
- [07:06] - The Temptation of Self-Godhood
- [08:23] - Listening to God
- [09:31] - Quiet Reflection and Guidance

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 3:1-7 - The Fall of Man
2. Romans 5:12-21 - Death in Adam, Life in Christ
3. James 1:2-4 - Testing of Your Faith

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Observation Questions:

1. In Genesis 3:1-7, what specific actions did Adam and Eve take that led to the fall, and how does this relate to the concept of becoming our own gods? [07:06]

2. How does the story of Mary Johnson, who forgave her son's murderer, illustrate the power of character development and redemption? [02:30]

3. According to the sermon, what is the main thing God gains from our lives, and how is this reflected in the biblical narrative of Adam and Eve? [01:45]

4. What does James 1:2-4 suggest about the role of trials in developing character, and how does this connect to the sermon’s emphasis on character over happiness?

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the biblical story of Adam and Eve illustrate the ongoing struggle against sin, and what does this reveal about human nature? [06:51]

2. In what ways do the stories of Mary Johnson and Louis Zamperini highlight the transformative power of forgiveness and redemption? How do these stories relate to the sermon’s message about character development? [04:26]

3. How does the sermon’s perspective on parental desires for their children challenge modern views on happiness and success? [02:14]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of listening to God in moments of quiet reflection, and how does this practice contribute to character development? [09:31]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you struggled with the temptation to become your own god, as illustrated in Genesis 3. How did you overcome it, and what did you learn about your character in the process? [07:06]

2. Consider the story of Mary Johnson. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive to move towards the good? What steps can you take this week to begin that process? [02:30]

3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of character over happiness. How can you shift your focus from pursuing happiness to developing character in your daily life? [01:45]

4. In moments of quiet reflection, how can you create space to listen to God’s guidance? What practical steps can you take to be more open to hearing what you need to know, not just what you want to know? [09:31]

5. Think about a personal struggle against sin that you are currently facing. How can you invite God into this struggle to help you become the person He desires you to be? [08:08]

6. How can you apply the lessons from the story of Louis Zamperini to overcome personal demons and move towards redemption in your own life? [04:26]

7. Identify one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to develop your character. What specific actions can you take this week to respond to that call? [10:27]

Devotional

Day 1: Character Over Happiness
Life is fundamentally about character development, not just the pursuit of happiness. The person you become is the main thing God gains from your life. This journey involves a struggle against sin, which is often misunderstood in modern times. Sin is not merely about moral failings but encompasses deeper issues of character, justice, and love. The essence of life is about who you are becoming, and this transformation is what God values most. Embracing this perspective shifts the focus from seeking temporary happiness to cultivating a life of integrity and virtue. [01:45]

"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love." (2 Peter 1:5-7 ESV)

Reflection: What specific character trait do you feel God is calling you to develop more deeply in your life right now? How can you take a practical step towards this today?


Day 2: The Deeper Desire for Goodness
Parents' deepest desires for their children reflect a universal truth: more than happiness, we want our children to be good. This desire underscores the importance of character over mere contentment. It is a reflection of the divine desire for us to grow in goodness and virtue. The pursuit of goodness is a lifelong journey that requires intentionality and grace. As we strive to be good, we align ourselves with God's purpose for our lives, which is to reflect His character in the world. [02:14]

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6 ESV)

Reflection: Consider the people you influence, whether children or others. How can you encourage them to pursue goodness over happiness in a tangible way this week?


Day 3: Redemption Through Forgiveness
Stories of redemption, like those of Mary Johnson and Louis Zamperini, highlight the transformative power of forgiveness and the importance of overcoming personal demons. These narratives remind us that character is about moving towards the good. Forgiveness is a powerful act that not only frees the one who forgives but also transforms the one who is forgiven. It is a reflection of God's grace and a step towards healing and redemption. By choosing to forgive, we participate in the redemptive work of God in the world. [04:26]

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32 ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?


Day 4: The Struggle Against Sin
The biblical story of Adam and Eve illustrates the ongoing struggle against sin and the temptation to become our own gods. This narrative is not about blame but about recognizing the battle against forces too strong for us alone. The temptation to assert our own will over God's is a constant challenge. Recognizing this struggle is the first step towards overcoming it. By acknowledging our dependence on God, we can resist the temptation to place ourselves at the center of our lives and instead allow God to guide us. [06:51]

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12 ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?


Day 5: Listening for God's Guidance
In moments of quiet reflection, we can invite God to speak to us. By being still, listening, and being honest about our thoughts, we can hear God's guidance and move towards the life He desires for us. This practice, inspired by the Oxford Group, encourages us to be open to hearing what we need to know, not just what we want to know. God is alive and willing to guide us, but we must be open to His voice. By being honest and obedient to God's voice, we can move towards the life He desires for us. [09:31]

"Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." (Jeremiah 33:3 ESV)

Reflection: Set aside a specific time today to be still and listen for God's voice. What do you sense He is saying to you about your current path and decisions?

Quotes


The main thing God gets out of your life is the person you become and my word for you today is struggle against sin. I know sometimes when you do videos when you do talks when you write stuff certain things are going to pass uh from one person to another a lot and then other ones are on this one is not anytime you say we're going to talk today about struggling against sin even the word sin has mostly been lost. [00:56:16]

Aleister McIntyre the philosopher writes in his book after virtue about how the language of sin and vice has mostly been restricted now to talk about issues like sexual immorality and the great issues of human character of The Pursuit Of Justice am I a loving generous person we don't think about those things when we think about this word but this is part of why I believe that the Christian account of the human condition makes so much sense. [01:21:43]

Way more than you want your children not to be unhappy you want your children to become good and you do not want your children to become somehow wrong Twisted bent mean cruel bad. I did an interview years ago with a woman named Mary Johnson whose son was shot and over time in an amazing story she eventually met and eventually became a friend actually kind of a second mother to the man who shot her son. [02:23:84]

Life is not mostly about becoming happy it is mostly about the person that you become and that's fundamentally about character there is no such thing as a story without character and character is primarily about moving toward the good or moving away from the good. I remember when I read unbroken the story of Louis Zamperini and these horrible things happen to him Shipwrecked in the Pacific and then prisoner of war and this unbelievably cruel sadistic concentration camp. [03:19:66]

And to see him Redeemed by God oh thank you God every story is about the unfolding of character Les Miserables Jean Valjean he's the victim of poverty and awful things and then he goes into the home of a bishop but then he decides to steal the bishop silver and that such a horrible moment because we love Jean Valjean by that point and then he's caught which seems awful but is actually an act of Grace. [04:32:58]

The drama of Our Lives is that they are about the person that I am becoming and the great problem in this text is that um Eve and then Adam are listening to the serpent serpent says you will surely not die if you eat from this tree for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God knowing Good and Evil. [06:18:44]

And that idea of knowing good and evil is not moral awareness or moral discernment it's you'll be able to participate in whatever you want to if you want to do something that people tell you is bad lie given to Greed or so you get to choose you get to be your own God and then the woman ate and the man ate and all of us do that all of us miss the drama of the person that we're becoming. [07:26:22]

The invitation to Adam and Eve then that character that's missing in that dialogue was God listen to God talk to God so in just a moment or two that remains right now I want to give you a moment to listen to God this is wonderful spiritual guidance about listening to God this came actually from the Oxford Group that was the group out of which AAA grew. [08:23:58]

God is alive God can do anything God can be everywhere at the same time God cares about you God will tell you what you need to know not necessarily what you want to know but what you need to know so here are the conditions for being in touch with God you can do this right now be quiet and still right now listen invite God would you speak into my mind. [09:04:44]

And then be honest about every thought that comes what thought occurs right now might be fear might be desire might whatever it is just be deeply honest about that not the victim of it just honest and then if you hear any sense of take this action uh make this call have this conversation or you are loved is that thought from God are you speaking to me through this. [09:40:80]

If I obey this voice if I take this action will it move me towards you and the life you want me to have today struggle against sin seek. [10:15:66]

The main thing God gets out of your life is the person you become and my word for you today is struggle against sin. I know sometimes when you do videos when you do talks when you write stuff certain things are going to pass uh from one person to another a lot and then other ones are on this one is not anytime you say we're going to talk today about struggling against sin even the word sin has mostly been lost. [00:56:16]

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Transcript
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