Embracing Godly Character Through the Holy Spirit

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we celebrated the profound love of God and the joy that comes from His presence. Reflecting on recent events, I expressed gratitude for the volunteers and the community's spirit, emphasizing that our church, though not a mega church, is empowered by the Holy Spirit. This empowerment is evident in our actions and the joy we share, as seen in the recent Night to Shine event, which filled us with joy and gratitude.

I shared a personal story about coaching basketball, where I faced challenges with referees and the temptation to lose self-control. This experience led me to reflect on the importance of godly character, especially when under pressure. Drawing from Acts chapter 6, we examined the life of Stephen, a man full of grace and power, who maintained his godly character even when faced with opposition and false accusations. Stephen's story teaches us that godly character is not just about actions but is our holy identity, deeply rooted in our relationship with God.

Godly character endures through trials and attacks, as it is built on the foundation of the Holy Spirit's work within us. It is not dependent on our circumstances or the opinions of others but is a testament to our faith and trust in God. Stephen's unwavering faith and the presence of the Holy Spirit in his life serve as a powerful reminder that our identity is in Christ, and our character should reflect His love and truth.

As we navigate life's challenges, we must remember that our godly character speaks for itself and is a testament to our relationship with God. It is the DNA proof of our belonging to Him. In moments of pressure and temptation, we are called to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us and transform us into the people God created us to be. Let us strive to live lives that reflect the character of Christ, trusting in His strength and grace to sustain us.

Key Takeaways:

1. Godly Character as Holy Identity: Our character is not just about our actions but is our holy identity, deeply rooted in our relationship with God. It is a testament to our faith and trust in Him, reflecting His love and truth in our lives. [39:35]

2. Endurance Through Trials: Godly character endures through trials and attacks, as it is built on the foundation of the Holy Spirit's work within us. It is not dependent on circumstances or others' opinions but stands firm in faith. [41:46]

3. The Power of the Holy Spirit: Stephen's life shows that being full of the Holy Spirit empowers us to live differently, with grace and power, even in the face of opposition. This inner transformation is key to maintaining godly character. [44:44]

4. Godly Character Speaks for Itself: Our character is a testament to our relationship with God and speaks for itself, rising above false accusations and opposition. It is the DNA proof of our belonging to Him. [01:00:03]

5. Transformation Through Christ: In moments of pressure and temptation, we are called to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us and transform us into the people God created us to be, reflecting the character of Christ. [01:08:42]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Celebration of God's Love
- [01:15] - Gratitude for Volunteers
- [02:00] - Personal Story: Coaching Challenges
- [03:30] - Reflection on Self-Control
- [04:45] - Introduction to Acts Chapter 6
- [05:30] - The Life of Stephen
- [06:45] - Godly Character as Holy Identity
- [08:00] - Endurance Through Trials
- [09:15] - The Power of the Holy Spirit
- [10:30] - Godly Character Speaks for Itself
- [11:45] - Transformation Through Christ
- [13:00] - Call to Respond and Follow Christ
- [14:30] - Closing Prayer and Announcements

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Acts 6:8-15

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#### Observation Questions
1. How is Stephen described in Acts 6:8, and what does this reveal about his character? [41:46]
2. What challenges did Stephen face from the members of the Freedmen's Synagogue, and how did he respond? [52:40]
3. What was the reaction of the Sanhedrin when they looked at Stephen, and what might this indicate about his demeanor? [01:01:43]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for godly character to be a "holy identity," and how does this concept apply to Stephen's life? [39:35]
2. How does the presence of the Holy Spirit empower individuals to maintain godly character in the face of opposition, as seen in Stephen's story? [44:44]
3. In what ways does Stephen's story illustrate the idea that godly character can endure through trials and attacks? [46:56]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt your self-control was tested. How did you respond, and what might you do differently next time to reflect godly character? [36:37]
2. Stephen's unwavering faith was evident even when faced with false accusations. How can you prepare yourself to respond with grace and truth when faced with misunderstandings or false claims? [58:39]
3. Consider a time when you felt pressured to compromise your values. How can the example of Stephen inspire you to stand firm in your faith? [54:21]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of relying on the Holy Spirit for guidance. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper reliance on the Holy Spirit in your daily life? [01:08:42]
5. Think about a person or situation that challenges your patience. What specific prayer or action can you commit to this week to demonstrate the character of Christ in that relationship? [01:07:28]
6. How can you actively work on building your identity in Christ, rather than relying on external factors like achievements or relationships? [49:17]
7. Stephen's life was a testament to his relationship with God. What changes can you make in your life to ensure that your character speaks for itself as a reflection of your faith? [01:00:03]

Devotional

Day 1: Godly Character as Our Holy Identity
Our character is not merely a collection of our actions but is deeply rooted in our relationship with God. It is a reflection of our faith and trust in Him, embodying His love and truth in our lives. This holy identity is not something we can fabricate or alter based on circumstances; it is a testament to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit within us. As we grow in our relationship with God, our character should increasingly mirror the character of Christ, demonstrating His love, grace, and truth to the world around us. [39:35]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways does your daily life reflect your identity in Christ? How can you intentionally cultivate a character that mirrors His love and truth today?


Day 2: Endurance Through Trials
Godly character is resilient, enduring through trials and attacks because it is built on the foundation of the Holy Spirit's work within us. It does not waver with changing circumstances or the opinions of others but stands firm in faith. The story of Stephen in Acts chapter 6 exemplifies this endurance, as he maintained his godly character even when faced with severe opposition and false accusations. His unwavering faith serves as a powerful reminder that our identity in Christ is unshakeable, and our character should reflect His steadfastness and strength. [41:46]

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent trial you faced. How did your character hold up under pressure, and what can you learn from that experience to strengthen your faith and resilience?


Day 3: The Power of the Holy Spirit
The life of Stephen shows us that being full of the Holy Spirit empowers us to live differently, with grace and power, even in the face of opposition. This inner transformation is key to maintaining godly character, as it enables us to rise above our natural inclinations and respond with love and truth. The Holy Spirit's presence in our lives is a source of strength and guidance, helping us to navigate challenges and reflect the character of Christ in all we do. [44:44]

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8, ESV)

Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit to empower you in a specific area of your life where you face opposition or struggle to maintain godly character?


Day 4: Godly Character Speaks for Itself
Our character is a testament to our relationship with God and speaks for itself, rising above false accusations and opposition. It is the DNA proof of our belonging to Him, demonstrating our faith and trust in His love and truth. As we navigate life's challenges, our godly character should be evident to those around us, serving as a witness to the transformative power of Christ in our lives. [01:00:03]

"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a situation where your character was tested. How did your actions reflect your relationship with God, and what steps can you take to ensure your character consistently speaks of His love and truth?


Day 5: Transformation Through Christ
In moments of pressure and temptation, we are called to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us and transform us into the people God created us to be. This transformation is not a one-time event but a continual process of becoming more like Christ, reflecting His character in our thoughts, words, and actions. As we trust in His strength and grace, we can overcome challenges and live lives that honor Him. [01:08:42]

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you need transformation. How can you actively seek the Holy Spirit's guidance and strength to become more like Christ in this area?

Quotes



"Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from some members of the Freedmen's Synagogue, composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia. And they began to argue with Stephen. But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the spirit by whom he was speaking." [00:41:46] (26 seconds)


"Stephen is a different man because inside of him is a different spirit. He isn't driven by his human spirit, human ideals, and human tendencies. He's driven and led and empowered, not by his own initiative, but by God's power. He has a different life inside of him. He's built different. Verse 8 says he's full of holy grace." [00:44:44] (30 seconds)


"It doesn't matter where Stephen is from. It doesn't matter who his mom and daddy is. It doesn't matter who his brother. His brothers are. His sisters are. It doesn't matter if he came from wealth or poverty. It doesn't matter what kind of education he's got or anything, what kind of skill set. Did you notice what is known about Stephen? The most precious thing is his character, his godly character that God has built in him and that he is empowered by." [00:46:29] (23 seconds)


"Your heavenly Father loved you so much to send his son to save you from something you couldn't save yourself from. But he didn't just rescue you out from your sins and pay your penalty for you and then go, ta-da, done, all right, next one. No, he then put his spirit in you and brought you back to life, to live the life you were created. To live, to check this for a minute. You need to know your identity, your identity is holy from the Lord." [00:49:02] (31 seconds)


"You need to understand your godly wisdom, your god, listen, the Holy Spirit of the Lord will protect you and give you the endurance and give you the wisdom from heaven to speak his wisdom in a moment where everybody's opposed you. God can defend you better than you can defend yourself. The Lord Jesus has already validated you. Why are you looking for validation from somebody else? Wasn't the cross enough? Wasn't the grave enough?" [00:53:42] (39 seconds)


"They opposed Him. Do you know what people do when they want to attack you and they can't find something to hold against you? They lie. They lie. They lie. And so that's what they did. In this moment, you see it in verse 11. They secretly persuaded some men to say. And then later on, in verse 13, they presented false witnesses who said. So in other words, in order to get Stephen to stop talking," [00:57:38] (38 seconds)


"Godly character verifies a holy relationship. So they accuse him of all these lies, and in verse 15, it says, all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him. Why were they looking intently at him? There were two reasons. One, they were looking intently at him to see how he would respond. They were waiting to see how he would respond. But two, there was something peculiar going on with Stephen." [01:01:11] (31 seconds)


"God's looking down at Stephen, and He's showing that one's mine. Y 'all lie what you want to say. Do what you want to do. But this man who serves food to the widows, he's full of my spirit. He's full of my wisdom. He's full of my grace. He is full of me. That one is mine. Like, listen, check this out, ma 'am. A DNA test will verify a lot of things about you, especially your ancestry." [01:04:23] (27 seconds)


"It is proof that your heavenly Father is your daddy. It is proof that you are a son or a daughter of the Lord. And listen to me, listen to me. When you are being pressured, and you are under struggle and temptation, or whatever it may be, God will prove, through His character in you, who you belong to. You're either going to belong to your mama, or your daddy, and the world." [01:05:41] (33 seconds)


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Transcript
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