Modeling Godly Character: Transforming Lives Through the Spirit
Summary
Today, I began our sermon series on the "Six M's of Fruitfulness on the Front Line," focusing particularly on the first M: Modeling Godly Character. We explored the profound impact our character can have in our daily environments—whether at work, within our families, or in our leisure activities. Our character is not just about what we do but fundamentally about who we are and who we are becoming in Christ.
I shared a personal story from a recent surfing experience to illustrate how easily we can falter in modeling godly character. Despite knowing the rules of surfing etiquette, I found myself reacting poorly when another surfer took my wave. This incident served as a reminder that our actions, especially when they are not aligned with Christ's love, can deeply affect our witness to others. It was a moment of realization that even in our failures, God's grace is sufficient, and these moments can become powerful testimonies of His transformative work in our lives.
We delved into the scripture from Galatians 5:13-26, where Paul contrasts the acts of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit. This passage calls us to live by the Spirit, ensuring that our freedom in Christ is not used to indulge the flesh but to serve one another in love. The fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are marks of a life transformed by Christ and are what we should strive for in our character.
Furthermore, I touched on the importance of understanding that we are all missionaries in our contexts. Each of us carries the kingdom of God wherever we go, and our lives might be the only glimpse of Jesus that some people ever see. This is a sobering responsibility that calls us to live authentically and compassionately, embodying the values of the kingdom in every interaction.
In conclusion, I emphasized that godly character is not something we achieve on our own but is the result of God's Spirit working within us. We discussed the necessity of continual surrender to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to mold us and use us for His purposes. Our character should be a reflection of Christ, influencing those around us towards a relationship with Him.
### Key Takeaways
1. Modeling Godly Character Begins with Personal Transformation: Our ability to exhibit godly character starts with our own spiritual transformation. We must be willing to confront and confess our shortcomings, allowing God's grace to transform us from the inside out. This ongoing process is crucial as we aim to reflect Christ in all aspects of our lives. [01:19:45]
2. The Impact of Our Character on Our Witness: The way we live our lives can significantly enhance or hinder our witness to the gospel. When we live out the fruits of the Spirit, we provide a compelling and attractive testimony to the transformative power of Jesus. This authentic living can open doors for deeper conversations about faith with those around us. [53:25]
3. Godly Character is Not Self-Manufactured: It's essential to remember that godly character is not something we can produce on our own. It is the fruit of living in alignment with the Holy Spirit. By daily submitting to the Spirit's leading, we allow God's character to be formed in us, enabling us to live out our true identity in Christ. [01:16:02]
4. The Role of Community in Shaping Character: Our journey in character formation is supported and enriched by our Christian community. Through accountable relationships and communal worship, we find strength and encouragement to grow in godliness. This community aspect is vital for continual growth and for spurring one another towards love and good deeds. [01:06:27]
5. Character as a Response to God's Call: Each of us is called to live a life that is radically different from the world—a life that models Jesus' love, humility, and power. This calling is not just for our benefit but for the flourishing of those around us, making godly character an essential pursuit for every believer. [01:14:14]
### Chapters
0:00 - Welcome
01:03:00 - Introduction to Godly Character
01:04:04 - Reading from Galatians 5:13-26
01:06:27 - The Power of the Spirit in Character Formation
01:11:46 - The Inclusivity of the Gospel
01:13:35 - Freedom from the Past
01:16:02 - Inviting the Holy Spirit
01:19:45 - Prayer for Transformation
01:28:20 - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Galatians 5:13-26
### Observation Questions
1. What are the acts of the flesh that Paul lists in Galatians 5:19-21?
2. According to Galatians 5:22-23, what are the fruits of the Spirit?
3. How does Paul describe the relationship between the flesh and the Spirit in Galatians 5:17?
4. In the sermon, what personal story did the pastor share to illustrate the challenge of modeling godly character? [55:14]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the importance of living by the Spirit rather than indulging the flesh in Galatians 5:13-16?
2. How can the fruits of the Spirit serve as a testimony to others about the transformative power of Jesus? [53:25]
3. What does the pastor mean when he says that godly character is not self-manufactured but is the result of the Holy Spirit's work within us? [01:16:02]
4. How does the concept of being a "missionary in our contexts" challenge the way we live our daily lives? [53:25]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you struggled to model godly character. How could you have responded differently by relying on the Holy Spirit? [55:14]
2. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control). What specific action can you take this week to cultivate it in your interactions with others?
3. The pastor mentioned that our lives might be the only glimpse of Jesus that some people ever see. How does this perspective change the way you approach your daily interactions? [54:11]
4. In what ways can you surrender more to the Holy Spirit to allow Him to mold your character? What practical steps can you take to invite the Holy Spirit's guidance each day? [01:16:02]
5. Think of a time when you felt like a hypocrite in your Christian walk. How can you use that experience to grow and become a more authentic witness for Christ? [55:14]
6. How can your Christian community support you in your journey of character formation? What specific ways can you engage with your community to foster mutual growth in godliness? [01:06:27]
7. Identify one person in your life who may only see Jesus through you. What intentional steps can you take this week to model godly character to them? [54:11]
Devotional
Day 1: Transformation Begins Within
Personal transformation is the foundation of modeling godly character. It's a process that begins deep within us, requiring a genuine confrontation with our own flaws and the humility to accept God's transformative grace. This transformation is not a one-time event but a continuous journey of becoming more like Christ. As we allow God to work in us, our thoughts, actions, and priorities begin to align more closely with His. This internal change is crucial for reflecting Christ authentically in every aspect of our lives, influencing our relationships, decisions, and reactions in a way that glorifies God. [01:19:45]
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you need God's transformative work the most? How can you open yourself more fully to His transforming spirit today?
Day 2: Living Testimony Through Character
Our character significantly impacts our ability to witness to the gospel. Living out the fruits of the Spirit not only enhances our personal spiritual growth but also serves as a compelling testimony to others. When people see love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control manifested in our lives, they see the tangible evidence of the transformative power of Jesus. This authentic demonstration of the Spirit's work in us can open doors to meaningful conversations about faith and can lead others to explore their own relationship with Christ. [53:25]
Titus 2:7-8 (ESV): "Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent interaction where you could have better demonstrated a fruit of the Spirit. How can you prepare yourself to react differently in the future?
Day 3: The Source of Our Character
Godly character is not self-manufactured but is the result of living in alignment with the Holy Spirit. By daily submitting to the Spirit's leading, we allow God's character to be formed in us. This submission involves recognizing our own limitations and relying on the Spirit to provide the strength, wisdom, and grace we need to reflect Christ in our thoughts, words, and actions. As we grow in our dependence on the Holy Spirit, our character naturally becomes more aligned with the values of God's kingdom, enabling us to live out our true identity in Christ. [01:16:02]
Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself resisting the guidance of the Holy Spirit? How can you surrender this area to God today?
Day 4: Strengthened by Community
Our journey in character formation is not meant to be walked alone but is supported and enriched by our Christian community. Through accountable relationships, communal worship, and shared experiences, we find strength and encouragement to grow in godliness. This community aspect helps us to persevere in our spiritual disciplines, spurs us on towards love and good deeds, and provides a network of support and wisdom. Engaging actively with our community allows us to benefit from the diverse ways God is working in the lives of others, which in turn enriches our own spiritual journey. [01:06:27]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Who in your community has God used to shape your character recently? How can you engage more deeply with your community to foster spiritual growth?
Day 5: Called to Reflect Christ
Each believer is called to live a life that models Jesus' love, humility, and power. This calling is a response to God's immense love for us and is intended for the flourishing of those around us. Living a life that reflects Jesus involves making daily choices that align with His teachings and embody His character. This pursuit is not just for our own spiritual growth but also for the impact it can have on the world around us, as we become conduits of God's love and grace in every interaction. [01:14:14]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Reflection: How can you more effectively model Jesus' character in your daily interactions? What specific action can you take today to live out this calling?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You start where you are. This is the beauty of the good news. Jesus finds you where you are now. And he brings you to a place where you can flourish. You are not bound in slavery by your past and the way you used to live. You can be a new you." [58:41]
2. "Sometimes doing something wrong and then going back and digging up the earth and saying sorry is one of the most powerful witnesses that you can give. Even when you've messed up a garden, God's grace is sufficient for you in that time." [01:02:00]
3. "You ever thought about yourself as a missionary? You're a person planted in your gardens to bring flourishing to those around you and point them towards true life. That's who you are. That's who we are as the church." [53:25]
4. "Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible people ever read. Sobering, isn't it? The idea that you might be the only connection someone ever has to the true life that is Jesus is a sobering thought." [54:11]
5. "If you want to model godly character, invite the Holy Spirit to fill you and cause you on a day-to-day to live out that mandate. Don't wake up tomorrow with a new set list of to-do things of better behavior. You will fail. Wake up with a to-do list of, I want to follow you, Jesus." [01:16:02]
### Quotes for Members
1. "A church full of people who are willing to die to themselves and live to Christ has exponential potential. If we're willing to die to ourselves and follow Jesus, the potential is eternal." [49:55]
2. "We know that we're ambassadors of Christ. We're meant to be clothed in him. We're meant to represent his image. That makes each one of us a missionary in our context." [52:34]
3. "The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When you live under that mandate, empowered by the spirit, the gardens around you flourish." [01:16:02]
4. "We all with unveiled faces 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 spirit." [01:18:35]
5. "With open hands and unveiled faces we can say, Lord, fill us with your spirit, with your power to be godly characters, to produce fruit on the front lines. This is the work of God, come Holy Spirit, pour in your capacity and your capability, your character Jesus, lead us to you." [01:19:45]
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