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The ABC’s of Christian Character - Part 3 of 9
By Bro. Cheek | May 29, 2008
Table of contents for The ABCs of Christian Character
- The ABC’s of Christian Character - Part 1 of 9
- The ABC’s of Christian Character - Part 2 of 9
- The ABC’s of Christian Character - Part 3 of 9
- The ABC’s of Christian Character - Part 4 of 9
- The ABC’s of Christian Character - Part 5 of 9
- The ABC’s of Christian Character - Part 6 of 9
- The ABC’s of Christian Character - Part 7 of 9
- The ABC’s of Christian Character - Part 8 of 9
- The ABC’s of Christian Character - Part 9 of 9
The ABC’S of
Christian Character
1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
Part Three of Nine
By Pastor Robert L. Cheek Jr.
Victory Baptist Church
Tonight I want to bring you the third message in this series on The ABC’s of Christian Character. In our first two messages we considered some principles to changing any part of our character. Now we are going to begin considering the character traits of a Christian according to the Word of God. Now we cannot consider every possible character trait in this study, but what we want to do is consider the more obvious ones. As we do, I want you think about each one and ask yourself if that character trait is a stronghold in your character. Let’s begin considering the ABC’s of Christian Character.
A. Attentiveness to the Voice of God is a Christian Character Trait
John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
John 10:2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
John 10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
John 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
John 10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
Being attentive to the voice of God is a character trait of a true child of God. Being able to hear God can definitely be a spiritual stronghold. But let’s think about this for a moment. Have you ever heard the voice of God? Jesus said:
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Have you ever literally heard the voice of God? If you haven’t literally heard the voice of God, does it mean that you are not His child? The songwriter wrote:
And He walks with me and He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own.
Does God speak to His children audibly today? Some say that He does. Some charismatics believe He still does. There was a time when Jesus appeared to His disciples. In fact, when Paul gave his testimony, here is what he said:
Acts 22:13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.
Acts 22:14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
So does that mean we are lost if we have never heard an audible voice or seen Jesus in the flesh? No it does not mean that. Paul said that Jesus no longer appears the way He appeared to the apostles.
2 Corinthians 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
2 Corinthians 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth (from now on) know we him no more.
In other words, Paul said even though He met Christ physically on the road to Damascus and though He had experiences of seeing and hearing Christ, the era of physical contact with Jesus Christ was over, “though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.“ So we do not know Christ in the physical sense as He was manifested to the apostles and prophets. He isn’t going to appear as He did back then. We don’t have the privilege of seeing the Lord Jesus in the flesh. Since the Lord Jesus is no longer here on earth, we don’t have the privilege of hearing His voice in an audible way. Even though we cannot see Him or hear His voice, we can still hear His Words. In fact, there is an entirely different meaning to the word “here” in John 10:27. Consider this:
Mark 4:9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Mark 4:10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
Mark 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
Mark 4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
When we read, understand and believe The Word of God, we are hearing the voice of Jesus Christ. We hear with our heart not our ears. A major trait of Christian character is the willingness to believe and understand God’s Word. In that way we hear Him.
1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1 Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 1 Corinthians 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
The opposite of being attentive to the voice of God is to ignore or refuse to listen to Him. Refusal to hear God is a carnal stronghold. How do we know when our character has this carnal stronghold of refusing to hear God? Notice Proverbs 1:24-25.
Proverbs 1:24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
Proverbs 1:25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
Every time we refuse to listen and obey the counsel of God or the correction of God, we are tearing down the stronghold of Attentiveness and building the stronghold of rebellion. When we know God’s Word and what it says about something and yet we refuse to submit to it, we are acting just like lost people. We have a carnal stronghold in our character that needs to change. Our attitude ought to be like the words of young Samuel.
1 Samuel 3:3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
1 Samuel 3:4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
1 Samuel 3:5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.
1 Samuel 3:6 And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.
1 Samuel 3:7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.
1 Samuel 3:8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
1 Samuel 3:9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
1 Samuel 3:10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
I wonder how many times the Lord has to call us before we respond with, “Speak; for thy servant heareth”? Samuel had an excuse, he wasn’t even saved yet. We have the Holy Spirit and God’s Word. There is no excuse for us. The problem is that we need to change our character so that the very first time God speaks to us through His Spirit or His Word, we immediately without hesitation respond with, “Speak for thy servant heareth.” That is true Christian character!
B. Blamelessness is a Christian Character Trait
Philippians 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Philippians 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
There was a time when Peter was not so blameless, and I am not talking about his denial of the Lord in the garden. When Peter led Cornelius and his family to the Lord, things were wonderful until the brethren came from Jerusalem. Before Jews came from Jerusalem, Peter had no trouble eating with gentile believers, but Peter withdrew from gentiles when his fellow Jews came to him. This was totally hypocritical and when Paul found out about it, here is what he said:
Galatians 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
Galatians 2:12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
Galatians 2:13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
I wonder who was to blame for Barnabas being prejudiced against the gentiles? It was Peter’s fault! To be blameless means to be able to honestly say that you were not the blame for something wrong. Look over at 1 Thessalonians 5.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice evermore.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:20 Despise not prophesyings.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
Notice the kinds of things that can cause us to be blamed.
Failure to warn the unruly. Failure to comfort the feebleminded. Failure to support the weak. Failure to be patient towards others. Rendering evil for evil. Not following that which is good, not only towards Christians but also towards lost people. How about these. Failure to rejoice or to pray, or to give thanks! How about quenching the Spirit of God? That can certainly cause us to be blamed when He cannot work in our life because of us. Despising prophecy can cause us to be blamed when others don’t want to look for the return of Jesus because we live like we could care less when He comes back. Failure to abstain from all appearance of evil can certainly cause us to be blamed for somebody elses sin. In fact, there is an example of this in the Bible. Turn to 1 Corinthians 8.
1 Corinthians 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
1 Corinthians 8:10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
1 Corinthians 8:11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
1 Corinthians 8:12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
1 Corinthians 8:13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
What kind of attitude do we take when our liberties are encroached? Do we bow up and say, “I have a right to do this or that” or is our character such that we think of others above ourselves and would do nothing to offend someone? Real Christian character tries its best to be blameless!
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
As Christians we need to be concerned that our character is not blemished. The best way to do that is to build up the spiritual stronghold of being blameless. Oh how that would keep us out of trouble if we just tried our best to be blameless! It takes diligence and a change of character to live a life of blamelessness, but that is what Christian character tries to do.
Titus 2:6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Titus 2:8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
What is that? That is being blameless. Oh, people may say bad things about us. That cannot be helped. But Paul said, “having no EVIL THING to say”. If someone says something bad about us that is false, well, our character can overcome that. But if they say something bad about us and it is true, we are to blame!
We have considered two character traits of Christian Character. Being attentive to the voice of God and being blameless. Both of these are Christian traits. Is your character attentive to God and blameless?
(If this study has helped you, why not share your thoughts with us by leaving a comment.)
Topics: Studies |
June 29th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Your message is refreshing and tru to scripture. I am getting a series together on character in an attempt to guide youth in growing into maturity. You deserve to have a larger church but in out day it seems that position is reserved for those who sell out to popularity and gospel lite ideas. The eyes of theLord are looking for those whose heart is perfect toward him, so that He may make himself strong in his behalf. God Bless you, keep up the good work.