Sermon Central
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Becoming An Exceptional Christian
Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 6, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: The Spirit does His internal makeover of attitude, desires, and values. As we apply outwardly, we conform to His standard.
A. HOW TO BE AN EXCEPTIONAL CHRISTIAN
1. Daniel became exceptional based on his vow to God. “Daniel purposed in his heart” (Dan. 1:8, KJV).
a. Knowing is foundation on which you control your life.
b. Feeling is motivation, giving energy to your life.
c. Will gives direction to your life.
2. Daniel was one of the top three. “The king . . . chose Daniel and two others” (6:2 NLT).
3. Daniel became first. “Daniel proved himself more capable than all the others . . . the king made plans to place him over the entire empire” (6:3, NLT).
4. Why did Daniel succeed? “Because an excellent spirit was in him” (6:3, KJV). What was Daniel’s spirit?
a. Could mean body, soul, and spirit (1 Thess. 5:23). This spirit is our immaterial nature that relates to God, spiritual things, and immaterial things.
b. Could mean people in the Old Testament were “filled with the Spirit” (Ex. 28, 31:3) “Filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom understanding, knowledge and all manner of workmanship” (Ex. 35:31, c.f. 28;3, 31:3). Meaning, “To reflect those qualities.”
c. Could mean New Testament filling, the Holy Spirit supernatural transforming power through you (Acts 4:8, 31; 9:17; Eph. 5:15).
5. The Spirit of God is the breath or life giving energy. “The LORD God . . . breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living soul” (Gen. 2:7, NLT).
6. We think of the Spirit controlling us for “spiritual” things. If you are saved, and the Spirit controls you, you ought to be better than you are naturally. You ought to do more everyday tasks better than you do normally. You ought to get more results, than expected usually.
B. BE AN EXCEPTIONAL CHRISTIAN
1. The word exceptional means to do and be more than would be expected ordinarily. This deals with your attempt and expectation.
2. What was Daniel’s attitude? “Daniel brimming with spirit and intelligence, so completely outclassed the other vice regents and governors” (6:3, Message).
3. What will others think of you, i.e., top of the profile chart. “Daniel was totally exemplary and trustworthy” (6:4, Message).
4. Be careful of selfish motives in fellow workers. “They couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn . . . they concluded, ‘Our only chance . . . accusing . . . with (his) rules or religion’” (6:5).
C. HOW TO BECOME AN EXCEPTIONAL BELIEVER
1. Let God’s Spirit blow Himself into your life. “The wind blows wherever it wants . . . how people are born of the Spirit” (John 3:8, NLT).
“All of us can . . . reflect the glory of the LORD. And the LORD – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into His glorious image” (2 Cor. 3:17-18, NLT).
2. The key here is to reflect God’s glory in our life. What is a reflector?
3. We begin by yielding ourselves to the Holy Spirit. This means changing our desires to do His desires. “Give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living” (Rom. 6:19).
4. Next, we must seek His presence and His enablement to get His energy to change our lives. “Seek ye My face” (Ps. 27:8, KJV).
5. Daily practice. “Walk in the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16). How do you learn to walk? We must become “more and more like Him” (2 Cor. 3:18).
6. What does the word “changed” mean?
a. Take off the old.
b. See self in mirror.
c. Stretch to make it fit.
d. Wear it when you go out.
7. Transformation. The Spirit does His internal makeover of attitude, desires, and values. As we apply outwardly, we conform to His standard.
8. The Goal. “We are changed into His glorious image” (NLT). “Gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like Him” (Message).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
