Intro: A wife remarked to her husband after the church service: "Did you see the hat Mrs. Jones was wearing?" "No," said her husband, "I didn’t." "Did you see the new dress Mrs. Smith had on?" she asked. "I’m afraid I didn’t," said her husband. To this his wife replied: "Well a lot of good it does YOU to go to church!"
Is coming to church doing you any good? Why do we come to church Sundays, Wednesdays, and for special services? What is the purpose of hearing God’s word, of fellowshipping with God’s people?
Why do we read our Bibles and pray?
Romans 8.29 tells us clearly what our purpose for worship and Christian fellowship should be.
For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.
God’s will for our life is that we would become conformed, molded, shaped, constructed into the image of Jesus Christ. That our character would become Christ-like.
From the time you met Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord a sign that reads under construction was placed on your life.
Colossians 2.7 “having been firmly rooted, and built up in Him (Jesus Christ)
1 Peter 2.5 “you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 2.22 “in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”
Almost everyone compares themself to someone. As Christians we can look really good in comparison to other Christians. However, Gods standard is that you are constructed into a perfect replica of Jesus. How are you measuring up today?
We might think I can’t do it. I can’t be like Jesus!! Well God’s word tells us a different story. The sob story can end and the victory in Jesus begins today!!
Read 2 Peter 1.3-4
Peter tells us there is no excuse. God has given us everything necessary to live a Godly life. Through His Magnificent Power and Manifest Promises we can take part in the very divine nature of God. We through His Holy Spirit can be constructed in to Christians “Little Christs”
So as we move through this message today ask yourself these questions. Is there a sign in my life that says under construction? Am I being built into a “little Christ.”
God is not a grand dictator who yells and orders you to fall in line or be sent to the brig. As a loving Father He encourages us to change our life for the better.
What can I apply to my life in the Power of the Holy Spirit to construct Christ like character?
There are seven components given in the construction of Christian Character that we are to with the power of the Holy Spirit develop in our lives.
I. The component of moral excellence
Moral courage. It takes moral courage to stand for right and wrong today. We live in a culture that is not found of being reminded there is right and wrong. It is also not found of being reminded that we will all ultimately be held accountable for our actions and decisions.
Illustration: Body Builder – Physical courage
Pastor Phil standing for what is right in Eureka Springs – Moral Courage.
II. The component of knowledge
JOHN R. W. STOTT
Knowledge is indispensable to Christian life and service. If we do not use the mind that God has given us, we condemn ourselves to spiritual superficiality and cut ourselves off from many of the riches of God’s grace. . . . Knowledge is given us to be used, to lead us to higher worship, greater faith, deeper holiness, better service.
It is knowledge of spiritual truth that is spoken of. Biblical illiteracy in our churches across the nation show a great need for Christians to absorb and apply God’s word.
As we gain knowledge of God’s word we discover His will, and eternal principles for our lives.
III. The component of self-control
In a generation and society gone mad for extremes we as Christians are called to construct lives that are examples of self-control.
A beggar walked up to a well-dressed woman shopping on Rodeo Drive in Hollywood and said, “I haven’t eaten anything in four days.”
The woman looked at the beggar with admiration and said, “I sure wish I had your willpower.”
But that is not true self-control. As we draw closer to Christ it is not the absence of temptation but that the temptation has lost its attraction. In light of the glory of God and the power of His presence in our lives there is nothing that can overcome us.
IV. The component of perseverance or patience
Many Christians need to hear this today. Christianity even in America is a race of endurance. Even though we do not face physical persecution. We must endure through or daily routine, menial tasks remembering, disappointing circumstances. A future hope of a home with God will overcome the present circumstances.
Even though we are His and we are adopted into the family of God with all the heavenly benefits according to Ephesians 1.3. Pain is still real, grief can still grab us, bitterness bite at the heels of our happiness, plans can be completely shattered. Yet we still patiently like Job say even though He slays me ever will I serve Him.
Patience in this present body and world know well that He will one day come to redeem His chosen few.
V. The component of godliness
Jesus told us to let our light so shine before men that they would Glorify our Father in heaven. Jesus is the light of the world. Our life is to radiate the holiness of God. We are simply a reflector of God’s own character.
If Christ is in you there is something supernatural at work. There is a construction program cleaning you up from the inside out. The rough edges are being sanded down. The extra clutter is being carted off. The walls are getting fresh coats of white paint as the Holy Spirit cleanses your heart.
Our actions are transformed along with our hearts.
Dr Johnny Hunt Pastor of FBC Woodstock Georgia told a story of a gentlemen from the early days of His ministry at FBC Woodstock.
(tell story about stolen materials)
When a building is under construction in this way it cannot be hidden. Can people see the supernatural change in your life?
VI. The component of brotherly kindness
Love for our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is the only way the Bible tells us that the world will recognize us as followers of Christ. Not that we attend church, not that we read our Bible, not that we preach to people, but that we have a genuine love for each other.
John 13.35 “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Did you notice it said know. The world will have no doubt that we are true Christians that we have something that others don’t if we love one another.
VII. The component of love
This has nothing to do with emotions. It is not in response to what someone has done to you.
Love is doing what is best for someone despite how they have treated you.
If agape love God’s love were shown in more families there would be less divorce. If the God kind of love were shown in more churches there would be more people saved. There would be more people growing in Christ.
God’s kind of love is not friendly it is faithful, it is sacrificial, it is a giving love.
We give ourselves to God, but we also give ourselves to others.
This kind of love desires no control over the person that is gaining the benefit of our actions. There is no expectation of reward or return on investment.
It is when we live our lives by the principle of love that we have truly constructed a Christ like character.
Conclusion: There is no shortcut to Christian Character. It must be chiseled, and hammered out of our daily interaction with the Savior. Character is the one thing that will go with us into our new life with God. Have you made and investment into building something that will be with you for all eternity?
