Character: Our Work

Introduction

Today you might here the term growth mindset

There is an acknowledgement that we are not meant to just stay where were are

It is often focused on self understanding and new understanding but while that is also part of God’s growth plan for us there are deeper things we need to deal with as well.

Closing the gap some times does mean dealing with sin - deliberate, willful disobedience

But some times it’s ignorance

Possible gaps:

Joy - pessimist

Patience - type A

Gentleness - harsh

self-control - impulsive

So how do get free from our sin or the sin of others or correct our ignorances

I. Confession/Repentance

Hidden secret sin is powerful

Psalm 32:3–5 ESV

For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

Confession sets us free from that power

Confession is not just fessing up to our faults but agreeing with God that this is sin

A. To God

1 John 1:9 ESV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

John goes on to remind us that Jesus paid the price for our sins and now stands before the Father as our Advocate - arguing for our forgiveness based on his death and resurrection

B. To each other

James 5:16 ESV

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

part of unconfessed and unrepented sin is that it makes us “sick”

Can be physical sickness as with the Corinthian church but it can also lead to anxiety, fear, depression etc.

So James calls us to confess our sins to each other

On one hand Scripture calls us to confess the sins we have done to others

In his commentary Opening Up James, Roger Ellsworth sheds further light on why we should confess our sins to one another: “Confession should always be as wide as the sin. If we have sinned secretly, we should confess it to God. If we have sinned against someone else, we should confess it to God and to the person whom we have wronged. And if we have sinned publicly, we should confess it to God and in public” (Day One Publications, 2009, p. 162).

We confess our sins to each other for prayer, encouragement and forgiveness but only God can absolve us

Repentance is then turning away from our confessed sin.

II. Forgiveness

Again in every case we should confess to God and receive his forgiveness

Psalm 51:3–4 ESV

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.

This is not salvation forgiveness but rather relational forgiveness

When we don’t keep a short account of this we live with guilt and shame and will eventually sear our conscience

Of others:

A. Minor offenses

Proverbs 12:16 ESV

The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.

Proverbs 19:11 ESV

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

I believe this is what Paul has in mind when he says bear with one another

B. Sin

Matthew 18:15–20 ESV

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

vs 21-35 - Jesus stark condemnation of unforgiveness especially as those who have experienced the Father’s forgiveness.

How can we know the two apart: Biblical Counseling Coalition

When to Cover: When Motivations Cannot Be Easily Discerned

When to Cover: When Other Factors Inform One’s Behavior

When to Confront: When the Sinfulness of One’s Behavior Is Clear

When to Confront: When a Pattern Emerges

When to Confront: When the Person’s Behavior Damages Your Relationship

When to Confront: When the Person’s Behavior is Harming Themselves or Others.

III. The Gospel

1 Corinthians 1:26–31 ESV

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

This calls us to humility

Not self-exaltation or hiding/abassment - false humility

The gospel sets us squarely where we need to be

Not in pride or blame but in Christ

And so we need to see ourselves (preach) in light of the gospel

And boast in who and what the Lord has done.

IV. Community

The church body - Eph 2

Challenges today:

Busyness - commitment

Not a value

How do we walk together?

Acts 2:42–47 ESV

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Hospitality

Life Groups

V. Ask for Help

Breaks down pride and opens the door to growth

But we need to be asking for help not just gaining support

We want people to be on our side but all that does is divide

Some times that might mean for asking for help from sources not connected to the person or situation

James 5:13–14 ESV

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

Conclusion