When Character Fails - Winona - 9-21-08 PM
“When Character Fails”
Ephesians 4:1-6
Sunday, September 21, 2008 – PM Service – FBC Winona
Monday Night Football – Dallas Cowboys & Tony Romo
· Monday night one of the highest rated Monday night games
· Dallas Cowboys defended their home turf well – now are in discussion of top teams
· Tony Romo – the leader of the offense and according to most, the team
· Had a couple of mistakes in 2nd quarter that could have cost the team the game
· If Cowboys had lost – what would people say caused it?
· Since they won – what do people say now?
· Flashback to 2 years ago in Seattle playoff game
· FINAO
· What SHOULD our reaction be when people close to us fail – even big-time?
Ephesians 4:1-6
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Two commands
1) live a life worthy of the calling you have received
2) Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace
What does it mean to live a life worthy of the calling we have received?
· Completely humble and gentle
· Be patient
· Bear with one another in love
Illustrations of what true unity is:
· One body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God, Father of all
Psalm 133
1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes.
3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
This Psalm tells us that it is in unity that the Lord bestows his blessing and eternal life
When someone around us falls, that unity can sometimes be broken
We have three choices:
1) Ignore them
2) Pile on
3) Help them up
What would scripture say for us to do?
· Going back to our original text - we are not given permission to be a divided people
· One thing not to do – Ephesians 4:29-32:
29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
The key to resolving any dis-unity in our lives is one thing . . . Forgiveness
Luke 17:1-4 - 1Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. 2It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. 3So watch yourselves.
"If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. 4If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him."
Four ways forgiveness helps when character fails
1) Forgiveness is the only way to settle a debt
a. We cannot unscramble eggs, cannot reverse time
b. Forgiveness allows us to work toward the bond of unity
c. Once trust is broken – situations cannot be reversed – forgiveness only option
d. Proverbs 19:11, “A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.”
2) Forgiveness frees us to get on with life
a. Eph. 29:31 above – carrying around bitterness weighs us down and changes us
b. Once we allow the hurts to take over, our focus turns inward
c. Forgiveness removes the weight which holds us back and changes our “glasses”
3) Forgiveness is the antidote to needless suffering
a. Unforgiveness is a toxin that can change one’s perspective on life
b. Once trust is lost for one person, it can affect many relationships needlessly
c. Why should you allow yourself to suffer needlessly
d. Spiritual life suffers
4) Forgiveness is the obligation of the forgiven
a. If we are to take on the character of Christ, we must forgive
b. Christ has forgiven us a multitude of sins – so our obligation is to extend the same
c. How are we being Christ’s examples if we will not forgive someone else?
d. Understand that forgiveness is the obligation – whether it is requested or not
What if I don’t want to forgive?
What if I am the one who has failed?