2021 0321 Personal Virtues 2

Foundational Person

Jesus is by far the most influential person in history

Foundational Principles

Influence

* the capacity to have an effect on the character or behaviour of someone

Integrity

* what you are on the inside is what you show on the outside

the level of our integrity will directly determine what influence we have

Personal Virtues One

the fruit of the Spirit is the nature of Jesus

more Christ like means more of the fruit demonstrated in our life

this nature is corrupted or diminished when we allow the flesh to operate in our life

speaking out godly words must be matched by that inner godliness and by that outer expression of such godliness

Call to Holiness

1 Peter 1:15–16 NIV

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Jesus is holy so we must be holy in all we do

Jesus is our everything - our ambition for who we are, our image for living, our template for life

holy is being sacred, set apart to God

this holiness starts in man’s spirit and permeates our mind and soul

the attitude for holiness is the driving force for our righteousness

1 Thessalonians 4:7 NIV

For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.

the divine call is for holiness

we have been given the Spirit so holiness is not unachievable

we can do it

Not Unaware of the Devil

you are not strong enough to change

you will always be a victim

why say you are a Christian when you keep sinning

the devil will use any situation, any past hurt, to steal away your desire for holiness

he will tempt you into sin, and if you do, will continually remind you that you have

The Lord’s Answer for Holiness

I forgive you by my blood

I have taken every sin of yours away from you, from birth to death

I have washed you clean - there is no trace of sin before my eyes

let us believe this truth of Christ - let us live in it

Expressions of Holiness

not idle but working

not a lover of money

not addicted to drink or substances

godly speech

expressions of your mind, of your soul and of your body match Jesus

Not Given to Drunkenness

in moderation

peace in Christ not in drink

are you in control?

Not Lovers of Money

a kingdom focus

attitude of gratitude and thankfulness

source of our prosperity - yourself or Jesus?

Paul’s Encouragements

Ephesians 4:28-32 28  Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,

29  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs

31  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Some Guidelines for Holiness

2 Timothy 3:2–5 NIV

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

Ask Jesus through this Spirit to reveal something unholy

Accept that the Spirit will empower you and enable you to deal with it

stand firm in the promise for Jesus is faithful above all

maintain your acts of righteousness

give your offering

be involved in church life

be in prayer and thanksgiving every day

do good deeds

Build Integrity

continue to work out your holiness

by doing so you build your integrity

and then you have influence in the Kingdom of God