Practical Christian Living Practical Incarnation – Imitating God’s Character in our lives

2. Practical Christian Living Practical Incarnation – Imitating God’s Character in our lives

3. Before we start…

4. What I will try and accomplish… We will search the Scripture to learn what the Spirit says about imitating God’s character in our lives.

5. We hold to the doctrinal position of the Evangelical Free Church of America 1. We believe the Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments to be the inspired word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of man, and the Divine and final authority for Christian faith and life (2 Timothy 3:16. 2 Peter 1:21, John 6:63)

6. “So What” - From Week 1… • God is far above us, and we will never be God – or even like God. • God is worthy of our praise – every breath we take is because he allows it! • We should be in CONSTANT awe of God’s might and power – it should be our waking thought, and our going to sleep prayer statement. • We are responsible not only for ourselves – but for the children we are raising. And, we are called to be a light for the unbelievers in our families. • We cannot hide our sin from God.

7. “So What” - From Week 2… • We cannot, of ourselves, be good. It is only by the blood and sacrifice of Christ that we are able to offer ourselves to God, that He might do good things through us. • All of us have areas in our lives that need to be molded and shaped by the Spirit of God. • We are called to stand strong for the kingdom. • There is truth! • We can live out truth in our lives, by being real with each other, and being real with God.

8. So What – week 3 • We are to look out for the widows, orphans and poor in our culture – and in our church family, and in our own families, and ensure that we are seeing justice. • We should not be surprised that the culture allows the wicked to prevail – but the good news of Scripture is that in the end, the good guy wins! • We should be angry about the things God is angry about. We should not sin in our anger. We can control our human wrath.

9. Attributes of God…

10. What is mercy?

11. Romans 12 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[b] faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

12. Romans 12 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[b] faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. What is the context for how we see mercy described, here? What are examples in our lives for how we can exhibit mercy?

13. James 2 12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

14. James 2 12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! What is the connection, here, between judgment and mercy? What is the key point, here?

15. Colossians 3 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

16. Colossians 3 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. What is the therefore, there for? Where do we see mercy exemplified, here? How do we apply this to our lives?

17. Sovereign

18. Matthew 6 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?

19. Matthew 6 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]? • What is the therefore, there for? • What is at the core of worrying? • What do these versus have to do with the concept of sovereignty?

20. 1 Corinthians 1 26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.

21. 1 Corinthians 1 26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. What strikes you about who the Lord chooses? What do these versus have to do with the concept of sovereignty?

22. 1 Corinthians 10 7Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry.”[b]8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9 We should not test the Lord, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. 11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!

23. 1 Corinthians 10 7Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry.”[b]8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9 We should not test the Lord, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. 11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! What does it mean, to test the Lord? What do these versus have to do with the concept of sovereignty?

24. Ephesians 5 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[b] her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

25. Ephesians 5 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[b] her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. Why are husbands commanded to love their wives? What do these verses have to do with the concept of sovereignty?

26. Ephesians 6 4 Fathers,[b] do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

27. Ephesians 6 4 Fathers,[b] do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. What does it mean to exasperate? What kinds of forms can this take in our families? Why are fathers, (and not mothers) given this command? What do these versus have to do with the concept of sovereignty?

28. Philippians 2 1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

29. Philippians 2 1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Should we consider our children better than ourselves? What do these versus have to do with the concept of sovereignty?

30. Job 12 13 “To God belong wisdom and power;    counsel and understanding are his. 14 What he tears down cannot be rebuilt;    those he imprisons cannot be released. 15 If he holds back the waters, there is drought;    if he lets them loose, they devastate the land. 16 To him belong strength and insight;    both deceived and deceiver are his. 17 He leads rulers away stripped    and makes fools of judges. 18 He takes off the shackles put on by kings    and ties a loincloth[b] around their waist.

31. Job 12 13 “To God belong wisdom and power;    counsel and understanding are his. 14 What he tears down cannot be rebuilt;    those he imprisons cannot be released. 15 If he holds back the waters, there is drought;    if he lets them loose, they devastate the land. 16 To him belong strength and insight;    both deceived and deceiver are his. 17 He leads rulers away stripped    and makes fools of judges. 18 He takes off the shackles put on by kings    and ties a loincloth[b] around their waist. Some great truths here, what strikes you most? What do these versus have to do with the concept of sovereignty?

32. Job 12 22 He reveals the deep things of darkness    and brings utter darkness into the light. 23 He makes nations great, and destroys them;    he enlarges nations, and disperses them. 24 He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason;    he makes them wander in a trackless waste. 25 They grope in darkness with no light;    he makes them stagger like drunkards.

33. Job 12 22 He reveals the deep things of darkness    and brings utter darkness into the light. 23 He makes nations great, and destroys them;    he enlarges nations, and disperses them. 24 He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason;    he makes them wander in a trackless waste. 25 They grope in darkness with no light;    he makes them stagger like drunkards. Similar theme, here – respond to this… What do these versus have to do with the concept of sovereignty?

34. So what???

35. So What? • Since God has given us great mercy, we should be willing to give others great mercy! • Believers are to serve each other (inside our families, and in the church) – we are not reigning over each other. • God is in control, we are not. We have sovereign reign over very little.