Lesson 4:

Do you know that the way you play chess reflects some of your character?

“ If you create an act, you create a habit. If you create a habit, you create a character. If you create a character, you create a destiny”

An act will become a habit if you do it 40 times Your action today connotes what you will be after a year

God’s Purpose for Man “…Let us make man in our image, in our likeness and let them rule…”- Genesis 1:26-28 “…to be conformed to the likeness of his son,…” - Romans 8:29

In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God... should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Hebrews 2:10

CHARACTER is BEST FORMED in the stormy billows (waves) of the world

God’s Purpose for the Church Gift Deposited Gift Deposited AnointingAnointing PowerPower Fivefold ministries

God’s Purpose for the Church Gift Deposited Gift Deposited AnointingAnointing PowerPower Fivefold ministries

God’s Purpose for the Church Character Character Developed Developed Character Character Developed Developed Gift Deposited Gift Deposited AnointingAnointing PowerPower FivefoldministriesFivefoldministries

Definition of Character is the seat of one’s moral being; is the seat of one’s moral being; the totality of man; includes your the totality of man; includes your principles principles is the seat of one’s moral being; is the seat of one’s moral being; the totality of man; includes your the totality of man; includes your principles principles displayed in the action of an displayed in the action of an individual under pressure individual under pressure displayed in the action of an displayed in the action of an individual under pressure individual under pressure is the inner life of man is the inner life of man is the sum total of all the is the sum total of all the negative and positive qualities negative and positive qualities in a person’s life in a person’s life is the sum total of all the is the sum total of all the negative and positive qualities negative and positive qualities in a person’s life in a person’s life

What Character is Not: is not what a person will is not what a person will ideally be in the future; character ideally be in the future; character is now is now is not what a person will is not what a person will ideally be in the future; character ideally be in the future; character is now is now is not only how a person acts is not only how a person acts does not appear without does not appear without pressure pressure does not appear without does not appear without pressure pressure

What Character is Not: is not only that which other is not only that which other people see in the external people see in the external is not only that which other is not only that which other people see in the external people see in the external is not limited to relationship is not limited to relationship between Christians between Christians is not limited to relationship is not limited to relationship between Christians between Christians

Do we see ourselves that God is not yet through with us (with our character)? Are we preparing for God’s way of developing us?

God’s dealing in Character Development 2 Peter 1:3-11 Divine power granted (v. 3) Divine power granted (v. 3)

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness- 2 Peter 1:3

God’s dealing in Character Development 2 Peter 1:3-11 Divine power granted (v. 3) Divine power granted (v. 3) Divine nature received (v. 4) Divine nature received (v. 4)

4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires- 2 Peter 1:4

God’s dealing in Character Development 2 Peter 1:3-11 Divine power granted (v. 3) Divine power granted (v. 3) Divine nature received (v. 4) Divine nature received (v. 4) Divine promises given (v. 4) Divine promises given (v. 4)

4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires- 2 Peter 1:4

“God’s dealing” is the process in which the Lord himself will provide learning experiences and circumstances to help a believer when he lacks the discipline to develop a character.

God’s dealing in Character Development A. The Believers Responsibility Repentance from sin and Repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ faith in Jesus Christ Repentance from sin and Repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ faith in Jesus Christ Applying the provisions in Applying the provisions in 2 Peter 1:5-8 2 Peter 1:5-8 Applying the provisions in Applying the provisions in 2 Peter 1:5-8 2 Peter 1:5-8 Make every effort

“ 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;

“ 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” “ 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

God’s dealing in Character Development A. The Believers Responsibility B. Faithfulness of God’s dealings Philippians 1:6 Philippians 1:6

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus – Philippians 1:6

God’s dealing in Character Development A. The Believers Responsibility B. Faithfulness of God’s dealings Philippians 1:6 Philippians 1:6 Hebrews 12:7 Hebrews 12:7

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?- Hebrews 12:7

The Need for God’s Dealing 1. Fallen or Sinful Nature Hebrews 6:1-3, “ 1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, ” Hebrews 6:1-3, “ 1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, ”

The Need for God’s Dealing 1. Fallen or Sinful Nature 2. Secret Sins Repent and apply God’s provision

Psalm 32:3-5, “ 3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"-- and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

1 Samuel Annointed king 2. Strong man 3. Excellent & humble leader 1 Samuel Annointed king 2. Strong man 3. Excellent & humble leader 1 Samuel Stripped of kingdom 2. Frustrated murder 3. Sought witchcraft 4. Committed suicide 1 Samuel Stripped of kingdom 2. Frustrated murder 3. Sought witchcraft 4. Committed suicide Saul Independent spirit

1 Samuel Annointed king 2. Musician of the Lord 3. Mighty warrior 1 Samuel Annointed king 2. Musician of the Lord 3. Mighty warrior 2 Samuel Committed adultery 2. Committed murder 3. Brought judgment on his whole family 2 Samuel Committed adultery 2. Committed murder 3. Brought judgment on his whole family David Lust

Ezekiel Full of beauty 2. Perfect 3. The anointed cherub 4. Musician in heaven Ezekiel Full of beauty 2. Perfect 3. The anointed cherub 4. Musician in heaven 1. The serpent 2. Father of lies 3. Satan-the adversary 4. Cast down to the pit 1. The serpent 2. Father of lies 3. Satan-the adversary 4. Cast down to the pit Lucifer Power & Pride

The Purpose of God’s Dealing 1.To transform to the image of Christ Christ 1.To transform to the image of Christ Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18)

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit – 2 Corinthians 3:18

The Purpose of God’s Dealing 1.To transform to the image of Christ Christ 1.To transform to the image of Christ Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18) 2. To purify (Matthew 3:12)

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire- Matthew 3:12

The Purpose of God’s Dealing 1.To transform to the image of Christ Christ 1.To transform to the image of Christ Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18) 2. To purify (Matthew 3:12) 3. To bring forth fruit (John 15)

The Purpose of God’s Dealing 1.To transform to the image of Christ Christ 1.To transform to the image of Christ Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18) 2. To purify (Matthew 3:12) 3. To bring forth fruit (John 15) 4. To provoke us to seek Him (Hosea 5:15)

“Then I will go back to my place until they admit their guilt. And they will seek my face; in their misery they will earnestly seek me.”- Hosea 5:15 “Then I will go back to my place until they admit their guilt. And they will seek my face; in their misery they will earnestly seek me.”- Hosea 5:15

Attitudes That Embraces the Dealings of God 1. Prayerful attitude 2. Contrite (repentant) attitude 3. Reflective attitude

Character/Areas to be Dealt With 1. Spiritual Life 2. Personal Life 3. Home Life Relationship with the Lord; devotion Habits; lifestyle Family way of life: what version of the bible are you?

Character/Areas to be Dealt With 4. Social Life 5. Educational Life Relationship towards the people around him You do not want to study; hard to be a leader

Character/Areas to be Dealt With 6. Ministerial Life 7. Financial Life It is the foundation Know how to take care of his money

Attitude towards God’s Dealing Psalm 22:6, “But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.” Isaiah 41:14, ‘Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you," declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.’

The difference between a worm and a snake shows our true character Worm Crushed Underfoot Has no defense Squirms – agonize but gives life Worm Crushed Underfoot Has no defense Squirms – agonize but gives life Snake Strikes when threaded upon Defend with venom Fights to the death Snake Strikes when threaded upon Defend with venom Fights to the death