1. Building the Character of Faith Part 1 1

2. Rises above the worldRises above the world  Love enemies, Matt 5:44-45  Die for a brother, 1 Jno 3:16  Die for Jesus Christ, Rev 2:10  Jesus is our model, 1 Pet 2:21; 3:16 “A disciple is not above his teacher; but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.” Luke 6:40 2

3. Character is the inner strength that defines who you areCharacter is the inner strength that defines who you are The character of faith is built by trusting God above all elseThe character of faith is built by trusting God above all else  Joseph, Genesis 39:1-10  Daniel and friends, Daniel 1:8-17 3

4. Issues from heart 4:23  Obedience, 3:1-2  Kindness & truth, 3:3-4  Faith in God, 3:5-6  Humble reverence, 3:7-8  Honors God, 3:9  Accepts divine discipline, 3:11 Results of character  Life and peace, 3:2  Favor and esteem, 3:4  Direction in life, 3:6  Strength, 3:8  Plenty, 3:10  Lives in God’s love, 3:12 4

5. A new relation to sin, 3:5-11; Rom 6:1-7A new relation to sin, 3:5-11; Rom 6:1-7 A new heart, 3:12-15A new heart, 3:12-15  Otherwise, sin returns, Matt 12:43- 45 (Saul, 1 Sam 28:3-8) A new message is accepted, 3:16A new message is accepted, 3:16 A new authority is honored, 3:17A new authority is honored, 3:17 New relations with others 3:18-4:1New relations with others 3:18-4:1 Col 3: 5-17 5

6. D EVELOPING C HARACTER Difficult circumstancesDifficult circumstances  Trials of faith, Gen 22:1-2 Tribulation…endurance… approved character, Rom 5:3-4; 1 Pet 1:6-7 Tribulation…endurance… approved character, Rom 5:3-4; 1 Pet 1:6-7  Temptations, 1 Cor 10:12- 13; 1 Pet 5:8-9 Strengthened, Jas 4:6-8 Strengthened, Jas 4:6-8 Successful circumstancesSuccessful circumstances  Hezekiah, 2 Chrn 32:31 (24-26); Deut 8:2-3, 11-18 Hebrews 12:4-11  Endurance when disciplined  Be trained by it -Learn the lesson!  Bear the fruit of righteousness 6

7. C HARACTER P RODUCES The Christian conforms his character to the image of Christ (Col 3:10)  Thanksgiving and praise  Patient waiting on the Lord, Jas 1:3-4  Pray and joyful living, Phil 4:4-7 7