Celebration worship
Today, I want to talk about living with a Godly character. Godly character is living like Jesus when we are around other people and when no one else is around. Whatever promotes life in Christ, seek to do and take care of that, whatever it may be. The more you focus on living like Jesus, the more your character will not only boast in God in times of joy, but also endure and persevere in Christ when times are challenging. In my prayers and preparation, this concept of Godly character, of stewarding life in Christ made me think about one of my spiritual heroes, Phillip Yancey. Born in Atlanta Georgia, Phillip endured early tragedy with the loss of his father, and grew up in a church that he deemed toxic to his faith. A graduate from Wheaton College and the University of Chicago, Yancey overcame challenges in his life in order to live out what he considered one of the highest of Christian virtues, the virtue of joy. He has made the comment several times, that joy is what helps him live with Godly character, and to live like Jesus around others and when no one else is around. In two of his greatest works What’s so Amazing About Grace and The Jesus I Never Knew, he writes extensively about Christ like joy fulfilling his life, but his memoir Where the Light Fell describes his encounter with joy on a personal level. These encounters with joy would encourage Yancey to live his life in such a way that honored God and promote holy living in his life. He describes discovering the immense joy of taking a hike in the woods of Colorado, naming it a pleasure he never got tired of, and would give him the peace of mind to live faithfully anytime he had a hard assignment or book topic that was coming up. Another joy that fed his character in Christ and greatly enriched his life was classical music. He shares that his love for Bach and Mozart were pathways to character in Christ that he had never experienced before. On some days, he made remarks that his moments of listening to classical music were much needed moments of worship to encourage him to live faithfully in the middle of a hard week. Meeting his wife Janet was the final mark of joy that set Phillip on the path to a rich faith in Christ and living in a way that reflected Godly character in good times and bad. How can we live with Godly character today? Let’s go to the book of Romans and the Bible itself to find out.
To live with Godly character, remember the name: “Because of Christ, we also have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand and boast in the hope of God’s glory.”-Romans 5:2. As you work, as you love your spouse, your kids, your grandkids, as you love your neighbors, it is so important to boast in the Lord for why we have such blessings. What we do and who we interact with is not separate from our discipleship to Christ. The point of Godly character is following, praising, and lifting up the name of Jesus who gave you the strength to do the work, love your family, and your neighbor. This Biblical posture of remembering and giving credit to Jesus is found throughout the New Testament. In Philippians 2, Jesus is exalted as the highest name above all names for salvation and daily life“For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on the earth and under the earth, and every tongue profess that Jesus the Messiah is Lord— to the glory of God the Father.”-Philippians 2:9-11. In Revelation 5:13, God and Christ are praised and given glory together: “And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” Our prayer book, the book of Psalms, gives us a great prayer to start each day “In your Name shall be their delight all the day long,”- Psalm 89:16. Remembering and giving glory to the name of Jesus for why we are alive, builds character. Giving glory to the name of Jesus should not just occur on Sundays.Giving glory to Jesus is lived out day by day
Consider the life of George Muller. A 19th century Christian evangelist and director of orphanages in Bristol, England. George Müller started out in life as a rebellious and dishonest young man in Germany. He didn’t always make the best choices, but in his 20s, George encountered Christ in a dramatic fashion, and from that moment on, he dedicated his life to Jesus and never turned back. He became known worldwide for his unshakable faith in God’s provision. He glorified Jesus daily, not just in his words, but also in his deeds. Müller founded and ran the Ashley orphanage that cared for over 10,000 children during his lifetime, but he never once asked for money or donations. What George chose to do, was remain faithful to his task, and pray, trusting that Jesus would provide the means needed to run this calling. Time and again, the Lord would provide, often when George needed it the most. This is not to say that times weren’t hard. The hard seasons of running the orphanage were when George needed the Lord the most. When he lacked resources to keep the orphanage running, George would rely on God’s resources like colds water in a desert plain. It is said that George read the Bible over 200 times in his lifetime, and often spent hours each day in prayer, praising and seeking the Lord not just for provision, but for renewal in His own soul. He considered prayer and Bible reading a part of his daily worship and commitment to Christ, always giving Jesus the glory. Time and again, this devotion and giving glory to Jesus first would give way to holy moments. One morning, the orphanage had no food for breakfast. George, was worried, but remained strong for the children under his care. He gathered the children, gave thanks, and prayed for the day. A few minutes later, a local baker came knocking on the door saying, “I couldn’t sleep last night. I felt God wanted me to bake bread for you.” What a moment! That same day, the orphanage needed milk, and the milk cart broke down outside the orphanage! The milkman was dejected, but also didn’t want the milk to go to waste. He offered the orphanage all the milk before it spoiled. Another incredible moment! George Müller followed the Apostle Paul’s teaching to the Colossian church to “be holy and dearly loved, clothing yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”-Colossians 3:10,12,17. George’s quiet, steadfast trust in Christ enabled care for thousands of orphans, put millions of Bibles in needy hands, and inspired generations to trust the Lord more deeply. As he put it in his journal: “Jesus is faithful. Trust Him. Glorify Him in every need and every day.”
Finally, to live with a Godly character, remember the will of God: “This is the will of God, your sanctification…Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”-1 Thessalonians 4:3, 5:16-18. To grow in sanctification is to be more like Jesus. Often when I am in prayer for the Lord with an important decision, I will go to Him and ask Him what His will is for the decision that is coming. It doesn’t matter what the decision is, what matters is going to God for guidance and discerning His will with His character. Rejoice, pray, and give thanks, for this is God’s will for you, that is where God wants you to grow, when times are good and when they are not. Prayer, rejoicing, and thanksgiving, that produces fruit for Jesus and Godly character. The more we pray, rejoice, and give thanks, the more we will live with Godly character in all we say and do in our lives.
This week, What name will you begin and end your day with? Our hope for Godly character is Jesus, and our hope does not disappoint! Remember His name, pray, rejoice, and give thanks without ceasing. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.