Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Biblical principles of character

I have had a few requests to publish the lists from Sunday's sermon. Here is the list about Biblical principles of Character.

What are some biblical principles of character?

Principle 1…Respecting authority- means they have right to direct & define our actions
-If you are in trouble at school you are in trouble at home
-Honor your father and mother- it’s one of the top ten
-The authorities that exist have been established by God- Romans 13

Principle 1.5 discipline is a good thing-
-Hebrews 12:6 the Lord disciplines those whom he loves
-Proverbs 29:15 "The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother."

Principle 2…Treating others as we want to be treated-
-common courtesy - saying please and thank you.
-Mt 7;12 - Do unto others
-Romans 12-10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Principle 3…we are in this together…Everyone pulls together so we can do what needs to be done-
-Doing chores
-Acts 2- the early Christians held all things in common

Principle 4--taking responsibility
-Being willing to work for what I get
-working hard to solve problems
-if a man would not work, neither would he eat 2 Thessalonians 3:10

Principle 5 living within your means
-avoid living on credit-
-avoid the desire for instant gratification
-the borrower is slave to the lender proverbs 22:7

Principle 6…Humility

-James 4- God resists the proud give grace to the humble
-the American dream is a dream, not a birth right
-Understand that everything is a privilege
-the world does not owe me anything.
-You are not entitled to anything- but the will and purpose of God
-not my will, but thy will be done- Jesus in the garden

Principle 7 - do the right thing
My Dad liked to say:
"The right thing to do is the right thing to do, even if you are the only one doing it. The wrong thing to do is the wrong thing to do, even if everyone is doing it."

Proverbs 14:29 "He who is impulsive exalts folly."
Proverbs 22:1 "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,

Principle 8- Dependence upon God-
-thou shall have no other Gods before me- its one of the top ten
-the greatest commandment; thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul mind and strength.
-We need to find an attitude of Gratitude, thankfulness
-We need to see that the church is central- when your kids are 30 and they are facing tough times, the values that they get from church are going to be far more important to them than what they are getting from extra curricular activities.

In conclusion:
you reap what you sow- 2 Corinthians 9:6

Since these principles are considered common sense, you’d think they would be a little more common.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.


1 comment:

chigger farmer said...

I really appreciate you putting these in writing. Thank you