A Compelling Testimony: Maintaining a Disciplined Walk, Christlike Character, and Godly Relationships as God's Servant

Ses s i on 5: Cu l t i vat i ng Our Charac ter : The Outward Di sc i p l i nes 173

behold, the days are coming upon you, when they shall take you away with hooks, even the last of you with fishhooks. [3] And you shall go out through the breaches, each one straight ahead; and you shall be cast out into Harmon,” declares the Lord.

B. The Personal Dimensions: keep free from the love of money and lust for things, and learn the power of contentment.

Heb. 13.5-6 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” [6] So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

1. Seek first the Kingdom and his righteousness.

a. Seek first God’s rule in your life, Matt. 6.33 – But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

b. The Kingdom is the most prized possession of all, Matt. 13.44-46 – The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. [45] Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, [46] who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

2. Flee the idolatry of materialism by practicing godliness with contentment.

a. Food and clothing are the true necessities, 1 Tim. 6.8-10 – But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. [9] But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. [10] For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.