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

Ses s i on 1: I nt roduc t i on

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c. Leaders are to be models in all respects, Titus 2.7 – Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity.

d. Our testimony of good works is both excellent and profitable, Titus 3.8 – The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

e. We must do all we can to challenge one another to a new level of love and good works, Heb. 10.24 – And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.

f. Regardless of the defaming of our lives, our excellence will provide our defense, 1 Pet. 2.12 – Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evil doers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. g. Our excellence will shame our detractors, 1 Pet. 3.16 – yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

II. Counting the Cost to Gain a Compelling Testimony

Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate. Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell