Sermon Notes
The missing ingredient in the entertainment industry is character.
Recap from Feb 2nd – The first major character quality in the kingdom is openness because god’s heart is open to us. Without openness, people don’t receive.
Quotes
“You cannot dream yourself into a character: you must hammer and forge yourself.” — Henry D. Thoreau
“Be your character what it will, it will be known, and nobody will take it upon your word.” – Lord Chesterfield
“The essential thing is not knowledge, but character.” – Joseph LeConte
“A good name will shine forever” – Proverb
“Talents are best nurtured in solitude. Character is best formed in the stormy billows of the world.” — Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe.
“Our character is but the stamp on our souls of the free choices of good and evil we have made through life.” — Cunningham Geikie
“Character is the real foundation of all worthwhile success.” — John Hays Hammond
“Every thought willingly contemplated, ever word meaningly spoken, every action freely done, consolidates itself in the character, and will project itself onward in a permanent continuity.” – Henry Giles
The second major part of character is graciousness
Other Words For Graciousness Are – Kind, Generosity Of Spirit, Tact, Approachableness,
And Reality Of Godliness
Another synonym that is historical and related to the word graciousness is Godliness
Graciousness is the key to relationship
God is gracious. Approachable, Kind and generous
Psalm 103:8 (NKJV)
The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
Not part of sermon notes:
Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV) 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Minute 9:25 – a funny mishap between a typo in Pastor Bills Notes & the graphics team on a scripture reference
John 1:14-17 (NKJV)
The Word Becomes Flesh
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ ” 16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Minute 10:53 — The correct scripture reference: Psalm 112:4
Psalm 112:4 (NKJV)
4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
1 Peter 2:3 (NKJV)
If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
12:44 – Images* Please see Sermon Slides
Graciousness is a giant subject. Why? Because He’s a giant God.
Character is built through understanding and graciousness gets tested
Questions to ask yourself…
- Most People Think Of Me As Considerate
- People Don’t See Me As Quarrelsome
- I Am Generally Warm & Friendly
- I Can Usually Overlook Peoples Faults
3 Real Signs of Ungraciousness
- Impatient
- “Get out of my Way”
- Negativity
Having the character and mindset that your life involves other people is graciousness
Willingness to make room for people and see them as a gift and not an obstacle is graciousness.
You don’t have to be an extrovert to be gracious. Graciousness is not a personality trait, it is a character foundation.
Character in Action
- Thank God He Is Always Gracious To You
- Be Real With Yourself – Take A Good Look
- Ask Him To Help You Receive Grace & Live Grace
Eph 4:29 – Applying scripture to work out to live in grace
Ephesians 4:29 (NKJV)
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary [a]edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.