Sermon Notes

“Character is not a pass or fail. Character is something we can grow.”

– Pastor Bill

This quality is a major character

Most people jump to character as….

Integrity, honesty, truthfulness  or “treat others the way you’d like to be treated”

The first character trait that really matters, that makes all other character traits possible is openness

There are a lot of words that relate to openness.

Accepting, willing, listening, receptive, teachability, humility

Openness always determines depth of character. Where people are open, they will always grow and where people are closed, they won’t grow.

Psalm 34:15 (NKJV)

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry.

Psalm 81:10 (NKJV)

I am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

Psalm 145:16 (NKJV)

You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing.

John 1:6-14 New King James Version (NKJV)

John’s Witness: The True Light

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That[a] was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His [b]own, and His [c]own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the [d]right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

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.

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12:15 – photos – See Sermon Slides

How open am I?

– Am I Curious About Many Things?
– Do I See Change As A Good Thing?
– People Think I Am A Flexible Person
– I Enjoy Learning

Real Signs of Being Closed

“I know” & Criticism

Application: Character In Action

• Thank God He Is Open To You
• Be Real With Yourself – Take A Good Look
• Ask Him To Help You To Be More Open

Openness is not a yes or no. It is a span of learning.

Holy Spirit, what are you saying to me? And how do I plug this into my life patterns?

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