CHRISTIAN CHARACTER AND THE COMMUNITY OF GOD’S PEOPLE

Lesson 07 - UNTIL CHRIST IS FORMED IN ME

Christian Character Development

MAIN TRUTH: Christian character development needs the context of a faith community

A FAITH COMMUNITY - a community of people sharing the same religious faith.

In Christianity – our faith community is the Church

THE SAVED IS TO BE PART OF THE CHURCH

Being a part of the church is part of the package deal of being a Christian.
Everyone saved is added to the church. It is God who adds every believer to the church.
Acts 2:47 And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 5:14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.

GOD PLANNED AND WORKS TO HAVE A TRANSFORMED PEOPLE – NOT JUST INDIVIDUALS
Reference: Ephesians 1:1-14 -- Paul’s letter to the Ephesian Church where he wrote about God ‘s plan from the
beginning to have a people who will be to the praise of His glory.

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ
Jesus: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with
every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and
blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance
with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he
loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of
God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of
his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times
reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything
in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ,
might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of
truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy
Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory

1. GOD CONCEIVED THE CHURCH FROM THE BEGINNING

v.4 - chose us in him before the creation of the world
v.5- predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ
v.11 were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan

2. GOD BOUGHT THE CHURCH WITH THE HIGHEST PRICE

God owns everything. But because of sin, what God dreamed of was owned by His adversary the devil.
The required redemption prize was blood. But God was willing to pay the prize.
The only thing that he needed to buy was the church, and at such a high prize.
v. 7 - In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the
riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us (Acts 20:28 the church of God, which he bought with his
own blood)
v. 13 were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation

3. GOD IS COMING TO CLAIM THE CHURCH AS HIS TREASURED POSSESSION

a. God desires the Church as His holy bride.
v. to be holy and blameless in his sight
v. 11b him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we,
who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory
v. 13 - Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a
deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to
the praise of his glory.

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 b. We are imperfect, but He will work on our imperfections.
Ephesians 5:25 - 27 Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might
sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to
Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy
and without blemish.
c. In eternity, the church will showcase the wisdom and patience of God.
1 Timothy 1:16,17 I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display
his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.
d. The Second coming of Christ is the next great event in the Christian calendar.
1 Corinthians 15:51 - 52 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be
changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the
dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

TRANSFORMATION HAPPENS AS WE RELATE WITH ONE ANOTHER

Relating to one another provides plenty of opportunities to develop the Christian Character.
1. WORDS USED TO REFER TO THE CHURCH show how we are to relate to one another.
a. Family - we are to love and be loyal to one another
Ephesians 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the
saints and members of the household of God,
b. Body – we are to be dependent on one another
Eph. 1:22,23 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23
which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
c. Workmanship – we are to recognize that God is at work in one another.
Eph. 2:10 - For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared
beforehand, that we should walk in them.

QUESTION: What do these tell us about the value of church membership?

2. NUMEROUS CALLS OF SCRIPTURE ON Christians to be or to do something for "one another."

In its most comprehensive form, we are commanded to love one another as Christ loved us
1 John 4:21 Whoever loves God must also love his brother

• Love one another (Rom 13:8), for that is the fulfillment of the law of God.
• Receive one another (Rom 15:7), that is, accept one another because Christ has received us; this brings
God the glory he deserves.
• Admonish one another (Rom 15:14), which is urging one another toward godly Christian behavior
• Care for one another (1 Cor 12:25), that is, look after one another's spiritual welfare
• Bear one another's burdens (Gal 6:2); we are to help one another through the tough times and problems
that come to us.
• Belong to one another as members of God's forever family. (Eph 4:25)
• Be kind to one another, forgiving one another (Eph 4:32).
• Comfort one another (1 Thess 4:18) with the fact that Jesus is coming again.
• Pray for one another (James 5:16), for that will have great positive results in the life of the one prayed
for.

Here’s more:
. . . be at peace with one another (Mark 9:50)
. . . be devoted to one another in love (Rom. 12:10)
. . . honor one another above yourselves (Rom 12:10)
. . . live in harmony with one another (Rom. 12:16)
. . . stop passing judgment on one another (Rom. 14:13)
. . . edify one another (Rom. 14:19)
. . . wait for one another (1Cor. 11:33)
. . . have the same care for one another (1Cor. 12:25)
. . . serve one another in love (Gal. 5:13)
. . . bear with one another in love (Eph. 4:2)
. . . speak truth for we are members of one another (Eph. 4:25)
. . . submit to one another (Eph. 5:21)
. . . do not lie to one another (Col. 3:9)
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 . . . bear with one another (Col. 3:13)
. . . forgive one another (Col. 3:13)
. . . abound in love toward one another (1Th. 3:12)
. . . incite one another to love and good deeds (Heb. 10:24)
. . . encourage one another (Heb. 10:25)
. . . do not speak evil of one another (Jas. 4:11)
. . . do not make complaints against one another (Jas. 5:9)
. . . confess your sins to one another (Jas. 5:16)
. . . offer hospitality to one another (1Pet. 4:9)
. . . clothe yourselves with humility toward one another (1Pet. 5:5)
. . . have fellowship with one another (1Jn. 1:7)

CLOSING:
Each of us is on the journey towards Christlikeness
You are not alone; we are on this journey together.
Be of help to others
Accept help from others
Let us help one another.

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