Podcast appearances and mentions of christian character

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Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2026 34:46 Transcription Available

Send us Fan MailIn this week's podcast, Pastor Jackson discusses what happens when we fall from grace and the importance of having people that will cover you when you fall as opposed to people that will just spread gossip about your fall. Take a listen and share!Support the showBe sure to find us at www.facebook.com/krjministriesTo become a patron, visit www.patreon.com/PurposeAndBeyond

Living for Christ Without Compromise || Samuel Goulet

THE MOUNTAIN CHURCH

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2026 39:40

Samuel Goulet teaches from Daniel 1, showing how believers can live for Christ without compromise in a world that constantly pressures them to conform. Through Daniel's example, this episode calls listeners to stay rooted in their identity in Christ, reject the values of the world, and walk in holiness, wisdom, and courage. It's a powerful reminder that following Christ faithfully means standing firm in His truth while still living with love and honor toward others.

Monday Morning Discipleship: The Optics of Grace, Pt. 3

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Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2026 34:40 Transcription Available

Send us Fan MailIn this week's episode, Pastor Jackson explores how we can often look to withhold grace from others in one season, only to need it ourselves in the future. However, Jesus shows us in Scripture how to reunite with an offender. Take a listen and share!Support the showBe sure to find us at www.facebook.com/krjministriesTo become a patron, visit www.patreon.com/PurposeAndBeyond

Monday Morning Discipleship: The Optics of Grace, Pt. 2

jesus christ scripture discipleship word of god optics christian character pastor jackson

Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2026 35:04 Transcription Available

Send us Fan MailIn this week's podcast, Pastor Jackson talks about how far grace should extend. Many times we're looking to find out when we can cut grace off to an offender, but when we examine Scripture, we see that Jesus has ideas that differ from ours. Take a listen and share!Support the showBe sure to find us at www.facebook.com/krjministriesTo become a patron, visit www.patreon.com/PurposeAndBeyond

Monday Morning Discipleship: The Optics of Grace, Pt. 1

discipleship word of god optics christian character

Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2026 34:14 Transcription Available

Send us Fan MailPastor Jackson returns to the podcast with a new series that focuses on what grace really looks like. We all desire grace when we fall short, but have we ever really considered the complexities that come with extending grace? Have we ever considered what happens before we need grace, or what capacity we need to have to extend grace? Let's talk about it!Take a listen and share.Support the showBe sure to find us at www.facebook.com/krjministriesTo become a patron, visit www.patreon.com/PurposeAndBeyond

Episode 316: On Judging Others — The Log, the Speck, and the Grace to See Clearly | Matthew 7:1–6

2 Minute Disciple

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2026 7:43

In Episode 109 of 2 Minute Disciple, host Nick Oyler leads a contemplative devotional through Matthew 7:1–6 — Jesus' searingly honest and almost comical image of a person with a log in their own eye, squinting to locate the tiny speck in someone else's. Judgment often masquerades as concern. But Jesus invites us to do the hard, humbling work of examining our own hearts first.

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Episode 307: The Radical Way of Non-Retaliation — Inner Freedom & the Teachings of Jesus | Matthew 5:38–42

2 Minute Disciple

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2026 7:51

In Episode 100 of 365 Days with Jesus, 2 Minute Disciple host, Nick Oyler leads a contemplative devotional through Matthew 5:38–42 — one of the most challenging passages in the Sermon on the Mount. Turn the other cheek. Walk the extra mile. Give your coat as well as your shirt. These aren't images of weakness — they're pictures of extraordinary inner freedom.

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Episode 306: Let Your Yes Mean Yes — Integrity, Honesty & the Words of Jesus | Matthew 5:33–37

2 Minute Disciple

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2026 8:58

In this episode of 2 Minute Disciple, guest host Payton Dellevoet leads a contemplative devotional through Matthew 5:33–37 — Jesus' call to radical honesty and simple integrity. In a world of fine print, hedging, and impression management, Jesus invites us into something countercultural: let your yes mean yes and your no mean no.

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The Pillars of Christian Character: Faith

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2026 49:57

In this concluding conversation, Pastors Clint and Michael explore how faith is the glue that holds all of the other Christian character traits together. In this conversation, faith and works are not diametrically opposed but rather mutually complimentary. Transcript 00:00:01:23 - 00:00:29:06 Michael Gewecke We are going to be exploring as our last mark of Christian character, the last pillar we're going to be looking at the idea of faith, and we're going to also be having a kind of concluding conversation towards the end about how these pillars might fit together and the ways in which we think about Christian character as being unique to our lives that we live out in Jesus Christ. 00:00:29:09 - 00:01:09:21 Clint Loveall There is some overlap between the idea of character and the idea of ethics, and Christians and non-Christians would agree on some ethical ideas, right? Don't hurt people. Try not to be dishonest. We we would agree on some of the pathways that we would call better and worse, but to the idea of motivation. Christians hold up those things not simply as good ideas, not just as good practices, not just as good ways to be students or citizens, but as a reflection of our faith commitment. 00:01:09:24 - 00:01:42:07 Clint Loveall And so even though we would have some commonality with lots of people and we could agree on things that are good for us, for Christian, our primary motivation is not that the thing in itself is good, but the one that it reflects is good, and we seek to reflect him by doing that, by being that. And so I, I do think while we stand on some ground together, we get there two very different pathways. 00:01:42:07 - 00:02:18:12 Clint Loveall And bear with me. We, you know, you give examples and you don't want to, well, whatever. Here we go. This is, I think, one of the interesting detours you get there has recently been another movie by people to put the Ten Commandments in public spaces. Right. And on the surface, there's nothing wrong with the Ten Commandments being known, but that's fine. 00:02:18:15 - 00:02:49:09 Clint Loveall But the Ten Commandments are not first and foremost good ideas to live by their covenant practices within the faith. And so when we treat them the same as be nice to each other, or we think that when we post them, they represent good ideas instead of covenant faithfulness, we're using them in a in a social. And I would. 00:02:49:12 - 00:03:29:12 Clint Loveall I would argue at times almost a secular way. And so I think those are the conversations that Christian people have to be. We have to be cautious with. Because, yes, the Ten Commandments are good ideas, but that's not primarily what they are, and that's never what they are to us. They are always more than that. And if we let them be reduced to instructions that go on walls, we have lost something in our understanding of what it means to practice Christian character. 00:03:29:17 - 00:03:56:24 Clint Loveall So again, don't go tell everybody Pastor Kuntz against the Ten Commandments. That's not my point. My my point is that underneath. Civics and civility and good practices, there is a layer deeper that Christians hopefully get to when we when we discuss character. 00:03:56:26 - 00:04:28:27 Michael Gewecke You can tell them, Pastor Michael, for the Ten Commandments, they'll get spicy. No, I want to we need to press on. But I just want to make one really short comment here about the Ten Commandments, which I think is is instructive because Christian character cannot be dissolved down to moral truisms, because Christian character is always rooted inside the reflection of Jesus Christ, who is a person. 00:04:28:29 - 00:05:00:01 Michael Gewecke It's always relational. We're always seeking to live into the character of Christ, into the world in which we live. So to put a thing on the wall and to point to people to it is a little bit like pointing them to the monument when the living thing is literally in you, it's to say, hey, look, we came to see the, the, the, the scaffolding of what a moral Christian ethic looks like when actually, because the Spirit of God lives in you, that Christian ethics should be living. 00:05:00:03 - 00:05:18:03 Michael Gewecke And so these things should reinforce for us what is true and how God expects us to live as covenantal people. But we should be the illustration of it in the world. People should see those ten commandments inside the people of God, because we are relationally living that out in the world. 00:05:18:06 - 00:05:49:19 Clint Loveall Yeah, the law itself is to point to something deeper, something better, something bigger. Michael's comment made me think, I don't have a nice way to ask this question. How many of you have been to a concert recently, or at some point in the recent past that was also attended by young people? 00:05:49:22 - 00:06:17:13 Clint Loveall Okay. Okay. Well, yeah. I'm on thin ice here, but if you have been to a concert where young people. It is incredible to me that young people will run and push and work as hard as they can to get close to the stage. And then if you watch them, they are watching the band on their phone while they film it. 00:06:17:13 - 00:06:56:17 Clint Loveall And as an old person, I think they're right there. You you're you're looking at a copy of the thing that's happening right in front of you. And I think sometimes that's how we treat law or prescriptions like the Ten Commandments. They are the embodiment of a Christ like life. They're not rules. They are the way to live a life that honors Jesus, and we should not allow them to become less than that just because they're also good ideas in other contexts. 00:06:56:20 - 00:07:25:22 Clint Loveall If that sounds a little crabby, I will admit to you it is because they are ours. They belong to the church, and and we need to be aware of that anyway. Oh, that's enough preaching. So we are talking tonight about the character pillar, that we would summarize by faith. And if you talk to people about faith, I would say that that falls in in two categories. 00:07:25:22 - 00:07:56:13 Clint Loveall The first is generally if you ask people what faith is, they're going to talk to you about what? Their beliefs. Yeah, I agree, I think one way that we talk about the faith is the collection of things we believe that we label Christianity, and when we put our mind to the faith, what we are doing is trying to ensure that we think correctly about following Christ. 00:07:56:15 - 00:08:29:06 Clint Loveall So these are where we run into words like our doctrine, our theology. Right? We want to have the right ideas. We want to have the right thinking. This is a major part of going to seminary. When you want to be a pastor and you do the seminary thing, part of what they're trying to do is train you to think, well, they're trying to train you, teach you what is our traditions take what is theology, take on concepts like salvation and sin and providence and justification and justice. 00:08:29:09 - 00:09:07:17 Clint Loveall What do we think about God in our corner of the church? And is that thinking both biblical? And is it Christ like? You might also add historical, traditional, but primarily the lenses we've tried to use. Is it biblical and is it like and? We are in a tradition that prides itself on being thoughtful and often for good reason. 00:09:07:19 - 00:09:11:18 Clint Loveall But it's not always the case. 00:09:11:21 - 00:09:35:29 Michael Gewecke Yeah, we know throughout history, and this has been true, by the way, in every age that we as Christians succumb to bad thinking, our theology does not always rise to the level of or beyond the, the weight and the anchoring of our times. Right? So the church has been guilty, over, over the years. Our thinking hasn't risen above racism. 00:09:36:06 - 00:10:07:17 Michael Gewecke We've struggled theologically with, with classes, and nationalism, legalism. I mean, all of the isms we've at some point, run our way down the wrong path. And the truth is, Christians aren't always good about consistent thinking. We are often guilty of being sloppy. Sometimes, quite frankly, we get called out on bad thinking and we just double down and say, yeah, what are you going to do about it? 00:10:07:19 - 00:10:36:13 Michael Gewecke Because we we find ourselves backed into a corner. And so one of the ways that we as Christians have to refer to faith is, is we have to, in the spirit of the Reformation, remember that the Spirit of God is always at work, both before we are reformed people, but we're also being reformed. We also always have to be open to that work of the spirit within us, and that becomes an active practice. 00:10:36:13 - 00:10:54:00 Michael Gewecke In the same way that we say that a doctor is practicing medicine. I don't think we have any doctors in the room today so I can make a doctor joke. I think right now you think it's okay for you to practice medicine. Just don't practice it on me. Right? Get it right on me. But the reality is, Christians are practicing the faith. 00:10:54:02 - 00:11:16:03 Michael Gewecke We're always practicing it and embodying it. The world in which we live. But truth is, we don't always get that right. But the the focus of church is that we take what we believe and we live it out in a meaningful way. And this is one of the most essential understandings for why church is an essential part of the Christian life. 00:11:16:06 - 00:11:44:10 Michael Gewecke Because if you believe that at its core, the faith is an individual adventure, then ultimately what you might believe is that it's all what's in your head and really what you do with it is a matter of your choice in the world in which you live. But anyone who has been a brother or sister in Christ in a church family knows because of experience and practice that this is the incubator. 00:11:44:10 - 00:12:11:06 Michael Gewecke It's the laboratory. It's the place where that thinking has to work its way into our living. It has to be in our hearts, and it has to live in and out through our mouths, our hands and our feet. And I think that that is one of the reasons we need to focus on faith at the end is because I think in some ways, faith becomes this bridge, that this character that we are seeking to live in, to all of the things we talked about. 00:12:11:06 - 00:12:31:00 Michael Gewecke Grace. Right. All love, all these things that we believe live in us. Faith is the way in which those things get integrated into our lives, and we lean back into them and trust that God's doing that in us. And that's what gives us the courage and bravery to live it out in a place with other people doing the same. 00:12:31:03 - 00:13:11:29 Clint Loveall So tonight we are going to focus on this second idea that faith not only is what we believe, but equally as importantly, faith is what we do. Faith is the beliefs we put into practice, and we are all well aware that the gap between what we believe and what we do, we call hypocrisy in the church. When I know what it is that I am to do, but I don't do it or I do something else, I'm choosing to live in a way that doesn't match my professed beliefs. 00:13:11:29 - 00:13:33:21 Clint Loveall And, the ancients gave us that word hypocrisy. It's the word they use for actors. People who played roles. So I say one thing, but I act differently. So we're going to focus tonight on the action and the case. We're going to make or try to make is that the collective of our Christian character is not an attribute. 00:13:33:21 - 00:14:05:26 Clint Loveall If faith is not just one thing in our character, faith is the foundation, the primary expression of our character. And I think we've maybe touched on this. This gets a little difficult in English. In English, faith is a noun, so it's something you do or don't have. We generally make it equivalent to belief, but Greek has a way of making faith a verb so that life can be faith. 00:14:05:29 - 00:14:31:14 Clint Loveall Work can be faith, family can be faith. And it's unfortunate that we can't really do that with our English word. The closest we could get, maybe, is that faith is the collection of things we think are true, and living up to them would make us faithful. So we might be able to talk about our faithfulness as an attribute of faith. 00:14:31:14 - 00:15:01:07 Clint Loveall But it's very difficult for us to talk about faith. Any. And I wish we could fix that because it's a wonderful advantage. I think, that biblical language has over English. In the Bible you can faith things, you can faith, relationships, and I wish we could say it that way. I think that would be helpful. The difference between faith and faithful. 00:15:01:08 - 00:15:31:11 Clint Loveall Again, this English struggle is not really a separation that the Scripture makes it. Even Paul, who is very clear to talk about faith versus works, understands them to be connected, understands them, to be both essential. Paul is not in those conversations saying that what we do doesn't matter. He is only saying that what we do is not the mechanism by which we are saved. 00:15:31:14 - 00:16:03:05 Clint Loveall We are saved by faith. But Paul himself writes, we are saved for good works in order to do good works. So Christians should stand out not just for the things we say or the things we believe, but for the things we faith, for the things we do. We should be faithful people, literally full of faith, connected and committed to the God who calls us. 00:16:03:08 - 00:16:40:03 Clint Loveall Because in our life, our attempt is through gratitude for what we've received to show the character of God in the character of his people. You know, our character as Christians, we are to display something of what we know to be true of God. So in the Old Testament, faithfulness is the equivalent of obedience, which is still in there, but in the New Testament, far more faith is our belief put into practice. 00:16:40:06 - 00:17:01:15 Michael Gewecke I think when we make the mistake of making faith a thing that we possess, we begin to lose our ability to make sense of the Psalms we make. We lose our ability to make sense of limitations and job. Because when a person is crying out to God says, how in the world are you letting this affliction happen to me? 00:17:01:15 - 00:17:27:21 Michael Gewecke When we experience grief, Christians feel this pang of guilt. Well, how am I feeling this way towards God? I have I lost my faith. You heard this before, and if that is the way we can sit, our faith that it's a thing that we can have, then it's a thing that is so fragile that we forget that faithful people can be angry. 00:17:27:24 - 00:18:02:12 Michael Gewecke Faithful people can have doubts. People who are facing God to be the kind of people on the journey of faith, and yet still finding ourselves in a circumstance where faith is hard. And I think that that is essential for us to understand that there's a real danger in trying to drive a wedge between faith and works. So trying to say that if I just have enough faith, then that is separate from what I do is is by definition, creating the hypocrisy is, by definition, playing a role. 00:18:02:19 - 00:18:31:29 Michael Gewecke Because what it means is we're not connecting the truth of what we say with the reality of how we live. So if our character is forged by what we believe, that is revealed by what we practice, and no doubt Christians should be people who are worthy of trust, we should be exemplars of moral living, practitioners of love. We should be the kind of people who demonstrate forgiveness in the world. 00:18:32:02 - 00:19:02:01 Michael Gewecke But we should not, at our core, be people who are looking at our lives from a checklist of moral maxims, like to say, the perfect student in your classroom who could get an A on all the character marks, good for them. That would. That's great. But a Christian has to look at that and recognize that if we're not living out a thing that we profess to be true, then it's not facing our character. 00:19:02:06 - 00:19:27:02 Michael Gewecke And if our character hasn't been transformed, then we're not yet within the relational connection with the newer transformer of the universe. Right? It so it it's a connection between what we say we believe, what's internal and the lives that we live externally. And so therefore, life together should be the highest witness of Christian character. The church should demonstrate the truth of our profession. 00:19:27:04 - 00:19:51:12 Michael Gewecke In fact, if you want to see that played out, I encourage you to keep reading on the text that we read for the sermon today in Corinthians, because Paul makes that literal argument. He goes on to say that people who have the mind of Christ are the very people who live their lives as if they do. And here's an accusation against the Corinthians, or that they're not living up to it. 00:19:51:15 - 00:19:59:11 Michael Gewecke And so the church becomes a place where the truth of our witness is seen, and the lives that we live together. 00:19:59:13 - 00:20:32:03 Clint Loveall And this is, this is a challenge for the church. I think we are at our absolute best in terms of witness when we do this. Well, imagine that the church is a place where someone could come and lose $1,000 and guarantee they'd get it back. The place where someone could show up hungry, and we would guarantee that they get fed or show up needing prayer, and we would pray over that. 00:20:32:06 - 00:20:56:27 Clint Loveall The idea is that as community, we would be a place where the character of Christ would be on display. And sure, none of us are going to hit that note perfectly. We are always going to be out of tune a little. But when the church is able to live into that reality, it is an incredible demonstration to the world. 00:20:57:00 - 00:21:25:21 Clint Loveall You may know this, the word Christian is essentially a word that means small Christs, miniature Christs. So, so that Christians, the very thing we call ourselves, is a reminder of the one we're trying to imitate, which we can do only through his grace. What Christian character is to keep primary. What would Jesus have me do and say? 00:21:25:24 - 00:21:59:06 Clint Loveall Who would Jesus have me become so that a Christian tells the truth? Not because telling the truth is important, it is, but because Jesus Christ said, I am the truth and a Christian loves their neighbor, not because that makes community better, which it does, but because Jesus said, love God and love neighbor. And so the end of Christian character for us is what we hear and see in Jesus Christ. 00:21:59:08 - 00:22:32:17 Clint Loveall And sometimes, sometimes that's hard to discern. I suspect all of us have had a moment where we've wrestled with what's the right thing to do. We've genuinely struggled. I have this moment. I don't know if A is the Christian thing to do, or if B is the Christian thing to do. That happens. But in my experience, it's rarer than we like to admit, because mostly the Christian thing is not hard to figure out. 00:22:32:20 - 00:22:56:29 Clint Loveall It's hard to do. And most of the time, I would say we generally know what Christ would have us do. We don't want to do it. We don't want to be honest. We don't want to love our enemies. We don't want to stay silent. We don't want to give or forgive. And and many Christians, as we know, get caught stepping outside the boundaries of the faith. 00:22:57:01 - 00:23:26:25 Clint Loveall And many more don't get caught. And many tell us how sorry they are after they get caught. But none of that is the point. Because the point is, what would Jesus have me be? What would Jesus have me say when we bend the rules and leave the path? My experience is that most of the time I know it, and most of the time, though, I'd love to claim otherwise. 00:23:26:28 - 00:24:01:22 Clint Loveall I did it willingly, and if it's not in that moment that I choose to change my behavior, apologize, repent, and confess, then I am not using Christ as my guide. I'm following some other thing. I have let something else set my course and I have lost sight of my goal, which is to be what I claim to believe. 00:24:01:24 - 00:24:04:23 Clint Loveall That is my purpose as a Christian. 00:24:04:25 - 00:24:32:24 Michael Gewecke I think the reformed tradition helps us here, and I don't want to be too autobiographical, but I think I do have a personal illustration of this. Rochelle and I both went to the same school, so she can tell you if I butcher this story. But while we were at Oral Roberts University, the the night came where we were all called to go to an emergency night chapel, which wasn't a thing that regularly happened. 00:24:32:27 - 00:24:57:15 Michael Gewecke And we got there and it was a whole fraught moment. And it was, lots of praying and and prophesying. And I at the end of that night came out that the president of the university had legal charges, substantiated legal charges made that he had been pilfering money from the university, millions of dollars flying U.S. dollars to the Bahamas. 00:24:57:15 - 00:25:30:24 Michael Gewecke And all of these shopping excursions and the response from the university in the in the wake of this major moral lapse was, this is an attack of the enemy. This is Satan coming after us, and that is a human temptation. We're all tempted to say, not me, something else. Right, Adam? And eat this woman that you gave me right. 00:25:30:27 - 00:25:55:20 Michael Gewecke The reformed tradition, I think, helps us tell the truth. It reminds us we are sinners. That's the reality. The call on our life is Jesus Christ, and it's his character we're called to emulate. One of the things I most deeply respect about our tradition is we build systems which aren't always effective, but we wholeheartedly try to build systems to keep people from going on. 00:25:55:20 - 00:26:19:24 Michael Gewecke The private jets. Because we know people are sinful. We know that too much power often leads us to positions of compromise. We know that our character is not always strong enough to stand in the face of what might be beckoning us over the border. Right. And I think one of the things that as Christians, we need to recognize is that the truth is our brokenness. 00:26:19:26 - 00:26:44:06 Michael Gewecke The gift is restoration, that the gift is what Jesus Christ wants to do within us. And it is out of that gift that our character could be transformed. And so I just want to point out, I think checks and balances is not against being people of character. It's intended to be the laboratory in which that character can be formed. 00:26:44:09 - 00:27:13:05 Michael Gewecke And I think that we sometimes miss the opportunity to recognize that our practice is not just to know what's right, but also to be living our lives in such a way that when others see us, they can see that goodness living in us and the more and more that Christians seek to decrease the gap between what we say we believe versus how we actually speak and act in the world. 00:27:13:07 - 00:27:48:03 Michael Gewecke That is when our witness becomes compelling. Because this isn't going to be a surprise to you. It was not a significant evangelistic moment on Tulsa television when they found out about the private jets, because it exposed the the motivation underneath the facade, the hypocrisy made a moment in which the truth of our sinfulness, which is true, was suddenly disarmed, opened because we claimed to have it all put together. 00:27:48:06 - 00:28:09:24 Michael Gewecke And the moment in which Christians compare. Ten pair humility with gratitude for Christ's gift for us is the moment we start experiencing Christian character in face that we can face, we can live into, we can demonstrate to the world because it's honest, and that's a place where we don't always start. 00:28:09:27 - 00:28:32:17 Clint Loveall One of my favorite conversations with the New Testament is that it calls us saints. The New Testament is comfortable calling every person who believes in Jesus, all the people in the church, you, me, saints. And I say to the new Testament, no, I know these people. I've, I've been in I've been in church a long time. I'm. 00:28:32:17 - 00:29:11:09 Clint Loveall I'm in the church myself. You gotta find another word. And the New Testament says, are you and Jesus Christ say, well, yeah, yeah. We try to be sure. And it says, then your saints, you are made right in Jesus Christ. His holiness is now your holiness. You are saints. And I say, wow, that sounds good. Thanks. And then it says, now, dang it, start acting like it. 00:29:11:12 - 00:29:41:24 Clint Loveall And I, I love the I love the idea that even when we talk about ourselves as Christians, as saints, when the Bible talks about anybody who believes in Jesus, it uses words that we don't own, but we aspire to. We are trying to live up to and sort of try and summarize some of this. The Christian task as it regards to faith is, I think, twofold. 00:29:41:27 - 00:30:12:17 Clint Loveall We have to work to make our beliefs sound. We should work on our thinking, we should study, we should read Scripture. We should interact with ideas to make sure that they're biblical. And they are in keeping with what we know of God in Christ. And we should try to guard our thinking from being led astray by bad ideas, even if they come to us in religious garb. 00:30:12:19 - 00:30:47:26 Clint Loveall Secondly, as Christians, we should put those beliefs into practice. We must strive to live them out to decrease as much as we're able. The gap between what we say and how we speak and how we act and what we do. Because Christian character is not some religious version of being a good person, Christian character is to pursue the character of Jesus Christ. 00:30:47:29 - 00:31:23:02 Clint Loveall The reason we call it Christian character, it seems to me, is because we've so often failed at being Christian. If we could do that, we wouldn't need to modify it. We would just call it being Christian, but we wouldn't need the word character. We would understand that being Christian is to have Christian character, but since we don't always do that, we think about it in terms not only of being Christian. 00:31:23:04 - 00:31:37:03 Clint Loveall What? Trying to be Christian in a way that reveals and portrays and in acts and embodies the character of Jesus Christ and in a. 00:31:37:06 - 00:32:19:20 Clint Loveall In an ironic way. Christians are. But you guys know I'm not a the world is terrible kind of guy. I try not to, but Christians may be the last ones who are going to care about character. The world is increasingly unbothered by lapses in character. If it gets you to your goal, if you arrive at money or power or whatever, winning and you have to take a shortcut, the world is increasingly not bothered by that. 00:32:19:23 - 00:32:51:21 Clint Loveall So Christians have to make sure that we are taking our cues and getting our guidance, not from the world around us that doesn't know what to do with character, but from the one within us who is the only model of what it truly means. Christians alone are to be guided by higher thoughts and better ideas, because Christians alone seek to make Jesus above all else. 00:32:51:23 - 00:33:00:00 Clint Loveall Our guide. So to be Christian is to pursue the character of Christ. 00:33:00:02 - 00:33:26:25 Michael Gewecke So I think this is where we enter into that conversation about the importance of the foundation of our character. Because at the end of the day, if the foundation of our character is that me living out some version of a moral ethic set of statements, and if I do that, if our foundation is, then it will go well with me. 00:33:26:28 - 00:33:52:05 Michael Gewecke Think of how quickly it changes when the rules change and your life isn't any better. When you do the things. Actually, when not paying the whole amount of taxes not only financially benefits you, but isn't going to be caught for this and this and this reason, suddenly the better choice for you and for your family. College is expensive these days. 00:33:52:05 - 00:34:38:00 Michael Gewecke I'm going to write. The better choice suddenly becomes to take the path that would have previously been called good character. And you say, in this case, what? I'm still living out of some version of character because I'm doing what's best for me, for my people. Right? So the foundation of character matters. And as Christians, when we come to talk about character, I honestly to emphasize Clint's point, we might be in a moment in which the renaissance of character is possible, but because Christians no longer have to discern and try to give words to people, the difference between what it means to be a person of an upstanding person who is kind and good and generous, 00:34:38:00 - 00:35:04:18 Michael Gewecke and the community thinks positive things about right. And then a Christian who stands on the foundation of who Jesus Christ is, and that that's the things that forms our lives and our commitments and that that moves us into a Christian community like we used to have to try to, to bridge that gap. Now we may just be the ones talking about character and in a way that may give us a new opportunity to say, well, why in the world did you do that? 00:35:04:20 - 00:35:51:03 Michael Gewecke That's what Jesus would do. Right. I mean, that's what Jesus would. I as I read the Bible, Jesus would have stopped to to to care for that person. What you do realize that that person voted for them, right? Yeah, absolutely. I do know that Jesus loves everybody, right? The way which Christian character calls us to live outside of ourselves, into the story of Jesus Christ's mission in the world has a unique way, I think, in this moment of helping Christians differentiate ourselves, because the reality is, at the end of the day, the quickest way for us to realize where our morals are rooted is the moment in which the ground under you shifts, and the 00:35:51:03 - 00:36:14:14 Michael Gewecke thing that is now good for you is no longer in field of the morals that you once had. The choice that you will make will determine the foundation upon which your character is built. Let me say that more simply, if Jesus Christ is not the center, then if the world says take the shortcut, it'll get you there faster. 00:36:14:16 - 00:36:46:05 Michael Gewecke We'll take the shortcut. That thing that your parents said character is the thing you do when no one's watching, right? Or Christian's character. Here's the thing that we do because Jesus Christ, alive in union through us, compels us so that we have no other option. The truth is, the world is increasingly having conversations about what you do in public and in private really has no bearing on the outcome of your life. 00:36:46:08 - 00:36:54:17 Michael Gewecke And if that's the case, Christians have a unique opportunity to give witness to a radically different way of living in the world. 00:36:54:19 - 00:37:12:04 Clint Loveall Let me end with what I think is a fun story. Then we'll do some questions. Conversation. If there's anything out there. One of my favorite, authors is a pastor, Methodist pastor who became a bishop, and as bishop, he had to go to a church one morning and he was there after church. They have a soup kitchen. 00:37:12:07 - 00:37:34:24 Clint Loveall So he's during the soup kitchen. And there's a gentleman at the sink that he recognized who was a prominent attorney in town. And he said, good to see you here. It's nice to see you here. And the guy said, yeah. And he said, how long you been doing this? And the guy said, 14 years or something, some long period of time. 00:37:34:26 - 00:37:58:29 Clint Loveall And the bishop said, well, I'm really impressed. And the guy said, good for you. Yeah. And then he said, you must really enjoy it. The working with the homeless to come here so often. And he said, enjoy it. Have you met these people? They're crazy, they're dirty. They talk to themselves. Half of them are on drugs. And the guy said, well, he didn't. 00:37:59:03 - 00:38:25:15 Clint Loveall He kind of stumbled easily. I why are you here? And the guy said, I'm here because Jesus put me here. Why are you here? And okay, on one hand, we could say that's a guy not having a great day, right? On another hand, that's a guy who Jesus compels to do something that makes no sense to the world around him. 00:38:25:17 - 00:38:56:03 Clint Loveall A rich, successful man elbow deep in dishwater, serving the homeless for no other reason. Not because he made him feel good, not because it was community service. Look good on a resume. Because he believed that his Savior, Jesus Christ is Lord, said go humble yourself and serve people who need serving the least of my brothers and sisters. I'm here because Jesus told me to. 00:38:56:05 - 00:39:23:19 Clint Loveall Why are you here? It's, there's a lot in there. I'm glad I get to speak there, but, there's a lot in there. Okay. We've, We said a lot of words. Hopefully some of them have made sense. What do you think? And questions? Comments? Anything out there? Yes, sir. 00:39:23:21 - 00:39:28:27 Clint Loveall Yeah. Thoughts about. 00:39:29:00 - 00:39:32:25 Clint Loveall Yeah. 00:39:32:28 - 00:40:13:12 Clint Loveall So we if if we if we're when you say we can't do it by works for me Lee. Everything hinges on what you understand it to me. If you mean be saved. If you mean receive the grace and righteousness of Jesus Christ. Because I earned it, then that's 100% true. You cannot. If you mean live out your faith and show Jesus Christ to the world, then I say 100%, you can't. 00:40:13:15 - 00:40:41:29 Clint Loveall So I think that I think there is a difference in there, because that argument of faith and works was so prominent in the Reformed Presbyterian Church. It's really given us the idea that those are separate things. And I think that hurt us. I think when we had the argument because we were fighting, you know, the Catholic Church and and they were they were bigger on works and Luther and Calvin. 00:40:42:06 - 00:41:06:16 Clint Loveall I think in order to win that battle, we had to go a little far. And so we we then kind of got to the other side and somehow left people with the impression that because you can't be saved by works, you don't really have to do them. And that's that's not biblical. You don't have to do them to be saved. 00:41:06:16 - 00:41:33:27 Clint Loveall But once you were saved, they're not negotiable. It's non-negotiable to to live your life doing the things of Jesus Christ. So I don't know if that helps, but but from no sorry. You you cannot be saved by works. But once you're saved, there's work to do. That's what I'd say. 00:41:33:29 - 00:42:01:25 Michael Gewecke Okay, I'm not going to answer your question, but I have a fun illustration, so I'm going to give it, So recently I've been getting to go to a lot of music events, and, I think all of you know that I'm not a musician, so I get to learn a lot. And one of the things I've been learning this season, and this is in the vocal world, I've been learning about this thing called resonance and this idea of singing out in front of you. 00:42:01:27 - 00:42:20:25 Michael Gewecke And I've been learning about this because the judges were telling the high schools, this is a whole lot of different events. And the great thing about it was all of these different judges were trying to describe this thing to kids. I mean, they're all experts, right? So they hear it. They're trying to help the kids achieve it. They're all saying it in different ways. 00:42:20:28 - 00:42:42:18 Michael Gewecke So I'll give you an example. One guy, and maybe one of the less helpful ways was say, well, you got to imagine that someone drills through the back of your skull, and then that the air goes through and out. And the kids were, like, shocked by that idea, right? Because that's a very graphic image. And then and then another person said, well, you need to get that sound like the Death Star. 00:42:42:18 - 00:42:58:16 Michael Gewecke You need to sort of like, get it out here. And, my mother in law, who's a music professional and educator, I was talking to her about it and she said, well, that's often how I describe. I describe as you have to sing out like a unicorn through, like, the top of your head. That's the image I have. 00:42:58:18 - 00:43:21:11 Michael Gewecke Okay. All of these are different ways in which people are trying to put an experience into words. These kids might not have yet had the experience that they're trying to describe, but they're trying to all come at it from different ways so that the kids, once they have the experience, they'll know what it is, and then they can do it again. 00:43:21:13 - 00:43:44:03 Michael Gewecke That's, I think, the relationship Christians have to works is that the Ten Commandments aren't there as a checklist that you do that results in an outcome. They're a way in which Scripture and God and this covenantal relationship is trying to tell us, when your life is lived like this, you're going to start experiencing the thing that is relationship. 00:43:44:03 - 00:44:22:23 Michael Gewecke We're trying to get you to. So. So it's a way in which we can begin to get words from all of these different places in church history. The book is this collection of people's experiences with God that why do we do these things? Because it's like singing like a unicorn. And once you experience the freedom of Christian community, once you experience what it's like to live with integrity and honesty, once once you live your life in such a way that your marriage is held sacred, when you come to worship and you worship God as God and not as some Christian, once you start experiencing these things, the plane lifts off and you're like, oh, this 00:44:22:23 - 00:44:47:17 Michael Gewecke is what this is. But we can't quite put it into words that simple. So this is the best that we have. And I don't know if the illustration helps you, but it's not about did you did you have somebody drilled through the back? It's not about the image. It's not about what it invites us to. It's rather about once we experience the thing that's intended. 00:44:47:20 - 00:44:57:01 Michael Gewecke Now all of that makes sense because there's other people trying to describe it saying that's indescribable. That's my take on it. 00:44:57:03 - 00:45:02:28 Clint Loveall Lynn, let me give it one more shot. 00:45:03:00 - 00:45:43:26 Clint Loveall As a Christian, your works have zero bearing on whether you're saved or not. As a Christian, your works are the absolute best representation of being saved. The way you live is the best way to live out the fact that you're saved, which is not something you earned, but something you were given. So I think of, I think from our perspective as Presbyterians, that's pretty close to the proper way to understand the priority of faith. 00:45:43:28 - 00:46:22:25 Clint Loveall But the. Necessity, the importance of works. I'll back off on the word and assess the importance works. So, Yeah. What what else? Might make you not in our first trailer, but realize that the worst. And then boy hamper. Because that last part. Yeah. Yeah. So I, I don't know of anybody who does this better than Paul. 00:46:22:25 - 00:46:49:07 Clint Loveall In the second chapter of Ephesians, the eighth verse, Paul wrote, you are saved by grace, not by works, so that no one can boast, this is not your own. And then in the 10th verse, he says, you were created in Christ Jesus to do good works. So not not a of a verse after he said, you're not saved by works, he says you're to do good works. 00:46:49:09 - 00:47:00:11 Clint Loveall And again, I think in the Reformed Church we've unfortunately given the impression that we could separate those into two things. 00:47:00:13 - 00:47:28:28 Clint Loveall Our, Our choices and the way that we live is essentially a confirmation of the faith that we have. It shows evidence of it. It if I, I know I hate stupid analogies, but if I told you this building was about to fall down and you don't see me running for the door, why would you believe me? 00:47:29:01 - 00:47:31:19 Clint Loveall Right? I'd be saying the thing that I wasn't doing.

The Pillars of Christian Character: Truth and Grace

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2026 54:42

Pastors Clint and Michael explore how truth and grace are perfectly revealed in Jesus Christ, who forms the foundation of all Christian identities.

jesus christ pillars christian character pastors clint

What Does a Fully Supplied Christian Character Look Like? (Christian Character Series Part X)

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2026 53:07

At the beginning of his second letter, the Apostle Peter reminded us that God, in His power and love, has graciously given us everything we need to be faithful to the calling of discipleship. This walk of sacrifice is supported by the overwhelming gift of God's precious and magnificent promises. Peter then tells us that because we have such privilege and grace before us to build on our faith. He tells us that as a result of having this gift of faith, it should help us fully develop moral excellence. That moral excellence should in turn drive us towards spiritual knowledge, which feeds our ability to have self-control. Our outward manifestation of self-control should trigger powerful perseverance which in turn nourishes a godly and reverent character. This godly character produces an all-encompassing brotherly kindness which in turn develops the kind of selfless love that our Lord Jesus and our heavenly Father both have. Useless or unfruitful When these qualities are present and increasing, they keep us from becoming “useless or unfruitful” in our knowledge of Christ, but when they are absent, we become spiritually short‑sighted, forgetting the cleansing and new life Jesus provided. Complacency is a danger, and we as believers can drift into blindness or relapse into old habits when we stop climbing the ladder. Peter then re‑energizes us with a call to diligence—bookending the entire process with earnest effort in verses 5 and 10. This diligence is not frantic activity but a sincere, steady commitment to practicing these virtues so that we can keep moving forward even when we stumble. Through vivid examples, warnings and encouragements, the episode emphasizes that spiritual growth is intentional, not automatic, and that God's providence works with our effort to shape a character that reflects Christ. Ultimately, Peter assures us that if we continue developing these qualities, we will walk securely, avoid spiritual collapse and receive an abundant entrance into the eternal kingdom. Key Takeaways Peter's “virtue ladder” outlines a clear, ordered path for Christian growth. These qualities must be increasing to keep us from becoming spiritually unfruitful. Forgetting our cleansing leads to spiritual blindness and drift. Peter uses diligence as bookends (verses 5 and 10) to show that growth requires intentional effort. Practicing these virtues helps us recover quickly when we stumble. God's promises supply the power; our diligence supplies the response.

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The Pillars of Christian Character: Love

greek corinthians pillars christian character

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2026 39:00

Clint Loveall examines love as the defining element of Christian character, breaking down the Greek concept of agape and the practical, transformative challenges of living out the "most excellent way" found in 1 Corinthians 13.

What Does Christian Love Really Look Like? (Christian Character Series Part IX)

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2026 34:17

We have arrived! This episode explores the final and highest rung of the Apostle Peter's “virtue ladder”- agape, the selfless, God‑shaped love that defines the true purpose of Christian character. We walk through how each previous rung—faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self‑control, perseverance, godliness and brotherly kindness—builds the capacity to reach this culminating form of love. While Strong's Concordance’s Greek definition of agape may sound simple or even underwhelming, Scripture masterfully fills the word with depth, weight and divine intention. This eight and final rung powerfully reveals the height what our Christian characters aspire to! The love of God Himself Agape is the love God demonstrates in giving His only begotten son. It is the love Jesus lived by laying down his life, and the love the apostles taught as the unmistakable evidence of spiritual maturity. This love is “disinterested” in the classical sense—free from selfish motive, seeking no advantage and offered even when it is not reciprocated. It is critical to remember that while this kind of love grows out of brotherly kindness, it surpasses it by embracing even the hardest expressions of love: loving enemies, blessing those who persecute us and caring for those we don't naturally like. A powerful illustration of this is the story of Maximilian Kolbe, who voluntarily took another man's place in a starvation bunker at Auschwitz—an act that embodied Christlike, sacrificial agape. The first few verses of 1 Corinthians 13, show us how this kind of love must shape what we as Christians say, know and do; without it, eloquence becomes noise, knowledge becomes pride, and even great acts of sacrifice lose their spiritual value. Finally, we observe how the Scriptures remind us that perfect love casts out fear, and that agape matures in us as we continually practice the earlier virtues. When brotherly love is strong and relationships are aligned with God's will, agape becomes the defining purpose of a disciple's life, shining as the highest expression of Christlikeness. Key Takeaways Agape is the highest rung of Christian character, built on the foundation of the previous seven virtues. Strong's definition is insufficient—Scripture reveals agape as God's own selfless, sacrificial love. Jesus models agape through his willingness to lay down his life. Agape includes loving enemies and those we don't naturally like. Without agape, words, knowledge and actions lose spiritual value (1 Corinthians 13). Perfect love casts out fear, revealing maturity and alignment with God's purpose.

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What Does Brotherly Kindness Mean for a Christian? (Christian Character Series Part VIII)

jesus christ sermon on the mount beatitudes john stott christian character beyond sunday

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2026 37:00

The blueprint for Christian character development the Apostle Peter gives us in 2 Peter 1 lays out for us a “ladder” that we as disciples of Christ are to climb. Each rung of this ladder is vital to our ability to be able to progress up to the next rung. As we have focused on one rung of this ladder at a time in this extended series, we have worked on making the connections between our foundation and how each step makes us more like Jesus. Now comes the seventh rung, and this one really begins to reveal what a truly developed Christian character should look like. The seventh rung is brotherly kindness—philadelphia in Greek and also translated as “brotherly love.” We must realize that faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self‑control, perseverance and godliness form the necessary foundation for this deeply relational virtue. In ancient Greek, this kind of love referred to the instinctive loyalty shared by blood relatives—a devotion that is both expected and not optional. Peter places this rung after godliness because only a character shaped by reverence for God can sustain the sacrificial, loyal, family‑level commitment required to love fellow believers as true siblings. Lots of love To broaden our understanding, it is helpful to compare three Greek categories of love: natural family affection, brotherly love and philanthropia—a benevolent love for all humanity. Brotherly kindness sits at the center of these circles, bridging instinctive affection and universal goodwill. Jesus himself established this family identity when he taught his disciples to pray, “Our Father…,” making all disciples brothers and sisters. Questions to ask ourselves Practical self‑examination is needed to see how well we are living this brotherly kindness: Do we protect others' reputations? Do we step in quietly when someone is overwhelmed? Do we welcome those who sit alone? Brotherly love is not convenient. It is costly, time‑consuming and emotionally demanding. Ultimately, brotherly kindness is the training ground for the final rung—agape love. If Christians can’t love the family of faith with loyalty and tenderness, they cannot hope to love the world with Christlike sacrifice. Key Takeaways Brotherly kindness is loyal, family‑level devotion rooted in godliness. It bridges natural affection and universal benevolence. Jesus established Christians as a true spiritual family. Brotherly love requires patience, protection, presence and emotional investment. It is inconvenient but essential for mature Christian character. Practicing philadelphia prepares us for agape—the highest form of Christlike love.

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Christian Character: The Beatitudes (Pt. 2 w/ Jackson Munyon)

Harvest, Beyond Sunday

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2026 52:14

Hey, Beyond Sunday listeners! This week we're joined by Junior High Director Jackson Munyon as we tackle the rest of the Beatitudes, where Jesus describes the unique character of his followers. What are the defining qualities of a Christ-transformed heart? And what does Jesus mean by his people being "blessed"? Tune in today to learn more! We are using John Stott's The Message of the Sermon on the Mount to guide our conversation this season — click here to purchase a copy of your own: https://bit.ly/4bzYgZI

The Pillars of Christian Character: Worship

worship pillars christian character

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2026 53:34

Join Pastors Clint and Michael as they explore how worship pushes beyond the boundaries of our sanctuaries and, over the course of a lifetime, shapes our deepest character. +

Christian Character: The Beatitudes (Part 1)

Harvest, Beyond Sunday

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2026 42:36

Hey, Beyond Sunday listeners! Join us this week as we begin to unpack the Beatitudes, where Jesus describes the unique character of his followers. What are the defining qualities of a Christ-transformed heart? And what does Jesus mean by his people being "blessed"? Tune in today to learn more! We are using John Stott's The Message of the Sermon on the Mount to guide our conversation this season — click here to purchase a copy of your own: https://bit.ly/4bzYgZI

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How Do I Grow in Godliness as a Christian? (Christian Character Series Part VII)

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2026 30:58

The blueprint for Christian character development the Apostle Peter gives us in 2 Peter 1 focuses us on a profound series of steps we need to take in order to be more Christlike. With this blueprint, Peter lays out for us a ladder of Christian character development. As we examine it, we find that each rung of this ladder is vital to our success in climbing up onto the next rung. In the last five parts of this series, we have focused on one rung of this ladder at a time and worked on making the connections between what our foundation is and how each step makes us more like Jesus. Now comes the sixth step, and this one really begins to shape what our outward Christian character should look like! In this episode, we continue our Christian Character Series by examining the sixth rung of Peter's “virtue ladder” in 2 Peter 1:5‑7: godliness. Godliness is not “looking religious,” but a whole‑life orientation toward God, expressed through reverence, devotion, humility and a character that consistently seeks God's will. It is the “allegiance of our character,” the natural outgrowth of perseverance and self‑control working together. Fake godliness Godliness is not something humans possess naturally; it must be developed intentionally through discipline, sound doctrine and a continual turning away from worldly distractions (1 Timothy 4:6‑8). True godliness grows from the inside out and can’t be faked, even though many in the “last days” may display only an appearance of it (2 Timothy 3:1‑5). Real godliness is rooted in Christ's teachings, not tradition, and must never be used as a means of earthly gain (1 Timothy 6:3‑10). Instead, godliness produces contentment, freeing believers from the traps of wealth, status and self‑promotion. Misplaced priorities We also highlight the dangers of misplaced priorities through Jesus' Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:22) and the encounter with the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16‑22). Can we truly be called “men or women of God” (1 Timothy 6:11)? Are we pursuing transformation through the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2‑3)? Ultimately, godliness must be visible, shining as a testimony that glorifies God (Matthew 5:16). It is the payoff of perseverance and a foundational step toward authentic discipleship. Key Takeaways Godliness is the allegiance of our character, formed by the previous five virtues. True godliness is internal, genuine and rooted in Scripture, not outward performance. It can’t be used for earthly gain; its true gain is contentment. Godliness requires discipline, perseverance and continual renewal of the mind. It must be visible, shining in a way that glorifies God, not us.

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The Pillars of Christian Character Introduction & Gratitude

gratitude pillars supper christian character

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2026 55:14

Join Pastor Michael for the 2026 Lenten Soup and Supper kickoff where we begin a sustained conversation about the center of Christian character and an exploration of how gratitude is an essential foundation for every Christian life.

Refreshing the Hearts: A Study in Christian Character (Philemon 1:1-7)

Summit Ridge Church

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2026 55:45

In a world of cynicism and exhaustion, how can a Christian be a source of life to others? This study of Philemon moves beyond abstract theology into the "messiness of reconciliation" and the power of a "refreshing" character. Discover how the Gospel transforms our identity and turns us into "refreshers" who lift the weight off the hearts of those around us

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187 - God Wants You to Become Yourself (w/ Jack Hoey)

The Seacoast Podcast: Things You Won't Hear On Sunday

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2026 78:21

Long-time Seacoaster, Jack Hoey, Jr. joins the podcast to discuss the valuable insight found in his new book, "Becoming Yourself: A Perspective on Christian Character." As a young adult, Jack revered his father and wanted to emulate his positive attributes. So, he approached this endeavor in a way that he metaphorically describes as "putting on a jacket" for a quick outer fix of becoming his dad. He soon realized that real heart change takes time and comes from within. In this discussion, Jack refers to the centerpiece of his book, 2 Peter 1:5-7, to describe "God's will" for everyone. He also shares why it's healthy for faith to reach a breaking point, what it means to say "yes" to suffering, and how people can't be completely objective about another with love. Jack also brings valuable insight on reading Scripture, having a responsive heart toward others, leading a quiet life, and working for justice. From Jack Hoey Jr: LinkIn Profile: Accomplished executive with unusual breadth of skills in finance, operations, and strategy development and implementation. Successful experience in settings ranging from global firms to start-ups. Decisive leader who communicates requirements clearly, builds high-functioning teams, and elicits excellent performance.On this Episode:Jack Hoey Jr. | Linkedin | Book (Website) | Book (Amazon)Hosts: Jack Hoey III | Lynne Stroy | Joey Svendsen Be a Patron of the podcast We have a YouTube Channel for videos of all episodes since Jan. 2024. We'd love to hear from you. E-mail Joey HERE. Producer/Editor/host: Joey SvendsenSound Engineer/Editor: Katelyn Vandiver

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Do your words reveal Jesus?

I Know All About That

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2026 25:59

Jesus didn't call us to be fans—He called us to be disciples. In this sermon from John 1:14, we look at what it truly means to follow Christ in everyday life. We shouldn't just believe in Him, we should also sound like Him. Our words reveal who we listen to, who we belong to, and who we love.If you've ever wondered whether your faith is evident outside of Sunday mornings, this message will challenge and encourage you to speak with grace, truth, and purpose.Your words should be windows that reveal Jesus, not walls that conceal Him.Check out the live preaching sermon here.

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How Do I Grow in Christian Perseverance? (Christian Character Series Part VI)

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2026 32:31

The blueprint for Christian Character development that the Apostle Peter gives us in 2 Peter chapter 1 focuses us on a profound series of steps we need to take in order to be more Christlike. Based upon God's power and promises, Peter lays out for us the blueprint for a ladder of Christian character development. Peter has taught us that each rung of this ladder is very important to our success in climbing onto the next rung up. In the last four parts of this series, we have focused on one rung of this ladder at a time. We worked on making the connections between what our foundation is and how each step makes us more like Jesus. Step 5 on the ladder Christian perseverance is the fifth step following faith, moral excellence, knowledge and self‑control. Perseverance means “cheerful, hopeful endurance”—an active, conscious decision to “stay under” the weight of trials with constancy. It is not drudgery. It is a spiritually energized commitment to keep moving forward. Perseverance is essential because self‑control can’t survive without it. Scripture shows that perseverance grows out of justification, peace with God, and His grace (Romans 5), and is modeled perfectly by Jesus in his endurance of the torturous cross experience (Hebrews 12). Developing endurance Christians develop perseverance through three major arenas: trials, persecution and loyalty testing. Trials cultivate endurance that leads to maturity, as seen in James' teaching and in real-life examples of believers who endure suffering with faith. Persecution requires principled perseverance, following Jesus' example of non-retaliation and trusting God's power when feeling afflicted or targeted. Loyalty testing cultivates perseverance that glorifies God in every circumstance, choosing prayer, spiritual perspective, and Christlike responses over fleshly reactions. Perseverance strengthens what has already been built—faith, moral excellence, knowledge and self‑control—while enabling continued spiritual growth. Ultimately, perseverance is the allegiance of our energy to God's will, empowered by His spirit, inspired by Jesus' sacrifice, and necessary to receive the promised reward. It keeps us from giving up, restores our confidence and helps us “run and not grow weary” as we walk in Christ's footsteps. Key Takeaways Perseverance = cheerful, hopeful endurance, not mere survival. Self‑control collapses without perseverance; endurance keeps spiritual progress intact. Jesus is the model of joyful endurance, inspiring us not to lose heart. Trials develop maturity, producing endurance that leads to completeness. Persecution requires principled perseverance, following Jesus' example of never retaliating. Loyalty to God is proven through endurance, glorifying Him in every circumstance.

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What Kind of Self-Control Is Really Required of a Christian? (Christian Character Series Part V)

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Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2026 31:42

The blueprint for Christian character development that the Apostle Peter gives us in 2 Peter 1 focuses us on a profound series of steps we need to take in order to be more Christlike. As a basis for this needed growth, we have seen how God's promises help us to be ready to systematically take the next step up Peter's “ladder” of Christian character development. So far in our series, we have begun to see how each step up this ladder needs the step before in order to actually bring us towards true daily discipleship. We now continue this character development process by looking into the fourth step up towards Christlikeness. This fourth rung in Peter's “virtue ladder” from 2 Peter 1:5‑7 is self‑control, the “allegiance of our passions.” The first three rungs—faith, moral excellence and knowledge, deal primarily with internal transformation. Self‑control is the pivot point where that inner work begins to show up in real‑world choices. The Greek word for this conveys mastery, inner power and dominion over oneself. For Christians, this begins with preventing harmful or unproductive thoughts from becoming actions, and culminates in actively choosing what is spiritual, wholesome and Christlike. Our discipline requires self‑examination: identifying what naturally pulls us off course so we can learn to make adjustments. The self-control of an athlete running a race Paul's athletic metaphors in 1 Corinthians 9 highlight three components of self-control: intentional focus on the goal, embracing necessary limitations and wholehearted perseverance. Like a trained athlete, we as Christians must make many daily small, disciplined choices that strengthen spiritual “muscle memory.” Self-control also shapes how we view and treat others, enabling us to respond with grace rather than instinctive frustration. It's important to recognize that self-control is not a standalone virtue, and it stabilizes the entire structure of our Christian characters. Without knowledge, self-control becomes directionless; without self-control, perseverance becomes impossible. When rooted in faith, moral excellence, and knowledge, self-control opens the door to genuine spiritual growth and Christlike living. Key Takeaways Self-control is the “allegiance of our passions,” the disciplined governing of our impulses and desires. It is the pivot point where inner transformation becomes outward behavior. True self-control begins with restraint and culminates in choosing what is spiritually beneficial. The Apostle Paul's athletic imagery teaches focus, limitation and perseverance as essential components. Self-control shapes how we respond to others, reflecting Christ rather than our impulses. It stabilizes the entire virtue ladder and enables the next step: perseverance.

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Bro. Doug Foster presents "Christian Character" from Joshua 24, during a worship service at Immanuel Baptist Church, Florence, Ky. Please visit us at 7183 Pleasant Valley Road Florence KY 41042, or call us at (859) 586-6829. Church links: Website: https://www.ibcflorence.com Daily Devotions: https://www.ibcflorence.com/devotions Free App: http://www.ibcflorence.com/ibc-app Our entire list of recent sermons: https://www.ibcflorence.com/recent-sermons Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ibcflorence Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibcflorenceky Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibcflorence/ Podcasts: https://soundcloud.com/user-658781358 Live Stream: https://www.youtube.com/ibcflorence/live We would love to know how to pray for you! Romans 10:9

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Put On the New Self | Becoming New: A Life Shaped by Jesus

I Know All About That

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2026 30:58

In this message from Colossians 3:12–17, we explore what it truly means to become new in Christ—not just by removing old habits, but by intentionally putting on the ways of Jesus. Paul calls us to put on the character of Christ, the relationships of Christ, and the worship of Christ. Rather than trying harder, we're invited to live differently—allowing compassion, forgiveness, unity, and worship to shape our daily lives and witness. Becoming new is not accidental—it's a daily, intentional practice of living out the identity we've already been given in Christ.

How Does Knowledge as a Christian Change My Worldly Life? (Christian Character Series Part IV)

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2026 29:40

In 2 Peter 1, the Apostle Peter laid out a phenomenal blueprint for us to follow regarding the how and why of developing a focused and loyal character that is modeled after Christ. After reminding us of the incomprehensible promises that God brings us through His power and Jesus' sacrifice, he then focuses us on doing our part. Peter gives us a blueprint for building a virtue “ladder” of Christian character development, of which the first rung is our faith. Because we have the firm footing of Christian faith in place, we can then develop “moral excellence,” which in turn gives us the stability to next develop knowledge. As we will continue to see, when followed, the order of developing these attributes of our Christian characters will yield an unbreakable allegiance to daily, living God's will through Christ! Peter's ladder sequence is intentional: faith establishes our direction, moral excellence aligns our heart with God's highest standards, and only then can knowledge become a stable, Christlike attribute rather than a source of pride or harm. By contrasting godly vs. misapplied knowledge, we can see that without moral excellence, it can inflate ego and harm others. Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 8 shows that even correct knowledge can become destructive if it emboldens weaker Christians to violate their conscience. True Christian knowledge must therefore be governed by love, humility and responsibility. How much of the Bible do I have to know? This is not about mastering every prophecy or detail, but about understanding Christlikeness and allowing God's light to shape our intellect. All Scripture – both in the Old and New Testaments – is the essential source of this knowledge, forming a lifelong journey of discernment, filtering out worldly influences, and taking every thought captive to Christ. God's plan is expansive, merciful and awe‑inspiring. Recognizing its depth should cultivate gratitude rather than arrogance. Paul's example in Philippians 3 shows the surpassing value of knowing Christ, which makes all previous accomplishments seem like “rubbish” in comparison. Ultimately, knowledge becomes transformative when it flows from faith, is shaped by moral excellence, and leads us toward deeper loyalty to God's will. Key Takeaways Knowledge must be built on faith and moral excellence to avoid arrogance. Misapplied knowledge can harm others while godly knowledge is always governed by love. All Scripture is the authoritative source of Christian understanding. True knowledge produces humility, responsibility and awe at God's plan.

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What Does True Christian Moral Excellence Look Like? (Christian Character Part III)

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2026 31:51

In 2 Peter chapter 1, the Apostle Peter is laying out a phenomenal blueprint for us to follow regarding the how and why of developing a focused and loyal character modeled after Christ. He begins by reminding us of the majesty and power of God, along with the loyalty and sacrifice of Jesus. He tells us that because God is as lofty as He is, we are given incomprehensible promises that can bring us to God's own divine nature. He then tells us what's required on our part. Peter explains that because of these promises, we need to apply all diligence, and in our faith, we need to supply – to develop and live – a character that will nurture and grow specific virtues of Christlikeness. As we continue our Christian Character Series, the second “Allegiance Attribute” in Peter's spiritual blueprint is moral excellence. Building on the foundation of faith, we find that that moral excellence is not merely good behavior but wholehearted allegiance of the heart—a life shaped by God's purpose and modeled after His own character. This excellence evokes the idea of something fulfilling its highest purpose, like a horse that runs fast, or land that produces abundantly. For Christians, this moral excellence means living in a way that reflects God's excellence and demonstrates that His purpose truly matters to us. Inward excellence and outward goodness This inward excellence naturally produces outward goodness, the visible conduct others can observe. Drawing from several scriptures, we can observe how moral excellence expresses itself through humility, patience, forgiveness, perseverance, gratitude and Spirit‑led transformation. True Christian virtue is not simply avoiding wrongdoing but actively embodying Christlike character in everyday interactions. The challenge is that God's standard is high, and we will fail repeatedly. Yet Peter reassures us that God has already provided “everything pertaining to life and godliness,” equipping us through His promises to grow into His divine likeness. Moral excellence becomes possible, not because we are strong, but because God is faithful. Ask yourself: Is my moral excellence stronger today than yesterday? Am I becoming the person God intends me to be? Key Takeaways Moral excellence is the allegiance of the heart, reflecting God's character and purpose. Inner excellence produces visible goodness. True virtue requires intentional growth, not just avoiding sin but embodying Christlike qualities. God equips believers with everything needed to develop moral excellence through His promises. Spiritual progress requires perseverance, humility and daily habits that nurture transformation.

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What Steps Help Me Build a Permanent Christlike Character? (Christian Character Series Part II)

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2026 27:52

The Apostle Peter began his second letter to all Christians by addressing the very formation of our Christian lives. He proceeded to lay out a deep and profound series of character development steps to show us how to completely and wholly grow into mature disciples of Christ. In Part I of this series, we covered the first four verses of 2 Peter chapter 1. These verses laid out a broad foundation for the development of our Christian character that is based on who God is, what He promises us and what Jesus has done. The next part of the blueprint for our character development is to not only show us traits we need to have included in our Christlikeness, but HOW we are to include them. This episode reveals how Peter unfolds his spirit-driven, exciting and practical approach to building a true Christlike character. Peter's blueprint continues with a command: “…applying all diligence.” The Greek terms reveal a vivid picture—bringing our effort alongside what God has already supplied, and doing so with eagerness, earnestness and speed. Diligence is the opposite of sluggishness; it reflects a focused loyalty to God's will. As we receive God's promises, we are to simultaneously apply this diligence. The first area where diligence must operate is our faith. Faith is not a wish; rather, it is a conviction grounded in God's reality. It is a gift, and though not earned, it must be tested, strengthened and lived. Trials develop endurance, and endurance matures character. Faith becomes what we call an “Allegiance Attribute”—a foundational internal quality that shapes all the other traits Peter will list. Faith must be active, single‑minded and visible through works. Just as Christ fully supplies the body and Christians supply one another, we are called to fully supply our own character with what it needs to grow. Ultimately, God abundantly supplies entrance into the eternal kingdom, far beyond mere adequacy. Our role is to respond to His overwhelming provision with the diligent and eager faith that fuels the lifelong process of Christlike transformation. Key Takeaways God's promises form the foundation for Christian character development. “Applying all diligence” means bringing earnest effort alongside God's provision. Faith is the first and foundational Allegiance Attribute. Faith must be active, tested, single‑minded and visible through works. Growth is mutual: God supplies us, we supply our character, and we in turn support others. God's supply is abundant and our response to it must be diligent and wholehearted.

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How Do God's Promises Change Your Life? (Christian Character Series Part I)

Hoylake Evangelical Church

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2026 53:27

The Apostle Peter began his second letter to all Christians by addressing the very formation of our Christian lives. He proceeded to lay out a deep and profound series of character development steps to show us how to completely and wholly grow into mature disciples of Christ. To begin this process, his clear message in the first four verses of Chapter 1 verifies that we have been given EVERYTHING we need to be faithful to our call. Peter directly connects God's promises to our faithfulness. What is it about His promises that has such a powerful influence on the everyday lives of those who are “called according to His purpose”? How can we clearly and definitively apply these promises to each and every day of our lives? This episode explores how God's promises transform the life of a Christian, using 2 Peter 1:1–4 as the foundation. Peter opens his letter by reminding Christians that they have received a “like precious faith”—a faith equal in value to that of the apostles. This faith requires a life of non‑conformity to the world, inner transformation and continual renewal through God's spirit. Such faith is rooted in the righteous acts of Jesus, whose obedience satisfied divine justice and opened the way for believers to become “new creations.” Grace and peace Peter then highlights that God multiplies grace and peace in the lives of those who grow in true knowledge of Him. This knowledge (Greek: epignosis) is not superficial; it is a deep, ever‑advancing understanding gained through study, prayer, discipline and perseverance. God's divine power has already provided everything necessary for life and godliness, regardless of one's circumstances. Christians are fully integrated into God's plan—granted access, citizenship, a spiritual foundation and a place in His household. Only after establishing this foundation does Peter introduce God's “precious and magnificent promises.” These promises are trustworthy because they come from God's unchanging character. They include peace, strength in temptation, instruction, protection, courage, assurance, hope and an ultimate reward of immortality. Importantly, these promises do not remove trials but walk Christians through them, shaping Christlike character. The purpose of these promises is transformative. Through them, we may become “partakers of the divine nature,” escaping the corruption of the world. This extraordinary privilege is granted only to faithful followers of Christ who live in alignment with God's will. Peter's introduction sets the stage for the “ladder of virtues” in 2 Peter 1:5–7, which outlines the step‑by‑step development of Christian character. The promises are tools that empower us to grow into mature disciples whose allegiance is fully centered on God. Key Takeaways God's promises are powerful because of who God is—unchanging, truthful and sovereign. These promises equip, not escape; they strengthen Christians to endure trials. True transformation requires knowledge, discipline and alignment with God's will. The promises ultimately enable faithful followers of Jesus to become partakers of the divine nature.

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Sean Sabella | Christian Character Glorifies God | Matthew 5:1-16 | 04.01.26 PM

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2026 34:25

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Building Christian Character

Fellowship Bible Church Sermons

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2025 52:14

Various December 28, 2025 AM.In this sermon, we examine the general nature of how we can build Christian character without falling prey to a law-based approach, which did not work in the prior era and will not work in the modern time. We learned about God's "tools" to develop our character, including His Spirit, His Word, and His Church. We also thought about the transformative nature of our union with Christ and ongoing relationship with Him. These things cause Christian growth, which changes the nature and amount of behavioral "fruit" that we produce in our lives.

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Virtue Signaling vs. True Virtue: Living Out Real Christian Character — Highlight Episode 370

The Living Waters Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2025 7:23 Transcription Available

Many believers confuse the appearance of virtue with its substance. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar explain how virtue signaling arises from fear, peer pressure, and the desire for approval, showing how social media rewards superficial displays of spirituality. They clarify that true virtue cannot be created through posts or outrage but develops through taking time, studying Scripture deeply, and allowing God's righteousness to transform motives. They warn that when believers seek visibility, they risk drifting from the quiet work of communion with God and settling for habits that enhance their image rather than strengthen the soul. The guys point out how easy it is to share spiritual content without letting it take root, leading to performance rather than genuine transformation. They encourage Christians to confess sin promptly, seek God's approval above human applause, and establish daily routines that shape the heart. In doing so, believers learn to live with sincerity, depth, and a consistent pursuit of true virtue.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you've been helped by this podcast, we'd be grateful if you'd consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro

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Bobby Bosler: A Selfish Christmas

Thee Generation Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2025 12:41

Bobby Bosler shares a simple Christmas challenge from Mark 10:45: Jesus came not to be served, but to serve. With Christmas break and “time off,” it's easy to drift into an entitlement mindset, but Jesus' coming calls us to a different posture. This episode urges young people to make Christmas break a season of joyful, intentional ministry at home, in the church, and in the community.Topics DiscussedSnow culture shock: Wisconsin vs. the mountains of West VirginiaWhy Mark 10:45 is a “Christmas verse” in contextThe temptation of “me-first” living during breaks and holidaysEntitlement at home (parents, siblings, routines, expectations)Serving practically in your local church during Christmas events“Don't be a jerk this Christmas”: choosing humility and helpfulnessTotal surrender expressed through ministry that benefits “many”Key TakeawaysJesus had every right to be served, yet He chose to serve. Follow His example.Christmas break is a gift, not a license to drift into selfish patterns.The most encouraging thing you can bring home is a servant spirit.Serving your family and church is not “extra,” it's part of living surrendered.A Christ-centered Christmas looks like giving yourself for the good of others. If you've been encouraged by this podcast, please take the time to give us a five-star rating and write a brief review. That would help tremendously in getting the word out and raising the visibility of the Thee Generation for others. For more faith inspiring resources and information about joining Thee Generation, please visit theegeneration.org.

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Monday Morning Discipleship: At The Heart of Christianity, Pt. 12

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Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2025 38:23

Send us a textIn the last MMD for 2025, Pastor Jackson closes out this series with some final thoughts and more excerpts from "Follow Me". People aren't nearly as offended by our doctrine as they are about our hypocrisy. As Christians, we simply need to live out our faith if we intend to draw others to Christ. Take a listen and share!Support the showBe sure to find us at www.facebook.com/krjministriesTo become a patron, visit www.patreon.com/PurposeAndBeyond

On Adding Value: Practice thoughtful consideration — Amanda Walter

Ministry Spouses Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2025 5:23

What if adding value to someone's life started with something as simple as your next word, action, or quiet act of service? This reflection challenges us to practice thoughtful consideration—so that what we think, say, and do consistently builds others up at home and beyond.

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Monday Morning Discipleship: At The Heart of Christianity, Pt. 11

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Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2025 35:03

Send us a textIn this week's MMD, Pastor Jackson stresses unity within the church. The entire point of love and reconciliation, which is at the heart of this faith, is so that we can move on together unified in the Spirit, instead of staying together broken. Take a listen and share!Support the showBe sure to find us at www.facebook.com/krjministriesTo become a patron, visit www.patreon.com/PurposeAndBeyond

Monday Morning Discipleship: At The Heart of Christianity, Pt. 10

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Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2025 33:54

Send us a textIn this week's MMD, Pastor Jackson reminds us that as Christians, we are called to compassion and reconciliation. This is our Christian duty as new creatures in Christ. Take a listen and share!Support the showBe sure to find us at www.facebook.com/krjministriesTo become a patron, visit www.patreon.com/PurposeAndBeyond

Tests Of Our Christian Character.

Richard Lane’s Devotional Stories.

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2025 2:40

Send us a text

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Monday Morning Discipleship: At The Heart of Christianity, Pt. 9

christianity discipleship word of god good fruit christian character mmd pastor jackson

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2025 35:38

Send us a textIn this week's MMD, Pastor Jackson continues his conversation on forgiveness and reminds us that any successful relationship of any kind thrives and survives through repeated acts of grace. Take a listen and share!Support the showBe sure to find us at www.facebook.com/krjministriesTo become a patron, visit www.patreon.com/PurposeAndBeyond

Monday Morning Discipleship: At The Heart of Christianity, Pt. 8

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Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2025 35:40

Send us a textIn this week's MMD, Pastor Jackson discusses the importance of not trying to grow Christians too fast when they haven't mastered some of the basics of the faith, like loving and forgiving one another. Take a listen and share!Support the showBe sure to find us at www.facebook.com/krjministriesTo become a patron, visit www.patreon.com/PurposeAndBeyond

Ep. #411: Christian Character and Conduct

Pod King Bible Study

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2025 36:43

Send us a text In this episode, we discuss the importance of Christian character and conduct after salvation. We try to emphasize that our character is the condition of our heart, while our conduct is the outward expression of it. God works within believers to develop these traits, while prayer shapes our character and conduct. We stress the need for all believers to live holy lives, follow Christ's example, and be obedient to God's guidance.

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Monday Morning Discipleship: At The Heart of Christianity, Pt. 7