Character: Gracious

Verde Valley Christian Church
Feb 20 – 26, 2022
Series: Character
Title: "Gracious"
Speaker: Jim Hammond

As we personally experience God as kind, we will become more kind like him.
As we personally experience God as loving, we become more loving like him.
As we personally experience God as gracious, we become more gracious like him.
As we personally experience God as faithful, we become more faithful like him.

Exodus 34:6
The Lord passed in front of him and proclaimed: The Lord  — the Lord is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth,

I. Gracious people give GRACE to people.

II. Giving GRACE is giving UNMERITED FAVOR.

Matthew 5:43-45
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

As God is gracious toward us who are undeserving, we are to be gracious to the undeserving.

As we fill ourselves with his thoughts, our thoughts are affected. As we fill ourselves with his love, our love is affected. As we fill ourselves with the fuel of his grace in its many forms, we become more gracious like him.

III. Do what is BEST for the OTHER PERSON

In daily prayer, worshipfully express your gratitude to God for his love and grace. Verbally list the ways that come to mind. As you make it a developed habit to focus on what he has graciously given you, you will be filled to overflowing, and blessed to be a blessing to others.

Character: Kind

Verde Valley Christian Church
Feb 6 – 12, 2022
Series: Character
Title: "Kind"
Speaker: Jim Hammond

I. Let the CHARACTER of God shape your CHARACTER

II. Kindness is "COMMUNICABLE"

Romans 2:4
Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Titus 3:4-5
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

Ephesians 2:7
in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Romans 3:12
All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."

III. We can improve our BATTING AVERAGE in kindness

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.