Oakbrook Evangelical Free Church

Introduction

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

I.          Partnership

Discovering our Sinful Nature

Since by definition the sinful nature is deceptive, let’s consider two areas where we can (if honest) discover our sin nature: Temperaments and Close Relationships.

Area 1: Temperaments

Definition:  Temperaments are a collection of personality traits within each of us that are exhibited as we respond to life’s situations and relationships.  These are descriptions of traits that tend to cluster in a person.

People, though uniquely made, exhibit patterns of behavior,  thought, and attitudes that can be generally (not rigidly or stereotypically) grouped together. Hippocrates in the 5th & 4th centuries BC identified these four temperaments: Sanguine,  Choleric, Melancholy, Phlegmatic…. General trait theory is a legitimate area of psychological study.   Usually people exhibit a mixture of two or more temperaments, one usually being dominant.

(Gordon Allport) “The characteristic phenomena of an individual’s nature, including his susceptibility to emotional stimulation, his customary strength and speed of response, the quality of his prevailing mood,  and all the peculiarities of fluctuation and intensity of mood, these being regarded as dependent on constitutional make-up, and therefore largely hereditary in origin.”Footnote11B

Myers-Briggs (thinking/ feeling, judging/ perceiving, intuition/ sensing, extrovert/ introvert)  is a contemporary example of a personality trait theory which uses different terminology.   See also O. Hallesby, “Temperament and the Christian Faith”

Warning: Don’t use temperaments carelessly:

Don’t use them to unrighteously condemn others.  Instead we should use them to help others.  Temperaments are helpful in identifying a person’s strengths to be developed, and in identifying and addressing their chronic (besetting) sins.

Don’t use them insensitively around others who are unfamiliar with the terms.  Good community often does have “in-house” terms that are helpful and efficient, but must be used sensitively.

Don’t use them with the view that some temperaments are superior/inferior to others.

Don’t throw out the use of temperaments just because “it rubs you the wrong way.”  Instead, work through your bias against them and learn how to use this in a godly way to help your own growth (so that you can

serve others more lovingly), as well as others.

Active Temperaments

Reflective Temperaments

Appreciate temperamental diversity. In some areas, we are simply not as strong as someone more temperamentally suited (e.g., the melancholic will never be as effusive as the sanguine; the phlegmatic will never be as visionary as the choleric,  etc.). Nevertheless we can make substantial progress in areas of temperamental weakness. We should not condemn ourselves in the non-strengths, but accept and embrace God-given diversity in one another—much like spiritual gifts. Don’t envy other’s temperamental strengths.

Besetting sins often run along temperamental lines: specific areas of vulnerability to sin/ deeply ingrained sin habits. Since we are totally depraved, our temperaments have been corrupted by the fall therefore we find that many of our besetting sins run along temperamental lines: e.g., the melancholic’s critical spirit; the choleric’s aversion to apologize; the phlegmatic’s laziness; the sanguine’s lack of self-discipline.

Don’t use temperaments to rationalize your sin (ROM 6:6 says otherwise). “That’s just the way I am! That’s just my personality.” Our tendency is to rationalize these besetting sins as amoral, like our temperamental non-strengths (qualities that people with other temperments have that I lack). However, when we hold them up to the light (God’s love that we are called to express), we see plenty of need for God’s sanctifying grace. These are the areas, as they come under God’s discipline and grace, that revolutionize our relationships and ministry.

Put yourself under grace—not to excuse but to acknowledge change in these areas will come gradually.

A good sign of this is your ability to poke fun at yourself and allow others to as well, in these temperamental sins.  The power of sin is diffused when you and others know what it is, it’s out on the table, and God’s grace covers.

Put others under grace—forbearance—because they also will only change gradually.

Area 2: Close Relationships

Marriage, roommates (promote ministry houses for singles), people we serve with—relationships bring our sinful nature to the surface (remember “clumsy servant”)!! Deep and consistent involvement in the Body of Christ allows us to develop close relationships.  If we stay aloof from relationships and hold people at arms length, we will never get a good look at how sinful we are, and sadly, never a clear look at God’s grace, the very thing we claim we want most.

Key Principle:  The great temptation, of course, is to focus on how others fail to love us properly. God’s way, however, is to have us look primarily at the “log in our own eye” (Matt. 7:3-5). If we do this, we will continue to grow regardless of how people treat us, and we will eventually have much better relationships!

(Matthew 7:3-5) And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? (4) Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? (5) You hypocrite,  first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

When it comes to relationships, instead of trying to “Find the right person,” we need to try to “Become the right person.”

II.        Companionship - Spending time together

Description of Restored Massachusetts outpost of 1774

III.       Fellowship

Is it possible to be within Christendom in our beliefs but not be a real Christian?

Is there a difference between being religious and having a relationship with God?

What is your definition of a real Christian?

Are you a real Christian or are you still on your way?

John 1:11-12  “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God–children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”

John 3:3-5, 14-17  “In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.”

“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

Matthew 7:21-23  ”Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

Revelation 3:20  “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

1 John 5:11-13  “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.   He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.   I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

Do you believe in Christmas?

Do you believe in Good Friday?

Do you believe in Easter?

Have you made the Thomas confession? “My Lord and my God.”