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  CHARACTER COMES FIRST
  by Theodore Epp
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Summary: The sermon emphasizes the importance of being like Christ,
living a holy and blameless life, and allowing God to work in our hearts
to achieve this.

Topics: "Holiness", "Character Development"
Scripture References: Psalm 139:23-24, 1 Corinthians 1:8, Ephesians 1:4, 1 Peter 1:13-21

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DESCRIPTION
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Theodore Epp emphasizes the importance of character over mere action in
the Christian life, urging believers to focus on being like Christ
rather than just working for Him. He explains that being molded into
Christ's image requires yielding to the indwelling Christ and living a
life that is blameless and above reproach. Epp highlights that believers
possess a nature that is already blameless and should strive to align
their daily practices with their position in Christ. He encourages
believers to invite God to search their hearts and refine them, ensuring
that they reflect His image. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a present
commitment to holiness and blamelessness in the life of every believer.

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CONTENT
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Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1: 13-21

There is much talk today about "working for Christ" but little about
"being like Christ."

Being like Christ means more than just following Him as a good teacher
or example; it refers to the believer's being molded into the image of
Jesus Christ. This is accomplished only as the believer yields to the
work of the indwelling Christ.

The term "without blame" in Ephesians 1:4 means "without blemish"; that
is, "free from faultiness." The believer is to live above reproach.

This is the potential of every believer because he is in Christ, but it
is true of the believer only as he appropriates the resources God has
made available to him.

The believer possesses a nature that is blameless, and he is to live
accordingly. Believers are to be holy and blameless "before him" (v. 4).

Notice that this verse is not referring to a future time, such as the
believer's judgment, but to the present. The believer should allow God
to work in his heart so that his practice might measure up to his
position--holy and blameless.

As the refiner can see his image in the purified gold, so God works with
a believer until He sees His image. Each believer's prayer should be,
"Search me, 0 God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and
see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way
everlasting" (Ps. 139:23,24).

"Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in
the day of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 1:8).

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/theodore-epp/character-comes-first/
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