Heart Of the Artist Part 3 Talking Points Review

Heart Of the Artist Part 3 Talking Points Review:

Romans 12:1 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies

as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

Character:

For those in ministry, our character will be tested like never before.

Our character will be challenged and stretched to the limit. We must

remember that trials have a purpose in spiritual growth and character

development.

Romans 5:3-5 NIV

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

 James 1:2-5 NIV

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

The testing of our faith is a good thing when we realize God has a 

greater purpose in it.

Here are some examples of when your character gets tested as an artist in the Church?

·        When we play a behind the scenes role.

·        When we receive constructive criticism.

·        When our feelings get hurt.

·        When we are entrenched in Perfectionism. Or when others force their idea of (Peer – fectionism) on you.

·        When we are tempted to sin. (Meeting our needs apart from God)

·        When we are threatened by new talent.

·        When we are asked to move out of our comfort zone.

We need to treat all people with love and respect:

Galatians 5:14 NIV 
The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 

The Apostle Paul said that his greatest ambition was to please God. 

Are you living to please God or are you living to please yourself?

2 Corinthians 5:9 NIV

So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.

Romans 12:1 NIV 
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living

sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

Who should we model ourselves after?

As artists in the Church we are in a position of high visibility. That is why it is important to model to others Christ-like character. We don’t want to cause others to stumble by living a life of contradiction. So we must ask the question: who are we when we are not surrounded by our brothers and sisters in Christ? Do we live a life dedicated to our Lord? Do we spend time savoring His Word? Do we carve out quiet time each day to express our love and make our requests

known?

Philippians 2:1-5 NIV

Imitating Christ's Humility

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude

should be the same as that of Christ Jesus

Ultimately we need to trust God with our life and ministry.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

As artists in the church there will always be that struggle between our pride and our humility before the Lord. Fortunately for believers we have the Holy Spirit as our guide and source of wisdom to help us to reflect upon the condition of our heart. In this reflection time we can be led by the Holy Spirit to lay down our ego, ambitions and selfish desires for the sake of communicating the love of Christ and focusing on the message of hope, rather than exalting our ability to “wow” the congregation with our talent. We must remember that God will 

transform the heart of His people if one will become a willing participant and a vessel for God to use for benefit of His kingdom. What we bring is natural, what God takes from us is transformed and becomes supernatural. This is why we can celebrate the presence of God in our lives. He is always taking what we bring to Him and using it for His glory. He perfects our imperfection.   This is how I see God work. And that is why He should get the honor the glory and the 

fullness of our praise and worship when it comes to the Arts or any other ministry in the Church.

Personal Questions to Ponder and to be challenged by:

Am I living to please God or am I living to please myself?

Who Am I are we when I am not surrounded by my brothers and sisters in Christ?

Am I living a life dedicated to my Lord?

Do I spend time savoring His Word?

Do I carve out quiet time each day to express my love and make my requests known to God?

Blessings………………..Dave  

Heart Of The Artist Part 3

Heart Of The Artist Part 3:

Romans 12:1 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

Character:

What can we expect?: Our character will be tested.

For those in ministry, our character will be tested like never before.

Our character will be challenged and stretched to the limit. We must remember that trials have a purpose in spiritual growth and character development.

Romans 5:3-5 NIV

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

 James 1:2-5 NIV

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

The testing of our faith is a good thing when we realize God has a greater purpose in it.

Here are some examples of when your character gets tested as an artist in the Church?

·        When we play a behind the scenes role.

·        When we receive constructive criticism.

·        When our feelings get hurt.

·        When we are entrenched in Perfectionism. Or when others force their idea of (Peer – fectionism) on you.

·        When we are tempted to sin. (Meeting our needs apart from God)

·        When we are threatened by new talent.

·        When we are asked to move out of our comfort zone.

We need to continue to grow and become the people God wants us to 

be. Take an honest inventory of yourself and your relationship with God.

Think about this prayer from David from the psalms:

Psalm 139:23-24 NIV

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

David is honestly asking for a deeper more intimate relationship with 

God. He also wants to be held accountable for his character.

The Bible stresses the importance of obedience to God in everday life:

Luke 11:28 NIV 
He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."

John 14:15 NIV 
"If you love me, you will obey what I command.

John 14:23 NIV 
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

John 15:10 NIV 
If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.

We need to treat all people with love and respect:

Galatians 5:14 NIV 
The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."  

The Apostle Paul said that his greatest ambition was to please God. 

Are you living to please God or are you living to please yourself?

2 Corinthians 5:9 NIV

So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.

Romans 12:1 NIV 
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

Question:

Are you trying to bring a smile to God's face with your talents, or is your main 

goal to gratify yourself artistically?

***We are not just artists we are ministers too.

God wants to raise up artists in the church who are set apart for Him. These artists are different because they have Godly character and integrity.

1 Peter 3:15 NIV 
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Who should we model ourselves after?

Philippians 2:1-5 NIV

Imitating Christ's Humility

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus

As artists in the Church we are in a position of high visibility. That is why it is important to model to others Christ-like character. We don’t want to cause others to stumble by living a life of contradiction. So we must ask the question: who are we when we are not surrounded by our brothers and sisters in Christ? Do we live a life dedicated to our Lord? Do we spend time savoring His Word? Do we carve out quiet time each day to express our love and make our requests

known?

How we live our life with in those quiet moments will reflect on our ability to communicate the power of God’s love because it is about our relationship with God not our religious acts of piety that God responds to. When we can give our full attention to our Lord we open ourselves up to be able discern His direction, receive His wisdom, and gain the ability to act in His will.

The Bible confirms this:

Romans 12:2 NIV

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Ultimately we need to trust God with our life and ministry.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

As artists in the church there will always be that struggle between our pride and our humility before the Lord. Fortunately for believers we have the Holy Spirit as our guide and source of wisdom to help us to reflect upon the condition of our heart. In this reflection time we can be led by the Holy Spirit to lay down our ego, ambitions and selfish desires for the sake of communicating the love of Christ and focusing on the message of hope, rather than exalting our ability to “wow” the congregation with our talent. We must remember that God will 

transform the heart of His people if one will become a willing participant and a vessel for God to use for benefit of His kingdom. What we bring is natural, what God takes from us is transformed and becomes supernatural. This is why we can celebrate the presence of God in our lives. He is always taking what we bring to Him and using it for His glory. He perfects our imperfection.  This is how I see God work. And that is why He should get the honor the glory and the fullness of our praise and worship when it comes to the Arts or any other ministry in the Church.

Personal Questions to Ponder and to be challenged by:

Am I living to please God or am I living to please myself?

Who Am I are we when I am not surrounded by my brothers and sisters in Christ?

Am I living a life dedicated to my Lord?

Do I spend time savoring His Word?

Do I carve out quiet time each day to express my love and make my requests known to God?

Blessings………………..Dave  

Heart Of the Artist Part 2 Talking Points Review

Heart Of the Artist Part 2 Talking Points Review:

Bible Passage for this Week:

Philippians 2:1-5 NIV

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility

consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Character & Integrity:

It is Imperative that you and I keep growing spiritually and artistically.

What kind of person am I when no one is looking?

We need to be people of proven character.

What are some telltale signs that someone with Godly Character?:

A person who is loving.

A person who has a clear conscience.

A person who has an authentic relationship with the lord.

God never intended our character and spiritual growth to be a low priority.

Christ-like character is becoming who God made us to be, and integrity is doing 

what God wants us to do.

Down to brass tacks:

Are we who we say we are?

Are we living what we are singing about?

Are we living what we write about?

Important questions to ask ourselves:

Are we consistent with our message of faith and relationship with Jesus?

(The evidence will be the picture of how we live out our faith)

Do we practice what we preach?

Are we hypocritical in front of others?

Are you on fire for Christ or are you just going through the motions?

Focusing on Spiritual Growth:

As followers of Jesus we should always be growing in our faith in Christ and our knowledge of God’s Word. This is beneficial to us and those we are in ministry with. We need to be good examples to others in what it looks like to live a life of Worship.

Here are some areas to focus on for spiritual growth:

Moral excellence

Intimacy with Christ

Self control & discipline

Perseverance

Godliness

Kindness

Love

*****Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation, because your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are.

Integrity:

Integrity simply means doing what’s right in God’s eyes and doing what God wants us to do.

Character:

Character is becoming who God made us to be

People of integrity try to be good examples in all things:

Titus 2:7 NIV

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness

People of integrity want to honor and please God above all else.

Live out these principles: 

We need to conduct all our affairs with integrity and treat all people with love and respect.

We need to speak truth and be devoted to honesty.

We need to manage our ministries, careers, finances and homes with integrity.

We are to be:

Above reproach

Loyal to our spouses

Not self willed or serving

Not quick tempered

Gentle

Un-contentious – not quarrelsome, unlikely to cause controversy

Free from the love of money

Good reputation with those outside the church

An artist who is set apart to God has godly character and is a person of 

integrity. They not only are greatly talented; they are humble, loving and approachable. They walk with God. They are sold out to Jesus and because 

of this others are in more in awe of God than their talent.

I hope and pray we all consider and value what God’s Word says about living a life set apart to Him. Let’s strive to be more like our Savior Jesus in Character and attitude.

Have an Awesome Week………………..Dave  

Heart Of the Artist Part 2:

Bible Passage for this Week:

Philippians 2:1-5 NIV

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility

consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Heart Of the Artist Part 2:

Here are some more insights from the book “The Heart Of The Artist” that I hope will give us a deeper perspective on the issues pertaining to an artists role in the Church and will help guide us in our daily walk with Christ.

Character & Integrity:

It is Imperative that you and I keep growing spiritually and artistically.

What kind of person am I when no one is looking?

We need to be people of proven character.

What are some telltale signs that someone with Godly Character?:

A person who is loving.

A person who has a clear conscience.
A person who has an authentic relationship with the lord.

God never intended our character and spiritual growth to be a low priority.

Christ-like character is becoming who God made us to be, and integrity is 

doing what God wants us to do.

Questions to ponder:

Are we living what we are singing about?

Are we living authentic lives as followers of Christ?

The Bible refers to authenticity as living a life of truth in our “innermost being” and living a life of “Godly Sincerity”.

Psalm 51:6 NIV

Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

Psalm 51:6 AMP

Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart

2 Corinthians 1:12 NIV

Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God's grace.

Down to brass tacks:

Are we who we say we are?

Are we living what we are singing about?

Are we living what we write about?

Important questions to ask ourselves:

Are we consistent with our message of faith and relationship with Jesus?

(The evidence will be the picture of how we live out our faith)

Do we practice what we preach?

Are we hypocritical in front of others?

Are you on fire for Christ or are you just going through the motions?

Authenticity is a powerful witness to the presence of God in our lives.

Not in the way of perfection but in how real and honest we are with our lives.

Being authentic includes being real with our struggles and short comings.

Question:

How does being real with our struggles and short comings this play into sharing the Gospel?

We all have a story to tell. That story will be filled with events in our lives that others can relate to. Let’s make sure we are always ready to share our faith in Christ with those people God brings our way.

Challenge: take this verse below to heart and model this kind of character.

1 Peter 3:15 NIV 
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Focusing on Spiritual Growth:

As followers of Jesus we should always be growing in our faith in Christ and our knowledge of God’s Word. This is beneficial to us and those we are in ministry with. We need to be good examples to others in what it looks like to live a life of Worship.

Here are some areas to focus on for spiritual growth:

Moral excellence

Intimacy with Christ

Self control & discipline

Perseverance

Godliness

Kindness

Love

*****Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation

          because your character is what you really are while your 

          reputation is merely what others think you are.

Integrity:

Integrity simply means doing what’s right in God’s eyes and doing what God wants us to do.

Character:

Character is becoming who God made us to be

People of integrity want to conduct themselves honorably in all things. 

Read this verse below and challenge yourself to live it out.

Hebrews 13:18 NIV

Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.

People of integrity try to be good examples in all things:

Titus 2:7 NIV

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 

People of integrity want to honor and please God above all else:

2 Corinthians 8:21 NIV

For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.

Live out these principles: 

We need to conduct all our affairs with integrity and treat all people with love and respect.

We need to speak truth and be devoted to honesty.

We need to manage our ministries, careers, finances and homes with integrity.

We need to do what is right in the eyes of God.

The Question we should ask ourselves, are we living to please God or are we living to please ourselves?

Think about this, we attach a high standard to our Pastor, we expect him to walk intimately with Christ and have godly character. We expect him to be living in righteousness and not leading a double life.

Shouldn’t we attach that same standard to ourselves?

Think about this, we are not just artists we are ministers in the church as well. We stand on the same stage and address the same congregation with the same message.

How often do you find yourself ministering to someone?

Shouldn’t we aspire to high standards, just like the pastor?

Let’s look at the qualifications for elders in 1Timothy 3 and Titus 1.  These qualifications can be applied to all leaders in the church, and that includes artists.

1Timothy 3:1-2

Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer,

he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach………

Titus 1:7-9

Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

We are to be:

Above reproach

Loyal to our spouses

Not self willed or serving

Not quick tempered

Gentle

Un-contentious – not quarrelsome, unlikely to cause controversy

Free from the love of money

Good reputation with those outside the church

Godly artists have been set apart to God with a special gift or a unique talent used by God in so many meaningful ways. God wants to raise up artists in the church who are set apart to him.

An artist who is set apart to God has godly character and is a person of 

integrity. They not only are greatly talented; they are humble, loving and approachable. They walk with God. They are sold out to Jesus and because of 

this others are in more in awe of God than their talent.

I hope and pray we all consider and value what God’s Word says about living a life set apart to Him. Let’s strive to be more like our Savior Jesus in Character and attitude.

Personal Questions to Ponder and to be challenged by:

What kind of person am I when no one is looking?

Do I believe and truly live out the words of praise that I sing?

Am I living an authentic life and identify myself  as a follower of Christ to others?

Do I practice what I preach? Am I aware of the times I am hypocritical in front of others?

Am I on fire for Christ or am I just going through the motions?

Do I see ministry as an every moment opportunity?

Shouldn’t I aspire to the same high standards, as I would require of my pastor?

Have an Awesome Week………………..Dave