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