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