Tag: character

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Spirit-Controlled Temperament

By Tim LaHaye (summary by Jeffrey Bush)

  • Temperaments are the inborn traits that affect all behavior. They are based on
    hereditary factors, and six people contribute to these: the two parents and four
    grandparents.
  • Character is the real you. This is the hidden person of the heart – 1 Peter 3:4.
    Sometimes referred to as the soul of a person.
  • Personality is the outward expression of a person, which may or may not be the
    expression of a person‘s character. The place to change someone’s behavior is on
    the inside, not the outside.
  • Temperament can be changed through the Holy Spirit – 2 Corinthians 5:17
  • You can use your background as an excuse for your behavior only until you accept
    Jesus Christ. At the point of salvation, you have the power to change your conduct.
  • There are four different types of temperaments: sanguine, choleric, melancholic, and
    phlegmatic.
  • Each temperament has its strengths and its weaknesses. Not one is better than the
    other.
  • The sanguine is a people-person, and enjoys talking and being with others. Simon
    Peter from the Bible was a sanguine. Most salesman, preachers, and actors are
    sanguine. They are never moderate about anything.
  • The choleric is a hot, quickly-reactive temperament. The apostle Paul was a choleric.
  • The melancholic is analytical and perfectionist type. He is a faithful friend, but does
    not make friends easily. Most musicians, theologians, scientist, engineers, and artist
    are melancholy. Moses was a melancholic.
  • The phlegmatic has a high boiling point and rarely explodes in laughter or anger.
    They can easily make everyone laugh while keeping a straight face. They are masters
    of things that take patience and detail. Abraham is a good example of a phlegmatic.
  • Rarely is someone composed of only one temperament. Usually, they have a
    predominant and secondary temperament, and possibly more.
  • Abraham went from being timid to a man known for his trust in the Lord. In God,
    personalities and lives are changed.
  • Because temperament is based on the natural man, it’s easier to diagnose the
    temperament of a lost person or carnal Christian than that of a spiritual person.
  • The temperament with the greatest strengths and potential also have the greatest
    potential of weaknesses.
  • Faith in Christ lifts a person above their temperament.
  • Selfishness is a basic weakness of every one of the temperaments.
  • Our strengths and weaknesses prevail by our choice.
  • We maximize our strength and minimize our weaknesses through the indwelling of
    the Holy Spirit.
  • Any spirit-filled Cristian will have the strengths of Galatians 5:22–23, without
    weaknesses.
  • The greatest goal of a Christian is to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
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Planting by Pastoring Book Review by Jeff Bush

By Nathan Knight 

  • Don’t look at the best business models, look to God. 
  • We love size and speed, but a church can grow and be healthy without those. 
  • Most authors and church planters say that size and speed are important in church planting, but when we go to Scripture, the narrative of God is more on slowness. Consider Abraham and Sarah who were childless for 25 years after being told they would have a child. Consider Israel who was is in slavery in Egypt for 420 years. Or consider the coming of Christ in which thousands of years have passed.
  • The essence of a church is not their financial stability.
  • Multiplication does not come at the expense of depth. 
  • Planting by pastoring is glorious and grace filled, but it is not efficient. It takes time and energy. 
  • Evangelism is not the finish line in church planting. 
  • We want to know names, not just see numbers. We want to know stories, not just statistics. 
  • We plant churches to pastor people individually so we can worship Jesus collectively.
  • What if Jesus did not intend for churches to look like McDonald’s serving a billion people, rather look like your kitchen to serve your family and friends?
  • Pastor’s sacrifice for their sheep
  • Jesus knew His people and His people knew Him. He pastored them as names and not numbers.
  • The foundation of the church is Jesus and His Gospel. If you are a church planter, you should ask yourself what lies at the foundation of this thing that you are spending so much time building. 
  • Let the size and significance of the church you are planting take care of themselves. Slow down and press the Gospel into the lives of the people just as Jesus did.
  • The people need to know that you are wanting to help them, not get something from them. You are a pastor, not an entrepreneur.
  • Jesus gathered men before He ever held a public campaign or evangelistic effort.
  • A planter pastor must have character, competence, and compassion. 
  • Charisma might attract people on the front end, but it rarely endures. Your love for Jesus will keep you there, not your charisma. 
  • The power is in the Gospel. A magnetic personality and eloquent composure is nice to have, but they are bonus, extra, and unnecessary. 
  • If you are planting churches to be respected, heard, and esteemed, you are doing so for the wrong reasons.
  • Plant churches for the identity of Jesus, not to find or focus on your own identity.
  • Our areas do not need community centers and places of entertainment, they need a church where Christ is preached.
  • If you’re going to plant a church you need to be sent out by a church. A church that will love you and lead you.
  • A church planting team will minimize weaknesses and maximize effectiveness. Throughout the Bible, we see teams going out. Paul and Barnabas, Jesus and the disciples, and even many letters that Paul signed included a team of people.
  • In planting a church, we can get so involved with a list of what needs done and neglect our own souls. 
  • A team helps you with encouragement and accountability.
  • Prayer is your lifeline to God. Prayer is essential.
  • You should allow people to challenge your thinking. Is the place you are wanting to go truly a place of need? 
  • When, choosing a city, ask yourself if you are reflecting the need of Romans 15:19–20.
  • Preach, pray, love, and stay in a community. 
  • Love people, not programs.
  • Use as many evangelistic tools as possible, but one of the best tools will be the church members’ influence on other people.
  • Church planters can rest in God’s fruit as they faithfully scatter the seed.