* God's Peculiar Treasure

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall 

be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people:  for all the earth is mine:

Exodus 19:5

Being born again in Christ does not automatically make us a peculiar treasure, however, it opens the door to allow God to begin the necessary work to adorn us in the beauty of His holiness.  The ability to orate and a sweet sounding voice is not what makes a peculiar treasure.  It is the relationship that we develop with our heavenly Father as we grow into His image that makes us special to Him.

Spiritual maturity involves a right personal relationship with the God which includes sincere prayer and good Bible study habits. If we are to lead others in the ways of God, we must communicate with Him our self and have intimate knowledge of His Word. We can attend leadership seminars, go to seminary college, and read many books on leading souls to Christ, but unless we continue to seek the Lord, our ministry tricks and tips will fail.

A right relationship with God also involves being full of the fruit of His spirit.  

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23

The fruit of the Holy Spirit refers to the nature of the Spirit revealed in the life of the believer. It is spiritual qualities which should be evident in the lives of all Christians, and especially in spiritual leaders.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are for witness; the manifestation of the glory of God.  The gift of the Holy Spirit (the indwelling of God's spirit) is for power. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is for character; to be in the very image of our heavenly Father.  Spiritual fruit is evidence of spiritual maturity. Just as fruit takes time to develop in the natural world, spiritual fruit takes time to develop. It is the product of natural growth in the life of the Spirit.

The Bible speaks of two kinds of spiritual fruit: The outer fruit of evangelism and the inner fruit of godly spiritual qualities. All believers, including our spiritual leaders, should bear fruit by being a powerful witness of the Gospel message:

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain. . .   John 15:16

The last command of Jesus before returning to Heaven was:

Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.  Mark 16:15

He challenged His disciples with a great vision of spiritual harvest:

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.   John 4:35-36

King Solomon said:

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.  Proverbs 11:30

The power of the Holy Spirit enables believers to be spiritually fruitful through evangelism:

But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.  Acts 1:8

God gives us the method of spiritual reproduction:

And the thing that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.  2 Timothy 2:2

In addition to the spiritual fruit of evangelism, we are also called to develop the fruit of Christ-likeness:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.   Galatians 5:22-23

These are inner qualities the Holy Spirit wants to develop in the life of the believer. They are qualities that were evident in the life of Jesus Christ. This is why we call them "Christ-like qualities".  The fruit of the Holy Spirit is found in every act of goodness, righteousness, and truth done by believers:

For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.   Ephesians 5:9

The fruit of the Holy Spirit includes the following specific qualities:

LOVE

Love is an emotion of deep affection, care, and concern. It involves caring for people, being friendly, sympathetic, compassionate, understanding, comforting, encouraging, and attentive.

·         The believer must love God (Mark 12:30)
·         Love is to be shown by the believer to all believers, and the unsaved (1 Peter 1:22;

                 Luke 6:27,32,35; Matthew 5:43-44; 19:19; John 13:34-35; 15:9,12; 17:26; 

                 1 John 2:9-10)
·         The believer's work for the Lord is to be a labor of love (I Thessalonians 1:3)
·         Faith works by love (Galatians 5:6)
·         Spiritual gifts work through love (1 Corinthians 13
·         Love is the key to success of all ministry (1 Corinthians 13).

Love involves tact, which is an ability to get along with others and relate to them in a positive manner. It is an ability to say and do what is necessary and difficult without offending others.

JOY

Joy is a quality of inner gladness, delight, and jubilance.

·         It is God's desire that you have joy (John 15:11; 17:13)
·         The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Ghost (Acts 13:52)
·         The source of joy is not in worldly things. It is in God (Psalms 16:11)
·         Because true joy is spiritual and not dependent on outward circumstances the

                 believer can rejoice in temptation and trials (James 1:2; 2 Corinthians 7:4)
·         The believer can be longsuffering with joy (Colossians 1:11)

 PEACE

Peace is a condition of quiet, calm, tranquility, and harmony. It is the absence of strife, anxiety, and concern. A believer with this quality is reliable and able to keep his head in emergencies because he can keep calm.

·         Confusion is the opposite of peace. God does not cause confusion. His desire is to

                 bring peace (1 Corinthians 14:33)
·         All true peace comes through Jesus Christ (Acts 10:36; Ephesians 2:14; Romans 5:1; 

                 John 14:27; 16:33)

·         Believers should follow after things which result in peace (Romans 14:19)
·         and live in peace with others (2 Corinthians 13:11; Hebrews 12:14)
·         Unity, which is necessary in any effective ministry, is kept through peace 

                 (Ephesians 4:3)
·         The peace of God must rule the heart of the believer (Colossians 3:15)

 LONGSUFFERING

Longsuffering is the quality of patience. It is the ability to cheerfully bear an unbearable situation and patiently endure. Longsuffering was a quality evident in the ministry of the Apostle Paul 
  
But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,   2 Timothy 3:10

·         We are to be longsuffering with joyfulness (Colossians 1:11) 
·         The believer should preach God's Word with longsuffering (II Timothy 4:2)
·         and relate to others with this quality (Ephesians 4:2)
·         He must "put on" longsuffering as a spiritual quality (Colossians 3:12)

 GENTLENESS

Gentleness is the quality of having a mild manner, not being severe, violent, or loud. It is a quiet and respectful kindness.

·         The Bible warns believers not to strive but to be gentle to all men (2 Timothy 2:24)
·         We are not to be brawlers. Brawlers are people who are always fighting or arguing 

                 (Titus 3:2)

·         We are to be easily entreated. That means we are to be easily approached by others

                 because of our gentle nature (James 3:17)

 A gentle believer and a great leader, King David wrote:

Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation; and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.  Psalms 18:35

GOODNESS

Goodness is acts of holiness or righteous acts.

·         God fills the hungry with goodness (Psalms 107:9)
·         As believers, the goodness and mercy of God follow us (Psalms 23:6)

 FAITH

Faith is an attitude of belief, expectation, and hope towards God 

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  Hebrews 12:1

It is believing that all God said is true and that nothing is impossible. Faith, combined with the work of the ministry, accomplishes great things for the Kingdom of God.

Faith is an attitude of confidence in God which makes followers confident and builds their faith. It is the belief that says

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me".  Phillipians 4:13

MEEKNESS

Meekness is controlled strength.

·         Disciplining of others should be done in meekness (Galatians 6:1) 
·         and it helps the believer keep unity in the church (Ephesians 4:1-3)
·         It should be used in dealing with all men (Titus 3:2; 2 Timothy 2:24-25)
·         A wise man is a meek man (James 3:13).
·         All believers are encouraged to seek this quality (Colossians 3:12; 1 Timothy 6:11;

                 Zephaniah 2:3)

 TEMPERANCE

Temperance is moderation in emotions, thought, and actions. It is self-control.

·         Temperance is mastery in all things (1 Corinthians 9:27 and 9:19- 27)
·         We are to add temperance to our lives (2 Peter 1:6)

In addition to spiritual fruit, the Bible identifies specific qualifications for spiritual leaders. These are found in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. The following qualifications are those listed for pastors, bishops, elders, or deacons. 

Although these qualifications are identified for specific offices, they are desirable for all believers: 

Ø     Above Reproach: 

Should have a good reputation, moral, disciplined, and not be in violation of God's Word: 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6, 7

Ø    Husband Of One Wife: 

If married, should have only one mate: 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6. (The support and cooperation of the mate in ministry is also important.)

Ø    Temperate: 

Moderate in all things: Titus 1:8; 1 Timothy 3:2

Ø    Self-controlled: 

Demonstrate control in all areas of life and conduct. If a man is to lead others, he must be able to control himself: Titus 1:8

Ø    Sober, Vigilant: 

This means the leader is knowledgeable, sensible, wise, and practical: 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8

Ø    Hospitable: 

Home is open to others: 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8

Ø    Able To Teach: 

Has an ability to communicate God's Word to others: 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:9

Ø    Not Addicted To Wine: 

1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7

Ø    Patient: 

Opposite of being quick tempered: 1 Timothy 3:3

Ø    Not Self-willed: 

Not self-centered and always wanting their own way: Titus 1:7

Ø    Loving What Is Good: 

Supporting all that is worthwhile to God and His purposes: Titus 1:8

Ø    Just: Fair in dealing with people: Titus 1:8

Ø    Stable In The Word: Titus 1:9

Ø    Holy:  Righteous, sanctified: Titus 1:8

Ø    Not Fond Of Sordid Gain: 

Not greedy for financial gain. Free from the love of money: Titus 1:7; 1 Timothy 3:3

Ø    Good Reputation With Those Outside: 

Must have a good testimony among non-believers:  1 Timothy 3:7

These are the attributes and characteristics that help to make the children of God a Peculiar Treasure; because we allow the Holy Spirit within us to cause us not to act like, talk like, think like, be like, and react like the very world that God called us out.

(Biblical Studies)

08/27/15
10/03/16
02/08/19

10/02/20

09/13/22