Layin

g the

Foundat

ion

Part 2

What is Virtue?

Virtue is the strength of the character of Christ internalized into my life as I follow Him. His virtue brings worth and value to my life. Without His virtue I am weak and ineffective.

Virtue grows from an obedient relationship.

Discipleship is Life-Changing only if it is Life-Giving

Discipleship which focuses on knowledge will always lead to pride and self-effort.

Discipleship which focuses on virtue will always lead to humility and dependence.

Discipleship

“the intentional process of making the virtue of Christ my own, through submitting to His Lordship and Direction, and the daily Hope of Gaining Christ”Simply – “Gaining by Trading”

From the Man After God’s Heart…

2 Samuel 23:5 (NKJV) "Although my house is not so with God, yet He has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and secure. For this is all my salvation and all my desire (hēp�es), will He not make it increase (semah)?

David Grew to be a Man of God

1. Heart Ps 57:7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I

will sing and make melody! 1 Ki 3:6 And Solomon said, “You have shown great and

steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you.

2. House Ps 101:2 I will walk with integrity of

heart within my house…

3. Hope Psalms 71:5 (NIV) For you have been my

hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.

DAVID DISCIPLESHIP FOCUSES ON:

1. Your Desire (Heart) Proverbs 13:12 (ESV) Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a

desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

2. Your Dependants (House) Hebrews 11:7 (ESV) By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning

events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

3. Your Development (Hope) Ephesians 4:15 (ESV) …we are to grow up in every way into Him who

is the head, into Christ… Psalms 92:12 (ESV) The righteous flourish like the palm tree and

grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

Is This God’s Plan for Discipleship?

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV) Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

WHAT DOES GOD DELIGHT IN?

1. Unfailing Love – Hesed

2. Justice – Mishpat

3. Righteousness – Tsedaqah צ/ד/ק

3ט מ9ש67פ4

God’s Covenant Virtues

Hesed Defined

Hesed is the active force of God whereby he actively seeks to come to the aid of those with whom He has established a relationship. He displays His strength in showing mercy and loving kindness in a steadfast way. His love and mercy never fail because it is impossible for God to be weakened to the point of failure. (Unfailing Love)

Mishpat Defined

Mishpat is God’s Kingdom design in place within man through the reign of Christ in our hearts. His Kingdom design must grow to encompass our life, our family, our church - our ‘House’. (Justice)

Mishpat begins in the external and transforms the internal

Tsedeqah Defined

Because of our right relationship with God, we are free to embrace His righteousness. His righteousness transforms our lives and our environment. The righteousness of Christ within prevails and causes us to outwardly triumph!

Right Behavior and Attitudes that grow from a Right Relationship.

Conquering Righteousness In ActionTsedaqa begins in the internal and transforms

the external.

Let us Lay the Foundation

Man

Splendor/

Wisdom

Status/

MightSuccess/

Riches

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.Proverbs 14:12

Spirit of Babylon

• Heart• Desire

Steadfast Love

• House• Dependants

Justice

• Hope• Development

Righteousness

Discipleship 101

HesedMercy

Heart

DesireGod’s Splendor

Discipleship 201

MishpatJustice

House

DependantsStandingWith God

Discipleship 301

TsedaqaRighteousness

Hope

DevelopmentGod’s Success

Disciple or Worthless?

2 Samuel 23:6 (NASB) "But the worthless (belîya‘al), every one of them will be thrust away like thorns, because they cannot be taken in hand…

He is like a tree… Psalms 1:1-4 (ESV) Blessed is

the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

• Prayer •Meditation

• Ways of God• Salvation

HesedSteadfast Love

Heart

DesireFaith

•Intercession •Outreach

•High Places•Injustice

MishpatJustice House

DependantsSword

•Ways

•Paths of God •Words

•Walk• Warfare

TsedeqahRighteousness

Hope

DevelopmentArmor