Sermon Outlines

By Frederick F. Schwindt, Evangelist

GOD'S ESTIMATE OF CHARACTER

1. The words of our text are a revelation of God's estimate of character:
   1. He uses simile - Jewels to show how much He values character.
   2. Though the universe is His, including all created beings, yet He expresses a very special attachment to some human beings.
2. Our text is both a wonderful revelation of God for His children and also His evaluation of a character:

1. Character is a manifestation of those virtues that reveal godlikeness:
   1. Adam and Eve were created in the image of God; they reflected God's character image - Gen. 1:26, 27
   2. This was true in their physical appearance as well as in their nature - Eccl. 7:29; 2 Cor. 3:17, 18
2. God's character is:
   1. Expressed in His name - Ex. 34:7, 8
   2. By His Son - Heb. 1:3; Col. 2:9; 2 Cor. 4:4; Col. 1:15; John 14:9
   3. His written word -- the Bible - John 5:39; 2 Tim. 3:15-17
   4. In His handiworks - Ps. 19:1-6; 111:1-9
   5. In the Ten Commandments - Rom. 7:12, 14; Ex. 20:3- 17; Ps. 19:7
   6. In His children - 1 Pet. 2:9-11; Matt. 5:1-16
3. Character, or the divine nature, is the great objective of redemption:
   1. The restoration of the image of God.
   2. Through faith in Christ Jesus - Rom. 8:29; 2 Pet. 1:2-11; 1 John 3:1-3
   3. This will be accomplished through the Holy Spirit - Zech. 4:6

1. The Bible gives us some specimens of what God's character jewels are like:
   1. Joseph, the second youngest son of Jacob, revealed godliness most when he was tested most severely - Gen. 39
   2. Ruth the Moabitess, is still another star in the constellation of God's worthies - Ruth 1:16
   3. Job, Daniel, Isaiah, Enoch, and many other Bible characters revealed some of the virtues God treasures.
2. Description of God's character jewels:
   1. They are not easily broken.
   2. They do not fade when exposed to the elements.
   3. Contact with some of the hardest experiences will bring out their luster more fully.
3. Examples of God's jewels which are on display:
   1. Enoch, the seventh from Adam - Gen. 5:22-24; Heb. 11:5
   2. Daniel - Dan. 1:8; 6:10
   3. Job, Joseph, Paul.
   4. They did not fade when exposed to severe trials.
   5. Contact with the hardest and most severe tests brought out their true luster - Dan. 12:3
   6. Think of the many professed followers of Christ who have lost their luster when they became exposed to tests.
4. "When I will make up my jewels":
   1. That indicates that God has many jewels in the rough who need polishing.
   2. The church of God is the workshop where God is preparing His jewels - Eph. 5:24-29
   3. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are the tools God uses - Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Cor. 12
   4. Are you, dear reader, one of the jewels that God is preparing for display in the universe?
   5. Then let us keep in mind that when hardships and trials come, that the great God of heaven allows them for a purpose.