Emotionally Stable in Christ

2 Corinthians 5:17

Biblical Salvation and Personal Change

  • 2 Corinthians 5:17
  • Impact of salvation on intellectual, social, and emotional areas of life

Exploring Emotional Resistance in Men

  • Reasons why men avoid emotional issues
  • The fear of emotionalism (emotions out of control)

Societal Influence on Emotional Issues

  • Criticism of existential society’s "if it feels good, do it" mindset
  • Personal anecdote about frustration with this mentality

God’s Method of Transformation

  • Importance of personal responsibility in behavior
  • Allowing the Holy Spirit to control one’s life
  • The role of self-control as a fruit of the Spirit

Cleaning Up Attitudes

  • Proverbs 4:23: Guarding the heart
  • Isaiah 30:15: Finding strength through reflection and internal investigation
  • The importance of attitudes determining actions

Dealing with Negative Emotions

  • Ephesians 4:31: Eliminating bitterness, anger, and malice
  • Replacing negativity with kindness, compassion, and forgiveness

Anecdote about Forgiveness

  • Story of a missionary with an unforgiving spirit
  • The destructive nature of holding onto past grievances

Self-Perception and Humility

  • Romans 12:3: Developing a realistic and balanced view of oneself
  • Rejecting both pride and false humility
  • Personal anecdotes about humility in academic and professional settings

God’s Love and Personal Significance

  • Understanding unconditional love from God
  • The Holy Spirit’s gifting of individuals
  • Encouragement to embrace one’s identity in Christ

Pride and Gratitude

  • 1 Corinthians 4:7: Recognizing that all abilities and gifts come from God
  • Personal anecdote about humility in public settings

Balance and Self-Control

  • Finding balance in life, avoiding extremes
  • Personal reflection on testimonies of transformed lives

Fleeing from Sin and Honoring the Body

  • 1 Corinthians 6:18 – Fleeing sexual immorality and honoring the body
  • Anecdote about a pastor’s unhealthy lifestyle and lack of self-care

Thanksgiving and Celebration of Life

  • Importance of enjoying life rather than enduring it
  • Anecdote about unmet expectations in ministry
  • Reflecting on God's calling and true servanthood

Christian Joy and Witness

  • Sheldon Van Auken’s view on Christians being both the best and worst arguments for Christianity
  • Jesus’ promise of abundant life (John 10:10)

Developing a Sense of Humor

  • Encouragement to take oneself less seriously and God more seriously

Becoming a Loving and Giving Person

  • Acts 20:35: “It is more blessed to give than to receive”
  • Anecdote about generosity in the Christian community

Serving Those Who Cannot Repay

  • James 1:27: True religion involves caring for orphans and widows
  • The importance of giving without expecting anything in return

Conclusion: Stewardship of God’s Grace

  • Encouragement to be faithful stewards of God’s grace
  • Final prayer for transformation and growth in Christ

*The above summary is AI-generated, so discrepancies may exist. Please refer to the audio or video file to verify accuracy.

About the Contributors

Howard G. Hendricks

Dr. Howard G. Hendricks, known simply as “Prof,” directly or indirectly touched millions of lives in the evangelical community and beyond. For more than sixty years Prof served on the faculty of Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS), where he taught more than ten thousand students. He served as the chairman of the Center for Christian Leadership for over twenty years. He also ministered in person in more than eighty countries. Through speaking engagements, radio, tapes, films, the sixteen books he authored and coauthored, countless journal and popular-market articles, his service on numerous boards, and his work as a chaplain to the Dallas Cowboys (1976–1984), his reach was and is worldwide.

His legacy, in partnership with Jeanne, his wife of more than sixty-five years, includes four children and six grandchildren. Holding large audiences enthralled at venues such as Billy Graham’s conference center or Promise Keepers’ stadium rallies, Prof would confide, “It’s wonderful to be here with you, but I have a group of delicious students waiting for me back at the seminary.”