The Cost of Character
Genesis, Daniel, Acts
Crisis of Leadership and Character
- The importance of character in leadership
- Mention of 1 Timothy and Titus highlighting God's focus on character over credentials
- Statement about the evangelical community's need for distinctiveness and character
Biblical Profiles of Character
- Joseph: A Model of Moral Character (Genesis 39)
- Introduction to Joseph’s story and its contrast with Genesis 38
- Key phrase: "The Lord was with him
- Outline of Joseph's life in Genesis 39: Success due to God's presence, temptation by Potiphar's wife, and imprisonment
- Emphasis on integrity and refusal to compromise
- Genesis 50:20 as a summary of Joseph's perspective on God's sovereignty
- Daniel: A Model of Marketplace CharacterDaniel’s story of serving in captivity under three administrations (Daniel 1 and 6)
- Characteristics of Daniel and his friends: Wisdom, understanding, and ability
- Refusal to defile themselves with the king's food (Daniel 1)
- Daniel’s unwavering commitment and faithfulness even under pressure (Daniel 6)
- Barnabas: A Model of Ministry Character (Acts 11:24, Acts 4, Acts 9, Acts 15)
- Introduction to Barnabas and his generous, encouraging nature
- His role in bringing Saul (Paul) to the apostles (Acts 9:27)
- The disagreement with Paul over John Mark and Barnabas’ commitment to mentoring him (Acts 15:36-40)
Conclusion and Application
- Encouragement for the medical community to mentor and build character in others
- Personal anecdotes and the importance of integrity in both professional and personal life
- Call to reflect on God's work in one's life and the importance of character in leadership
*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.”
Contributors
