Introduction

This is the last Sunday of 2004. It’s the time of year that businesses have to close their books for the year. Count their inventory, and figure their profit or loss for the year. I think it’s a good time for us as Christians to take a personal spiritual inventory. That means we’re not talking about how much you have in bank account here on earth, but maybe some idea of how you are coming with your bank account in heaven.

Jesus said "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; {20} "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. {21} "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Mat 6:19-21 NKJV)

Where do we start counting, or how do we go about taking a spiritual inventory? I came across a Spiritual inventory from Mt. Pleasant Community Church. I don’t agree with some of their basic doctrine, but it talked about the seven G’s. I’d never heard of the seven G’s as such, but when I read the list, they were all familiar.

Does the Bible teach that we should take spiritual inventory? The word inventory is used only once in the Bible, and that in regard to the inventory of the tabernacle, but inventory as we are using it today is clearly expressed in (2 Cor 13:5 NKJV) “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?; unless indeed you are disqualified.”

Body

I. Grace.

A. What do we mean by grace?

1. We could speak of grace as unmerited favor.

2. We could speak of the grace of God.

B. But there is a sense in which we must relate to the grace of God.

1. Paul speaks of our falling from grace.

(Gal 5:4 NKJV) You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

C. We actually have our standing with God by His grace.

(Rom 5:2 NKJV) through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

(1 Pet 5:12 NKJV) By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.

D. We are to think soberly concerning our standing in the faith.

(1 Cor 10:12-13 NKJV) Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. {13} No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

E. Are you in the grace of God? – don’t fall!

2 Pet 3:17-18 NKJV) You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; {18} but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

II. Growth

A. Growing in grace and Knowledge

(2 Pet 3:17-18 NKJV) You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; {18} but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

B. We grow through our study of the word.

(1 Pet 2:2 NKJV) as newborn babes, desire [intensely crave possession, earnestly desire, greatly long after], the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

1. There needs to be an intensity in our desire to know more about the God and His will by studying His word.

2. I appreciate the response to our Sunday evening lessons, and I hope they are a help to you in doing more study of the entire Bible.

3. We need to be able to give an answer for the hope we have.

(1 Pet 3:15 NKJV) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

C. We grow through prayer.

1. We grow as we talk to God about our physical, spiritual, and emotional needs.

2. We grow as we see prayers answered and as God becomes more real.

III. Group – We have to say group to make it a “g” word. Fellowship would also work..

A. Part of being part of the group is to assemble together.

(Heb 10:25 NKJV) not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

1. Are you a regular part of our assembly?

2. Your presence is an encouragement to others.

B. John put it this way.

(1 John 1:3 NKJV) that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

C. We have fellowship only if we are walking in the light.

(1 John 1:6-7 NKJV) If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. {7} But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

IV. We don’t have time this morning to look at the other G’s. They were:

A. Gifts

B. Good Stewardship

C. Good news

D. Glorify

Conclusion

(2 Cor 13:5 NKJV) “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?; unless indeed you are disqualified.”

As we approach a new year, it’s a good time to examine where we have been, and where we want to go this coming year.

If you’re not a Christian, there is no better time than now to become one.

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