Introduction

This is the first Sunday of 2005. Last Sunday we looked at “Taking Personal Spiritual Inventory,” as we looked at the first three of the seven G’s: Grace, Growth, and Group. This morning we want to continue that study by looking at: Gifts, Good Stewardship, Good news, Glorify.

Last Sunday, we noted the statement of Jesus "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)

Friday, I spent time on our computer trying to figure out how much we had really made in 2004. Even with a computer, it can be involved, but it is much more difficult to evaluate our spiritual status. We could ask others what they think of us, and in some cases that can help, but Jesus issued a solemn warning about that as well: “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets.” (Luke 6:26 NKJV)

Someone has said that only your dearest friends, and your enemies will really tell you the truth about yourself. This morning, we are using someone else to check your spiritual inventory: that’s you. (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. We are to use our time wisely

A. Moses speaks of the use of our lives.

(Psa 90:10-12 NKJV) The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. {11} Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath. {12} So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

B. Paul told us we were to redeem the time.

(Eph 5:15-17 NKJV) See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, {16} redeeming the time, because the days are evil. {17} Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

1. It’s a new year! There are still 363 days left, use them wisely!

2. Use them to God’s Glory.

II. How do we Glorify God?

A. Jesus said that we glorify God by our good works.

(Mat 5:16 NKJV) "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

B. We glorify God through our unity.

(Rom 15:5-6 NKJV) Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, {6} that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1. Unity is not achieved by force or coercion.

a. The Jews and others have tried it by intimidation.

b. The church of the 4^th century tried it with force of arms.

c. Neither is God’s will, and both are failures.

2. Paul outlined a plan for unity in Romans 14 & 15.

a. A plan that is rejected by many.

b. A plan that is difficult, but it will work.

(Rom 14:1-3 NKJV) Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. {2} For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. {3} Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.

C. We glorify God by righteous living.

(1 Cor 6:18-20 NKJV) Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. {19} Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? {20} For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

III. Are we using our gifts?

A. We are not speaking of miraculous gifts.

B. We all have gifts that are given us of God.

(Rom 12:4-8 NKJV) For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, {5} so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. {6} Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; {7} or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; {8} he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

1. What abilities do you have?

2. Are you using them in the kingdom?

IV. The Good News, the gospel: Are you spreading the good news?

A. A. Are there those you know who need to hear the gospel?

B. B. Do you have a list of their names?

C. C. Do you have a plan for helping them?

1. You can start with prayer.

(1 Cor 3:6 NKJV) I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.

2. You can ask for God’s guidance.

(James 1:5 NKJV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

3. You can ask others to help.

a. Sometimes we need someone else to give us suggestions.

b. We may need someone else to visit the person we are trying to help.

c. We may need someone else to teach another person.

D. Spreading the gospel and glorifying God are closely related.

(John 15:8 NKJV) "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Conclusion

I. What is more important than treasures in heaven?

II. Let me encourage everyone of us to take spiritual inventory, maybe with someone we love.

III. Let’s begin to work on areas where we need to improve.

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