|
|
What Are Some Things We Can Do To Live Better? Introduction: By living better I mean to live so as to go to heaven. To have the hope of eternal life, be in fellowship with God, and to be with our love ones that will be in heaven. Going to heaven will not be an accident but by being perfected in Christ, and striving to please Him. This is the challenge we as Christians face. A) Realize the Value of Our Soul 1. Our soul is the one thing we truly possess, Matthew 16.24-26 2. It is the only thing we have which is eternal in nature. 3. How much care and concern do you have for your soul? Compare this to the concern you have for your body, your car, your house, your job, etc? 4. If you think and make decisions thinking of your sol first, your life will be better. B) Be Conscious Of The Fact That We Must Account For Our Deeds At The Time of Judgment 1. We tend to care more when we realize that we have to pay the bill. 2. We will stand before God to answer for our conduct, Revelation 20.12; Romans 2.5-9 3. What grade would we give ourselves if we graded our lives at this very moment? 5. Think of all your deeds and thoughts. C) Live Each Day As If It Were The Last 1. The common saying is, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life." 2. Truer statement is, "Today is the last day of your life until tomorrow." 3. We have no promise of tomorrow, Job 14.1-2; James 4.13-14 4. We would want our last day on earth be used wisely. a. Tell our family we love them. b. Correct any mistakes we have made c. Make our life right with God 5. What if you knew you would die tonight? 6. Some times people live without the ability to do some of the things mentioned earlier. What if you had a stroke tonight and are no longer able to speak and serve God? D) Be Conscious Of The Fact That We Must Spend Eternity In Heaven Or Hell 1. Jesus pointed out the judgment and what is at stake in Matthew 25.46; 7.13-14 2. There are no other alternatives, no middle ground, no second chances, no door #2. E) Live With A Greater Degree Of Faith 1. Most of our failures is not due to a lack of ability but faith, Hebrews 3.12 2. The greater our faith the more we live by it, and the better we live. 3. Romans 10.17 tells us where we get our faith. F) Encouraging Words To Inspire Us To Do Better 1. Everybody needs encouragement; elders, preachers, mothers, fathers, young people. 2. If we do not encourage each other, who will? Hebrews 10.24 G) Having Our Sins Rebuked Helps Us, 2 Timothy 4.1-2 1. It is not easy to rebuke a fellow Christian and it is not easy to receive such rebuke. 2. However it makes us better Christians. Galatians 6.1-5 H) Realize Our Example Is Leading Others, 1 Timothy 4.12-14 1. Our children will follow our example despite what we say. 2. If you want your children to love God you must show your love for God. 3. If you want your children to be obedient to God you must be obedient to God. I) Take An Inventory Of Self, Matthew 7.1-5 1. Be honest with yourself. 2. If the child that I was, met the person I have become, would I like me? 1 Thess. 4.1 Conclusion: To make these improvements one must start. To start one must be committed. Commitment must start with obeying the Gospel of Christ. Becoming a Christian and then living each day. D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ 01.06.07 |