June 5, 2005 Summit AM

Living Up To Our Spiritual Potential

Introduction

A. Text – Eccles.9:7-12

B. Solomon’s wisdom – do the best that you can with what you have – while you can

1. Joyfully live the life God has given you to the fullest

2. Do the best that you can – while you can = life is short

a. Not just the gifted that reap the benefits

b. All have the opportunity to excel

3. Life is short – who knows when this live be snuffed out?

C. Question – Are you living up to your potential spiritually?

1. Scripture says – all things have been made new – 2 Cor.5:17

2. God has done a marvelous thing – tremendous potential

3. How we doing?

a. Year almost ½ over

b. What have we done? What are we going to do?

4. What takes to live up to spiritual potential?

D. Pray

I. Purpose To Make The Best Use Of Time & Opportunities

A. Eph.5:15.16

1. Time & life are a gift – use them wisely

a. Days are evil – so much opportunity to do evil

b. Look for ways to utilize them for God’s kingdom

c. Use them to make a difference spiritually

2. So easy to waste time & opportunities

a. Focus on frivolous things – temporary things

b. Scripture urges – lay up treasures in heaven – eternal

B. Fully realize who we are in Christ

1. 2 Cor.5:17 – new creation – all has been made new

a. Were sinful, fallen people – now declared righteous – 2 Cor.5:21

b. Able to walk in newness of life – Rom.6:4

2. 2 Pet.1:3,4 – are partakers of a new nature

a. Given all need for life & godliness

b. No need to allow excuses to dominate us

3. Phil.4:13 – can do all things through strength of Christ

II. Purpose To Always Be Doing Good

A. Example of Jesus

1. Acts 10:38 – Peter describes Him as one who always doing good

2. Not matter who met – religious leader; sinners

3. Invited all to come to Him – life their burdens

B. As Christians need be focused on building up – not tearing down

1. Phil.2:14-16 – stop the complaining

2. Heb.10:24 – consider how to spur one another on to good works

3. What can I do to help others achieve – be better

C. Love Barnabas’ attitude – Acts 11:19-23

1. Many looked at what happened negatively – stifle, ridicule

2. Barnabas is filled with joy – sees the good

III. Purpose To Always Go The 2^nd Mile

A. Mt.5:38-42

1. Jesus talking about taking matters into own hands

a. Personally get back at evil

b. I have a right to resist – be resentful & angry

2. Different attitude – do more than have too

a. Willingly go the 2^nd mile

b. Set a powerful example

B. Application

1. People with this attitude stand out - shine

a. Certain ones who clean bld. = know will do a great job = shows

b. Many just put in time – do it reluctantly

b. Know teachers who really put heart into task

2. Lords blessings are for these folks – Parable of talents

C. Realize the potential given us

1. Eph.3:21 – serve a God with no limits

2. Eph.1:17-22 – open your spiritual eyes

Conclusion

A. Last week Chuck spoke on Ps.8

1. What is man that you are mindful of him?

a. Are made in His image

b. His abundant love & compassion

c. Our desperate need

2. Ought ask – after seeing & knowing this tremendous God

a. Are we living up to our potential spiritually?

b. What going to do with the rest of this year?

B. Appeal