Make your life count                              1 May 2006

1.  Introduction.

Ecc3:11.  He has set eternity in their hearts.

2.  Purpose to make your life have eternal value

1 Corinthians 6:19-20.  You are not your own – glorify God.

• You only have one life to live.
• What you do with your life has eternal consequences.
• “Know who you are”… not a sinner – temple of God – dwelling place of God

- Same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells within (Romans 8:11).

• “You are not your own”

- You are created by God and redeemed by God = you belong to Him

- Not your own = not made for own independent life

- Sin is rejecting God and rejecting his purpose and ways of living

• “Glorify God with your body”

- Glorify = to honour, to exalt to a glorious rank, made famous

- Called to make God famous – to live a life that pleases/honours him.

- John 12:26.  If any man serves me – him will my Father honour.

• What we do in life echoes throughout eternity” – eternal reward
• Purpose = Make a decision

3.  Position Yourself for God to work through you.

Romans 12:1.  Present your bodies a living sacrifice

• “Present”= the act of freely bringing an offering to God

                     = presenting yourself to God is a choice = position for blessing

• “Bodies” = Body of animal was connected totally in the offering

                           = Present your entire person – all of you – no holding out.

• “Living Sacrifice” – God doesn’t want you to die but live for Him.

= Sacrifice = offering, devoted to God out of gratitude = release all claim

                           = Strong, energetic, sacrificial serving God and advance His kingdom

                           = Dedicated to Christ and to His cause – Fire comes a Sacrifice

                                                                                             Eg David/Solomon, Gideon

• How to do it?

(i) Personal – in prayer day by day

(ii) Corporate – connected in relationship in the church

(iii) Daily – Consider all you do is to advance the Kingdom of God

Ø Your work is your calling – you are a Kingdom ambassador

Ø Your community are the people you pastor

Ø Your lifestyle, words, attitudes, actions invade the atmosphere and impact the lives of those around you.

4.  Perceive What Kingdom is Shaping Your Life.

Romans 12:2.  “Be not conformed to this world”

• “World” = kosmos = the values, lifestyle, attitudes of the current generations
• “Conformed” = to press into a mould so all come out the same.
• The World around us is governed by spiritual powers (Ephesians 2:2)
• Pressure comes on every person every day to yield and conform.

E.g. TV, media, Adversity, attitudes, words

Eg Apathy, Poverty, Tall Poppy syndrome, Rejection

• You are called to Subdue and conquer not surrender – agree with.
• Duet 7:2-6.  Destroy their altars, break down their image.
• Not called to be comfortable called to conquer
• Not called to compromise called to confront

5.  Passionately Embrace Kingdom Values and Life

Romans 12:2.  Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.

• Transform = to morph – totally change who/what you are

E.g.  Caterpillar to butterfly – hidden process

• Hidden life with God is revealed by outward flow/blessing
• Matthew 6:  Pray/fast/give in secret – Father reward openly
• Key to change = Renew the mind
• Renew = renovate – reconstruct after gutting out the old.
• Word of God will change us – love the word.
• Must embrace – meditate – confess – live

6.  Pursue Advancement of Gods Kingdom

Romans 12:2 – Prove what is that good, perfect, acceptable will of God

• Will of God = the kingdom of God – kings dominion
• Matthew 6:10.  Thy Kingdom come = Thy will be done

- Healing, deliverance, joy, peace, abundance … etc.

• To prove = to put to the test, examine and see for yourself.

                                       Value

• When seek first the kingdom of God             - all things added
• When hear the word of God and don’t act    - things subtracted
• When faint to apply self to be fruitful            - things subtracted