INTRODUCTION:

Someone has said that you can tell how successful of a person one is not by what it is they are doing but by what it is that stops them from doing it! For instance, an athletes character is often judged by whether or not he can play through an injury. Those we judge as successful and with athletic character will not let an injury stop them from playing in the game. It is not only what they are doing but what may or may not stop them from doing it that success is measured. Getting an education or fulfilling our career goals or having a healthy marriage or growing up spiritually are other areas where we can measure our success and character by what it is that stops us from pursuing what is good and godly in these arenas of life.

We can also measure our spiritual character by how we respond to suffering when it comes into our lives because of our decisions to live godly lives. When the consequences of living a godly life produces hardship for us, will it produce contention, strife and self-protection in our lives or will we continue to give ourselves sacrificially in service of one another? Do you stop serving just because you are suffering? This is the question that the text answers for us. The temptation and tendency for us will be to turn inward and to become self-focused. Woe is me! Anger! Bitterness! Strife! Jealousy! Complaining! God wants us to endure suffering for Him without it effecting our service for others.

1. WE MUST BE MOTIVATED TO SERVE CHRIST BECAUSE THE TIME REMAINING IS SHORT 7a

A. DO NOT LET YOUR PRAYING BECOME PERVERTED BY LACK OF DISCERNMENT 7b

B. DO NOT LET THE OFFENSES OF ONE ANOTHER KEEP US FROM FERVENTLY LOVING EACH OTHER 8

C. BE HOSPITABLE WITHOUT GRUMBLING ABOUT IT 9

D. DO GOD’S WORK, GOD’S WAY 10-11

CONCLUSION:

1. WE MUST MAKE EVERY MINUTE COUNT FOR ETERNITY.

God tells us that what we do here has ramifications for eternity. Every day I forget that is a day lost to make that difference. I can never have a day back that I wasted on selfish pursuits or sinfulness or slothfulness or rebellion. It is gone. Right now I can make that difference. Today I can have sharpened prayers, passionate love, generous hospitality, and engaged gifts. I can give that now and God says that makes a difference. Every minute matters.

2. WE MUST CHOOSE TO MAKE THIS THE PATTERN OF OUR LIVES.

It is up to me to keep from getting entangled in the web of this world and its pursuits. I have to choose to obey these commands and say "I will" to God. I must make this choice everyday.

3. WE MUST MAKE GOD’S PRIORITIES OUR PRIORITIES.

The world, the flesh and the devil will try to infiltrate our thinking and affections so that we will make expedient choices instead of eternal ones. The battle will rage everyday. If we take these commands and make them our priorities, we will find a greater motivation to do things God’s way. They have to become your priority first!