“It’s Not Too Late to Make a Difference In
Our Generation!”
(What will be said of us in
our latter years?) (How will I die?) (Ps. 71:18) What will our children and
grandchildren remember about us? (Did we plant right seeds for right memories?)
What will be said of me at my Death?
Was I:
1. Working
or Whining? (Ephesians 4:12) “For the perfecting of the saints, for the
work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
a. Did I show an
example of maturity (Rom. 12:1-2)?
b. Did I teach them
enough how to serve in the ministry? (Eph. 5:11) “And having no fellowship with
the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”
c. Did I endeavor to
motivate anyone “to keep the unity of the Spirit. . .” (Eph. 4:13 “In the bond
of peace?” Did I work or whine!
Was I:
2. Climbing or Contentious? (Joshua
14:12) Caleb said, at “85 years” young: “Give me that mountain!” While others
wandered and complained. Did I spend my
time Fighting The Good Fight of Faith, or did I go around “Picking a fight”
(Numbers 12 and 14), and here is God bragging on His servant Caleb? (He wholly followed God!)
a. Test Time: (Num. 13:20) (1.) Courage (2.) Wholly
follow the Lord. (Did I show Holy Boldness in my walk as a Christian?)
b. Tidings: (NEWS) – An intelligence report – Sounds
like God wanted them to tell the “TRUTH!” Good News. Are we telling what God
says about the: The Old Book; The New Birth; The Blood and the Blessed Hope?
“. . .and glorious appearing?”
c. Temptations: They came back boasting of the
Grapes of Eshcol, and the whole land flowing with milk and honey . . . . But,
there was a price to pay: (1) Giant killing would have to be done: (2)
Strong people looking for a Fight; (3) Large cities with walls around
them! The Complainers caused a meltdown among the people and the word spread to
where people just got tired of hearing it and said, “do whatever you want, we
are tired of hearing the drama!” So
they chose them a Captain to lead them back into Egypt. (Gal. 5:7)
“Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth.” (vs.
8) “This persuasion cometh not of Him that calleth you.”
d.
A Turning Away: All those above 20 years turned their backs on Gods will
and commands, but Joshua and Caleb wholly followed God and rent their clothes
in (Numbers 14:6-9). And turned it all over to God. (Num. 14:24) “God said,
Caleb had another spirit; followed me fully; him will I bring into the land
where into he went, and his seed shall possess it.”
Was I:
3. Depending or Depressed? (Jn. 13:23)
Jesus said in vs. 21, “. . . One of you shall betray me.” As the disciples
looked around at one another, they saw “. . .leaning on Jesus bosom one of His
disciples, whom Jesus loved.” You will find as you study, that was John the
beloved.
a. Did I stay close Enough to hear Him Whisper?
(Prov. 3:5) “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine
own understanding.”
b. Did I hear Enough to challenge
those that would listen? (Mt. 6:33-34) But seek ye first the kingdom of
God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take
therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought
for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
c. Did I Call Out and Trust Enough
That Another Might Be Stirred and Changed? (Jer. 33:3) “Call unto me, and I
will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest
not.”
Was I:
4. Determined
or Disappointed? (Phil. 3:10) “That I may know Him, and the power of His
resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto
His death.”
a. Could they clearly see where
my affections were set? (Col. 3:2) “Set your affections on things
above, not on things on the earth.”
b. Did I show them God’s Endearing
Love? (Col. 3:15-16) “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts to the which
also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. (vs. 16) “And let the word
of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one
another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs; singing with grace in your
hearts to the Lord.”c. Did I leave with them a sincere testimony of longing to get God’s Best? (vs. 23-24) “And whatsoever Ye do, do it heartily as unto the Lord and not unto man. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” Did they: See Him Clearly; Serve Him Dearly; Love Sincerely?
5. Faithful Or Fallen? (1 Cor. 4:2) “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (Not only service but substance). Not as I deem necessary to give or live, but to realize the need is the call for action of giving what I have, and who I am!
a. Did I Give Without A Grudge? (2Cor. 9:7) “Every man according as he purposeth in his HEART, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (Joyfully Hilarious)
b. Did I Grudge (complain) About Why Or Why Not Others Did or Did Not Give; Service or Substance? Humility: (James 5:9) “Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.” (1 Pet. 5:6) “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:” (vs. 7) “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
c. Did I Go Beyond Myself In Hospitality? (Did I Love Without Return”) (1 Pet. 4:9) “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.” (vs. 10b) “. . . as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (May I finish my time a trophy of grace!)
Dr. Tom Milam
Missionary Evangelist to America
Phil. 2:16
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