EBF – Rick Trimble

February 2-3, 2008

Title - On Course – On Target

Introduction

Story of I-5 landing (almost)

Watch

Watch for you don’t know when He is coming Matthew 25:13 NKJV

• Watch for the King’s return

…I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.  John 14:2b-3 NKJV

• Watch for opportunities to bring His kingdom to others

...Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth…Matthew 6:10 NKJV

Invest

The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip.  He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone – dividing it in proportion to their abilities.  He then left on his trip.  Matthew 25:14-15 NLT

• God has invested us with specific gifts

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them…Romans 12:6

As each one has received a gift…1 Peter 4:10a

• Invest God’s gifts in others

…minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.  If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.  If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies…1 Peter 4:10b, 11

Serve

“Master, what are you talking about?  When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink?  And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?”  Then the King will say, “I’m telling the solemn truth:  Wherever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me – you did it to me.”  Matthew 25:37-40 MSG

• Serve as a natural expression of God’s love

Whoever wants to be great must become a servant.  Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave.  That is what the Son of Man has done.  He came to serve, not be served – and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage.  Matthew 20:27-28 MSG

• Serve those with less than you

And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”  When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.”  Matthew 9:10-11 NKJV

Conclusion

Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith.  Don’t drift along taking everything for granted.  Give yourselves regular checkups.  You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you.  Test it out.  If you fail the test, do something about it.  We’re rooting for the truth to win out in you.  We couldn’t plus do otherwise.  2 Corinthians 13:5-9 MSG