Bible Text: Psalm 90:10; Isaiah 40: 6-8; James 4:14

Life Is Short Therefore Make The Most of Your Time

Have you ever heard these comments?

Man, time sure flies by

It seems like the older I get the faster the years go by

I can’t believe it’s already been 10 years since we last saw each other

It seems like it was just yesterday we talked about that.

Yes, time marches on quickly before we realize it.

The average American can expect to live 78.6 years.

God’s Word reminds us of the brevity of our lives.

Psalm 90:10

Isaiah 40:6-8

James 4:14

Generally speaking there are two perspectives on life, the world’s and God’s.

Since our time on this earth is relatively short compared to eternity, we want the right perspective.

The World’s Perspective
1 John 2:15-17

Money, fame, popularity, possessions, pleasure.

God’s Perspective
Ephesians 5:15-17

Live life with a due sense of responsibility, not as men and women who do not know the meaning and purpose of life but as those who do.

Make the best use of your time, despite all the difficulties of these days.

Don’t be vague but firmly grasp what you know to be the will of God.

Bible Text: 2 Corinthians 12:12, Hebrews 2:4

Sign Gifts
2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:4

When Jesus Christ began His church in Acts chapter 2 on Pentecost, the Holy Spirit gave sign gifts.

By sign gifts I mean the gift of languages, interpretation, the gift of healing, the gift of apostleship, and the gift of miracles.

These gifts were not merely examples of people serving the church, but instead they had a much more immediate role:

they confirmed the gospel message

they were a sign to the Jews and unbelievers

they validated the ministry of the Apostles

they established the foundation of the church.

This is exactly why Paul called them “sign” gifts.

They confirmed the gospel.
Acts 10:44-48

They were a sign to the Jews and unbelievers.
1 Corinthians 14:20-22;
Isaiah 28:9-13

They validated the ministry of the Apostles.
2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:4

They established the foundation of the church.
Ephesians 2:18-22

Bible Text: Romans 12:3-8

Serving Christ and His Church with Spiritual Gifts
Romans 12:3-8

Jesus Christ is the head of His body, the church.

Whenever we begin a message on Spiritual gifts, we must remember the example that Jesus Christ gave us in serving.

Matthew 20:28 – “Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 23:11 – “The greatest among you shall be your servant.”

Paul begins his practical section in chapter 12 of Romans.

In verses 3-8 he lists several spiritual gifts.

As we begin our discussion on spiritual gifts it’s necessary for us to understand the proper attitude, function, and diversity.

Attitude – God’s grace and proper self-evaluation.

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
Romans 12:3

Function – One body with many members.

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
Romans 12:4-5

Diversity – Different spiritual gifts.

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 12:6-8

Bible Text: Matthew 1:18-25

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:  “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us)”.  And Jesus bear other names as well:

Almighty One – Revelation 1:8
Alpha and Omega – Revelation  22:13
Advocate – 1 John 2:1
Author and Perfecter of Our Faith – Hebrews 12:2
Bread of Life – John 6:35
Beloved Son of God – Matthew 3:17
Bridegroom – Matthew 9:15
Bright Morning Star – Revelation 22:16
Chief Cornerstone – Psalm 118:22
Christ – Matthew 16;16
Deliverer from Sin – 1 Thessalonians 1:10
The Door to Heaven – John 10:9
Faithful and True One – Revelation 19:11
Good Shepherd – John 10:11
Great High Priest – Hebrews 4:14
Holy Servant of God – Acts 4:29-30
I Am – John 8:58
Judge of Heaven and Earth– Acts 10:42
Lamb of God – John 1:29
Light of the World – John 8:12
Lion of the Tribe of Judah – Revelation 5:5
Lord of lords and King of kings – 1 Timothy 6;15
Mediator between God and Man– 1 Timothy 2:5
Messiah – John 1:41
Our Living Hope – 1 Timothy 1:1
Redeemer –Acts 7:35
Resurrection and the Life – John 11:25
Savior of the World – Luke 2:11
Son of Man – Luke 19:10
Son of the Most High – Luke 1:32
The Way – John 14:6
The Truth – John 14:6
The Life – John 14:6
The Living Word – John 1:1
True Vine – John 15:1
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace – Isaiah 9:6

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

Bible Text: Luke 1 & 2

Several individuals around the time of the birth of Christ were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Let’s look at their responses.

1. Zechariah’s first response was disbelief (Luke 1:18-23). His second response was belief (Luke 1:57-66). Then his third response was to prophesy (Luke 1:67-79).

2. Elizabeth’s first response was gratitude (Luke 1:24-25). Her second response was to bless Mary (Luke 1:39-45).

3. John the Baptist’s response was joy in his mother’s womb (Luke 1:41,44).

4. Mary’s first response was bewilderment (Luke 1:26-34). Her second response was obedience (Luke 1:38). Then her third response was a song of praise (Luke 1:46-55)