Sermon Central
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How To Be A Spiritual Lifeguard
Contributed by Ryan Akers on Feb 24, 2006 (message contributor)
Summary: A lifeguard can’t save a life without the proper training, but even with training they still won’t be a lifeguard until they put that training into action. As Christians we must train to reach a lost world, but having all the tools means nothing until we
HOW TO BE A SPIRITUAL LIFE GUARD
19Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 22:19-20
HOW TO STAY ABOVE WATER
1. We must Know
a. Salvation
3Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3
11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1: 11-12
2. We must Grow
a. Knowledge
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:7
With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape. Proverbs 11:9
b. Wisdom
9Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. 10We pray that you’ll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. Colossians 1:9-10
c. Gifts
10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. I Peter 4:10
5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[a]faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
3. We must Go
But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."Acts 1:8
For this is what the Lord has commanded us: " ’I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ " Acts 13:47
