Personal Work Fall 2012

Characteristics of a Successful Personal Worker

We are part of the message Christianity will not mean anything to the world until it means everything to us Titus 2:10 – adorning the gospel Malachi 2:4-8

Committed Must be wholly surrendered to Christ –Matthew 16:24 –Galatians 2:20 –Revelation 3:14-16 Selfishness is the greatest enemy Must be committed to the Lord’s cause –Philippians 3:8-16; 2 Timothy 4:1-8

An assurance of my own salvation 1 John 5:13 It is all but impossible to lead someone else to a Savior you are not serving MUST: –Have a knowledge that your own sins have been forgiven – Romans 6:17-18 –Realize the blood of Christ continues to cleanse you from sin – 1 John 1:7, 9 –Surrender your will to Christ as your Lord and Master

A Clean Life Our life is an object lesson to others –2 Timothy 2:20-21 We must be clean inside and out –1 John 3:19-20 –Practice what we preach – Romans 2:21 –Live every day by the principles of the gospel – 1 Peter 3:16 “God does not demand a beautiful vessel for His work, but He does demand a clean one.”

An Attitude positive and negative Positive: I am FOR something –The Father, Son, the Spirit, and Their word –Love and salvation of men and women Negative: I am AGAINST all that opposes God and His word –But even the negative is founded in the positive –Jeremiah 1:4-10

A Firm Conviction That every person who has not obeyed the Lord is lost –John 8:24; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 Must follow the example of Jesus & Paul –Luke 19:10 –Acts 20:26-32

Love Without a deep realization of our own sinfulness and the great love of God in forgiving us, we will never have love for others who are lost –Matthew18:23-25 Speak the truth in love –Ephesians 4:15

Humility Two extremes –Conceit because of success –Discouragement because of failure The power is in the word, not in me –Romans 1:16 –The “planter,” “sower,” and “waterer” are nothing 1 Corinthians 3:5-7

Patience & Perseverance Matthew 10:22; Galatians 6:9 It takes time “Do unto others as others have done unto you” Perseverance is the motivation to continue on

Hope The harvest is coming – Galatians 6:9 There are still many good and honest hearts The word is powerful The more one sows, the more he reaps –2 Corinthians 9:6 We are blessed with mighty fellow-workers God will reward –1 Corinthians 15:58; Hebrews 11:6

Prayer God hears and answers prayer –Matthew 7:7; James 5:16; 1 John 3:22 Pray for: –Open doors and the strength to use them Matthew 9:36-38 –The hearers to have open hearts Romans 10:1 –Courage to speak the truth boldly Ephesians 6:16-20 –The ability to teach in a way to be understood James 1:5

A Practical Knowledge of the Word The New Testament was given –To produce faith – John 20:30-31 –Convict people of their sin – Acts 2:37 –Convey God’s terms of pardon – Hebrews 5:8-9; 1:1-2 Know your Bible –How to use it to produce faith, conviction and conversion

Constant Activity Ecclesiastes 11:6 John 9:3-4 Now is not a time for rest –1 Corinthians 15:34 –Ephesians 5:14 –Romans 13:11

Next Week Time management What’s your hurry? What are you waiting for?