Aim

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igh• PRIORITY #1: • Are You Aiming High?

• SALVATION: • Is Heaven Your Final Destination?

• BIBLE STUDY: • Are You Approved?

• PRAYER: • Are You Connected to the Power

Source?• MINISTRY:

• Are You A Dead Sea or a life-giving river?

• WORSHIP: • Are You Living from the inside out?

Aim

ing H

igh

Part 5-Ministry“Are You a Dead Sea or a Life-

Giving River”

Ephesians 4; Philippians 1

What causes the difference? The Sea of Galilee has both a water inlet and outlet and the waters stay fresh and alive. The Dead Sea on the other hand has no outlet for its water and has become stale and unable to sustain life.

In Israel there are two seas that share a common water supply, yet have distinctly different water qualities. The Sea of Galilee teems with life and was the backdrop upon which Jesus called fishermen to become fishers of men. Just a short distance south of the Sea of Galilee is another body of water, the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea like its name suggests is unable to support any type of life and is dead.

A Life-Giving River Invests Resources as a Steward:A Dead Sea Stockpiles Resources Like a Hoarder

• Ephesians 4:7-16– All believers are called as ministers– All believers are equipped with gifts and talents– All believers have a role in God’s Kingdom program

• Matthew 25:14-30– ROI-(Return on Investment)--A performance measure used to

evaluate the efficiency of an investment.• Formula: (Gain from investment-Cost of Investment) divided by (Cost of

Investment)– Our Father has an expectation that we will treat our time,

finances, gifts and abilities as resources that will be multiplied for His Kingdom and not our own. To whom much has been given much is required

A Life-Giving River Invests Resources as a Steward:A Dead Sea Stockpiles Resources Like a Hoarder

• Does your life reflect the generosity of Christ?• Do you view possessions as yours OR as trusts

from God?• Are you child-like or parade-like in your handling

of resources?

A Life-Giving River is Refreshed by Self-Emptying:A Dead Sea Grow Stagnant by Self-Living

• Philippians 2:1-11—– the kenosis (self-emptying) of Christ– Christ emptied Himself and the Father glorified Him!

“For me to live is Christ and to die is gain”– Philippians 1:21

“If any man desires to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me”

– Luke 9:23“It is more blessed to give than to receive”

– Acts 20:35

A Life-Giving River Teams with Life and Vision:A Dead Sea Drains Strength and Vitality

• Proverbs 25:11–13 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver. 12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear. 13 Like the cold of snow in time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

• Hebrews 12:12–15 12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. 14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;

• Hebrews 13:17 17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

A Life-Giving River Teams with Life and Vision:A Dead Sea Drains Strength and Vitality

• Does your presence impart grace, hope and vision?

• Does your presence bring conflict, problems and discord?

• Are you a problem solver or a problem discoverer?

A Life-Giving River Teams with Life and Vision:A Dead Sea Drains Strength and Vitality

• Does your presence impart grace, hope and vision?

• Does your presence bring conflict, problems and discord?

• Are you a problem solver or a problem discoverer?

• Does your magnifying glass point out peoples’ beauty marks or their warts?

A Life-Giving River Teams with Life and Vision:A Dead Sea Drains Strength and Vitality

• Does your presence impart grace, hope and vision?

• Does your presence bring conflict, problems and discord?

• Are you a problem solver or a problem discoverer?

• Does your magnifying glass point out peoples’ beauty marks or their warts?

• Are you a magnet for Kingdom visionaries or a cesspool for problematic people

• A Life-Giving River Invests Resources as a Steward:A Dead Sea Stockpiles Resources Like a Hoarder

• A Life-Giving River is Refreshed by Self-Emptying:A Dead Sea Grow Stagnant by Self-Living

• A Life-Giving River is Refreshed by Self-Emptying:A Dead Sea Grow Stagnant by Self-Living