No personal relationship with God – Luke 16:19 (Look on inside, like
God. Not just outside – James 2:4)
Temporal focus – Luke 16:19-21 (God intends to teach us about life as
we both abound and suffer need. If the rich man had shared with the
beggar, the beggar could have shared his faith with the rich man).
Disregard for death – Luke 16:22 (God’s final judgement is more
final than the death that precedes it. When someone around us dies, it
should be a call to evaluate our preparation for eternity.)
Demand to be served – Luke 16:23-24 (We discover purpose in life and
greatness by serving others. Even in hell, the rich man wanted Lazarus to
serve him).
Disregard for scriptures – Luke 16:25-31 (You man think because you
don’t have a fantastic testimony you will be ineffective in witnessing
for Christ. The Bible tells us those who faithfully give out the message
of His written Word are as convincing as having someone rise from the
dead. The rich man’s response reveals his own rejection of Scripture
while he was alive.
(fulfilling God’s
Priorities)
Fulfilling life’s calling requires seeing the principle of success
from:
God wants to give every Christian a vision of how they can advance the
cause of Christ. Moses’ vision – to free God’s people. Nehemiah’s
vision – rebuild the wall. Paul’s vision – bring Gospel to Gentiles.
Expect the death of a vision. (Unexpected circumstances which hinder us
from carrying them out.)
During the death of the vision, God wants us to concentrate on building
character qualities like: faith, hope, patience, meekness and self-control.
During death of a vision, Satan tempts us to fulfill it with fleshly
efforts. For Example: Abraham and Sarah.
Human effort to fulfill God’s vision will produce continuing conflicts,
as with Sarah and Hagar and their descendants.
In time, God will fulfill our vision with supernatural power.
Each time God demonstrates His principles and power in our lives, we have
new "chapters" of our "life messages" which we can share
with others.
Our real fulfillment in life will come as we see God reproducing Christ’s
character in the lives of others through our lives and witnesses.
The decision for marriage should be made when each partner sees how he or
she can be more effective married than single.
Once they are married, they must purpose not to violate Scriptural
teachings which their relationship illustrates.
Young wives should seek out mature women and ask them for special
instructions on how to be serious-minded, how to love their husbands, how to
rear children, how to manage the home and how to be discreet.
Husbands are to sacrifice for their wives and children in order to raise
up the foundations of many Godly generations.
Financial freedom should be maintained in order not to hinder the
potential that God would have for their marriage and family.
Instill goals in your children by emphasizing the spiritual values and
concerns which you have.
Expose your children to the lives of great Christians through biographies
and by inviting Godly Christians into your home.
Use mealtimes to discuss the importance of world events in light of
prophecy and to read from God’s Word.
Record what God teaches them from the Bible. This journal of answered
prayer and applying biblical principles will be a great basis for their
"life message" and for handing down to the next generation.
Expose each child to successful Christian work such as witnessing,
counseling and visiting.
Learn how to use questions which will help others identify precise
spiritual needs. Then use the insights and principles from Scripture to
guide them toward a right decision.
Questions: What were the events leading up to your salvation? Do you have
doubts about your salvation? Since you became a Christian, have you ever
totally dedicated your life to Christ? If you had the power to change
anything about the way you look, what would you change? Would your parents
say that you were obedient to their authority? Do you have a clear
conscience? Has anyone deeply hurt you in the past? Do you have a problem
with anger? Is there some habit you wish you could break? When you get to
the end of your life, what do you want to say God accomplished through
you?
Seeing life from God’s perspective enables us to be: A Successful
Person
Seeing life from our partner’s perspective enables us to be: A
Successful Partner
Seeing life from our child’s perspective enables us to be: A Successful
Parent
Seeing life from other people’s perspective enables us to be: A
Successful Witness
