“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (1 Thess. 4:16-17 NIV)

Jesus has prepared a place in heaven for you 

“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2 NIV)

“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (2 Tim. 4:18 NIV)

Therefore…

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matt. 6:19-20 NIV)

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 3:20 NIV)

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Col. 3:2 NIV)

“Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Matt. 19:21 NIV)

“Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Eph. 5:16 ESV)

There is a time for every matter

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…” (Eccles. 3:1 ESV)

Work while there is time 

“We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.” (James 8:4 ESV)

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.” (Col. 4:5 ESV)

Therefore…

“My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!” (Psalm 31:15 ESV)

“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13 ESV)

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 7:12 ESV)

Quote: 

“I have so much to do today, I’ll have to spend another hour on my knees.” – Martin Luther

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, …” (Col. 3:12 NLT)

You must clothe yourself with these 6 things

... you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” (Col. 3:12 NLT)

You must forgive others 

 “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” (Col. 3:13 NLT)

You must clothe yourself with love

“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” (Col. 3:14 NLT)

You must let the piece of Christ rule in your heart

“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.” (Col. 3:15 NLT)

You must be thankful, always

“And always be thankful.” (Col. 3:15 NLT)

Therefore…

“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” (Col. 3:16-17 NLT)

“… and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.” (Phi. 1:6)

Most Christians do not share their faith

You could righty say that most believers are in the “secret service”. Maybe they don’t know how to share their faith. Or, they “don’t want to impose” their religion on others. Or, they fear rejection, just to name a few reasons. But, Jesus said to do it. The literal definition of gospel is good news. Sharing your faith is simply telling people the good news! Someone said sharing your faith is like one beggar telling another beggar where to find free bread. 

Sharing the gospel is the great commission of Jesus 

“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15-16). 

Be prepared to share

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” (1 Pet. 3:15-16)

Therefore…

“Sing to the LORD; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! …” (Psalm 96:2-4)

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.” (2 Tim. 1:7-8)

“And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” (Gen. 12:2 ESV)

 “To bless" means to speak well of, to pronounce favor, and to declare good things. A blessing is a statement of good will and happiness that is said about another, as well as the condition that fulfills those good words.

Trust in the Lord and be blessed 

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jer. 17:7-8 ESV)

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8 ESV)

God has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…” (Eph. 1:3 ESV)

God’s blessing makes rich

“The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” (Prov. 10:22 ESV)

Bless those who persecute you

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

Therefore…

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12 ESV)

“Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God,” (Psalm 146:5 ESV)

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Cor 9:8 NIV)

 God supplies accordingly to His glorious riches 

 “And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19)

 He can do infinitely more than you ask or imagine

 “Now to Him who is able to do infinitely more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” (Eph. 3:20)

Therefore…

“But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we inspired in you--see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” (2 Cor. 8:7)

“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13 NASB)

Draw near with full assurance 

“let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Heb. 19:22 NASB)

He who has the Son has eternal life

“And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.” (1 John 5:11-12 NASB)

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.”John 6:47 NASB)

Therefore…

“… I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.” (2 Tim. 1:12 NASB)

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” (Eph. 4:31 ESV)

Strive for peace with everyone

“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.” (Heb. 12:14-15 NIV)

Forgive others their trespasses 

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Eph. 4:32 ESV)

“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25 ESV)

“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matt. 6:14-15 ESV)

Therefore…

“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Rom. 12:17-21 ESV)

“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” (Phil. 2:3-4 NLT)

Attitude: A manner of thinking, feeling, or behaving that reflects a state of mind or disposition. 

Your attitude 

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had...” (Phil. 2:5 NLT)

Jesus’ attitude 

•  He gave up His devine privileges 

“Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges.” ( Phil. 2:6-7 NLT)

• He took the humble position of a slave

    “…he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.” (Phil. 2:7NLT)

• He humbled Himself in total obedience to God 

“When he appeared in human form he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” (Phil. 2:8 NLT)

Therefore…

“Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:9-11 NLT)