MAKE YOUR LIFE COUNT FOR CHRIST Colossians 1:16-21 Key vs 18

Introduction: How can a Christian make his life count? Although a believer cannot lose his salvation, it is certainly true that he can waste his life so that it will not count for eternity. To avoid the tragedy of a wasted life, the Bible counsels every Christian :

I.                   MAKE A DELIBERATE COMMITMENT OF YOUR LIFE TO

HIM (I Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.)

A-For Praise-Psalms 150:6 Let every thing that hath breath praise

                        the  LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

B-For a Purpose-Timothy II 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

C-For a Prize-I Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?So run, that ye may obtain (Phillipians 3:14-I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus)

II.                ABANDON YOUR DESIRES FOR THE DESIRES OF CHRIST Matthew 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

A-Have a Testimony that Pleases God--Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

B-Have Sacrifices that Please God-Heb 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased

III.             BURN YOUR BRIDGES BEHIND YOU (Psalms 118:27-God is the LORD, which hath showed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar)(Luke 9:23-And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me)

A-Sever Ties with Your Old way of living-Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before

B-Sever Ties with Your Old way of thinking-Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

C-Bind your Heart with God’s Love-Isaiah 61:1 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound

IV.              DON’T BE SIDETRACKED (Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.)

A-By Devil

B-By Doubters

C-By Discouragers

Illustrate—Devil will tell you there is no need, Doubters will say it can’t be done, and Discouragers will say let someone else do it. You can keep on the right track by feeding yourself daily on the Good word of God, and Prayer.

V.                 LIVE TO SERVE (Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many) (Acts 20:35  I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive)

VI.              CROWN HIM LORD OF ALL (Romans 14:9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.)

When you crown Him Lord of all, at the end of this life, He will crown you. (Matt 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord)

VII.           DON’T GIVE THE DEVIL ANY PART OF YOUR LIFE (Ephesians 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.)

A-Don’t praise the Devil by saying “The Devil is giving me a fit”.

B-Don’t give him any praise. When we praise the Devil, it Robs God of the Praise He so greatly deserves.

C-When the Devil fights, Praise God anyhow. When the Devil fights take him to Jesus. We are no match for him, and giving him praise gives him the victory. We must take him to Jesus. Then Jesus will give us the Victory over the Devil.