Personal WorkFall 2012

Characteristics of aSuccessful 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?