SEVEN DAYS OF IMPROVEMENT

SEVEN DAYS OF IMPROVEMENT
HEB. 6: 1 – 3

1 ¶ Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this will we do, if God permit.

Growth and improvement will come when we set specific goals and work towards them. It is easy to talk in generalities and never get started.

When we stop growing we are dead.

I. There is a need for Growth
A. Titus 2: 11 - 14 Paul to Titus writes we can grow in the grace of God.




11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Christ wants us redeemed, purified, different from the world and workers. This takes growth.
B. Titus 2: 6 – 8 Young men also should show a pattern of good works.

6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
Growth is not only for the young.
We can grow and be alive in Christ or die spiritually and be lost eternally.
C. Matt. 5: 14 – 16 We come out of darkness to be the light of Christ.





14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
As we grow our light will shine and God will be glorified.
D. Col. 1: 10 Paul writes to be walking worthy, fruitful and increasing.
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Growing and increasing in the knowledge of God will take goal setting.
II. We need to set Goals.
A. Matt. 10: 22 The world will not be happy with our growth in Christ.
22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
We will have to set our focus on eternity.
B. Acts 20: 22 – 24 Paul had his goal set on finishing the course.
22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Paul would not let anything keep him from grace of God.






C. Phil. 3: 13 – 14 Paul to the brethren sets a goal of not looking back, but looking forward.
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,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul believed and taught that the prize of the high calling of God was worth even dieing for.




D. 1 Peter 4: 7 Peter knew time was short and wrote watch and pray.
7 ¶ But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
We are sure closer than Peter was to Christ coming. It should be our goal to watchful and prayerful today.

III. There is a need to Get Started.
A. We talk a lot, but what we COULD do?
B. We can not do everything we would like to do, but we can do something.





C. James 1: 22 – 27 James writes to be doers. Get started.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
James sums it up, 1) Be ye doers, 2) continue, 3) control your tong, 4) visit.
D. Matt. 7: 21 Doers will enter heaven.
21 ¶ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Jesus knew there would be many want ta be’s , but few doers.
E. 1 John 2: 17 Only the doers of God’s word will endure.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Where will you be?

(Now Turn the paper over and get a pen or pencil)

IV. What Will You Do In The Next 7 Days?
A. To Improve my self
1 Cor. 11: 28 Let each of us examine our selves.
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
1. Read a book of the Bible.
2. Give up a bad habit.
3. Go on a diet.
4. Rest more.
5. Pray every day.
6. Don’t tell a lie.
7. Don’t curse.
B. To Improve My Family
1. I will read
Eph. 5: 22 – Eph. 6: 4
2. Wash the supper dishes without complaining.
3. Clean out the car.
4. Clean and keep my room clean.
5. Do something good for you spouse.
6. Be kind to your family.
7. Do something I have always ` promised to do for them and din not.
C. To Improve The Church where I attend.
1. Come to Bible class every Sunday.
2. Be on time for services.
3. Study my Bible lesson before coming to class.
4. Redecorate my class room or help a teacher with theirs.
5. Send cards of encouragement.
6. Visit or call a shut – in or some one sick.
7. Grow in love for one another.
8. Forgive someone.
9. Be a better example.
10. Increase my giving.

Surely, we can do something to improve our selves, improve our family and improve our congregation for 7 days. It is the little things that get done and make a difference. Above all let us pray that we might do something more in 2006, if it be the Lord’s will. Paul wrote Hebrews 6: 3
3 And this will we do, if God permit.

If your not a Christian you need to first obey Christ. He died for you that through him you might have forgiveness of your past sins. He taught us to obey him to be pleasing to God the father. Peter told them in Acts 2: 38 to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins. If your not a Christian you need to obey tonight.

If you are a Christian, baptized for the remission of sins, and have fallen away, you need to come back to Jesus. Examine your self and do what is right in God’s eyes.

We invite you to come.