THINGS WHICH WILL HELP US TO LIVE BETTER

Introduction:
   1. Heaven is described as that wonderful place. Rev. 21-22.
   2. In God's presence; everything perfect.
   3. Those of this world who go there will be perfected.
   4. If I, you, desire to attain Heaven, we MUST strive each day to
      do better than we did the day before.
   5. What are some things which should help us to live each day
      better than the last one?

BODY:
   A. A REALIZATION OF THE VALUE OF THE SOUL:
      1. Most important thing on the earth.
      2. Your most valuable and important possession.
      3. Matt. 16:26 -- "For what shall a man profit if......"
      4. Matt. 10:28 -- "Be not afraid of them that kill the body..."
      5. How do you look upon your soul? That which shall live on
         into eternity.
      6. If you think much of your soul, your life will be better
         each day.

   B. GOING ABOUT CONSCIOUS OF THE FACT THAT WE MUST ACCOUNT FOR OUR
      DEEDS AT THE DAY OF JUDGMENT:
      1. Surely, when we learn this, we will live each day better.
      2. Rev. 20:12 -- "And I saw the dead.....books were opened..."
      3. 2 Cor. 5:10 -- "For we must all appear before the judgment.
      4. Rom. 2:6 -- "Who will render to every man according to his
         deeds (works)."
      5. One cannot help but live better if we realize this fact.
      6. What grade would we give ourselves if we graded our lives at
         this very moment?  Would we pass or fail????
      7. NOTE: Not only part of our deeds, but all of them!!! In
         fact, our very thoughts.

   C. LIVE EACH DAY AS IF IT WERE THE LAST:
      1. We have no promise of tomorrow.
      2. Job 14:1 -- "Man that is born of woman is of a few days and
         full of trouble. He cometh forth as a flower and is cut
         down. He fleeth as a shadow and continueth not."
      3. Jas. 4:13-14 -- "What is your life...."
      4. The world lives as if there is plenty of time. Could it be
         possible that we, too, have fallen into that pattern???
      5. Our last day on this earth we should want to be our best day
      6. What if you knew tonight you will die, would you be present
         for the worship period this evening?
      7. I can speak for at least six in our congregation who have
         experienced heart surgery and/or heart problems; those who
         have looked death straight in the eye. What a sobering
         effect. And with each "angina" attack the thought, "Could
         this be it?"
      8. That will make you live each day better.

   D. A CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE FACT THAT WE MUST SPEND ETERNITY IN
      EITHER HEAVEN OR HELL:
      1. Matt. 25:46 -- "And these shall go away into....."
      2. Matt. 7:13, 14 -- Many in the broad way; few in narrow...
      3. There is no other alternative.
      4. Matt, 12:30 -- "He that is not with me is against me; and he
         that gathereth not with me scattereth."
      5. There just isn't any middle ground; No neutrality.

   E. A GREATER DEGREE OF FAITH:
      1. Matt. 14:28-31 -- Peter began to sink for lack of faith.
      2. Heb. 3:12 -- Lack of faith will cause one to fall.
      3. The greater our faith, the better we will live.
      4. Rom. 10:17 -- Since faith comes by hearing the Word of God,
         it should behoove each one of us to avail ourselves of every
         opportunity to study His Word. Sunday morning classes;
         Sunday evening worship; Wednesday evening study; throughout
         the week in our homes, etc.

   F. ENCOURAGING WORDS FOR DOING THE RIGHT INSPIRE US TO DO BETTER:
      1. Especially true of our young people. We who are older need
         to constantly be an encouragement to the younger. Compliment
         them when possible. We have a good number of young members
         who are developing their abilities. Be sure that you let
         them know how much you appreciate their efforts.
      2. Matt. 8:5-10 -- How encouraging this must have to the Roman
         Centurion.
      3. Mk. 12:41-44 -- Widow must have been encouraged by the words
         of the Master.
      4. We need to encourage each other; Look for the good in our
         brethren. And let them know our feelings.

   G. HAVING OUR SINS REBUKED (REPROVED) HELPS TO LIVE BETTER:
      1. 2 Tim. 4:1-2 -- Paul told Timothy to do this.
      2. It isn't easy to rebuke another. Knowing all the while that
         we, too, fall short at times. But, we need to remember that
         we are all on the same road; and we need to assist each
         other in our service of our King.
      3. Gal. 6:1-5 -- A two fold responsibility of each one.
      4. Am I my brothers keeper??? Of a truth, you are.

   H. THE THOUGHT THAT ONE IS AN EXAMPLE AND IS HELPING TO LEAD
      OTHERS (SOMEWHERE) HELPS ONE TO LIVE BETTER:
      1. 1 Tim. 4:12 -- "Be thou an example...."
      2. Phil. 1:20 -- Christianity on display.
      3. Matt. 5:13-16 -- We are not alone on this journey.

   I. TAKE AN INVENTORY OF SELF AND SEE WHERE YOU CAN MAKE
      IMPROVEMENTS:
      1. Matt. 7:1-5 -- We touched on this earlier in the lesson.
      2. How often we need to stop and look in the mirror. What do I
         see?? Do I see reflected the image of Christ??

CONCLUSION:
   1. With our every fiber we must serve the Lord.
   2. Each day should be just a little better than the day before.
   3. My friend, if you are not a child of God, you need most of all
      to realize that nothing else is more important than that.
   4. All else is of no profit, if we loose our soul.
   5. Jehovah asks of you that you love Him. But, love is shown
      through obedience. Obedience to the commands of Christ Jesus.

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