?But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.? (1 Thessalonians 5:4 ? 6 )



Why is it important that we know our spiritual gifts?

1.) God wants us to know.

?Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led.? 1 Corinthians 12:1 ? 2 )

2.) It helps us better serve the Body of Christ.

?But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.? (1 Corinthians 12:18 )

When discussing the concept of balance we are sometimes led down the path which defines ?balance? as not going from one extreme to another. Sometimes it is understood in regard to moderation.

The Dictionary defines ?balance? as: ?A harmonious or satisfying arrangement or proportion of parts or elements, as in a design.? But it also defines balance as: ?A stable mental or psychological state; emotional stability.?

The word which also carries this idea of balance is ?sober? or ?temperate.?
The dictionary defines purpose as: ?The object toward which one strives or for which something exists; an aim or a goal.?

So to maintain balance and purpose we must be stable in our spiritual walk and use the gifts God has given us to become what He wants us to become.

I. Who are we?

A. 1 Corinthians. 3:9

For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building.

B. 1 John 3:1

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

II. Where did we come from?

?For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.? (Colossians 1:13 ? 14)

III. Where are we are going?

A. Hebrews 11:13 ? 16

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

IV. How do we get there from here?

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Published on: 2005-07-19 (1895 reads)