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Spiritual lInventory - A Must 2 Corinthians 13:5)

DANIEL A OLIVA / 2021-12-27

Introduction

 A. Year end and New Year- a business man makes an inventory of his goods and enterprise

 1. He evaluates his performance for the year and compares it with the previous year

 2. He plans for the coming year and remedies his past performance/ shortcomings

 B. A Christian must also make a spiritual inventory of himself

  1. He finds out the condition of his relationship with God, his family and with others

  2. The Apostle Paul expressed this concept in 2 Corinthians 13:5

Discussion

 A. " Examine yourself whether you are in the faith?" 

  1. Faith here refers to " doctrinal purity" or is he standing in the " spiritual truth" as Jesus stated in John 14:6; 17:17

  2. Faith leads one to obey the gospel of Christ- the power of God to salvation, Romans 1:16

  3. There is no other gospel other than that which Paul preached and that which others are perverting, Galatians 1:6-9

 4. A true disciple of Christ will contend ( Greek " apologia"- defend) for the faith, Jude 1:3

 5. True faith will lead one to obey the great commission of Christ, Matthew 28:19-20

 6. Which command was fulfilled, not only by the 12 apostles of Christ, but even by the " persecuted" disciples of Jerusalem, Acts 8:1,4

 7. Present Christians can fulfill this command today by " preaching" to his       " nearest prospect" - family, friends, neighbors, etc.

 B. " In The Faith" also means Doing Its Requirements

 1. Faith does good to all men, especially to one's fellow disciples, Galatians 6:10

 2. For " faith without works is dead," James 2:26

 3. True faith ( religion) will visit the orphans and widows in their affliction, James 1:27

 4. True faith is not similar to a demonic faith which does not obey God, James 2:19

 5. True/ real faith will lead one to support his relatives, especially his immediate family, I Timothy 5:8

 6. True faith will be willing to help even the " least" of the brethren for in so doing, one does IT to Christ Himself, Matthew 25:40

C. Why Must We Examine Ourselves?

 1. Even as Christians, we are NOT free from sin, I John 1:8; Romans 3:23

 2. For our own conscience can excuse or defend our foolish and sinful ways, Romans 2:15

 3. Are we bearing the fruit of the Spirit stated in Galatians 5:22-23? Especially     " divine love?" ( Greek " agape")

 4. This divine love can grow cold or lukewarm as time goes by, Matthew 24:12; Revelation 3:15-16

 5. Jesus asked Peter thrice whether he loved His Lord and Master, John 21:15-17

 6. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses as we examine ourselves, Romans 8:26

 7. A true Christian must always be humble as he pursues spiritual holiness or perfection, unlike the Pharisees of Jesus' time, Matthew 23:12; Luke 18:19

Conclusion

 A. W. Tozer said, " You can know the real character of a person by how he spends his time and money!"

 1. How much time are we giving to God and His earthly mission of saving mankind spiritually?

 2.How much money do we give to His church and to its membership?

  a. to maintain the local church's budget and needs

  b. to expand His Spiritual Kingdom on earth

 B. Questions to Answer

 1. Are we happy or resentful about these matters brought to our attention?

 2. Are we or upset when our personal doctor brings up something about our health?

 C. There is blessed when we do Christ's commands

  1. Jesus said that we are " blessed when we keep these things for the TIME is near, " Revelation 1:3

  2. Time to accept Christ and repent of our sins is now, Acts 2:38; 2 Corinthians 6:2

  3.Christ invites us all " to come to Him," Matthew 11:28-30