Potential Or Productivity

POTENTIAL OR PRODUCTIVITY 07/31/05 AM

I believe this morning that within this assembly lays the potential to do great things for God.

I believe sitting on these pews, are people with the potential to be great preachers, teachers, peoples with great witness abilities, care givers, givers, and so on.

But dare us to have so much potential within our lives and very little productivity?

I think we need the Spirit of God to unleash us and allow us to live up to our God given potential.

Matt 25:14-29

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants (we are not our own, weare bought with a price), and delivered unto them his goods.

15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

They put their tallents to work and profited.

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant,

27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

Intro: There are many good people, nice people with great potential to serve God. The only thing is they never move from the potential to productivity.

Like the car that’s transmission is stuck in neutral; the motor sounds impressive, the lights radio and horn are all in working condition, new tires, but the only problem is that it is not going anywhere.

The 3rd servant in the parable is the same way. He looks at the master and says I did not do anything. I hid the one talent and never put it to use, I never allowed you to gain any glory.

He had the talent, he had the blessing of the master, he had the opportunity, he had the potential but never moved over to productivity.

I. Productive Service

1. What good is a fruit tree that does not produce fruit.

2. We must realize that God will judge our lack of action just as much as He does our actions.

WE are going to stand before the judgment seat of Christ soon.

1 Corinthians 3:12-15 Paul says,

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

3. God desires for us to dream dreams & to have visions and goals in our lives for the Kingdom.

- It takes a vision in our soul to be productive such as;

Encourage the people to enter onto a vital, committed relationship with Christ so that they may experience God’s love, presence, guidance and power in their daily lives.

Edify God through our giving and praise to Him, compassion towards others, and unity amongst ourselves.

Equip the church family for spiritual growth and services by providing learning and ministry opportunities.

Emphasize the need ’to live by faith, dependent upon God and His word.

Enable the people to transmit Jesus Christ and His Gospel of salvation and reconciliation to those who have yet to know Him.

Enlist the prayer and financial support of people to propagate the ministry of Jesus Christ world wide.

Educate and equip for ministry "all who have a clear calling of God.

Earnestly seek the infilling and power of the Holy Ghost, to enable this church body to successfully accomplish our mission as the church of Jesus Christ.