January 7th, 2001, Sunday Evening

Enrichment and Enhancement
How to enrich our life and our church

OPENING: 2 Corinthians 9:11, KJV

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• Three things that enrich our life and our church:
  
  
  • #1/3: Our relationship with our Savior.
    
    
    • First, examine the definition of enrich.
      
      
      • To make rich, to make wealthy.
      • To fertilize--enrich the soul.
      • Supply of water/fertilizer to have a plant grow and produce its best fruits
      • EXAMPLE: A ladies' touch in a dreary house.
      
      
    • This can be similarly applied in church: we can enrich our relationship with our Savior through singing, preaching, and ministry (meaning we're not literally a minister but we work for, or "minister" to, our Savior).
      
      
    • 2 Corinthians 9:6-11: This is our motivation for wanting to be enriched:
      
      
      • 2 Corinthians 9:10: To be fruitful is the motivation.
      • Our seed comes from GOD.
      • Our desire to have lives enriched is to have fruit.
      • 2 Corinthians 9:11: GOD needs/lusts after our worship to Him.
      
      
    • We can still write hymns for GOD today but the "enrichment" we feel goes into it must not overtly transcend from our soul to our body
      
      
      • I.e., if you wiggle to the point of breakdancing to the music, in front of everyone, it may not be acceptable to GOD because then the people notice and cheer for you--giving you, not GOD, the glory.
      
      
    • Being enriched cannot be done enough.
      
      
    • John 1:12: Just believing on His name is enough to be called a son of God.
      
      
    • 1 Pet 1:23: The "incorruptible [seed]" is the Word of GOD.
    
    
  • #2/3: Motivation of our enrichment
    
    
    • 2 Pet 3:18: We are commanded to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge..." meaning we should continue to be enriched.
      
      
    • Having a close, special relationship with GOD gives the ability to ask GOD to "cool off." This is not disrespectful ... look in the Bible where man told GOD to refrain from killing:
      
      
      • Exodus 32:9-14: When GOD wanted to kill all the Children of Israel for claiming a golden calf brought them out of Egypt, Moses successfully interceded.
      • Jeremiah 26:19
      • Amos 7:1-6
    
    
  • #3/3: Methods of enrichment
    
    
    • It costs time being spent with our Savior. Quiet, isolated time with GOD enriches us.
      
      
    • Take time to slowly and carefully read the Bible. Don't be in a hurry.
      
      
    • Be provoked to sing at home before GOD--not just by the song leader at church ... and it doesn't have to be loud or vocal! Even a song in your heart as you go through your work day may be pleasing to your Savior.
      
      
    • John 15:1-4 and Psalm 1:1:
      
      
      • No amount of money saved in the bank is enough. Has there ever been a set amount of money that someone was forever satisfied with? The flesh is NEVER satisfied! It always wants more, more, more...
        
        
      • Is life as short as the Nike commercial really says--that you cannot make time for GOD? Who gave you time, in the first place?
      
      
    • Matthew 6:21: Most people would like to reverse this scripture but what the scripture says is true (i.e., if you invest all you own in your children, all of your efforts/monies go into them; thus, your heart would be with your children).
      
      
    • Matthew 6:19-21: THEME of this message--if you work to put your treasure up there, it cannot be stolen ... and your heart will be there, also.
  
  
  CLOSER

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• Let's enrich our ministry to GOD by...
  • Spending time with GOD
  • Enhancing our personal relationship with Jesus Christ
  • Being friendlier/more cheerful out in this temporal world