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“Managing Your Talents”
Daniel 1
Pastor Gerry Erffmeyer
Introduction: God designed you like no one else in all the
world. God created you to serve Him. (Jeremiah 1:5)
I. The Test
- The king tried to change Daniel and his friends in 5 ways:
- A new place (vs 3,4). (They were far from home.)
- A new education (vs 4). Education is not neutral. Everything is
taught from a certain viewpoint. This was a godless
education.
- A new language (vs 4). (To pull them away from God.)
- A new diet (vs 5). (To change their way of living.)
- A new name (vs 7). (To change their worship.)
II. The Right Choice
-- Vs 8 “Daniel resolved not to defile himself.”
-- Vs 12-17 – Daniel and his friends pass the 10 day test and God blesses
them.
III. Your Choices Today
-- God calls you to serve Him.
-- How are you spending your time and using your talents?
-- God planned every detail about you. He decided to give you life
for a reason.
-- You can discover your own unique SHAPE:
S = Spiritual Gifts. “Unwrap your spiritual gifts.”
--You can’t earn them. You can’t deserve them. Instead,
you receive them as gifts.
H = Heart. Listen to your heart.”
--What area of service excites you? What is your passion?
What do you love to do?
A = Abilities. Apply your abilities.”
--These are the natural talents you are born with.
--Some people are good with words, some with math or music
or meachanics. Some people have the ability to make lots of money.
Deut. 8:18 “Remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability
to produce wealth.”
P = Personality. “Use your personality.”
--God makes thinkers and feelers.
--Some people work best alone and some work best in teams.
--Woodworkers learn it’s best to work with the grain.
E = Experiences. “Employ your experiences.”
--You have been shaped by your life experiences. God never wastes
a hurt.
--Don’t miss your purpose on earth. Jesus came for a purpose.
--“Only one life will soon be past. Only what’s done
for Christ will last.”
“Managing Your Talents”
Daniel 1
Pastor Gerry Erffmeyer
Orland Park Church
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