Spiritual New Years Resolutions (2)

Introduction:

A New Year's resolution is a tradition, most common in the Western World but also found in the Eastern World, in which a person resolves to continue good practices, change an undesired trait or behavior, accomplish a personal goal, or otherwise improve their behaviour at the beginning of a calendar year.

What does it mean to resolve?

decide firmly on a course of action

firm determination to do something

Common new years resolutions

Exercise more

Lose weight

Get organized

Learn a new skill or hobby

Live life to the fullest

Save more money / spend less money

Quit smoking

1. Spend More Time Studying The Bible

God Commands us to study and understand the word of God

We need to meditate on the Word of God – Psalm 1:2

2 Tim. 2:15

Eph. 5:17

Jesus set us an example of reading in scripture – Luke 4:16-21

John Said “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” – Rev. 1:3

“Give attention to reading” – 1 Tim. 4:13

The Bereans searched the scripture daily – Acts 17:11

Why Should We Study the Word of God?

The Scriptures Are the Word of God

2 Tim. 3:16-17

1 Cor. 2:6-15

It Contains the Words of Life

Matt.4:4

John 6:63

To Protect Against False Teaching - 2 Peter 3:18

To Prosper and Succeed - Joshua 1:8

To Grow Spiritually and Get to Heaven - Acts 20:32

To Provide Comfort in Time of Trouble

Psalm 119:50, 76

1 Thess.4:18

It Is Profitable – 2 Tim. 3:16-17

Doctrine (what is right)

Reproof (what is not right)

Correction (how to get right)

Instruction (how to stay right)

2. Spend More Time In Prayer to God

We Should Make Time For Prayer

Jesus made time – Mark 1:35

David (Psalm 55:16-17)

Daniel (Daniel 6:10)

We Should Pray Daily

We allow our jobs and social pleasures to rob us of time, quiet hours, to pray

We Should Pray Always (Luke 18:1; 1 Thess. 5:17; Eph. 6:18)

Why Should We Pray?

It is a command of God – 1 Thess. 5:17

We should want to talk to our father

To find grace to help in the time if need – Heb. 4:16

God is concerned about our wants and needs – Matt. 7:9-11

God is the Almighty – Rev. 4:8

For forgiveness – Acts 8:22-24

To follow the example of Christ – 1 Peter 2:21

It does good – James 5:16

3. Do Better About Attending Worship Services

Worship should be enjoyable to a Christian – Psalm 122:1

The Disciples came together on the first day of the week – Acts 20:7

Assembled every first day of the week – 1 Cor. 16:1-2

We are told not to forsake the assembly – Heb. 10:25

Why should we attend?

God’s Commands It Of Us – Heb. 10:25

Deut. 6:24

We Need To Be Stirred Up – Heb. 10:24-25

We Need To Stir Up Others – Heb. 10:24-25

We Should Want To Be Here

Attitude of Great Men In The Bible

Psalm 42:1-2 – “soul pants after you”

Psalm 122:1 – “glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord”

Psalm 63:1 – “my soul thirsts for you”

4. Get Yourself Right With God

Alien Sinner

What Must I Do To Be Saved? – Acts 16:30

Plan of Salvation

Hear – Rom. 10:17

Believe – Mark 16:16

Repent – Acts 2:38

Confess – Acts 8:37

Be Baptized – 1 Peter 3:21; Mark 16:16

Erring Child of God

Second Law of Pardon

We still sin after obeying the gospel – 1 John 2:1

God has provided a means of forgiveness

1 John 1:8-2:2

Acts 8:22-23

Remain Faithful until death

Revelation 2:10 ESV

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.