4 Goals for the New Year Part 1
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4 Goals for the New Year
4 Goals for the New Year
Philippians 3:13-14
James 1:4;12
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
I have been doing a lot of going over things lately.
I have been doing a lot of going over things lately.
I have come on a couple of things that have greatly disturbed me .
I have come on a couple of things that have greatly disturbed me .
Seeing my children and grandchildren not in Church and following Jesus anymore .
Seeing my children and grandchildren not in Church and following Jesus anymore .
Reason maybe 2 main reasons
Reason maybe 2 main reasons
a. Parents failure to take the biblical stand needed for our children to know the right way.
a. Parents failure to take the biblical stand needed for our children to know the right way.
b. Failure of the Church to Teach their members the doctrine that will keep them for the future.
b. Failure of the Church to Teach their members the doctrine that will keep them for the future.
2. When you get the age we are at you often look at things we must keep doing, Allow me to use Illustration from the Series on Fox Blue Bloods.
2. When you get the age we are at you often look at things we must keep doing, Allow me to use Illustration from the Series on Fox Blue Bloods.
Danny the son of Frank Reagan in the story was being Grilled for shooting a person who had killed a lot of young Girls in the story, They went to the Grave side of the younger son who was killed in the story earlier , the Statement was made by Danny to his father Frank
Danny the son of Frank Reagan in the story was being Grilled for shooting a person who had killed a lot of young Girls in the story, They went to the Grave side of the younger son who was killed in the story earlier , the Statement was made by Danny to his father Frank
“ I am not sure I have anymore to Give”
“ I am not sure I have anymore to Give”
Gal 6:9
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
This has led me to suggest at least 4 things to help us live in the times we are living as we begin this New year 2024,
This has led me to suggest at least 4 things to help us live in the times we are living as we begin this New year 2024,
1 Find some dissatisfaction
1 Find some dissatisfaction
For a church to go backward, it doesn’t require people to go backward, just to stand still.
For a church to go backward, it doesn’t require people to go backward, just to stand still.
Have you found a comfort zone in your spiritual life?
Have you found a comfort zone in your spiritual life?
We’re not talking about contentment here
We’re not talking about contentment here
Materialism—Godliness with contentment is great gain
Materialism—Godliness with contentment is great gain
Spiritually—don’t ever be content, satisfied
Spiritually—don’t ever be content, satisfied
Here’s the attitude to have: However much I read my Bible in last year, it wasn’t enough (prayed, gave, served, worshipped)
Here’s the attitude to have: However much I read my Bible in last year, it wasn’t enough (prayed, gave, served, worshipped)
I’m pressing on the upward way…new heights I'm gaining ev’ry day…higher ground!
I’m pressing on the upward way…new heights I'm gaining ev’ry day…higher ground!
We could have stayed in the way we are in our church,…but we would have to coast, we couldn’t go forward.
We could have stayed in the way we are in our church,…but we would have to coast, we couldn’t go forward.
Why do we get self-satisfied?
Why do we get self-satisfied?
We compare ourselves to others who are not making good progress.
We compare ourselves to others who are not making good progress.
Since when are inferiors our standard?
Since when are inferiors our standard?
“comparing yourselves with others is not wise”
“comparing yourselves with others is not wise”
We develop a false sense of spirituality when we compare to anyone other than our Savior...and when we do that, we quickly recognize how small we are.
We develop a false sense of spirituality when we compare to anyone other than our Savior...and when we do that, we quickly recognize how small we are.
Phil. 3:13—“brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended” (arrived)
Phil. 3:13—“brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended” (arrived)
No cruise control, put the pedal to the metal
No cruise control, put the pedal to the metal
If we’re not careful, we can allow ourselves to get to the point of complacency.
If we’re not careful, we can allow ourselves to get to the point of complacency.
(beat down with the woes of life, failures of yesterday)
(beat down with the woes of life, failures of yesterday)
Pastor pounded the pulpit… “Ignorance and complacency, that’s our problem!
Pastor pounded the pulpit… “Ignorance and complacency, that’s our problem!
You sir, on the front row, do you even know the difference between ignorance and complacency? …
You sir, on the front row, do you even know the difference between ignorance and complacency? …
“I don’t know and I don’t care”!
“I don’t know and I don’t care”!
When is a church officially dead, and when can we write Ichabod on the door?
When is a church officially dead, and when can we write Ichabod on the door?
When we’ve looked backward so long we can’t find it within ourselves to look up, and look ahead!
When we’ve looked backward so long we can’t find it within ourselves to look up, and look ahead!
find some dissatisfaction...
find some dissatisfaction...
2. Find some devotion
2. Find some devotion
Phil. 3:13—“but this one thing I do…” (one of the most important phrases)
Phil. 3:13—“but this one thing I do…” (one of the most important phrases)
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
To the self-righteous rich young ruler, Jesus said, “one thing thou lackest”
To the self-righteous rich young ruler, Jesus said, “one thing thou lackest”
To busy Martha, working in the kitchen, criticizing her sister Mary, Jesus said, “one thing is needful.”
To busy Martha, working in the kitchen, criticizing her sister Mary, Jesus said, “one thing is needful.”
Ps. 27:4 David said, “one thing I have desired of the lord.”
Ps. 27:4 David said, “one thing I have desired of the lord.”
One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.
Paul said, "This one thing I do"…a statement of devotion
Paul said, "This one thing I do"…a statement of devotion
His Christianity was not a sideshow ... not a compartment of his life
His Christianity was not a sideshow ... not a compartment of his life
A wheel has many spokes, and so do we in our lives:
A wheel has many spokes, and so do we in our lives:
Work life, school life, hobbies, family life, church life
Work life, school life, hobbies, family life, church life
The spokes have nothing to do with each other
The spokes have nothing to do with each other
Your church life doesn’t show up at work, on the basketball court, to view your family life at home you’d never dream you also had that church life.
Your church life doesn’t show up at work, on the basketball court, to view your family life at home you’d never dream you also had that church life.
Jesus doesn’t want to be a spoke at all, he wants to be the hub of the wheel, out of which all the spokes grow and connect
Jesus doesn’t want to be a spoke at all, he wants to be the hub of the wheel, out of which all the spokes grow and connect
Christianity shouldn’t be a compartment of our life, it should BE our life!
Christianity shouldn’t be a compartment of our life, it should BE our life!
We need to trade some commitments of this world for commitment TO our Lord.
We need to trade some commitments of this world for commitment TO our Lord.
We’re too busy these days, it’s McDonald's every Monday, taco Tuesday, work out on Wednesday, tee-ball Thursday, fishing Friday, yard-saleing Saturday,… no wonder we’re sleeping on Sunday!
We’re too busy these days, it’s McDonald's every Monday, taco Tuesday, work out on Wednesday, tee-ball Thursday, fishing Friday, yard-saleing Saturday,… no wonder we’re sleeping on Sunday!
We need to learn to say no…be less devoted, that we may become more devoted where it counts
We need to learn to say no…be less devoted, that we may become more devoted where it counts
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last!
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last!
When I was a child, I laughed and wept,
When I was a child, I laughed and wept,
And time crept
And time crept
When I was a youth, I dreamed and talked,
When I was a youth, I dreamed and talked,
Time walked
Time walked
When I became a full grown man,
When I became a full grown man,
Time ran
Time ran
When older still I daily grew,
When older still I daily grew,
Time flew
Time flew
Soon I shall be traveling on
Soon I shall be traveling on
Time gone!
Time gone!
Difference between an amateur and a professional:
Difference between an amateur and a professional:
Amateur does things from time to time…in spurts
Amateur does things from time to time…in spurts
Professional devotes full time…it’s his life’s work
Professional devotes full time…it’s his life’s work
You’ll never be effective for the Lord by attending church in spurts
You’ll never be effective for the Lord by attending church in spurts
[try telling your spouse you will be faithful to them ... in spurts!]
[try telling your spouse you will be faithful to them ... in spurts!]
The Sunday morning Christian will go backward in their spiritual life week after week, and sadly, will likely never realize it.
The Sunday morning Christian will go backward in their spiritual life week after week, and sadly, will likely never realize it.
[Praying in spurts, Bible reading in spurts, giving in spurts.]
[Praying in spurts, Bible reading in spurts, giving in spurts.]
Let’s become a church of devotion, with a professional mindset, 24/7, full-time job…this one thing I do.
Let’s become a church of devotion, with a professional mindset, 24/7, full-time job…this one thing I do.
D.L. Moody, preacher, promoter, evangelist, did YMCA work, had many irons in the fire…he preached one Sunday night, and said, “Go home and think about getting saved for a week, then come back, and we’ll lead you to Christ.” Great Chicago fire killed thousands that week, including many he had preached to.
D.L. Moody, preacher, promoter, evangelist, did YMCA work, had many irons in the fire…he preached one Sunday night, and said, “Go home and think about getting saved for a week, then come back, and we’ll lead you to Christ.” Great Chicago fire killed thousands that week, including many he had preached to.
Moody decided to never preach without giving an invitation again…and that he needed to devote himself to evangelism only…"
this one thing I do!" He then shook 2 continents for God!
Moody decided to never preach without giving an invitation again…and that he needed to devote himself to evangelism only…"
this one thing I do!" He then shook 2 continents for God!
dissatisfaction, devotion...
dissatisfaction, devotion...
3. Find some direction
3. Find some direction
. Phil 3: 14, “forgetting those things which are behind…”
. Phil 3: 14, “forgetting those things which are behind…”
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Did you know that the month January got it’s name from Caesar, who named the month for the roman god Janus, the two-faced god…one face looking backward, and one forward.
Did you know that the month January got it’s name from Caesar, who named the month for the roman god Janus, the two-faced god…one face looking backward, and one forward.
In 2024, there’s no looking back…the past is passed…no man putting his hand to the plow, looking back, is fit for the kingdom of god.
In 2024, there’s no looking back…the past is passed…no man putting his hand to the plow, looking back, is fit for the kingdom of god.
No looking back at past sin…He forgives it, He forgets it, so should we!
No looking back at past sin…He forgives it, He forgets it, so should we!
It’s Satan who reminds you of those past sins, not God.
It’s Satan who reminds you of those past sins, not God.
When you think of it, thank God for forgiving you the 1st time!
When you think of it, thank God for forgiving you the 1st time!
John R. Rice, “No matter what you did in the past, your future is spotless!”
John R. Rice, “No matter what you did in the past, your future is spotless!”
No looking back at past failures…different than past sin.
No looking back at past failures…different than past sin.
“Most new year’s resolutions go in one YEAR and out the other”
“Most new year’s resolutions go in one YEAR and out the other”
Last year’s resolutions, weight loss, smoking, etc.
Last year’s resolutions, weight loss, smoking, etc.
You only fail when you stop trying!
You only fail when you stop trying!
A just man falleth 7 times and riseth up again!
A just man falleth 7 times and riseth up again!
Babe Ruth held the home run record for many years…remember his other record? …strikeouts.
Babe Ruth held the home run record for many years…remember his other record? …strikeouts.
Winston Churchill said, “Success is the ability to move from one failure on to the next.”
Winston Churchill said, “Success is the ability to move from one failure on to the next.”
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
1831—failed in business, went bankrupt
1831—failed in business, went bankrupt
1833—back on his feet, failed again
1833—back on his feet, failed again
1835—fiancee died
1835—fiancee died
1836—nervous breakdown
1836—nervous breakdown
1838—ran for speaker of house, was defeated
1838—ran for speaker of house, was defeated
1840—elector, was defeated
1840—elector, was defeated
1843—congress, was defeated
1843—congress, was defeated
1848—congress, was defeated
1848—congress, was defeated
1855—senate, was defeated
1855—senate, was defeated
1856—vice president, was defeated
1856—vice president, was defeated
1858—senate, was defeated
1858—senate, was defeated
1860—was elected president, one of the greatest who ever lived.
1860—was elected president, one of the greatest who ever lived.
He moved from one failure to the next without quitting
He moved from one failure to the next without quitting
Success is getting up just one time more than you fall down!
Success is getting up just one time more than you fall down!
No looking back at past bitterness.
No looking back at past bitterness.
If anyone could be bitter in the o.t. It was Joseph, betrayed by his brothers.
If anyone could be bitter in the o.t. It was Joseph, betrayed by his brothers.
Could have said, “I'm in this situation because of what others did, thru no fault of my own!” He realized forgiveness is a choice.
Could have said, “I'm in this situation because of what others did, thru no fault of my own!” He realized forgiveness is a choice.
Don’t say you can’t forgive that person who comes to your mind in bitterness…be honest and say you won’t forgive.
Don’t say you can’t forgive that person who comes to your mind in bitterness…be honest and say you won’t forgive.
Remember, bitterness never hurts the one you’re bitter toward…bitterness always turns on its creator, and poisons him.
Remember, bitterness never hurts the one you’re bitter toward…bitterness always turns on its creator, and poisons him.
No looking back at past events. [longingly]
No looking back at past events. [longingly]
ill.--we have taken a few walks down memory lane with family this Christmas, and it has been fun. And you can actually learn from the past and use it to propel forward.
ill.--we have taken a few walks down memory lane with family this Christmas, and it has been fun. And you can actually learn from the past and use it to propel forward.
Good or bad…we love to reminisce of the good old days-ok if we don’t dwell on it and allow it to affect our present!
Good or bad…we love to reminisce of the good old days-ok if we don’t dwell on it and allow it to affect our present!
We can learn from the past—but then move on!
We can learn from the past—but then move on!
what we did right/wrong
what we did right/wrong
No good comes from dwelling on people of the past either.
No good comes from dwelling on people of the past either.
But Jesus said to look on the fields white unto harvest…those who don’t yet go to Grace!
But Jesus said to look on the fields white unto harvest…those who don’t yet go to Grace!
But it’s negative/discouraging to dwell on someone you miss who’s not here…it’s painful to lose anyone…even worse, is what will result if we dwell on it…and in so doing we forget about the 4 new ones we’ve gained for each and every one lost [far above average!]
But it’s negative/discouraging to dwell on someone you miss who’s not here…it’s painful to lose anyone…even worse, is what will result if we dwell on it…and in so doing we forget about the 4 new ones we’ve gained for each and every one lost [far above average!]