NEW YEARS: RESOLUTION vs PROMISE vs COMMITMENT

Jeremiah 10:23–24 KJV 1900

23 O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. 24 O Lord, correct me, but with judgment; Not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.

Jeremiah 10:23 KJV 1900

O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

INTRODUCTION: The count down;10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 (The Ball Drops.) What am I taking about? New Years of Course, January 1st and the New Year’s resolution. The day we see gyms full and can’t find a parking spot. People saying; “I’m going on a diet so, I can lose weight, I’m going to get in shape, I’m going to quit drinking alcohol, or smoking.” Said any of those things before? Your not alone. Tonight I will be preaching on the subject New Years: Resolution vs Promise vs Commitment. My goal is for you to see that each of us need to make a personal commitment to have a New Spiritual Direction and Start Serving God and not ourselves.

Jeremiah 10:23–24 KJV 1900

23 O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. 24 O Lord, correct me, but with judgment; Not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.

INTRODUCTION: 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 (The Ball Drops.) What am I taking about? New Years of Course, January 1st and the New Year’s resolution. The day we see gyms full and can’t find a parking spot. People saying; “I’m going to lose weight, and go on a diet, get in shape, quit drinking alcohol, or smoking.” Said any of those things before? Your not alone. Tonight I will be preaching on the subject New Years: Resolution vs Promise vs Commitment. My goal is for you to see that each of us need to make a personal commitment to have a New Spiritual Direction and Start Serving God and not Self.

-24

Explanation: What we see in those two verses is God’s ability to plan our lives well is infinitely beyond our ability. Sometimes we are afraid of God’s power and God’s plans because we know His power would easily crush us if He used it against us. You don’t need to be afraid to let God correct your plans. He will give you wisdom if you are willing.

Traditionally practiced at the start of every year

I. New Year’s Resolution:

Is a personal promise made by an individual to oneself

Most often involves a behavior modification or elimination of a bad habits

58% of Americans Make New Year’s Resolutions beginning January 1

42% will never succeed and fail on their Resolution

What is a New Year’s Resolution?

Definition of a New Year’s Resolution: is a promise made by an individual to oneself, most often involving the achievement of some goal or elimination of a negative habit or character flaw.

Traditionally practiced at the start of every year

What is a New Year’s Promise?

Definition of a New Year’s Promise: is a declaration that one will do or refrain from doing something specified.

What is a New Year’s Commitment?

Definition of a New Year’s Commitment: is the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.

Lets look for a second at the word Dedicated; it means being devoted to a cause or concerned thing.

The difference between Resolution, Promise, and Commitment.

Resolution - “I want to do this or that.”

It is easy to break because you are only promising yourself, with no accountability.

Galatians 6:1–2 KJV 1900

1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Galatians

Explanation: No one should ever think he or she is totally independent. If you depend solely on your self you are more likely to fail.

b. Promise - “I will do this or that.”

i. Promise can be easily made and broken.

ii. A broken promise implies that the person making it, either didn’t think before making it, or didn’t care they’ve let you down.

James 5:12 KJV 1900

12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

Explanation: A person with a reputation for exaggeration or lying often can’t get anyone to believe him on his word. In other words “Don’t make promises you can’t or don’t intend to keep.

c. Commitment - I will do this or that, and I won’t stop till the task is done.

i. It evokes a strong sense of intention and focus.

ii. Involves dedicating yourself to something.

iii. It obligates you to something.

iv. This is what I’m asking each of you to do tonight.

v. To fully comment to God!

I don’t want any of you to make a New Year’s Resolution; saying you going to serve God in 2018!

I don’t want you to make a New Year’s Promise; saying your going to serve God in 2018!

I want you to make a New Year’s Commitment; that you will serve God in 2018!

A “COMMITMENT” is much Harder to BREAK!

Proverbs 16:3 KJV 1900

3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, And thy thoughts shall be established.

Psalm 143:10 KJV 1900

10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: Thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

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II. How can I fully Commit to God?

4 Steps you need know and follow to be fully Commitment to God:

Surrender your whole life to God.

Matthew 6:33 KJV 1900

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:33

2. Confess any known sin(s)

Psalm 66:18 KJV 1900

18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear me:

1 John 1:9 KJV 1900

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

Psalms 66:18

Psalm 103:12 KJV 1900

12 As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

3. Repent, turn away from sin(s) that keep you from having a closer relationship with God.

Isaiah 55:7 KJV 1900

7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts: And let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; And to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Isaiah

You ask, “Whats the difference between confession, and Repentance?”

Confession of Sin(s), simply means you agree with God that what you did was wrong

That alone will not keep us from repeating it.

Repentance, is a heartfelt sorrow for sin(s) followed by a sincere commitment to forsake it, and walk in obedience to God.

It’s not merely feeling remorse or guilt, but changing direction

That’s why Repentance always will be a big part of any true confession of sin(s) to God.

1 John

1 John 1:7–9 KJV 1900

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Colossians 3:8 KJV 1900

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

Romans 7:15 KJV 1900

15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

Colossians

romans 7

4. Serve.

Remember;

i. You can’t serve God, if you still have UNCONFESSED sin(s) in your life.

ii. You can’t serve God if you don’t REPENT from those sin(s).

iii. You must have a CLEAN HEART to serve God.

1 Samuel

1 Samuel 12:24 KJV 1900

24 Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.

Colossians 3:23–24 KJV 1900

23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Romans 12:1 KJV 1900

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Matthew 6:24 KJV 1900

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

II. I have set a bold New Goal for Friendship Baptist:

I can not achieve it alone. I need help!!!

GOD’S Help above all.

I need EVERY MEMBERS help.

I need for everyone to have FAITH, we can achieve this goal.

If you think in your HEART that it can’t be done.

We FAIL before getting started.

It’s going to take COMMITMENT from all of us.

Philippians 3:13–14 KJV 1900

13 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, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3: 13-14

Philippians 4:13 KJV 1900

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Ph

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 KJV 1900

24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

1 Corinthians 9: 24-27

Closing:

I take about Resolutions, Promises, and Commitment tonight.

It’s my hope you will make a decision before going home tonight.

Will you follow me and commit yourself to God for 2018 and beyond?

Before you can commit to God you have to know Him.

Have you accepted His Son as your Personal Saviour?

If not what are you waiting for!

If you have, are you serving Him?

I mean really serving Him, not just playing Church!

If you truly want to commit and start serving God.

Will you please come forward or kneel where you are.

Remember to Truly Serve God you must Know Him, and have a Clean Heart.

Will you make that decision tonight.

As we sing a verse of invitation.