Resolutions of Bible Characters

A. Well, it’s resolution time again, but resolutions are limited.

B. Resolutions are limited.

1. Doing better cannot save us.

2. Works do not commend us to God.

C. What about the value of resolutions?

1. It’s good to set goals for ourselves.

2. But we must be careful if we make a vow to God.

Ecclesiastes 5:4 NKJV

4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed—

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3. There are many in the Bible who made resolutions.

3. There are many in the Bible who made resolutions.

4. Let’s examine some Bible resolutions.

Jacob’s Resolution To Give His Tithe ()

Genesis 38:22 NKJV

22 So he returned to Judah and said, “I cannot find her. Also, the men of the place said there was no harlot in this place.”

Genesis 28:22 NKJV

22 And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.”

1. Conditions under which the resolution was made

a. Jacob was fleeing from Esau because he has defrauded him.

b. A resolution made when he has little to give.

2. Some thoughts about tithing:

a. Abraham commenced it. ()

b. Jacob continued it. ()

c. Malachi commanded it. ()

d. Jesus commended it. ()

3. Does tithing apply to Christians?

a. It is clear we are to give a portion of our income. ()

b. We noticed last week that tithing began before the law was given.

4. This is one of the easiest places to let down.

5. It is also one of the most practical areas to prove faith.

6. We were challenged last week from Malachi to prove God.

7. See how the Lord rewarded Jacob. ()

Genesis 32:10 NKJV

10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies.

David’s Resolutions Concerning God’s Word ()

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Psalm 119:15–16 NKJV

15 I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. 16 I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

1. “I will meditate on Your precepts” “instructions, procedures.”

a. I believe we know the importance of meditating on God’s Word. ()

Proverbs 23:7 NKJV

7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you.

b. We should be God’s Word into our minds on a regular basis.

2. “I will delight myself in Your statutes”

a. It’s not drudgery, but daily delight.

b. Let’s treat it like a love letter from the Lord.

3. “I will not forget Your word”

a. This calls for memorization.

b. Memorization of the Bible is not just for children.

c. Why not begin to memorize verses each week this year?

4. Another thing we can do is to resolve to read the Bible through in a year.

a. Four chapters daily gets us through the Bible in a year.

b. Reading three chapters on weekdays and five on Sunday will also help us to cover the whole Bible.

Daniel’s Resolution Concerning a Clean Life ()

Daniel 1:8 NKJV

8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

1. Here we have the testimony of a teenager (possibly around 15 years old)

a. His country was overtaken by a foreign power.

b. He had been chosen to study at the palace.

2. Decided in his heart to dare to be different.

3. It’s so easy to just go along with the crowd.

4. The word “defile” means to soil or pollute.

5. There is plenty of pollution around today

a. Plenty of reading material that defiles.

b. Plenty of viewing material that defiles.

6. A decision for holiness of life will go against the flesh.

7. Holy living always pays dividends.

Conclusion:

A. What are your resolutions for Christ today?

B. Think of the impact these could make on the New Year.