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Mark Twain once commented that “Today, we are a pious and exemplary community”.
He was referring to January 1st: New Year’s Day. The reason?
Because “Yesterday, everybody smoked his last cigar, took his last drink and swore his last oath.”
That’s the beauty of a New Year’s Resolution. On January 1st, everyone is as good as ever. But then he also said “Thirty days from now, we shall have cast our reformation to the winds and gone to cutting our ancient shortcomings considerably shorter than ever.”
Is there anything as unbelievable as a New Year’s Resolution?
According to Forbes, 8% of people actually keep their resolutions
Hopefully the right 8% listen to the sermon today! Here’s why…
1. As a New Year begins, I am reminded of the fact that we are one year closer to...
a. The day of our death, or the day the Lord returns
b. That day when we shall stand before the Lord in judgment
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
c. That day when He will either say...
1) Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world… ()
2) Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels… ()
2. Since we are one year closer to that day, I want to do 2 things:
a. To provoke your thinking as to how you have used this past year
b. To suggest some resolutions for the coming year
I. IN THE PAST YEAR
A. HAS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND CHRIST IMPROVED?
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you… ()
1. Have we drawn nearer to God?
a. A close relationship depends upon good communication...
Reading the Word and Prayer
Did we read through the Bible this year?
If not, and especially if we never have, can we say we have a good relationship with God?
c. Have we been steadfast in talking to God through prayer?
Any effective communication requires a two-way street
Therefore fervent Bible study should be joined with fervent prayer
Has our degree of prayerfulness increased or decreased this year?
B. HAS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH BELIEVERS IMPROVED?
)
9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,
1. Has our love for one another increased this year?
2. Are we any closer to one another than we were a year ago?
E.g., have we been in the homes of brethren?
E.g., have any of them been in our homes?
3. Do we even know who our brethren are?
Each year brings new members into the family of God
Have we made the effort to know them? Even by name?
Is church a place for family, or just a weekly obligation?
C. HAS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THOSE IN THE WORLD IMPROVED?
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. ()
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
1. As people of God, we have an important responsibility toward those in the world
To be a positive influence ("You are the salt of the earth")
Everyone should want you to be around because things get better
You’re encouraging, helpful, friendly…
To demonstrate a better way ("You are the light of the world")
Everyone should want to mimic your lifestyle
You’re content, happy, righteous…
2. Have we made progress this year in developing meaningful relationships with people in the world?
Are you living a life for Christ? Are you sharing the gospel?
Or are we like most "neighbors" in this day in age...
Living next to each other, but not really knowing each other?t
ILLUSTRATION: Golf balls, beans and sand… (3 golf balls, 1 cup beans, ½ cup hot cereal)
We only have so much, and keeping things prioritized means we get more out of it
SUMMARY: "Another year has gone by; have we made good use of the time the Lord has given us, or have we wasted it?
Some of us better than others, some of us not so good. All of us fell short of perfection.
But at this point, let's apply the words of Paul:
: Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
With this attitude of pressing forward, let me suggest the following resolutions...
II. FOR THE YEAR AHEAD
A. RESOLVE TO DRAW NEARER TO GOD AND CHRIST...
1. By having a daily reading program of God's living and abiding Word
: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
a. Read the New Testament this year
b. Read the Old Testament also
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning… ()
4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
This year, I plan to read one chapter myself everyday; at a minimum!
Want more? Do an OT and NT everyday!
Plus, me and Tash do a devotion in the morning
I also want to do a family one at the dinner table
You can use your YouVersion bible app to find reading plans and devotions
You can use Bible.is to listen to it!
2. By being diligent in prayer
: Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving…
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
a. Let's be a thankful people
: Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Perhaps Daniel's custom of praying three times daily would be worthy of emulation ()
I use “Prayer” app
B. RESOLVE TO BECOME CLOSER TO OTHER BELIEVERS...
1. By making it a point to learn every one's name
a. Each week, pick a person you don’t know and introduce yourself
2. By having a different person or family in your home each month
: Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
a. It doesn't have to be a fancy dinner, just a simple visit to become better acquainted
3. Or by visiting a different person or family each month
4. Join a Small Group!
4. Join a Lifegroup!
C. RESOLVE TO GET TO KNOW NON-CHRISTIANS BETTER...
It is amazing how far simple hospitality and neighborly kindness can go...
1) To build meaningful relationships
2) In which opportunities can be created to share the gospel
CONCLUSION
1. These resolutions may sound simplistic; but if implemented, they go a long way...
a. To producing the kind of lifestyle that is becoming of Christians
b. To increasing closer relationships with God, our brethren, and the lost
c. To create a clearer conscience next year at this time
2. Time is a precious commodity, given to us by God...
: For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
Finally, let me share with you the following poem...
3. Finally, let me share with you the following poem...
The old year ends, a new begins
With pages clean and new;
And what is written on each page
will now depend on you.
You can't relive the year that's past,
Erasing every wrong;
For once a year - or day - is spent,
It is forever gone.
But don't give up in dark despair
If you have failed some test;
Seek God's forgiveness and resolve
Henceforth to do your best.
: Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
2018 ends tonight, 2019 starts soon!
God has blessed us more abundantly than I could ever hope
2016 was also a great year for our church (you’ll find out more at the business meeting, but..)
Sunday attendance has grown
Most of our Lifegroups are solid and stable
Finances are good
We reached our savings goal, started a building fund and Glenn got his first raise… ever!
We reached our annual budget goal before November was even out yet!
We have strong ministries for the homeless, the hungry and we’re even helping other churches!
But 2016 is over… it’s time to focus on 2017!
There’s a good chance that before 2017 is out, we’ll have our own building!
With a kitchen, space for our food pantry and you may even be able to see it from the street!
2017 begins today, would you be a part of what God is doing?