Sermon Tone Analysis

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

: 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?

)

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.

()

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.

a. Read the New Testament this year

b.

Read the Old Testament also

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning… ()

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…

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.

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