Assessing Our Future
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Intro
Hey You! (Get the audience’s attention)
Every year It's Enjoyable To Spend Christmas and New Year's With family and friends. However, I always get disoriented because my schedule is out of whack. Some businesses are closed. Other people are not in town when you need them. It is kind of a in-between moment in time. I can't always get everything done on schedule as I used to during the other parts of the year.
Look! (Examine the Scriptures)
See! (Explain the passage)
Every year It's Enjoyable To Spend Christmas and New Year's With family and friends. However, I always get disoriented because my schedule is out of whack. Some businesses are closed. Other people are not in town when you need them. It is kind of a in-between moment in time. I can't always get everything done on schedule as I used to during the other parts of the year.
Do! (Make application)
Every year It's Enjoyable To Spend Christmas and New Year's With family and friends. However, I always get disoriented because my schedule is out of whack. Some businesses are closed. Other people are not in town when you need them. It is kind of a in-between moment in time. I can't always get everything done on schedule as I used to during the other parts of the year.
So with this change in schedule I am almost forced to think about everything that has passed over the last year and assess my future and see if there is anything I want to change. Not necessarily a New Year's resolution, but a moment of introspection to determine if there is anything I need to do differently. And as I come to a realization, I resolved to set out differently, to move forward a new direction or to follow different steps. I guess that is a New Year's resolution.
It's funny how it works. We all know that time keeps going on regardless of whether it's 2018 or 2019. But the change of the year is a very pronounced realization that time keeps moving forward. Every time we fill out a form and have to apply the date, we are reminded that time moves on. Every time we celebrate a birthday or some other milestone we are reminded that time keeps marching forward.
And with the realization that time moves forward comes the understanding that there might be things in life that need to change before it gets too late. Exercise and personal health is a big one. I tried to go to the gym regularly and I find that January is the month when I see more new people in the gym and more crowds during the time I am there.
I like my routine and the end of the year situations that mess up my routine I also welcome because it gives me this time to focus on the future.
Resolution. Webster defines the word as being "marked by firm determination." The word dominates every New Year's Eve.
Resolution. Webster defines the word as being "marked by firm determination." The word dominates every New Year's Eve.
To the musician, a "resolution" is a harmony line moving from a dissonant tone (one that does not fit the melody) to a consonant tone (one that fits). Harmonies can dance and amaze us with varied complexities for a while, but they must eventually resolve.
To the writer, a resolution is the end of a story, the final element of a twisting plot wrought with conflict, finally resolved to an ending where all is well.
To the chemist, it is the separation of a chemical compound back into its constituents, or simplest parts.
To the statesman, it is an expression of the determined will of an elected body.
To the graphic artist, it is the sharpness of the pixel count on a screen, and the quality of the image produced.
By any definition, a Resolution is characterized by a return to simplicity, a focus on sharp definition and determination, broken down to its simplest, most harmonious parts. Without resolution, art, science, government, and life in general all fall into chaos. Without resolution, there is no foundation on which to stand.
In the new year, we are drawn to be more introspective and consider being resolute about making changes where needed or staying the course. Yet...
Breaking them
Apps Track How We Fail to Keep New Year's Resolutions
Based on data from the online grocer FreshDirect, many customers fail to keep their New Year's Resolutions. The retailer recently reported that customers' liquor and wine consumption picked up by about 40 percent in the first two weeks of February—while juice-cleanse sales dropped by 25 percent. Shoppers also bought 15 percent more ice cream and desserts, and 35 percent more pizza, in early February than during the first two weeks of January.
A study by Foursquare and Swarm shows that February 4th (37 days after New Year's) is the day people are most likely to fall off the wagon. The apps analyzed users' check-ins and found that date marks an uptick in visits to fast-food joints and a downturn in trips to the gym.
A study by Foursquare and Swarm shows that February 4th (37 days after New Year's) is the day people are most likely to fall off the wagon. The apps analyzed users' check-ins and found that date marks an uptick in visits to fast-food joints and a downturn in trips to the gym.
Could the same happen for the church? Where we have plans for the future and we end up off track or not reaching our goals. Falling off the wagon of resolution to change or stay on course. Let’s look.
Look! (Examine the Scriptures)
Our scripture passage comes to mind.
What is James talking about?
Highlight
13 Pay attention, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such-and-such a town. We will stay there a year, buying and selling, and making a profit.” 14 You don’t really know about tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for only a short while before it vanishes.
This isn’t meaning that we should not bother to plan or set goals. It is not saying that we should not be in a business to make a profit.
Verse 15 gives the context.
Here’s what you ought to say: “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
Our plans should be centered around asking for God’s will to direct what we do.
And since we don’t know what tomorrow holds, if we have an attitude to lean on the Lord, then we will avoid the pitfall of bragging about how well we are doing or bragging about our plans and future endeavors.
But now you boast and brag, and all such boasting is evil.
Bragging about, “I’m so good, look at me.” And then the bottom drops and it’s all over.
Finally, notice this closing verse.
It is a sin when someone knows the right thing to do and doesn’t do it.
, he tasks about not planning
13 Pay attention, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such-and-such a town. We will stay there a year, buying and selling, and making a profit.”
14 You don’t really know about tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for only a short while before it vanishes.
15 Here’s what you ought to say: “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
16 But now you boast and brag, and all such boasting is evil.
17 It is a sin when someone knows the right thing to do and doesn’t do it.
It’s not about avoiding New Year’s resolutions, it’s about resolving to let the Lord lead our lives, and our church.
Our future as individuals and as a church depends on our resolution to live according to the Lord’s will. To center our lives around His will.
So let’s look at the direction we need so we can be assured of being on the right path.
CEB
he talks about not planning.
I am testing how this will work.Is this working better now.What is going on.Testing again.Testing again. So I wonderHow will this work.This is a test.
I am testing how this will work.Is this working better now.What is going on.Testing again.Testing again. So I wonderHow will this work.This is a test.
James is giving this good advice.
And he would know how to give it to help us get reoriented to the right path, if we are ever to be disoriented.
Note that James was in the upper room at Pentecost.
So he knows about being disoriented. Looking for help. Waiting for instructions. Looking to god.
In Acts we see them wait then move. Then assess and adjust Accordingly.
Go to Acts
Luke beginning his book writing about the first 40 days after the resurrection. Jesus spent time with chosen apostles. He continued to instruct them about His kingdom.
, he tasks about not planning
He...
While they were eating together, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised. He said, “This is what you heard from me:” John baptized with water, but in only a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
This was a new era for the apostles. They didn’t know what to expect fully.
CEB
They had questions.
As a result, those who had gathered together asked Jesus, “Lord, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now?”
They needed to be oriented to God’s plan. So Jesus gives them some more information.
Jesus replied, “It isn’t for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority.” Rather, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
acts 1.
Have you ever been disoriented? Out of sorts. discombobulated. Turned around. Confused. Unsure.
They didn’t know exactly what a few days meant. Or what it would mean to have the power of the holy spirit or to be witnesses.
I sense they were a wee bit disoriented, even with 40 days with Christ.
Notice...
9 After Jesus said these things, as they were watching, he was lifted up and a cloud took him out of their sight.
10 While he was going away and as they were staring toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood next to them.
11 They said, “Galileans, why are you standing here, looking toward heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you saw him go into heaven.”
acts 1.
I sense they were somewhat disoriented. Standing there gazing upward.
James is giving this good advice From chapter 4.Good point for sermon. Note that James was in the upper room at Pentecost. So he knows about being disoriented. Looking for help. Waiting for instructions. Looking to god. In Acts we see them wait then move. Then assess and adjust Accordingly.Sermon 1/5/18 Assessing Our Future
after Christ’s ascension. They didn’t know exactly what all this would mean. As they stood there watching Je
They managed to keep on the right course.
They returned to Jerusalem to the upper room, where they were staying and convened together in prayer with others.
all were united in their devotion to prayer, along with some women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
acts 1.
There were the 11 apostles and others including Mary the mother of Jesus and his brothers. They were engaged in praying.
So James was among those who were searching for direction to stay on God’s plan. Waiting for signs and wonders.
Among them were many others. In all, the upper room group was about 120 strong.
They set out to handle their future a disciples of Jesus. Waiting for Christ’s promises to be fulfilled. The first order of business was that they were down to only 11 apostles. So they prayed and nominated two replacement for Judas Ischariot. And then cast lots and Matthias was chosen as the 12th.
Then they continued together, waiting on the Lord.
And Christ’s words came true. The promised Holy Spirit came upon them.
1 When Pentecost Day arrived, they were all together in one place.
2 Suddenly a sound from heaven like the howling of a fierce wind filled the entire house where they were sitting.
3 They saw what seemed to be individual flames of fire alighting on each one of them.
4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak.
acts 2.1-
As a result, their witnessing was empowered to the point of being able to speak in their own language while the visitors who were from out of town could hear them in their own language. Hearing them testify about Jesus.
Now, others were confused, disoriented because they heard them speaking so many languages and thought they were drunk.
12 They were all surprised and bewildered. Some asked each other, “What does this mean?” 13 Others jeered at them, saying, “They’re full of new wine!”
acts 2.12-13
Peter stands up to testify.
14 Peter stood with the other eleven apostles. He raised his voice and declared, “Judeans and everyone living in Jerusalem! Know this! Listen carefully to my words!
15 These people aren’t drunk, as you suspect; after all, it’s only nine o’clock in the morning!
16 Rather, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
17 In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young will see visions. Your elders will dream dreams.
acts 2.14-
And so on. He delivers a most powerful sermon testifying on the transformative power of Jesus Christ, the crucified, risen messiah.
Peter replied, “Change your hearts and lives. Each of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
acts 2.
It was well received.
Those who accepted Peter’s message were baptized. God brought about three thousand people into the community on that day.
Notice how after this the believers oriented their lives. What track they were on. Their path in life...
42 The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers.
43 A sense of awe came over everyone. God performed many wonders and signs through the apostles.
44 All the believers were united and shared everything.
45 They would sell pieces of property and possessions and distribute the proceeds to everyone who needed them.
46 Every day, they met together in the temple and ate in their homes. They shared food with gladness and simplicity.
47 They praised God and demonstrated God’s goodness to everyone. The Lord added daily to the community those who were being saved.
acts 2.42-
There was a sense of community, as a church, as a family, as a group of believers, united to fulfill their commission to be witnesses of Jesus and make disciples.
James, the brother of Jesus, who’s letter we read as scripture reading today, was a witness of all this.
And my question was at the beginning of all this, could it be that the church of believers can get off course from time to time where Jame’s warning is meant for us.
Re-read slides from James
Re-read slides from James
Certainly we should be aware of our future and our plans and assess whether we are holding true to our mission.
And notice, that from Acts all the way through the NT, just before Revelation, we have all the letters from Peter, Paul, and even James, giving the church direction. This church is the believers that are endowed with the Holy spirit. This same spirit we received just as they, because each of us prayed for it and just like them, also received it upon our baptism. If the church back then, so close to Christ and the apostles teachings needed direction and a reminder to stay on course. How much more do we need it.
So it’s not enough to pray and be baptized and believe and act and fulfill the comission, we must also assess and be on the look out for God’s will. We must ask for God’s will to be clear. His specific will for us today.
We receive this spirit. Yet,
we are not perfect and will get off course from time to time, and thus so much of the NT is helpful for getting on course, and staying on course. It
However, they were engaged in some activity that seems to be healthy to do during these matters.
, he tasks about not planning
CEB
James is giving this good advice From chapter 4.Good point for sermon. Note that James was in the upper room at Pentecost. So he knows about being disoriented. Looking for help. Waiting for instructions. Looking to god. In Acts we see them wait then move. Then assess and adjust Accordingly.
See! (Explain the passage)
Even with the Holy Spirit, we must continue to constantly assess
They stayed in community, spent much time together, helped one another, shared what they believed, and lived out what they believed. Practiced what they preached.
Do! (Make application)
So let’s assess ourselves.
It has already happened. The board is assessing my leadership. And the same time, I assess the church. leaders of the church assess the church. To see how bright and rosy our future looks. to see where we can get better. To see our strengths and areas to grow.
We should have a culture of discipleship, where we grow christians, and we need to assess how we are doing at making disciples, being leaders, leading people.
And thus, over the next several weeks, in a series of sermons, we will explore scripture together as it relates to our mission as a church, what we are directed to do in these times to evangelize, and apply it’s principles to our context so that we can assess where we are strong in and where we need to grow.
For we do not want to be a church in decline. We want to grow. We don’t want to grow old, we want to grow young, and especially, We want to thrive. To be a thriving church.
And thus the sermon series is entitled: The Thriving Church. Please plan to attend as much as possible in the coming weeks, from leaders to visitors. As we pray for the Spirit to invigorate and direct our future as we assess where we are and the steps to move forward.