SF321 - THREE PROMISES FOR THE NEW YEAR (Romans 4 20-21)
SF321
THREE PROMISES FOR THE NEW YEAR
ROM 4:20-21
AIM:
To share three sure promises of God and lead the audience to act on them.
INTRODUCTION
At a New Year's Eve service, a Baltimore pastor encouraged the people to give their problems to the Savior and leave them with Him. To impress this upon them, he asked them to write their problems on slips of paper. He then collected them, put them in a metal pot, and burned them.
After the service, he washed the ashes down the drain and set the container aside to be cleaned later. The next day a woman called who had come late to the service and had missed the pastor's explanation. She thought he had said promises, and she wondered why he had burned them. The pastor assured her that God's promises were secure and neither water nor fire could destroy them.
Later, as the minister was cleaning the container, he found a single slip stuck to the bottom. It was partially burned, but he could clearly read the promises written on it by that late worshiper. But more remarkable, the slip, being the last one added to the pot, should have been the first to be destroyed.
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No matter how many things change and are unsettled God's promises never change...
1A. THE PROMISE OF GOD'S PARDON
1JO 1:9
1B. God's Promise - Unmerited Pardon
faithful = trustworthy
forgive = to send away
cleanse = purify
2B. Man's Response
confess = to say the same thing
REGULAR WASHING PAYS OFF
The sign at a drive-in car wash said: REGULAR WASHING PAYS OFF. It's not only a message to auto owners, it's also a reminder of an important spiritual lesson. Just as cars require periodic washings to remove harmful dirt and grime, so Christians need continual cleansing to keep their lives bright and useful.
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2A. THE PROMISE OF GOD'S PROVISION
MAT 6:31, 33
1B. God's Promise - Immeasurable Provision
all = the whole
things = refers to v.31
added = lay beside
2B. Man's Response
1C. Place priority on God's reign in your life
kingdom = rule
2C. Place priority on your relationship with God
righteousness = justification, to be right with.
"PLANNED NEGLECT"
A noted young concert violinist was asked the secret of her success. "Planned neglect," she replied. Then she explained, "Years ago I discovered that there were many things demanding my time. After washing breakfast dishes, I made my bed, straightened my room, dusted the furniture and did a host of other chores. I then turned my attention to violin practice. That system, however, failed to accomplish the desired results. So I realized I had to reverse things. I deliberately set aside everything else until my practice period ended. That program of planned neglect accounts for my success!"
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3A. PROMISE OF GOD'S PRESENCE
HEB 13:5
1B. God's Promise - Unshakable Presence
leave = let up, stop
forsake = leave behind
THE CAPTAIN'S AT THE HELM!
Years ago the captain of a large vessel set sail with his family from Liverpool. His destination was New York. One night when everyone was asleep, a sudden squall arose. The wind came sweeping over the water, struck the vessel and almost capsized it. Everything movable was sent tumbling and crashing, and the passengers became aware that they were in imminent peril. Everyone was alarmed, and many sprang from their berths and began to dress. The captain's little daughter, just 8 years old, was awakened and cried with fright, "What's the matter?" When they told her about the storm she asked, "Is Father on deck?" Assured that he was, the little one dropped back onto her pillow without a fear. In spite of the howling winds and crashing waves, she was soon fast asleep.
2B. Man's Response
1C. Do not be greedy - money hungry.
2C. Learned to be satisfied with what you have.
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CONTENTED CHRISTIANS
C. H. Spurgeon told of a bankrupt man who said he had been ruined by a new sofa. The man explained, "That sofa was the bad beginning--it was too fine for me. It made my old chairs and table look awful, and so I bought new ones. Then the curtains had to be replaced. The furniture in the other rooms was sold, and new articles were bought to correspond with what we had in the parlor. Soon we found that the house was not good enough for the furniture, and so we moved into a larger one. And now here I am bankrupt."
APPLICATION
1. No matter what you have done God stands ready to forgive you.
2. No matter how bleak the future God promise to care for you.
3. No matter how dark the day, God will always go with you.
FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND