HOW TO START THE NEW YEAR

Text: Philippians 3:12-14

INTRODUCTION: A good start will help you stay steady on the course, and not stop before the finish.

I.          BY A NEW LOOK

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

A.        Look to the Saviour

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Isaiah 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

B.        Look to the Scriptures

Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

C.        Look to the Spirit

John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

1.      The Holy Spirit convicts of sin, that is we miss the mark,---come short of the glory of God

2.      The Holy Spirit convicts the world of its lack of righteousness, that a man has no righteousness whatsoever

3.      The Holy Spirit convicts the world that judgment is coming, that a man is to face the personal judgment of God

II.       BY A NEW LIFE

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

 John 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

A.        Spiritual life is worthwhile

B.        Saved life instead of wasted

C.        Special life is worthy

III.    WITH A NEW LOVE

Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

A.        Christ with your first love

B.        Church with a fervent love

C.        Christians with a faithful love

IV.    WITH A NEW LONGING

Romans 10:1-3 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

A.        Longing for your faith

B.        Longing for fruit in service

C.        Longing for family, friends to get saved

V.       WITH A NEW LIGHT

A.        Past failures must not hinder

B.        Present faith must and will help

C.        Plan future must and will be happy

VI.    NEW LEAF

Matthew 21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

Psalms 1:1-3 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

A.        Clean leaf, nothing but what you put on it.

B.        Careful what you write, it could come back to haunt or help

CONCLUSION: Why not start the New Year right by a New.…..

Look

Life

Love

Longing

Light

Leaf