I RESOLVE THIS YEAR TO....

TEXT: Philippians 3:7-21

INTRODUCTION: There is an ancient story about three demons who were arguing over the best way to destroy the Christian mission in the world. The first demon says, "Let's tell all the Christians there is no heaven. Take away the reward incentive and the mission will collapse." The second demon says, "Let's tell all the Christians there is no hell. Take away the fear of punishment and the mission will collapse." The third demon says, "There is one better way. Let's tell all the Christians that there is no hurry" and all three immediately say, "That's it! All we have to do is tell them there's no hurry and the whole Christian enterprise will collapse."

1. Maybe Satan’s demons have done a job on us

2. There’s no hurry

3. Live a “laid back” Christian life

4. No need to get all involved

I.          I RESOLVE THIS YEAR TO: GROW CLOSER TO GOD

A.        This is clearly God’s desire for us

1.      1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

2.      2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

3.      Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

B.        This one is especially for the person who’s been putting off growing closer to God

1.      I’ve heard the excuses

a)      I know I should, but I’m just so busy with everything else

b)      I’ve tried, but I just can’t seem to get anywhere

c)      I’ve got plenty of time for that later

d)      I want to, really I do, but, well¼¼ you know how it is

2.      James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

C.        This is also for the person who has been growing all along

D.        The alternative to growing and living is death – none of us wants to be dead as Christians

1.      Jeremiah 17:7-8 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

2.      Mark 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

II.       I RESOLVE THIS YEAR TO: GET FARTHER AWAY FROM SIN

A.        This is clearly God’s will for us

1.      1 Thessalonians 4:1-3 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

2.      1 Thes. 4:7-8 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

3.      1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

4.      Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

B.        It is not difficult in our world to get a person interested in the message of the Gospel;

1.      It is terrifically difficult to sustain the interest. Millions of people in our culture make decisions for Christ, but there is a dreadful attrition rate.

2.      Many claim to have been born again, but the evidence for mature Christian discipleship is slim. In our kind of culture anything, even news about God, can be sold if it is packaged freshly; but when it loses its novelty, it goes on the garbage heap.

3.      There is a great market for religious experience in our world; there is little enthusiasm for the patient acquisition of virtue, little inclination to sign up for a long apprenticeship in what earlier generations of Christians called holiness. Eugene Peterson -- A Long Obedience In the Same Direction

III.    I RESOLVE THIS YEAR TO: MAKE THE CHURCH A HIGHER PRIORITY

A.        How committed are you?

1.      A Nashville newspaper carried a tongue-in-cheek story about Mrs. Lila Craig who hasn't missed attending church in 1,040 Sundays although she is in her eighties. The editor commented, "It makes one wonder, what's the matter with Mrs. Craig? Doesn't it ever rain or snow in her town on Sunday? Doesn't she ever have unexpected company? How is it that she never goes anywhere on Saturday night so that she's too tired to attend the worship service the next morning? Doesn't she ever 'beg off' to attend picnics or family reunions, or have headaches, colds, nervous spells, or tired feelings? Doesn't she ever oversleep or need time to read her Sunday newspaper? Hasn't she ever become angry at the minister or had her feelings hurt by someone and felt justified in staying home to hear a good sermon on the radio or TV? WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH MRS. CRAIG ANYWAY?

a)      I suspect Mrs. Craig made a priority out of the church

b)      I suspect that serving and worshipping God were important to her

2.      Where are your priorities?

B.        The church provides help

Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

1.      Where do you go when.....

a)      You are sick

b)      Your car breaks down

c)      When you need to borrow money

2.      You will.....

a)      Help yourself by being fed spiritually

b)      Help encourage others to be stronger

c)      Enable the church to be strong in faith and service

d)      Share in the growth happening in every person

e)      Help our young people, our young families, our busy working folks, our elderly – you will help and be helped by all

C.        There are many opportunities for you to grow in 2004

1.      Sunday Bible classes

2.      Sunday fellowship

3.      Wednesday Bible classes

D.        There is one thing that only you can provide – your participation

1.      The choice to participate is yours

2.      Only you can give the church priority

IV.    I RESOLVE THIS YEAR TO: HELP BRING SOMEONE TO CHRIST

A.        Two familiar passages are enough:

1.      Matthew 8:19-20 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

2.      Acts 8:4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

B.        Invite that friend, neighbor, co-worker, family member

1.      Invite and keep inviting

2.      Make it a project to bring someone to church every week

C.        Teach them the gospel

1.      You have something they need – share it!!

2.      If you’re uncomfortable doing it, ask me to help

CONCLUSION:  I am the New Year. I am an unspoiled page in your book of time. I am your next chance at the art of living. I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months. All that you sought and didn't find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it but with more determination.

All the good that you tried for and didn't achieve is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires. All that you dreamed but didn't dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have -- these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose. I am your opportunity to renew you allegiance to Him who said, "Behold, I make all things new. --- Unknown