Happy New Year
Holidays • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 20 viewsAre New Years Resolutions a Biblical Concept? If not, what is the Christian way of approaching the New Year. What should we be focusing on as we turn a new leaf this year?
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
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 your allegiance to Him who said, “Behold, I make all things new.”
A New Year
A New Opportunity
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Theme to meditate
2020
2020
Contemplate
Some rush ahead
“forget what is behind”
Starts with”
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
He is talking about
striving for perfection
That takes introspection.
we have to think about it.
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
This year,
one for the record books
in a bad way.
Many Felt:
Fear
Death
Conflict
Brokenness
Depression
Loneliness
Heated Politics
Controversies
With hard times
come lessons learned!
How to weather the storm.
Holding on to God
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
And those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Like Jesus
during the storm
You want Him
in your boat.
Though it looks
all is lost
will sink
no hope
Jesus
stops storm
gives peace
Lessons learned.
for the righteous falls seven times and rises again,
but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.
Hang on.
Get back up.
Speaking of
“righteous falling”
another area
contemplation:
Areas of Failure
Areas of Failure
One New Year’s Day, in the Tournament of Roses parade, a beautiful float suddenly sputtered and quit. It was out of gas. The whole parade was held up until someone could get a can of gas. The amusing thing was this float represented the Standard Oil Company. With its vast oil resources, its truck was out of gas.
Even though Christians have access to God’s omnipotence, if we do not avail ourselves to it we will run out of power.
Stop and think
failings
short-comings
Ways that we
“did not obtain perfection”
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Sometimes we fail.
We contemplate
So
don’t replicate
next year...
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
Choose to start
new year
good seed.
Repentance
Repentance
Remember
even if 2020
worst year.
Worst
emotionally
financially
socially
spiritually
It is now over.
God forgives
God heals
God cleanses
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
God loves
new starts.
But condition…?
confess
repent
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For those who
confess
repent
we can truly:
Forgetting What is Behind
Forgetting What is Behind
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
By God’s grace
we can overcome.
So God will
Also
Forget what is behind
Blot it out.
2021
2021
Teacher
Everyone has an A!
Resolutions
Resolutions
Only Resolution He could Keep:
gain weight,
stop exercising,
read less
watch more TV,
procrastinate more,
quit giving money
time to charity,
not date any member of the cast of Baywatch,
never make New Year’s resolutions again.
Many fail...
why do it???
What is “Resolution?”
Resolution - “when a person makes a decision to continue good practices or change an undesired trait or behavior.”
Now you know
why we had to
contemplate.
Your 2021 resolution
based on 2020.
What went well.
what failed.
Rearrange Priorities.
In order to
make a priority
something else
must move.
“You look like a monk,” the pilgrim said.
“I am that,” said the monk.
“Who is that working on the abbey?”
“My monks. I’m the abbot.”
“It’s good to see a monastery going up,” said the pilgrim.
“They’re tearing it down,” said the abbot.
“Whatever for?” asked the pilgrim.
“So we can see the sun rise at dawn,” said the abbot.
Plans and Dreams
Plans and Dreams
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
“Press on”
toward what?
THE GOAL!
What Goal?
heaven.
How?
“The great purpose that constrained Paul to press forward in the face of hardship and difficulty should lead every Christian worker to consecrate himself wholly to God’s service.” - OHC 371
Of all resolutions!
#1 Should Be
Spiritual!
We sometimes miss the great opportunities of life because we get
sidetracked. I once heard the tale of a talented and gifted bloodhound in
England that started a hunt by chasing a full-grown male deer. During the
chase a fox crossed his path, so he began now to chase the fox. A rabbit
crossed his hunting path, so he began to chase the rabbit. After chasing
the rabbit for a while, a tiny field mouse crossed his path, and he chased
the mouse to the corner of a farmer’s barn. The bloodhound had begun the
hunt chasing a prized male deer for his master and wound up barking at a
tiny mouse. It is a rare human being who can do three or four different
things at a time–moving in different directions.
Trust
Trust
2020
has been
a year of fear!
Bible says:
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
For 2021
don’t let fear
dictate your life.
Promises
Promises
Endless Promises
God
God’s Provision
God’s Care
God’s Protection
God’s Grace
God’s Empowering
Speaking of new plans
“will I be able...?”
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
My favorite Promise
Newness:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Appeal
Appeal
New Year = New Start
Use this Chance
To Start Well
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
ADVERTISEMENT