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A Christian NEW YEAR all year long! SERMON: A Christian NEW YEAR all year long! TEXT: Philippians
3:13-14 - 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, 14 I
press on toward the goal for the
prize of the upward call of God
in Christ Jesus.
Introduction:
Resolutions are typical this time of year. Most of us will make a
resolution, promising to make change in our lives for the better. Therefore,
commitment, dedication and determination are in full swing and great abundance.
Losing weight, exercising more, better financial stability and enjoying life
rank high on most lists. However, as February roles around, fires cool and
steam fizzles; but it shouldn’t, especially for Christians. Resolute and
resilient Christians should blaze the trail in the land called "Promises Kept,”
but in what areas? In what ways will this year be any different than the
previous?
1.
THIS YEAR I will lose the weight of sin. I
will lay aside every weighty transgression, encumbrance and distraction, and
run with perseverance the Christian race (Heb. 12:1-2). I will NOT run a
competitive race, but a cooperative one. I’m running with, not against, my
brethren.
2.
THIS YEAR I will exercise greater discernment
between good and evil. I will repetitiously and habitually
train my spiritual senses to discern good from evil (Heb. 5:14 - But
solid food is for the mature, for
those who have their powers of
discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.).
In doing so, my ability to teach God’s Word will dramatically increase; I will
go from being a student to being a teacher.
3.
THIS YEAR I will save the souls of my friends and
family. Jesus is the only savior; so, I will live like
Him, love like Him and labor like Him in bringing my loved ones to the precious
and redeeming blood (1 Pet. 1:19). Great commission.
4.
THIS YEAR I will improve my spiritual health. I
will consume large quantities of spiritual meat (Heb. 5:13-14 - for
everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he
is a child. 14 But
solid food is for the mature, for
those who have their powers of
discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.).
My
hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matt. 5:6) will help me grow in the grace
and knowledge of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18). I will be faithful and
fit for the Lord!
5.
THIS YEAR I will better organize my thoughts,
words and deeds. I will clean out all the evil from my heart,
mind and soul, replacing it with virtuous and praise worthy thoughts, words and
deeds (Col. 3:5-17;
Phil. 4:8).
Col. 3:5-17 - Put to death therefore kwhat is earthly in you:1 lsexual immorality, impurity, mpassion, evil desire, and covetousness, nwhich is idolatry. 6 oOn account of these the wrath of God is
coming.2 7 pIn these you too once walked, when you
were living in them. 8 But now qyou must put them all away: ranger, wrath, malice, sslander, and obscene talk from your
mouth. 9 tDo
not lie to one another, seeing that uyou have put off vthe old self3 with its practices 10 and whave put on xthe new self, ywhich is being renewed in knowledgezafter the image of aits creator. 11 bHere
there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian,
slave,4 free; but Christ is call, and in all.
12 dPut on then, as eGod's chosen ones, holy and beloved, fcompassionate hearts, gkindness, hhumility, meekness, and patience, 13 hbearing with one another and, iif one has a complaint against another,gforgiving each other; gas the Lord has forgiven you, so you also
must forgive. 14 And above all these
put on jlove,
which kbinds everything together in lperfect harmony. 15 And let mthe peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
to which indeed you were called nin one body. And obe thankful. 16 Let pthe word of Christ dwell in you richly,
teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, qsinging psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, rwith thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And swhatever you do, in word or deed, do
everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, tgiving
thanks to God the Father through him.
6.
THIS YEAR I will enjoy my spiritual life more. I
will rejoice in "newness of life” (
7.
THIS YEAR I will quit making excuses and always
abounding in the Lord’s work. I will conduct myself as an
effective and faithful worker for the Lord (Eph. 2:10). I will refuse the
notion that my efforts for Him are empty and worthless (1 Cor. 15:58b). I will
work, not to gain salvation (Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5), but to display it (
.
Conclusion: Resolutions
are only as good as the ability and dedication of the promise maker to reach
their goal. Therefore, my work is clear and ordered! I must determine to be
unwavering, grounded and unmovable in my commitment to reach spiritual goals.
This year is for the Lord!
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