ANTIOCH CHURCH OF CHRIST

2010 has become an old friend, something that we were used to. There were some triumphs in it, and some disappointments as well. But it seems that just when we got used to it being there forever, it is going. 2011 will be here one week from today! What will be my attitude toward it spiritually? So much of what the New Year will be is dependent on our attitude. Our attitude should be what Paul stated in Philippians 4:13; "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.�

1. Philippians 2:12- "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed , not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;"

2. Acts 2:40- "And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, save yourselves from this untoward generation." (Peter said on Day of Pentecost).

B. We must remember that we will all stand before God to answer for ourselves, not someone else.

1. 2 Corinthians 5:10- "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."

1. Ephesians 3:12- "in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him."

1. Numbers 13:31- "But the men who had gone up with him said, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we." (Like the children of Israel)

E. Our faith is nothing if it does not prompt our attitude to serve the Lord with all our might.

1. James 1:22- "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

2. James 2:18- "But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

3. Ecclesiastes 9:10- "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going."

F. God has set before us a race to run, a victors crown to win. We are not spectators.

1. 1 Corinthians 9:24- "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain."
2. We must run the race in 2011, so that we will not be ashamed to meet the Lord.

a. 2 Timothy 4:7- "I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

G. We must not limit what, we and the church, will do in this year. A little bit of faith can go a long way.

1. Matthew 17:20- "So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."

2. 1 John 5:14-15- "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."

1. John 15:5-8- ""I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples."

CONCLUSION: 2011, the new-year, is before us all. What will it hold? No one knows! But, we can make up our minds to face the future with a positive attitude, and strive to be an asset rather than a liability to God and to this congregation.