SERMON:
Looking back over 2011
Responsibly!
TEXT: 2 Timothy 4:7,
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
Introduction: Looking back is
not always good (Phil. 3:13,14 - Brothers, I do not consider
that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: nforgetting
what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward
the goal for othe
prize of the upward pcall of God in Christ Jesus.
Luke
9:62 - Jesus said to him, w"No one who puts his hand to the plow and
looks back is fit for the
However,
it does have incredible benefits (1 Cor. 11:24-25 - and
when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which
is for1 you. Do this in
remembrance of me.”2 25 In
the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new
covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”).
Therefore, if we look back responsibly, we can be motivated to live closer to
the Lord, stronger for the Church and deeper for the future. Consider some 2011
questions:
1.
Did you Share the Leaven in 2011? Leaven
suggests permeation and silent, consistent working. Only a small amount of
leaven was needed for a large quantity of dough. In the Parable of the Leaven
(Matt. 13:33-35 - He told them another parable. b"The kingdom of heaven is like leaven
that a woman took and hid incthree measures
of flour, till it was dall
leavened.”), the kingdom message and its influence
permeates the whole world. Thus, Christians have a great and notable duty to
share the leaven (i.e., the kingdom message). Our responsibility and message
might be viewed as "mustard seed” but the potential is astronomical (Matt.
13:31, 32 - He
put another parable before them, saying, z"The kingdom of heaven is like aa grain of mustard seed that a man took
and sowed in his field. 32 It
is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the
garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make
nests in its branches.”). Let us plant, water and
trust God for the increase (1 Cor. 3:6). The leaven of the Gospel will grow,
spread and penetrate.
2.
Did you Stand for Seven in 2011? The
platform for Christianity is laid down in seven ones (Eph. 4:4-6): one body,
Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism and God. This describes the unified Church.
Each of these common areas is greater than any potential difference. These
"seven ones” establish "the unity of the Spirit” that as Christians we must
strive to keep "in the bond of peace.” By stating "I kept the faith,” Paul
declared his stand for the truth and we should do the same through commitment
and dedication. We must stand for truth or we’ll fall for anything.
3. Did
you Strive for Heaven in 2011? By faith,
Abraham looked for the city of