What Shall We Do This New Year?

INTRODUCTION.

A.        We have just stepped over the threshold to a new year. While contemplating this new beginning, I am reminded of three proverbs

1.         “A good beginning is half the work.” (Irish)

2.         “Making the beginning is one third of the work.” (Irish)

3.         “A good beginning makes a good ending. (English)

B.        As we begin this new year, we need to reflect upon this past year.

1.         During 2001, we had to mark two sisters in Christ for their unfaithfulness to the Lord.

2.         During 2001, we lost two families to their moving away or moving to another congregation.

3.         During 2001, we added members:

a.         Through baptisms into Christ - Renee Kendall.

b.         Through families moving in and joining us in our work (placing membership.)

4.        During 2001, we even had two births:

a.         Collin Cornwell.

b.         Emily Hall.

C.        Now that we have closed the door on 2001, we must ask ourselves, “What will 2002 bring?”

1.         Will we continue to work for the Lord, being a pillar and ground of Truth in this community?

2.         Will we, as individuals, grow spiritually?

3.         Will we, as a congregation, continue to grow and be edified?

4.         Only you and I can answer these questions. And the best answer that we can give is this: We will do our utmost to continue working for the Lord and to grow individually and collectively.

D.        With the remainder of this lesson, I would like to show some important points to remember while this year is still in its infancy.

I.         WITH A NEW YEAR, LET US LAY ASIDE THE WEIGHTS.

            A.        Hebrews 12:1 reads, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Christians should strive to lay aside those things that would retard their progress.

                        1.         Lay aside all malice, guile, hypocrisies, envies, and evil speaking. (I Peter 2:1)

                        2.         Lay aside lukewarmness. (Revelation 3:15-16)

                        3.         Lay aside worldiness.

                                    a.         James 4:4 - “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (NKJV)

                                    b.         I John 2:15-17

            B.        We must lay aside everything that absorbs our energies and retards our progress. We should be willing to “sell all that we have” in order to obtain the “pearl of great price.” (Matthew 13:45-46)

II.       WITH A NEW YEAR, RESOLUTIONS MUST BE MADE.

            A.        Good resolutions will help one to improve his moral and spiritual advancement.

            B.        Resolve to make this a happy year. You can make this new year a happy year by making the Lord God your God. (Psalms 144:15)

            C.        Resolve to become more like Christ. (I Peter 2:21)

            D.        Resolve to study the Bible (I Timothy 4:13) and to pray every day. (I Thess. 5:17)

                        1.         Study - I Peter 2:2; I Timothy 4:13

                        2.         Daily prayer - I Thessalonians 5:17

            E.        Resolve to resist the devil. Resisting the devil can only be accomplished by resolving to “draw nigh to God.” (James 4:7,8)

            F.        Resolve to keep the peace. Peace should be maintained on an individual level as well as among the members of the local congregation. Warning: While peace needs to be maintained, it must not come at the expense of the truth.

                        1.         Romans 14:19 - “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.” (NKJV)

                        2.         Proverbs 20:3 - “It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel.” (NKJV)

            G.        Resolve to go forward. Jesus said, “. . . No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62) Consider also Philippians 3:13-14.

            H.        Consider resolutions in other areas:

                        1.         Are we making our visitors feel like welcomed guests?

                        2.         Would you consider becoming a Bible class teacher?

                        3.         Are you going to try to attend all the assemblies of the saints, including Wednesday evening?

                        4.         Are you going to work hard to invite your friends, families, and even strangers to the Bible classes and worship services?

CONCLUSION.

A.        Many people will make resolutions that they never keep. When you resolve to improve your service to God, please do all that is possible to keep your spiritual resolutions.

B.        What are you going to be doing this year?

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What Shall We Do This New Year? -- January 6, 2002 -- File # 1185

by John M. Duvall -- Lawton, OK