Sunday, November 25, 2018 am
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS?
This is something I have addressed in times past but have decided to
revisit that this morning.
2019 is now about five weeks away.
Thus, it is time to begin making plans for next year.
NOW is the time to take that spiritual inventory to see where you
are in relation to where you ought to be.
By doing this now, you can pinpoint areas where you need to make
changes and begin preparing now, so that as the new year begins, you are
ready to implement your plan on day one.
In
this lesson, I want to talk about planning as a Christian.
What does the Bible say about planning?
What can I do to help me plan for greater success as the new year
begins?
a.
Proverbs 13:16,
Every prudent man acts with knowledge, But a fool lays open his folly.
Proverbs 21:5, The plans of the
diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty,
surely to poverty.
b.
James 4:13-15 – a
passage warning us to keep God in our plans.
c.
Luke 12:15-21 – the
parable of the rich, fool.
He made plans without considering God and was held accountable that
night.
d.
Luke 14:28-29 – being a
disciple involves planning – weighing the cost
e.
Paul showed planning,
though at times he was hindered – Romans 1:13, 2 Corinthians 1:15-17,
etc.
f.
As an example, consider
how we are to give – 2 Corinthians 9:7 – as we have purposed in our
hearts.
Acts 11:22-23, when Barnabas was sent to Antioch he encouraged them that
“with purpose of heart they should
continue in the Lord.”
g.
God planned – our very
hope is the result of God’s plan for man’s salvation.
1 Peter 1:18-21, Ephesians 1:11-12, 3:10-11
a.
Begins with examination
i.
Some areas to consider –
consider Luke 2:52. Jesus from age 12 kept growing in a fully, rounded
way.
ii.
Wisdom –
are we increasing in our understanding of God’s word?
Are we where we ought to be? (Hebrews 5:12-14)
2 Peter 3:18, 1 Peter 3:15
Proverbs 4:7-8 – wisdom is the principal thing, then get understanding…
Colossians 3:16 – let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
Don’t forget prayer in this – James 1:5-6
ANY spiritual planning we engage in ought to involve increasing in our
understanding of God’s word.
This might include: Personal study time, plans to read through the Bible
(Or portion thereof), family studies together, Bible classes with
brethren (both public and in homes), memorization of scriptures.
There are many ways we can increase in wisdom.
iii.
Stature – a
word meaning to grow up or reach maturity.
In this text, it likely is dealing with physical appearance (cf.
Matthew 6:27, Luke 19:3 – Zacchaeus was short in stature, John 9:21 & 23
– “He is of age…”
There is something to be said about taking care of our physical bodies.
1 Timothy 4:7-8 calls for us to exercise ourselves to godliness.
He then points out that bodily exercise, profits little.
While not as important as our spiritual exercise, etc, there is
something to be said about taking better care of ourselves physically.
How often do poor health habits, organizational habits, spending habits,
time management habits (etc.) hinder our spiritual ability to grow?
We need to remind ourselves that our bodies are the temple of the Holy
Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and take of it the best that we can.
So as we examine ourselves, look at who we are from a physical
standpoint and determine how a better you physically can help you become
a better spiritual person.
iv.
In favor with God – ultimately, this is our goal.
If God is not pleased with us, we ought to be very concerned.
God needs to be first in our lives – Matthew 6:33.
We seek to please Him – 2 Timothy 2:4 – we are enlisted in His
army, and seek to please our commander.
2 Corinthians 5:9 we make our aim to be well pleasing to Him.
Colossians 1:9-10 – walk worthy, fully pleasing Him.
Hebrews 12:28 since we are receiving a kingdom…serve Him
acceptably…
As we examine ourselves, If we have allowed ourselves to drift away from
God, we need to take steps to reverse that and return to Him.
We need to seriously ask what we can do to be restored to a state
pleasing unto Him.
That is what repentance is about – 2 Corinthians 7:9-11
Will He say to us, “Well done good and faithful servant”? (Matthew
25:21)
v.
In favor with man – clearly, one of the things we need to consider is how our lives are
spiritually influencing others.
Do our brethren and our neighbors see Christ working in us?
Do they see Him as a priority?
Is our appearance a positive one that makes the gospel as
attractive as possible (without compromise)?
We know we are called upon to shine as lights in the midst of this
crooked and perverse generation – Philippians 2:15-16.
Romans 12:18 as possible, live
peaceably with all men.
Romans 15:2 – please his neighbor for good, leading to edification.
We are also reminded of our great responsibilities toward one another as
brethren – Romans 12:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14 – comfort, uphold,
etc.
As we examine ourselves, we need to honestly ask ourselves what we are
doing to bring others to Christ.
b.
Write down your goals
and formulate a strategy.
(We sometimes call this resolutions)
Writing down your goals makes them more concrete.
It also gives you a starting place to determine HOW you are going
to accomplish your goals.
Ask plenty of questions and take notes as you devise your plan.
NOTE: A good plan for growth (in any area, but here we’re focusing on
spiritual growth) should not be too easy or general (e.g. I want to read
my Bible more), or too difficult (overwhelming tasks make it less likely
you will try). Make your
goals challenging.
c.
Make adequate time for God – redeem the time.
Ephesians 5:16.
This CANNOT be stressed often enough if we are to grow.
Most of us, if we are not growing as we should, have time
management issues. How much
time do we waste or spend on worldly pursuits (television, sports and
activities, video games, social media, etc.)?
Proverbs 19:21 - There are many
plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.
Don’t leave God out of your planning!
d.
Prepare for setbacks
– we are called upon to endure.
Many passages dealing with endurance involve setbacks and
oppositions.
Acts 11:23 again, Barnabas encouraged them all that with purpose of
heart they should continue in the Lord.
Acts 14:21-22, returning to revisit cities, Paul and Barnabas
were, “strengthening the souls of
the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We
must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
Hebrews 10:38-39, we are not those who draw back to perdition…
2 Corinthians 4:7-10 – we are hard-pressed on every side, but not
crushed…
As you make plans, anticipate problems and be prepared to deal with
such. Don’t let a set back
stop you. Similarly, if you
get off track – pick up where you left off.
DON’T GIVE UP and quit.
If you fail to completely reach a goal, if you tried, you will be
closer than when you began.
Much more could be said about the plans we need to make.
These thoughts are presented to encourage us to examine ourselves
(2 Corinthians 13:5) and determine to do better and be what we ought to
be as we move forward. Never
forget that in these matters, we are dealing with our eternal
destination. That is
certainly something we must never take lightly.
As we noted last week, let us not neglect so great a salvation.
Where are you right now?
Think about it.