Presented December 9, 2007 am
I AM RESOLVED!
Well, it is that time of year again. 2007 is rapidly coming to a close. We only have a little over 3 weeks until it will be in the history books. Traditionally associated with the New Year are resolutions. For me, this fact serves as a reminder that the Christian life is one of constant examination, adjustment and renewal. While this process is an ongoing one and should not be limited to this time of year, nevertheless, it is a good time to present a lesson on resolutions. For me, presenting a lesson like this has become almost a yearly tradition. And since, my family and I will not be here as we pass to 2008, I chose to present the lesson today. In addition to this, I like presenting a lesson like this a few weeks early to give us time to evaluate ourselves now and make the necessary plans to change where we need to change.
As 2007 comes to a close and the New Year approaches, I am reminded of a number of things:
1. As Christians we are commanded to occasionally examine ourselves - 2 Corinthians 13:5
2. We are that much closer to our time being up on this earth, cf James 4:14, Hebrews 9:27.
3. We are that much closer to the day God has appointed in which He will judge the world – 2 Corinthians 5:10
4. Another year of my life is over – a year that I cannot get back. Have I been the faithful steward I ought to be? Have I taken advantage of opportunities?
In my lesson this morning, I want to talk about some opportunities we have had that we need to consider and then notice our need to resolve to do better (or increase) in these things in 2008.
I. What have I done?
a. Has my relationship with God and Christ improved?
i.
James 4:7- we are instructed to
draw near to God and He will draw near to us.
Hebrews 10:22-23 says, “Let us draw near with a true
heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil
conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the
confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”
ii. As we have noted on numerous occasions, close relationships are based upon proper communication. In the case of a relationship with God that means that we listen to Him (by studying His word) and by talking to Him in prayer (cf. James 5:16, Philippians 4:6 – let your requests be made known to God).
iii.
How much did you listen to God this
year? Did you read through the Bible? Did you study on your own? Did you
prepare for Bible classes (Did you even come to Bible classes faithfully)? DID
YOU LISTEN TO WHAT YOU READ? Did you apply it faithfully?
How much did you talk to God? Was your prayers offered on a regular basis (1
Thess. 5:17, Luke 18:1)? Do you pray more now than at the beginning of the year
(or at least as much if you did a good job before)?
Do you feel closer to Him because you have adequately communicated with Him?
b. Has my relationship with my brethren improved?
i. We continually emphasize the importance of brotherhood. The numerous “one another” passages that regulate our conduct and relationships toward one another spell out just how important it is. Romans 12:10 – kindly affectionate and giving preference to one another (actually this means to take the lead, as if by example or action); 1 Thess. 4:9-10 is interesting as it speaks of brotherly love that is there, but still needs to develop further.
ii.
So I ask, have we adequately applied
these things? Have we tried to develop a closer relationship with our brethren
this year? Are there brethren we know better now than we did a year ago? Have
we made ourselves available to our brethren so that they can get to know us
better? I cannot help but realize that developing a proper relationship is a
two way street!
Think about this: Are there brethren here that you do not know by name? Why?
HOW important has the church been to you? Do see as one of the reasons to
assemble an opportunity to be with those of “like precious faith” (2 Peter 1:1)
and to build up each other?
c. Has my relationship with those of the world improved?
i. As times like this approach, we must not forget that we have an awesome responsibility to the lost. Not only are we to be examples (Matthew 5:13-16), but we are also to look for opportunities to teach them (Mark 16:15, 2 Timothy 2:2).
ii. Have we applied these things? Have we tried to be good neighbors? Do we even know who our neighbors are? What type of example have set within the community that we live? Do people see God in us? Do they see Him as a priority? What efforts have we made to lead others to Christ?
I suspect that each of us, if we examine ourselves in these things will find room for improvement. But rather than being discouraged, let us put the past behind us and move forward.
II. What do I need to do?
a. How can I improve with my relationship toward God?
i. As we have said many times before, it begins with a sincere desire. You have to RESOLVE to draw closer to Him.
ii. Now is the time to determine what you want to learn next year. Do you want to read through the entire Bible? The New Testament? Do you want to study certain books? Are there specific subjects you want to become more familiar with? Do you really want the Bible classes to be more meaningful? If so, NOW is the time to determine what you intend to do. Concerning study, determine how you are going to build the needed time for your Bible study. Remember 2 Timothy 2:15 – “Study” or “Be diligent”…. AGAIN, it is going to take resolve on your part!
iii.
Now is the time to determine
how important prayer is going to be. Far too many
miss out on the blessings of prayer because they simply do not do it. Hebrews
4:14-16 calls for us to come boldly before the throne of grace, and it even
gives reasons.
Are you going to pray more next year? Are you going to pray for others as you
ought to? Are you going to be thankful when you pray? Are you going to pray
with faith? (James 1:6-7)
Determine now to say a prayer EVERY day – when you wake up and/or as you go to
bed. Even if it is a short word of thank, it keeps God on your mind. In time,
it will build your relationship with God.
b. How can I improve with my relationship toward my brethren?
i. For this to happen, understand that the church HAS TO BE important to you! You have to take your responsibilities toward your brethren seriously. (Note: If you are studying as you should you CANNOT miss this point!)
ii.
If you don’t know everyone, make
effort to get to know their names. If you know names, do what you can to get to
know someone better than you do right now. We all have some here that we could
get to know a little better. REMEMBER, this too is a two way street – do we
make plans to do things with our brethren apart from the assemblies? To whom do
you open your home? WHEN you are invited to another’s home, do you accept? (I
realize that at times we are hindered – but for some refusing invitations is a
habit)
Don’t forget passages like 1 Peter 4:9 which says, “Be hospitable to one another
without grumbling.”
iii. REMEMBER those who are not here. Resolve, to contact those who are not able to attend. Do we take our work-group assignments seriously? Do we confine our contact to the assignments we receive then?
c. How can I improve with my relationship toward those of the world?
i. This is probably the biggest challenge to many of us. I am convinced that most of us want to see others obey the gospel. But something is in the way. It could be one of a number of things including: 1) We are not everything we ought to be, 2) We are too busy, 3) We don’t know how to reach the lost, 4) We are not outgoing people (How many of us don’t know who our neighbors are?), 5) We are not good neighbors.
ii.
As Christians, we HAVE to realize we
have responsibilities toward our neighbors.
Galatians 1:10 tells us to do good to all as we have opportunity.
Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably
with all men.”
Romans 15:2, “Let each of us please his neighbor, leading to edification.”
And don’t forget the many passages that tell us to love our neighbors as
ourselves.
iii.
Let us resolve NOW that in 2008, we
will try to win someone to the Lord. And with this resolve set forth specific
things that you can do to try and help you.
Resolve to be a good neighbor and get to know some of your neighbors better. If
possible, have them into your home for a visit. The importance of developing
relationships cannot be over-emphasized! Resolve to let them know about your
faith. Maybe it is by inviting them to services, or perhaps a gospel meeting.
LIVE a godly example before them. Resolve to PRAY for opportunities (Eph. 6:19,
Col. 4:3 – that God will open a door for us) and then LOOK for those
opportunities. Resolve to try and incorporate your faith into your
conversations. Strive to plant the seed and let God give the increase (1 Cor.
3:6).
These are some things we can do to improve our relationships with God, our brethren and our neighbors. But that leads to one final question:
III. What am I going to do about it?
a. How serious am I about this? The title of this lesson is, “I am resolved.” Are you really? We may think that making resolutions is a good exercise (and it is) and we feel good when we do it, BUT unless we are serious about pleasing God we will probably fall short.
b. There are three possible responses that we can have to these things:
i. I can quit? Many grow tired and give up. To those who believe this, consider: Hebrews 10:38, “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in them.”
ii. I can continue on the same path I am on right now. Consider Philippians 3:13-14, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Also note 1 Corinthians 9:27 which speaks of disciplining the body lest, “When I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.”
iii.
I can change where I need to change?
This is the goal each of us ought to have.
We have a responsibility to redeem the time (Ephesians 5: 15-16)
In all things we need to prove ourselves “clear in this matter.” (2 Cor. 7:11)
Truly, this time is a good as any to make resolutions. But let us make this year different than the past. Let us resolve to change and really mean it! It is no secret that the majority of people who make resolutions (some surveys show more than 90%) fail to keep them. In fact the majority of resolutions fail before January is done. Let us NOT be in that category. The things we are concerned about have eternal consequences. What are you resolved to do?
(Thanks to Mark Copeland, www.executableoutlines.com for the foundation of this lesson)