Presented, December 11, 2005
READY FOR 2006
We have all heard the expression, “Time flies.” And it is certainly true. The year 2005 is almost over. It has been a fast and busy year. It seems like it was just yesterday that we began this year and here we are facing another new year. Of course, as time goes on, that just means another day that we have given special significance to. And that can be a good thing. When we set aside days to remind us of special things it can help refocus us toward attitudes and characteristics that are usually good. Sometimes these special days are observed as a nation. We as Christians observe the first day of the way and treat it as special (at least we ought to). For most of us anniversaries and birthdays have special meaning where we reflect on relationships. As the New Year approaches, we think of new beginnings and an opportunity to start over. And that can be a very good thing. Christians ought to periodically take a look at their lives. 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you are disqualified.” We read much in the New Testament about goals and reaching toward them (E.g. Philippians 3:12).
Today, we want to talk about New Years resolutions. Someone might observe that the New Year is still 3 weeks away and perhaps this lesson is pre-mature by a couple of weeks. But I am presenting it today on purpose. I am already again thinking about things I would like to change in my life. To be able to achieve some of the goals I am going to set for myself requires preparation. So my intent in this lesson is to encourage us to start thinking about these things right now and START today putting the pieces together so that when the New Year approaches, we can be off and running.
I. A Spiritual Inventory
a.
NOTE: Before we begin, let it be understood that this time of the year is
NOT the only time to consider changes. As a Christian that ought to be an
ongoing exercise. If there is a need for change, you need to take care of it
NOW! 2 Corinthians 6:1 tells us that, “Now is the day of salvation.”
AND, there are different levels of inventory that need to take place at regular
intervals.
But since during this time of year, the need for changes comes to our mind, it
is certainly as good of a time as any to give consideration to these things.
b. Any worthwhile endeavor begins with examination.
i.
Major corporations and organizations understand the importance of having
objectives and goals and the detailed plans to achieve them. And they also know
the value of frequent audits. What is interesting is that this is also true at
the local level. Consider a local chapter of an organization and the plans that
are made to achieve their goals (PTA, band boosters, Lion’s club, etc).
IF we understand the important in these aspects what about our eternal welfare?
Doesn’t it also deserve some examination and planning?
ii. As a child of God I need to know where am I now and where do I need to be. I need to know WHY I am where I am and if necessary, WHY I am NOT where I ought to be. That requires an assessment of our lives.
iii. Revelation 3:2-3, to the church at Sardis (the DEAD church), the Lord calls for them to “Be watchful and strengthen the things that remain…remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent…” NOTE that there is a call for them to take a spiritual inventory and note where they were supposed to be
iv. Luke 14:28-32 as Jesus speaks of counting the cost He refers to one intending to build a tower and then a king preparing for war. He emphasizes their need to make assessments BEFORE they act in a way that they will regret. This requires examination.
v. Galatians 6:4, “But let each one examine his own work,…” (as opposed to worrying about everybody else).
vi. Do we spend enough time taking spiritual inventory in our lives?
c. As Christians, much is expected of us by our Lord.
i. We are expected to produce fruit – John 15. IF we are not producing fruit, something is wrong and we need to find out
ii.
We are expected to perform to our potential. How many of us fail to grow
as we ought to because we bury our talent in the ground? Hebrews 5:12, Matthew
25:14-30
Luke 12:48, “… For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be
required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.”
iii. We are expected to give a defense for the hope that is in us. 1 Peter 3:15. Can we do this? To adequately defend ourselves requires work. If we cannot defend our faith, something is wrong and we need to work toward changing that.
iv. Paul disciplined his body lest he be disqualified – 1 Corinthians 9:27 – Paul regularly put his body to the test because he did not want ANYTHING to get in his way of obtaining eternal life.
II. Some Areas to Consider:
a. There are many ways we could approach what we ought to be considering. What I want to use this morning is a passage spoken about Jesus when He was 12 years of age. Luke 2:52. After being left in Jerusalem and found again by His parents it says that he with them to Nazareth and was subject to them. Then it says, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Let us notice these 4 areas as areas to consider for improvement.
b. Wisdom – Wisdom is applied knowledge.
i.
To be pleasing to God we need wisdom.
Proverbs 4:7-8, “Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in
all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you; She
will bring you honor, when you embrace her.”
James 3:13, “Who is wise and understanding among you…”
Ephesians 5:15-17, Walk circumspectly,… as the wise.
James 1:5 – if anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask…
2 Timothy 3:15 – it is the scriptures that will make you “wise unto salvation”
Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom,
…”
ii. Have we grown in knowledge of God’s word as we ought to? Are we more able to answer the those who question us now than we were a year ago? Do we have a better grasp of His word?
iii.
If not: Resolve to increase in wisdom.
Start planning now what you want to do with God’s word next year –
Decide what you are going to do to increase your wisdom. Read through the
Bible, read through a part of it, study a specific book in detail, learn all
that He says about a specific subject, have regular studies with your family,
etc.
What do you need to do first? The answer is making a resolution. Determine
what you want to do and then formulate a plan.
Factor the time into your schedule. Determine what you will give up to achieve
your goal in needed.
iv. If you have increased in knowledge and wisdom as you ought to, are you finished? Certainly not!
c. Stature – this means that Jesus grew physically. When one doesn’t grow physically as he ought to we know there is a problem and become concerned.
i.
In making our plans, we need to give consideration to taking care of
ourselves.
Our body is God’s temple. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. As His temple, we ought to
put forth some effort to take care of it. Much of what we do for Him is
dependent on our physical health. Understand, physical exercise is NOT as
important as spiritual exercise, (1 Timothy 4:7-8) but it does play a factor in
what we are able to accomplish both personally and dealing with others.
ii.
Are we as healthy as we ought to be? If not, Resolve now to take
better care of ourselves
Take a physical assessment and if you need to make changes, make plans to
achieve those changes.
iii.
Taking care of ourselves includes proper attitudes. So how is
your mental health? Do you worry all the time? Do you find yourself being
impatient, wrathful, bitter, resentful, unforgiving, arrogant, and/or other
attitudes that are clearly condemned in God’s word? (Ephesians 4:31, Colossians
3:8-9, Matthew 6:25-33, etc.) These attitudes are sinful for a reason – not only
do they damage others, they are NOT healthy.
Resolve to work on these attitudes. If you can learn to control these things,
and others – you will be a better person and feel better about yourself.
BTW, IF you have sin in your life, you ought to feel guilty about that. But
RESOLVE to overcome those sins so that you can live without guilt, etc.
iv.
ONE more area of concern - Learning self-control.
Christians need self-control – 2 Peter 1:6, Acts 24:25, Galatians 5:22-23, etc.
In all honesty, this is a greater concern with many than we care to think
about. How many sins do we commit and how many areas of our lives are not as
they ought to be because we have not learned self-discipline? Take a look at
your life NOW and see how much of a problem this is – both in what you do and
what you DON’T do. THEN resolve to overcome your indifference and lack of
self-control.
d. Favor with God – This is somewhat self-explanatory. Is God pleased with me?
i. We know God was pleased with Jesus. Matthew 3:17, 17:5, Philippians 2:9-10, etc.
ii.
We know that God has to be first - Matthew 6:33, 24.
We need to strive to please Him – 2 Timothy 2:4; Matthew 25:21, 23
iii. Is God the priority He ought to be? Is He pleased with me? WHY or why not? Is He really #1? If we have not grown in favor with God, now is the time to RESOLVE to correct whatever it is that displeases Him.
iv.
Usually we are not pleasing to God because we have idols in our lives.
We are serving 2 masters (Matthew 6:24) which Jesus said is not possible.
It may be materialism, poor use of your time, compromising your principles for
the sake of popularity, your entertainment, indifference, or other actions, some
that may not be wrong within themselves, but because they crowd out God they
become sinful.
v.
EXAMINE what is wrong and formulate a plan to start changing whatever it
is that is keeping God out of the place He belongs in your life.
e. Favor with man –
i. As Jesus grew up, while we are not told much about His childhood, we can glean that many were impressed with Him. This would be a natural conclusion for someone who knew how to treat others – acting with kindness, truthfulness, sincerity and in love.
ii.
In our examination we ask: How is our relationship with our fellow man?
Christians are to be good neighbors – Romans 12:18, 13:10, 15:2,
We are to pursue peace with all men - Hebrews 12:14; 1 Corinthians 19:19-23 –
all things to all men.
We are to be kind in love – 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 – does not behave rudely. And
it is a love that applies to our neighbors.
iii.
Are we good citizens and neighbors within our communities? Are we a
compliment or blight within their community?
Do we have attitudes that hinder our effectiveness in shining the light of the
Gospel to them? Do we care enough about our neighbors to make efforts and look
for opportunities to share the gospel with them?
iv.
If we find that we are not the neighbor we ought to be OR we haven’t
cared enough about them, let us RESOLVE that from this day forward we are
going to be good and godly neighbors.
This is definitely an area that requires a little planning and preparation.
First, if we need to take care of the physical appearance of our homes that
takes time, but do it.
We need to identify those attitudes that cause us to be unfriendly and work on
them.
We need to start thinking about what we can do for our neighbors (good works) so
that we might win their trust and thereby be able to possibly teach them.
We need to start PRAYING for them.
v. Whatever it is we need to do to ensure that we are pleasing to those outside the faith (and in the faith for that matter), start working on it.
These are a few areas where we can start making plans to make 2006 a great year for our souls. If we will put God first, we will be blessed and so will those around us. What about you? Is there anything you need to change?