First Landmark Missionary Baptist Church

                                                            Roseburg, Oregon

 RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR

Text:  Psalms 65:11  Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.

INTRODUCTION - Deciding to Jump:  A boy told his father, "Dad, if three frogs were sitting on a limb that hung over a pool, and one frog decided to jump off into the pool, how many frogs would be left on the limb?" The dad replied, "Two." "No," the son replied. "There’s three frogs and one decides to jump, how many are left?" The dad said, "Oh, I get it, if one decides to jump, the others would too. So there are none left." The boy said, "No dad, the answer is three. The frog only DECIDED to jump." Does that sound like last year’s resolution? Great inspiration and great resolutions, but often times we only decide, and months later we are still on the same limb of do-nothing.

1. As a New Year begins, I am reminded of the fact that we are one year closer to...

   a. The day of our death, or the day the Lord returns

   b. That day when we shall stand before the Lord in judgment

      -2 Corinthians 5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ;            that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath   

               done, whether it be good or bad.

2. Since we are one year closer to that day when our final destiny will be forever determined, let me use this opportunity...

   a. To provoke your thinking as to how you have used this past year

   b. To suggest some resolutions for the coming year

[My goal is to encourage us to make better use of the time we have left, and to prepare us for the day of reckoning that awaits us.  Let's begin, then, by asking...]

I. IN THE PAST YEAR

   A. HAS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND CHRIST IMPROVED?

      1. Have we drawn nearer to God? –

James 4:8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

      2. Bearing in mind that a close relationship depends upon        

                 Good communication...

         a. Have we been faithful in listening to God through His Word?

            1) Another year has gone by; did we read through the  Bible this year?

            2) If not, and especially if we never have, can we honestly say that we are taking our                    

                relationship with God seriously?

         b. Have we been steadfast in talking to God through prayer?

            1) Any effective communication requires a two-way street

            2) Therefore fervent Bible study should be joined with fervent prayer

            3) Has our degree of prayerfulness increased or decreased this year?

   B. HAS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH BRETHREN IMPROVED?

      1. Has our love for one another increased this year? –

1 Thessalonians 4:9-10  But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;

      2. Are we any closer to one another than we were a year ago?

         a. E.g., have we been in the homes of brethren?

         b. E.g., have any of them been in our homes?

      3. Do we even know who our brethren are?

         a. Each year brings new members into the Church

         b. Have we made the effort to know them? 

   C. HAS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THOSE IN THE WORLD IMPROVED?

      1. As people of God, we have an important responsibility toward those in the world - Matthew 5:13-16  Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

         a. To be a positive influence ("You are the salt of the earth")

         b. To demonstrate a better way ("You are the light of the world")

      2. Have we made progress this year in developing meaningful relationships with people in         

          the world?

         a. So the light of Christ can be seen in our lives

         b. So the gospel of Christ can be communicated to them

      3. Or are we like most "neighbors" in this day and age...

         a. Living next to each other, but not really knowing each other?

         b. Having forgotten the lost art of "Southern hospitality"?

The questions I am raising can be summarized in this way:  "Another year has gone by; have we made good use of the time the Lord has given us, or have we wasted it?"

It is likely that all of us in some degree have not made good use of the past year.  But at this point, let's apply the words of Paul:

Philippians 3:13-14  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

With this attitude of pressing forward, let me suggest the following resolutions...

II. FOR THE YEAR AHEAD

   A. RESOLVE TO DRAW NEARER TO GOD AND CHRIST...

      1. By having a daily reading program of God's living and abiding Word –

 Hebrews 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

         a. Read the Old Testament this year -  

Romans 15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

1 Corinthians 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

2 Timothy 3:14-17  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for  

                b. Read the New Testament also –

James 1:21  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

2. By being diligent in prayer –

Hebrews 4:14-16  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

         a. Let's be a thankful people –

Colossians 4:2  Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18  Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

                b. Perhaps Daniel's custom of praying three times daily would be worthy of emulation

   B. RESOLVE TO BECOME CLOSER TO THE BRETHREN...

      1. By making it a point to greet each one every chance we get.

3 John 1:14  But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

       2. By having a different person or family in your home each month

1 Peter 4:9  Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

         a. It doesn't have to be a fancy dinner

         b. Just a simple visit to become better acquainted

     3. Or by visiting a different person or family each month

         a. It might not always be convenient to have people in your home

         b. But you can arrange to visit them in their home (if you are alone, take someone with      you)

   C. RESOLVE TO GET TO KNOW NON-CHRISTIANS BETTER...

      1. By having one new neighbor or co-worker in your home each month –

Galatians 6:10  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

      2. Or by visiting one new neighbor or co-worker each month

         a. It doesn't have to be a fancy meal or formal visit

         b. It is amazing how far simple hospitality and neighborly kindness can go...

            1) To build meaningful relationships

            2) In which opportunities can be created to share the gospel

Read POEM with slides

CONCLUSION

1. These resolutions may sound simplistic; but if implemented, they go a long way...

   a. To producing the kind of lifestyle that is becoming of Christians

   b. To increasing closer relationships with God, our brethren, and the lost

      1) That will bless our lives

      2) And be a blessing to the church and our community

   c. To create a clearer conscience next year at this time

2. Time is a precious commodity, given to us by God...

   a. That is truly like a vapor –

James 4:13-15  Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

   b. That needs to be carefully redeemed –

Ephesians 5:15-16  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

   -- I hope that these suggestions for resolutions for a new year will help you in making better use of it!

3. Finally, let me share with you the following poem...

   "A New Year, A New Beginning"

   The old year ends, a new begins

   With pages clean and new;

   And what is written on each page

   will now depend on you.

   You can't relive the year that's past,

   Erasing every wrong;

   For once a year - or day - is spent,

   It is forever gone.

   But don't give up in dark despair

   If you have failed some test;

   Seek God's forgiveness and resolve

   Henceforth to do your best.

   Resolve each precious day to do

   Things good and kind and pure;

   Though days and years may pass away,

   These things shall still endure.

   You know not where your path may lead

   Nor what's beyond the hill;

   But know that God walks at your side,

   If you will do His will.

   All things are possible with God,

   Though days be bright or dim;

   So do your best and know that you

   Can leave the rest to Him.

   - Author Unknown

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