Scripture Reading: Psalm 65
THINGS TO BE IN 2003
Intro.
1. Gospel is a call to excellence – Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 15:58; Phil. 3:12-14.
2. Time for new year’s resolutions: Decisions to do / be something better than we were this past year.
a. Implies self-examination (2 Cor. 13:5).
b. Implies need for improvement (“abounding”).
3. Things I need to be in 2003 (about the same for everybody). I NEED:
I. TO BE MORE INVOLVED IN THE LORD’S WORK.
-Jas. 1:22-25 - Active participant, not spectator.
-Eph. 5:16; Gal. 6:10 - Seek out opportunities.
II. TO BE MORE DEDICATED TO OUR MISSION.
-Eccl. 12:13 - Our primary mission: It’s easy to forget why we are here!
-Matt. 6:24, 33; Phil. 3:12-14 - We can’t expect spiritual reward from purely material investment.
III. TO BE MORE AWARE OF THE DANGERS OF SIN.
-2 Cor. 2:11; 1 Pet. 5:8 - Satan is hard at work.
-I need to know & remember the constant danger of:
1. Materialism - Covetousness (Col. 3:5); 1 Tim. 6:17-19.
2. Immorality - Titus 2:11-12.
3. False doctrine - Matt. 7:15; 2 Cor. 11:3-4.
IV. MORE RECOGNITION OF WHO I AM.
-1 Pet. 2:9 - “Peculiar” people (“acquisition, purchased possession” - Belong to God!)
-1 Pet. 2:11-12 - “Sojourner” - Citizen of heaven, not world.
1. Belong to another country, another King.
2. Can’t be His & act like the world.
3. Maintain distinctiveness from the world (Eph. 5:7-8)
4. More holiness (1 Pet. 1:15-16).
V. MORE ASSOCIATION WITH THE WORD OF GOD.
-We become like those (that) with whom (which) we associate.
-2 Tim. 3:16-17 - To become more like it!
-Rom. 1:17 - Can’t live by faith if you are never exposed to that which produces faith.
VI. MORE COMPASSION FOR THE LOST.
-Matt. 9:35-38 - “Sympathetic consciousness of other’s distress with a desire to alleviate it.”
-Lk. 15:20; Matt. 18:27--God is moved with compassion!
-Must view the world as lost, undone, hell-bound - Driven to make a difference! (work & pray)
VII. MORE INCLINATION TO SERVE OTHERS.
-Matt. 20:25-28 - Christianity is not “being served,” it is serving -- From humility. Gal. 5:13 - Through love serve one another.
-1 Cor. 9:19 – Make myself a servant to all (to save some):
1. As a spouse, I need to be more understanding (1 Pet. 3:7).
2. As a parent, I need to be more patient (Col. 3:21).
3. As a child, I need to be more respectful (Col. 3:20).
VIII. MORE LOVE (that honors God & man, Mk. 12:30-31).
-To motivate me in all things– 1 Cor. 13:1-3.
-To govern/regulate me in all relationships & deeds – 1 Cor. 13:4-7.
-To sustain me – 1 Cor. 13:8, 13 (love is never “reduced to inactivity” – it abides).
IX. TO BE MORE LIKE JESUS.
-Lk. 6:40 - Make me a more worthy disciple.
-1 Pet. 2:21 - Follow His example every day.
-Matt. 11:29 - Must “learn of” Jesus by following Him, come what may.
1. These spiritual improvements need to be our resolve every day of every year!
2. By God’s grace you can make 2003 your best year yet (spiritually speaking) – 1 Cor. 15:58!