Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Resolutions Selected Scriptures Happy New Year! Happiness is based on perceptions, so worldview determines its sources Circumstantial happiness Transcendent happiness

Resolutions Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man. – Ben Franklin Good resolutions push us past society’s standards into striving to meet God’s standards

Man’s Ability to Change Man is created in God’s image with reason and volition - the ability to think and make choices Man is naturally a slave to sin, but He can be redeemed, regenerated, justified & transformed by God We are to be conformed into the image of His Son - transformed by renewed minds (Rom 8:29; 12:2)

Man’s Ability to Change God’s many commands prove He expects Christians to change by being obedient to Him. God will do His part to change us - Romans 7:25; 8:11; Philippians 1:6; 4:13 God expects us to do our part in becoming mature - 2 Peter 1:3-8

Breaking the Old Habits Change begins with recognizing the problem and confessing that to the Lord Conviction of sin comes by the Holy Spirit and considering the commands & principles of God’s word

Breaking the Old Habits Habits that are either bad, controlling or an encumbrance need to be broken and changed Prov. 2:3-6, Isaiah 55:6-7, Matt. 7:7-11 and James 1:5 - seek wisdom and ask God for understanding

Establishing New Habits The key to successfully breaking an old habit is replacing it with a new one Create new habits by ceasing old habits and consistently practicing the new behavior over a long time

What Needs to Change Outward conformity to God’s laws is not enough; there must be fundamental inward change To know God and His ways (Ex. 33:13- 18; 1 Pet. 3:18; Phil. 3:10) To love God (Matthew 22:37-38, 1 John 4:19, John 14:21)

What Needs to Change To worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24; Hebrews 13:15; Psalm 51:17) To live in holiness (1 Peter 1:16; Psalm 51:2,10; Rom. 12:2; 1 John 2:15-16 To live for God’s glory (Matt. 5:16; 1 Cor. 10:31; Philippians 1 & 3:13)

What Needs to Change To love your neighbor as a reflection of God’s love (Matt. 22:40, John 13:34 1, John 4:7-8; 20-21) To see others know and follow Jesus (1 Peter 2:9; Matt. 28:19-20; Eph. 4:11- 16; 1 Cor. 12) Using your spiritual gifts to build up the rest of the body of Christ (Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Cor. 12; Phil. 1:27).

'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the great and foremost commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38)

The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets. Matthew 22:39-40

Do not love the world, nor the things in the world Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world is passing away, and [also] its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

Getting Help Do not let fear keep you from seeking and gaining prayer, encouragement and accountability from others

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ