A Resolution is a Decision. The first step toward achievement. Resolutions A Resolution is a Decision. The first step toward achievement. A resolution is about goal-setting and making conscious choices to achieve the goal. (Note: The “T’s for Success that are adapted for this lesson come from personal achievement expert Jill Koenig (Author of “New Year, New Life”). The two reasons people do not achieve their resolutions are: They are not committed They do not have a plan. We ask you to consider 7 steps that can be taken to help you in your resolve to be the person God wants you to be! Sermon inspired by an article by Joe R. Price titled, Resolute Success

Successful Resolutions (How To) Think (Luke 14:25-33) Think through your resolution and count the cost. What exactly are you resolving to do What exactly will it take to achieve it (time, effort, involvement) (Luke 14:25-33) READ

Successful Resolutions (How To) Think (Luke 14:25-33) Thirst (Matthew 5:6) Have a hunger, a burning desire to achieve your resolution. Otherwise, you will be distracted. What you hear in sports, “You have to want it!” Some truth. Looks like neither of last year’s Superbowl teams will make the playoffs this year. Bible word – ZEAL! (Matthew 5:6), “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

Successful Resolutions (How To) Think (Luke 14:25-33) Thirst (Matthew 5:6) Targets (Colossians 3:1-4) Have a destination in view; a clear vision or picture of where you are going. This will motivate you to succeed. Ultimately, heaven! (cf. 2 Peter 1:9), “For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.” A lack of vision will impact our spiritual success (Colossians 3:1-4), “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Hebrews 11:13-16), “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”

Successful Resolutions (How To) Think (Luke 14:25-33) Thirst (Matthew 5:6) Targets (Colossians 3:1-4) Tasks (James 1:21-27) Know exactly what you need to do for success. This is the nuts and bolts of the matter Set achievable, incremental tasks. The significant thing is taking the step. It is DOING it! (James 1:22), “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:25), “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”

Successful Resolutions (How To) Think (Luke 14:25-33) Thirst (Matthew 5:6) Targets (Colossians 3:1-4) Tasks (James 1:21-27) Timeline (Luke 9:23) Take action; schedule your resolution into your daily life. Our lives are cluttered. It takes management to fulfill a goal. Bible reading? (early morning). Prayers? (set aside quiet time). Evangelism? (Cards/phone calls/visits at a set time each week). Etc. Otherwise the intent will be present, but the execution absent. (Luke 9:23), “Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’” (Ephesians 5:15-17), “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Successful Resolutions (How To) Think (Luke 14:25-33) Thirst (Matthew 5:6) Targets (Colossians 3:1-4) Tasks (James 1:21-27) Timeline (Luke 9:23) Team (1 Thessalonians 5:11) Get help from others. They can supply wisdom They can give suggestions from experience They can help you learn from their mistakes They can supply encouragement and uphold your hands in your efforts! (1 Thessalonians 5:11), “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” (Hebrews 12:12-13), “Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.” (Galatians 6:1-2), “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Successful Resolutions (How To) Think (Luke 14:25-33) Thirst (Matthew 5:6) Targets (Colossians 3:1-4) Tasks (James 1:21-27) Timeline (Luke 9:23) Team (1 Thessalonians 5:11) Triumph (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3) Celebrate small victories – they will become big ones. Paul celebrated the victories of his readers (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3), “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father.” (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10), “But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more.” (Philippians 4:4), “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (1 John 5:4), “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

Be a Christian! Be committed! Have a plan! Succeed! Conclusion Be a Christian! Be committed! Have a plan! Succeed! The Lord will help you (Philippians 4:13), “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Matthew 11:28-30), “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”