LOOKING FORWARD TO A NEW YEAR

Phil. 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.”

We face a new year with having to file our taxes. We face the new year realizing that we are one year older. We face the new year with realizing that we are one year closer to our death.

I. WHAT DOES THE NEW YEAR BRING?

1. A New Direction Think about the past New Years. When we were young, the new year meant we were at the age at driving at 16. Another new year past, and we were graduating college. Some worked and others went off to college.

Another new year past and we were celebrating our first year of marriage. Each year new events and growth happens to us all.

2. New Desires We call these resolutions. Some want to work on their eating habits, others may desire to go places they haven’t been.

BE CAREFUL IN OUR DESIRES Psa. 10:3, “For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.” BE CAREFUL IN OUR DESIRES

Mark 10:35, “And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.” Luke 12:18, “And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.”

Psa. 73:25, “Whom have I in heaven but thee Psa. 73:25, “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.”

2. New Dilemmas The new year brings new problems and situations. A friend finds out he has cancer. A brother loses his job. A sister loses her marriage.

II. WHAT DOES THE NEW YEAR BORROW? What Does the New Year Borrow From the Old?

1. An Unchanging World Eccl. 1:9, “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.”

 It has been reported that on that 12-hour window between 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 and 6 a.m. on Jan. 1 tends to have about 71% more crashes where alcohol or drugs are listed as a contributing factor. For whatever reason this reality appears every New Years. People will drink, take drugs, and kill the innocent!

WAR Wars will continue! I have lived sixty-three years on this earth. Like all of you I have witnesses the turmoil of Vietnam. The war in Afghanistan, and then Iraq. Others in this room remember Pearl Harbor, and the Korean Conflict.

2. HATE Psa. 9:13, “Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death.”

3. CRIME Gen. 6:5, “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

2. Chances A Chance to Change: “God grant me the serenity  To accept the things I cannot change;  Courage to change the things I can;  And wisdom to know the difference.”

A Chance to be Certain: Psa. 93:5, “Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.”

2 Pet. 1:10, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.”

3. Challenges You had challenges in 2018, and you will have more challenges in 2019. Most of our challenges religiously do not change. The need to grow closer to God. To be a better parent, or a better spouse. The challenge to be more like Christ!

III. A TIME TO BUILD

1. Build Up Relationships Isa. 38:1, “In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.”  1. Build Up Relationships

Prov. 16:7, “When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

2. Be Evangelistic Isa. 6:8, “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” I need your help to aid this congregation in growing.

Prov. 11:30, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” PREACH THE WORD

John 8:29, “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.”