Resolution! 2019

Are the fireworks and party poppers ready to bring in the New Year?

How do you plan to bring in 2019?

Does anybody remember the rest of the date?

What does A.D. even stand for or mean?

Some people think that since B. C. stands for before Christ, that A. D Some people think that since B.C. stands for before Christ, that A.D. must mean after death.

Actually, even though B. C. is rendered in English, A. D Actually, even though B.C. is rendered in English, A.D. comes from a Latin phrase.

Anno Domini

In the year of our Lord!

Something happened that changed how we keep track of time.

What was it?

Who was it?

The birth of Jesus Christ!

Resolution: to bring something into focus so it can be properly analyzed and understood.

Resolve: to find an answer, deal with successfully, clear up, or reach a firm decision.

Did you know there’s an effort or movement to stop using B.C. and A.D?

In an effort not to offend people who don’t believe in Jesus, let’s use C.E. and B.C.E.

Common Era Before the Common Era

But this doesn’t solve or resolve anything, because something still happened in between the two.

What was it?

We don’t want to talk about it.

Please don’t offend me by bringing it up.

Even our dear Jewish brothers and sisters don’t fully recognize A.D.

They continue to count time the way they always have and wait for Messiah.

5779

Can we resolve something today?

I hope that during our time together Breaking the Silence, we can declare, “Christ has come!”

Since Christ has come, there should be tremendous resolution in our lives.

How should we live?

Are we resolved?

Please stand with me as we read Philippians 2:8-18.

Philippians 2:8 Being found in appear -ance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross

Philippians 2:9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the

Philippians 2:10 name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

Philippians 2:11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,

Philippians 2:13 work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good

Philippians 2:14 pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of

Philippians 2:15 God, above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,

Philippians 2:16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain.

Philippians 2:17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with

Philippians 2:18 you all. You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

Their may be some people right now who refuse to recognize Jesus is Lord!

Their may be some people who recognize Jesus with their lips, but not with their life!

But be assured there is coming a day when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess.

What needs greater resolution?

Confess!

G1843 ἐξομολογέω ex-om-ol-og-eh'-o To acknowledge or (by implication of assent) agree fully: - confess, profess, promise.

Philippians 2:12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,

Philippians 2:13 work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good

Philippians 2:13 pleasure.

Work out…

G2716 κατεργάζομαι kat-er-gad'-zom-ahee To work fully, that is accomplish; by implication to finish, fashion: - cause, do, perform, work (out).

your salvation…

G4991 σωτηρία so-tay-ree'-ah Rescue or safety (physically or morally): - deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.

with fear…

G5401 φόβος fob'-os Alarm or fright: - be afraid, + exceedingly, fear, terror.

and trembling.

G5156 τρόμος trom'-os A “trembling”, that is, quaking with fear: - + tremble (-ing).

Let’s not be like the demons who know the truth and tremble with no hope of redemption.

As we enjoy a fresh start with a “New Year,” let’s remember to whom the year belongs!

It’s the year of our Lord!

It belongs to YHVH!

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8a

As we come to the Table today, let’s come with clean hands and a pure heart.

Let’s make the most of a fresh start!