New Year 2010! Another year over We celebrate the changing of the calendar What resolutions will you make? The most fundamental resolution of all

Our Resolution: Finish the Course Hickman Mills Church of Christ

1 Corinthians 9:24-27  So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

How to Run? Paul talks about competing Discipline Not disqualified Running, boxing Discipline Focus and sacrifice Not disqualified Competing according to the rules Paul did not rely on his status as an apostle—he showed resolve

Ezekiel 18:21 “But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.”

Hope Despite Ourselves Paul as Saul turned from his persecution of Christians to obedience of Christ There was hope despite his wicked deeds God’s word provides for us a beacon of hope despite how bad we have been

Ezekiel 18:24 But when a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice and does the same abominations that the wicked person does, shall he live? None of the righteous deeds that he has done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which he is guilty and the sin he has committed, for them he shall die.

A Great Warning Paul understood what God explained to Israel through Ezekiel Many grasp the wonderful hope of God’s forgiveness and grace They live in denial about the realities of turning away from God’s path We must understand the danger of turning away

Acts 8:9-13 ven Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.

Simon’s Salvation Simon did what God asked of Him through His word He believed, turned from his ways and was baptized The ‘promise’ of salvation was to all who did this (Acts 2:38-39) If we cannot have faith in Simon’s salvation we cannot have faith in our own

Acts 8:18-24 ‘…our heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.’

Simon’s Fall Simon’s old ways got the better of him He offered money for what could not be purchased to use for his own ends Peter was clear: Simon’s heart was not right with God He had fallen from the path of righteousness; hope still remained if he would turn again

Hebrews 3:12-13 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Do Not Fall ‘Today’ If we are to be God’s house we must hold our confidence and hope ‘firm until the end’ (3:6) Israel is held up as an example of what not to be in contrast We must encourage one another ‘today’ We have need of one another No time like the present

Hebrews 4:11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience..

Israel & the Gospel Hearing isn’t enough Israel heard just like we did (4:2), but the word was not united with faith Saving faith produces obedient action We cannot act as they did—we must be diligent to enter God’s rest

Revelation 2:7, 10-11 To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’…. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life...The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

Last Words In the letters to the churches of Asia Jesus urged faithfulness in a time of trial and persecution Remaining faithful is not easy Some will try to oppose our obedience We must resolve that no matter what stands in our path we will not turn away from God God offers us great reward

Revelation 3:4-5 ''Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.”

Running to Win Paul set a course for himself: run to win the prize that God set before him He was beaten, stoned, left for dead, imprisoned But nothing could cause him to sway from his resolution to remain faithful What is your resolution?

2 Timothy 4:6-8  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.