New Year’s Resolutions 1 Thessalonians

Don’t we all struggle at times with wanting to be less like ourselves? At the heart of the gospel of grace is the message, “In Christ you’re a new creature, the old things have passed away and the new things have come.” “SO WHY AM I NOT CHANGING THE WAY I WANT TO?”

We must understand the Christian motivation for being resolute, for striving, for fighting the fight of faith. It isn’t a performance to earn or gain something. The Christian doesn’t strive “for” life, but “from” life.

Chap 1 – Eternal Perspective (v. 9-10) BY THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT I RESOLVE to live in such a way that my manner of living would reflect an eternal perspective. LIFE LOOKS DIFFERENT WHEN VIEWED FROM ETERNITY If others were to follow you around for 3 weeks what would they say you are waiting for in life?

1 Thess 2 – Receiving the Word of God (v. 13) BY THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT I RESOLVE TO RECEIVE THE BIBLE AS ‘THE WORD OF GOD’ Ps 119:36; 38 “Incline my heart to your Word; Establish Thy word to Thy servant as that which produces reverence for Thee”

1 Thess 3 – GOD CENTERED PRAYER (3:10-13) BY THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT I RESOLVE TO PRAY REGULARLY FOR FELLOW BELIEVERS.

1 Thess 4 – Biblical Sanctification (v. 3-7) RESOLVED, TO LIVE AS ONE WHO FOLLOWS GOD’S WILL IN THE AREA OF SEXUAL PURITY “You will never deal with the sex issue until you have first dealt with the authority issue.” Paul Tripp

1 Thess 5: Biblical Esteem (v. 12-13) RESOLVED, TO LIVE AS ONE WHO APPRECIATES AND ESTEEMS THOSE WHO HAVE CHARGE OVER ME SPIRITUALLY. YOU CAN MAKE OR BREAK THE MINISTRY OF THIS NEW PASTOR

What would it look like if Highlands became a community of those who Walk by faith in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit so that your hearts will be in line with God, His Word and His grace, individually and corporately? “Your Savior endured the rejection you and I should have received so that even in our failure, we will never see God turn and walk away from us.” Paul Tripp, Sex and Money