This Year Will Be Different! Graphical sermon notes by, Rev. Ed Whitman Sunday, January 11, 2015 Evangelical Congregational Church in Dunstable Massachusetts © Copyright 2015 by the author, Rev. Ed Whitman, with permission to freely redistribute.

Keeping Promises Early in the morning, as Jesus was on His way back to the city, He was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then He said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered. Matthew 21: 18-19

“Oxymoron” A combination of contradictory words A pair of words that cancel each other out

Promises Worth Keeping January 25 – March 28

Pause for Prayer

The Two Sons - Matthew 21: 28-32

A Third Kind of Son

Matthew 21: 28-32

8 Promises With God’s Help I Can: 1. Nurture a growing intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ

8 Promises With God’s Help I Can: 1. Nurture a growing intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ 2. Cultivate vital friendships that encourage me to keep my promises

8 Promises With God’s Help I Can: 1. Nurture a growing intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ 2. Cultivate vital friendships that encourage me to keep my promises 3. Practice purity in though and action

8 Promises With God’s Help I Can: 1. Nurture a growing intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ 2. Cultivate vital friendships that encourage me to keep my promises 3. Practice purity in though and action 4. Make family relationships a priority

8 Promises With God’s Help I Can: 5. Support the ministry of my church and pastor

8 Promises With God’s Help I Can: 5. Support the ministry of my church and pastor 6. Identify and address the hidden prejudices of my heart

8 Promises With God’s Help I Can: 5. Support the ministry of my church and pastor 6. Identify and address the hidden prejudices of my heart 7. Influence my world with the love of Jesus

8 Promises With God’s Help I Can: 5. Support the ministry of my church and pastor 6. Identify and address the hidden prejudices of my heart 7. Influence my world with the love of Jesus 8. Live one day at a time through the power of my risen Lord

National Men’s Equipping Conferences  Feb 21 Burlington, VT  March 21 Hartford  April 11 Albany  April 25 Portsmouth  April 25 Portland, ME  May 16 Worcester

5 Action Steps 1. Create memorable moments with Jesus Adult Journal

5 Action Steps 1. Create memorable moments with Jesus 2. Come out of spiritual isolation

5 Action Steps 1. Create memorable moments with Jesus 2. Come out of spiritual isolation 3. Confess and confront a signature sin

5 Action Steps 1. Create memorable moments with Jesus 2. Come out of spiritual isolation 3. Confess and confront a signature sin 4. Daily acts of servant love

5 Action Steps 1. Create memorable moments with Jesus 2. Come out of spiritual isolation 3. Confess and confront a signature sin 4. Daily acts of servant love 5. Choose to become exposed to the suffering of others

Early Elementary

Teen-agers

Adult Journal

Matthew 21: 18-22

Mark 11: 13 When He reached it, He found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs.

Matthew 21: 20 When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.

Promise-Makers and Promise-Keepers

Join Up ?  Come to Lunch Today  Get a Journal  Spiritual Life Check-Up  Worship with us  Daily Quiet Time

Join Up ?  Come to Lunch Today  Get a Journal  Spiritual Life Check-Up  Worship with us  Daily Quiet Time  Monday Small Group  Start new small group?  Work with your kids  Pray

Promises Worth Keeping Prayer Lord, I want a growing relationship with You. I’m tired of broken promises. Guide me to godly friends who will help me remain pure and honor my priorities.

Open my eyes to hidden prejudices in my life. Open my heart to the needs of my church and it’s leaders. Teach me to reflect Your love in the world around me.

Help me, through the power of Your Holy Spirit, so I can live today what I say I believe. Amen.

Promises Worth Keeping January 25 – March 28