1. 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.

2. 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

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

5. Promises Worth Keeping January 25 – March 28

6. Pause for Prayer

7. The Two Sons - Matthew 21: 28-32

9. A Third Kind of Son

10. Matthew 21: 28-32

11. 8 Promises With God’s Help I Can: 1. Nurture a growing intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 8 Promises With God’s Help I Can: 5. Support the ministry of my church and pastor

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 5 Action Steps 1. Create memorable moments with Jesus Adult Journal

21. 5 Action Steps 1. Create memorable moments with Jesus 2. Come out of spiritual isolation

22. 5 Action Steps 1. Create memorable moments with Jesus 2. Come out of spiritual isolation 3. Confess and confront a signature sin

23. 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

24. 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

25. Early Elementary

26. Teen-agers

27. Adult Journal

28. Matthew 21: 18-22

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

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

31. Promise-Makers and Promise-Keepers

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

33. 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

34. 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.

35. 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.

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

37. Promises Worth Keeping January 25 – March 28