The SermonCentral.com Weekly Newsletter
December 23, 2002

Theme: New Years

Dear SermonCentral.com community,

My Grandma (who is still living) has her tombstone ready. The engraving says: "It wasn't boring." That came from a quote she gave at her 50th wedding anniversary about her marriage. I'm sure 2002 wasn't boring for you, and your can be sure 2003 will bring many more interesting opportunities and challenges to your life and ministry. May I encourage you with these words from the apostle Paul as you enter into this new year: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9).

We hope this newsletter on The New Year will help you lead your congregation into the future on a positive note, and help you find the best material fast.
God bless you, Brian Mavis

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In This Issue

1. Top 5 Sermons On The New Year

2. Top 5 Illustrations On The New Year

3. SermonCentral.com News - BibleMaster.com Forum

1. Top 5 Sermons On The New Year

THE OLD YEAR
by David Salisbury: Ecclesiastes 7:8-8
As I reflected on the end of the year and what to say to you in this last Sunday morning sermon of 2001, I thought of Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes 7:8 “The end of a thing is better than its beginning;” Now I know some brethren would like to say that a proper translation of that verse is that

more

IS THERE ANYTHING NEW?
by Lyndon Marcotte: Ecclesiastes 1:9-11
We can understand what Solomon means as we look around us. Even with all the new technology and changing times in which we live, it seems that everything old does in fact come back in style. Perhaps the best evidence of this is the fashion industry, which can be observed by the “seasonal rise and fall

more

COMMITTING TO SPIRITUAL RESOLUTIONS
by Mark Elkins: James 4:7-10
This is the time of year when we resolve to change our life. Usually it has something to do with our physical health. We resolve to stop smoking, to quit eating so much, to start exercising and so on. We are lucky if these promises that we make ourselves last 6 months. As important as those things

more

BEGINNING THE NEW YEAR IN THE JOY OF FORGIVENESS
by Christopher Raiford: Psalms 32:1-2
In "A Christmas Carol", Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past, who against his will, takes him back to a time when he was still a young man. Scrooge sees himself proposing to the woman he loved, a woman who later breaks their engagement because she realizes that he has

more

STARTING THE NEW YEAR RIGHT
by Rodney Buchanan: Ephesians 4:10-16
One of the positive effects of the recent tragedy our country experienced is that people appear to be shifting their priorities. People are centering their lives more on home and family rather than jobs and careers. We are looking again at the value of relationships, and even our relationship with

more

2. Top 5 Illustrations On New Years

MARKING THE TIME
Time has no divisions to mark its passage, there is never a thunder-storm or blare of trumpets to announce the beginning of a new month or year. Even when a new century begins it is only we mortals who ring bells and fire off pistols. ”
— Thomas Mann

Contributed by: SermonCentral PRO

IT'S NOT GOING TO HELP!
A woman walked into her bathroom at home. As she did, she saw her husband weighing himself on the bathroom scales, sucking in his stomach. The woman thought to herself, "He thinks that he will weigh less by sucking in his stomach." So, the woman rather sarcastically said to her husband, "That’s not going to help." Her husband said, "Sure it will. It’s the only way I can see the numbers."

Contributed by: Steve Heartsill

GOALS OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS
What kinds of goals does the Hollywood crowd make? Rapper Jay Z says he just wants to "stay positive" in the coming year. Singer Michelle Branch says her goal for ’02 is "to drink more water." Actress Susan Sarandon says she just wants "to try to have more fun."
White House press secretary Ari Fleischer may have the easiest resolution of them all. It’s to have "more briefings," he told the press corps before wishing them a Happy New Year this month.
One resolution most of us could probably benefit from comes from Cherie Blair, wife of British prime minister Tony Blair. "My New Year’s resolution (for) 2002 is to stop trying to do everything and try to prioritize a bit more," she told the British press this month.
SOURCE: by Tim Reynolds, People.com January, 2002. Adapted by SermonCentral staff.

Contributed by: SermonCentral PRO

AN END IN MIND
Dr. Ari Kiev of Cornell University observed that from the moment people decided to concentrate all their energies on a specific objective, they began to surmount the most difficult odds. He concluded, "The establishment of a goal is the key to successful living."
Today in the Word, July, 1990, p. 14

Contributed by: SermonCentral PRO

HOW LONG IS MY LIFE
A few years ago People Magazine published an article entitled "Dead Ahead" telling about a new clock that keeps track of how much time you have left to live. It calculates an average life span of 75 years for men & 80 years for women. So you program your sex & age into the clock, & from then on it will tell you how much time you have left. It sold for $99.95.

I didn’t buy one. But it is an intriguing idea. In fact, that’s what the Psalmist told us to do - to number our days.

So if I live to be 75 years old, I have about 2,345 days left to live. That’s all, just 2,345 days left to live. But wait a minute. I don’t have a guarantee of even one day more to live.

In fact the Bible tells us not to count on tomorrow because tomorrow may not come for you or for me. All we have is right now. So our time on this earth is valuable because it is very limited.

SOURCE: "New Years - NOW IS THE HOUR!" by Melvin Newland, Minister, Central Christian Church, Brownsville, TX
http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?
SermonID=32338

Contributed by: SermonCentral PRO

3. SermonCentral.com News - BibleMaster.com Forum

Have you checked out the forum on our new BibleMaster.com site? If you've got questions (or answers), our forum is the place to be. There are currently more than 2090 Posts in 355 Topics which cover everything from body piercing to the second coming of Christ. Check it out!! BibleMaster.com

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