Sermon Central
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A New Year With An Old Recipe
Contributed by Dick Webster on Jan 4, 2004 (message contributor)
Summary: This is a sure recipe to live by as another year is passed and we embark into a new one. Some things are sure while some things we need to work on.
A New Year with an Old Recipe
Joshua 3:3-5 (Read V1-6)
INTRO:
Another year is passed and we embark into a new one
***Don’t know what it will bring or hold in store for us
***Say as Joshua in V4 “We have not passed this way heretofore”
Not knowing we can be sure of some things
***God wants His people to be happy and successful
***God wants His church to grow
***God wants souls to be saved
There is a secret to that success
***V5 says to “santify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you
Some may say “but we are a N.T. church
***N.T. says in Matt 6:33 “seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you”
***Not just on Sunday but 365 days a year
***In our homes, at work, at play, at school, wherever life takes you
***Needs to become a way of life – full time
Everyone likes to win; losing is hard for us and on us
***Players will be seen crying on the sidelines after a loss
***Participants will hang there heads in defeat
***Fans run in embarrassment during losing seasons (e.g. Columbus High)
***Tickets go up the year after a super bowl season
***Players and fans cheer and scream when they score and win
***We like to be winners!
Our church hasn’t grown as we would like during the past year
***We get frustrated and down hearted
***Satan plays havoc with our minds telling us we are losers
***But God is the winner and has a different plan for our church and lives
Our relationship may have not grown as we would like
***That’s our fault – take responsibility
***What will you do differently this year for God?
***What will you change as you start you new journey into a New Year?
***Satan CAN NOT win with the Jesus Christ on our side
***Satan CAN NOT win with the power of the Holy Ghost in our lives
Remember to thank God for all of the victories He has provided in your life
***Thank Him IN ADVANCE for the victories He will provide this year
***We will close this service today siniging the song “victory in Jesus”
***I am claiming victory for this church and all of our lives in 2004
Jesus Christ promised victory SO TAKE IT!
***He promised happiness in Him and in our salvation
***Whatever happens in this life we still have an ETERNAL HOME
Some of us may have lost some battles or feel defeated in life
***Thank God you are still standing and able to fight
***Get dressed, stand up, and prepare for the victory
When we do experience the victory remember to give God the glory
***Not by my strength but by His
***2 Cor 12:9-10 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
***When we fell weak Christ is our strength
***When we feel strong, Christ is still our strength – GIVE HIM PRAISE!
God will do His part – BUT we must do ours
***God has given the right ingredients for success
***We must use them and mix them to make a perfect life
***Leave out any part and it will not turn out right
***These will provide happiness and success
TRANS: Lets look at some key ingredients
1. THE BIBLE MUST HAVE A PLACE IN YOUR HEART
A. It is not just a book that sits on the shelf and collects dust
***Read it and see how to overcome trials and tribulations
***Read it and see how to become holy, righteous, and acceptable to Him
***Only 2% of Christians have read the Bible through front to back
***Some only read it when scripture is read for the Sermon
***The Bible is still on the “Best Seller” list of books sold
***Many homes have multiple copies, but never read
*****IF you’re not reading it give it to someone who will!
***It still stands even though some may boycott it or try to blot it out
B. It will straighten out our lives
***ILL If a builder puts a level on a piece of wood and sees it is not straight, he does not throw away the level, he straightens the board or gets a new one
***When we see our lives are not straight don’t throw away the Bible – get right
C. The Bible is like a camera
***It shows a true picture of us
***We always tell a photographer to get our best side
