Sermon Central
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Stop & Consider: Looking Forward-Projections Of Promise. Series
Contributed by Marty Boller on Dec 23, 2005 (message contributor)
Summary: #2 of 3 New Years teachings. Geared to help your listeners to reflect on what God has done in their lives and to dream about what God might do in the future.
Welcome to 2006. It’s A New Year.
A time for New Year Resolutions
Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions...
1. Lose weight
2. Stop smoking
3. Stick to a budget
4. Save or earn more money
5. Find a better job
6. Become more organized
7. Exercise more
8. Be more patient at work/with others
9. Eat better
10. Become a better person
No mention of God in the top ten...so we thought we’d help you out with that...
Job 37: 14 Stop and consider God’s wonders.
The last two years @ this time, we’ve challenged you to STOP & take your spiritual temperature. ‘Measuring Your God Account’.
Last week we discussed a vital part of Stop & Consider...Looking backward: Redemptive Remembering.
Last week we asked you to answer 3 important questions...
#1. What has been the hardest moment(s) of your life in 2005?
#2. What has been the most blessed moment(s) of your life in 2005?
#3. What are you most thankful for in 2005?
TODAY...the second important step in STOP & Consider...
Looking forward: Projections of Promise.
What if??
What if God could offer these promises to you in 2006?
1. A promise to live a long life, lived full and well!
2. A promise to earn a reputation for living well in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people!
3. A promise to keep you & your life on track!
4. A promise that your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!
5. A promise that your barns will burst to overflowing, & your wine vats will brim over!
Sign me up! Right? What’s the catch?…
No catch...As it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him” 1st Corinthians 2: 9-10
Promise 1: A promise to live a long life, lived full and well!
Proverbs 3: 1-2 The Message
Good friend, don’t forget all I’ve taught you;
take to heart my commands.
They’ll help you live a long, long time,
a long life lived full and well.
NIV: “keep my commands in your heart.”
So as you enter 2006...Where are God’s commands??
In your Bible?? in your mind?? or embedded IN YOUR HEART??
Promise 2: A promise to earn a reputation for living well in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people!
Proverbs 3: 3-4 The Message
Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty.
Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.
Earn a reputation for living well in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people.
NIV: “Let love and faithfulness never leave you”
So as you enter 2006: Where are LOVE & LOYALTY in your priorities?? Is love & loyalty your priority or an after thought??
Promise 3: A promise to keep you & your life on track!
Proverbs 3: 5-6 The Message
Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
Don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
He’s the one who will keep you on track.
NIV Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and He will make your paths straight.
So as you enter 2006: Where are you putting your weight?? What crutch is holding you up??
Promise 4: A promise that your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!
Proverbs 3: 7-8 The Message
Don’t assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
Your very bones will vibrate with life!
NIV “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.”
So as you enter 2006: In which direction are you running?? Or are you standing still?? Content with status quo??
Promise 5: A promise that your barns will burst to overflowing, & your wine vats will brim over!
Proverbs 3: 9-10 The Message
Honor God with everything you own;
Give Him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
Your wine vats will brim over.
So as you enter 2006 : Are you giving God the top or the bottom?? The first fruits or the leftovers??
OK, I’ll stop meddling & let you go home.
Let’s read again God’s 5 PROMISES for 2006….
Proverbs 3:1-10 (Responsive Reading)
Good friend, don’t forget all I’ve taught you;
take to heart my commands.
They’ll help you live a long, long time,
a long life lived full and well.
Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty.
Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.
Earn a reputation for living well
in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people.
