 | | THE BEGINNING OF A NEW YEARIntroduction:
I. Last Monday, we started a new year, the year 2001.
II. In this new year, new experiences await us, just like
the Israelites in Joshua 3:4.
III. However, we do not know what is in the future. James
4:14.
IV. But we know that whatever happens, God will be in the
future. Psalm. 90:2.Body:
I. At this time of the year, a lot of people take stock:
A. We should take stock of our blessings. Psalm 65:11.
We need to count our blessings (as the song "Count
Your Blessings" says).
1. Physical (Houses, cars, food, clothes, etc.).
2. Spiritual (Forgiveness of sins, Heavenly Father,
church family, etc.).
B. We need to take stock of our individual service to
God. What progress was made during 2000?
1. Has our knowledge of the Bible increased any?
2. Have our concern for the Physical & Spiritual
needs of others increase any?
3. Have we become more faithful in our attendance?
4. Are we spending more time in prayer?
5. Are we living a better moral life?
6. What kind of husband have I been this last year?
What kind of wife have I been? What kind of
father or mother have I been? What kind of child
have I been?
C. We need to take stock of the work of the church.
What progress has been made during the last year?
Has the church grown spiritually? Has the church
grown in love and concern for one another? Has the
church grown numerically? II. At this time of year, most people make resolutions.
A. It would be a good idea for us to make some
resolutions (i.e., set goals).
1. Good resolutions are necessary to moral and
spiritual advancement.
2. When we break our resolutions, we should not quit.
B. Let us resolve to make this a happy year. Psalm 144:15.
C. Let us resolve to improve ourselves (1 Peter 2:2) and
to become more like Christ (I Peter 2:21).
D. Let us resolve to study (read) the Bible (1 Timothy
4:13).
E. Let us resolve to spend more time in prayer. (1
Thessalonians 5:17).
F. Let us resolve to resist the devil. (James 4:7-8).
G. Let us resolve to be more faithful in attendance.
(Hebrews 10:24-25)
H. Let us resolve to be more concern for the physical
and spiritual needs of others.
I. Let us resolve to keep the peace-so many churches
are having strife.
1. Romans 14:19.
2. Proverbs 20:3.
3. Psalms 133.
J. Let us resolve to be more considerate of our wife,
husband, parents, children, one another, etc.Conclusion:
I. Throughout this year let us keep in mind Romans 8:35-39
and Philippians 4:13.
II. Certainly if you are not a Christian, the best way to
start the new year is to is become one tonight.

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