I Am Resolved
I. Introduction.
A. 1999 is just a few weeks away. Hard to believe that this year is already coming to an end.
1. 1998 has been interesting year for this congregation.
2. Filled with many ups & downs.
3. Overall much good has been accomplished & the congregation is at peace.
4. Let us thank God for the many blessings that we have not on here in the congregation but personal lives as well.
B. As the end of the year approaches, many of us will be looking at our lives and searching where we need to make improvements. We often resolve to do better in a number of areas.
1. TO RESOLVE: to determine or decide; to settle; or to form a purpose or resolution, to determine after reflection; as; to resolve on a better course of life.
2. To make resolution or to resolve to do a thing is to determine in your mind a course of actions you will pursue.
3. Lk. 16:4 – word “resolve” used to express a definiteness of the steward’s realization, and his consequent determination of his course of action.
C. God has resolved to do certain things.
1. Acts 2:23
2. God’s determined or pre-determined plan for Jesus to die by the hands of wicked men on a cross.
3. God made a determination & He made it ahead of time.
D. We need to note some resolutions that we need to make.
1. These will be helpful in our service to God.
2. The key: must be determined in our own mind!
3. Run into problems when our resolutions collide w/our own set habits.
II. I resolve to watch what I say w/my Mouth.
A. Psa. 17:3; 19:4; 141:3
1. Must determine NOW that we will watch what we say.
2. Prov. 4:24
3. Not always easy. Success? Must work at it!
B. Speak in haste a problem of many! Some even brag about it!
1. put mouth in high gear b/f they think = much hurt can be done!
2. Eccl. 5:2-3; 6
3. If we would remember this, perhaps many of the problems we experience in society, families & even in the church would disappear.
C. Mk. 7:20-23 – what we say is a reflection of what is in our heart!
1. How is your heart?
2. Is it pleasing to God?
3. Eph. 4:29 – how wonderful we would all be if we only followed this teaching!
D. Must also resolve/determine not to praise God w/our mouths & forget him in our practice.
1. Problem of Jews during Jesus’ day – Mt. 15:8-9
2. Not only during this time but Israel as well – Ezek. 33:31-32
E. Each one of us needs to determine to watch what we say
1. we will be a better person in the Lord’s sight and a greater influence among those who are around us.
III. I Resolve Not To Defile Myself.
A. Example given in Dan. 1:8
1. DEFILE: to make filthy; to be foul; to tarnish; as to reputation; to dishonor.
2. Commandment clear from Scriptures.
a. 2 Cor. 7:1-2
b. Js. 1:21
B. We defile ourselves; bring dishonor to Jesus; tarnish reputation; by giving ourselves over to lust of the flesh.
1. Gal. 5:19-21
2. 1 Cor. 6:9-11
C. Notice Paul’s admonition in v. 9 – don’t be deceived.
1. unfortunately – many deceived into thinking they can engage in this (especially the socially acceptable things) and not hurt themselves b/f God & others.
2. V. 11 – past tense – and such WERE some of you! Not present tense!
3. Can’t be washed, sanctified, justified from the defilement & still be living in it.
D. Must keep ourselves pure/holy even as Christ did while He was on earth.
IV. I Resolve to Preach Christ to a Lost World.
A. Must determine that we will tell others about Christ!
1. 1 Cor. 2:2
2. 2 Cor. 4:5
3. Mk. 16:15
B. Must resolve to preach the gospel – that includes everything about Him!
1. Acts 8:4-5; 35
a. can’t preach Jesus w/o preaching everything He taught!
2. In Preaching Jesus – must preach baptism!
3. Since Philip preached on this occasion – it stands to reason – that he preached baptism – b/c the Ethiopian suggested baptism at first opportunity.
4. Preaching Jesus, a part of which, is to preach baptism – is to preach salvation to lost souls.
a. Rom. 6:3-4 – contact blood of Christ through baptism.
b. Jesus Himself commanded baptism – Mk. 16:15-16
C. Only way church will grow spiritually/numerically is for each one of us to get busy preaching Christ!
1. people will not come into our bldg., unless we first go to them!
2. Didn’t say build building; sit down; and wait for people to come so you can preach to them!
3. Jesus said “GO!” Let us resolve to preach the word! 2 Tim. 4:2
V. I Resolve to Forget the
Past & Press Toward Heaven.
A. Phil. 3:13-14 – Favorite passage. Must press forward toward the goal!
1. Must not dwell on the past!
2. Must put past behind & move on in service to the Lord.
a. not forget sin.
b. But correct sin. We can’t hold up progress for the Lord.
B. Easy to allow church problems of the past to hinder us in our service to the work of the Lord.
1. Problems can warp our concept of faithful brethren & make us bitter and cynical – IF WE ALLOW IT!
a. personal sins can hold us up!
2. Always need to repent when we sin – asking God’s forgiveness – and then move on in His service.
C. Perhaps we have received mistreatment from brethren.
1. will we allow such to could our thinking and to hinder ourselves from faithfulness to God?
D. Christian life compared to a race.
1. sometimes encounter adverse track conditions.
2. Competitors may jostle us as we run.
a. sometimes we may trip/fall.
b. All of us have probably done this before.
3. Said something we shouldn’t
a. failed to do things we know we should have.
b. Messed up here & there.
4. Instead of heading toward the goal – we find ourselves flat on our face.
a. sometimes these things will happen
b. happened to the greatest of Bible heroes.
5. What should we do when this happens?
a. stay down?
b. Feel sorry for ourselves?
c. GET UP! If you have fallen down in past, lying in the dust, get up and get back in the race!
E. Forget failures of the past – God does – if we repent & confess them. 1 Jhn. 1:7, 9
V. Conclusion.
A. Let us resolve to do the things that we have talked about this evening.
B. If we do so, it will be for the betterment of our Christian lives.
C. Not good to procrastinate these things…
D. I N V I T A T I O N