Four Things You Will Very Likely Do In The Coming Year Series

Four Things You Will Very Likely Do in the Coming Year

1. We tend to remember people who succeed in predicting the future, forgetting that for every “hit” there are many “misses.”

1) "Man will never reach the moon regardless of all future scientific advances." -- Dr. Lee DeForest, Inventor of TV

2) "There is no likehood man can ever tap the power of the atom." -- Robert Millikan, Nobel Prize in Physics, 1923

3) "I have traveled the length and breadth of this country and talked with the best people, and I can assure you that data processing is a fad that won't last out the year." -- Editor in charge of business books for Prentice Hall, 1957"

4) 640K ought to be enough for anybody." -- Bill Gates, 1981

5) "This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us." -- Western Union internal memo, 1876.

6) "I'm just glad it'll be Clark Gable who's falling on his face and not Gary Cooper." -- Gary Cooper on his decision not to take the leading role in "Gone With The Wind." "

7) "We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out." -- Decca Recording Co. rejecting the Beatles, 1962.

8) "Everything that can be invented has been invented." -- Charles H. Duell, Commissioner, U.S. Office of Patents, 1899.

9) "There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home." -- Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977

[source: http://www.ahajokes.com/fp044.html]

Main Idea: I can guarantee that all of you will do most of the things I am about to enumerate, and I can pretty much suppose that most of you will do the rest. Here is your likely future for next year.

I. You Will GLORIFY God At Times (I Cor. 10:31).

A. All CREATION glorifies God is some manner.

1. Revelation 16:9 “They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory.”

2. We either give God glory freely or under constraint (Phil. 2:10-11).

3. An honorable walk will bless us, or our foolish, selfish, short -sighted choices will vindicate His wisdom as we experience consequences.

B. We are to glorify Him in UNIQUE ways.

1. The TWO great commandments

• What does God think of what I want to do or say?

• Is it considerate of others?

2. The GREAT commission

3. Being a LIVING sacrifice

Romans 12:1-2, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Application: My grandmother was at a wedding banquet. The bride’s former boyfriend came by and the bride walked out with him. Some professing Christians seem hesitant to be the bride of Christ. They vacillate, hold back, and aren’t really sure they want to fully commit. You are either serious about glorifying God or you are not. Which is it?

II. You Will SIN in A Variety of Ways (I John 1:8-9).

A. Sins of COMMISION

B. Sins of OMMISSION

1. Sometimes I could kick myself for saying something dumb or doing something dumb.

2. More often, I could kick myself for forgetting or not thinking of doing something good. Why didn’t I bring a gift? Why didn’t I ask about a relative’s health? Why didn’t I get tickets or sign up for this or that? Procrastinate?

3. In the same way, we often fail or forget to do something that would please God or show consideration to another.

C. God has made PROVISION for your failures.

1. We may be idealistic, but God is both idealistic and realistic

2. We sin daily, but do we confess daily?

Application: Because we will sin in a variety of ways, we must be there for one another. There is a time to confront, but there is a time to help restore. Next month’s memory verse is Galatians 6:1, “ Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”

III. You Will Both Fail and GROW (Philippians 3:12-14)

A. Address your failures, but FOCUS on the Lord.

• Don’t think about a purple mini-van with white stripes.

• In battling sin, our focus needs to be drawing near to God.

• We will always have our struggles in this life.