How To Have A Happy Year

“How To Have A Happy Year”

For New Years Day-- night Wed. Jan. 01st 2003, Communion Following Sermon

OPENING TEXT: Rev 3:8 (KJV) God says to the Church in

Philadelphia

8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

INTRODUCTION:

Notice: for my sermon title, I did not say; “How To Have A Happy New

Year”

Reason (1) For some Happy New Year, means have a good day on Jan.

01st after that, you are on your own.

Reason (2) For some people the term “Happy New Year” means to

have a great month during Jan.

Today as I was writing in my journal, I took some time to recap all of the things that I considered to be MAJOR EVENTS in my life and the lives of my family during the past year. (2002).

To recap such events reminds one that you can never be sure of what a new year will offer.

But one thing you can count on: God will be faithful no matter what.

Yes there are a lot of things that can come our way during the course of a YEAR, but one can know JOY and Happiness throughout the year.

So tonight I title my sermon “How To Have A HAPPY YEAR.”

Here are some things that are certain to make your year, a happy year;

I. Give Your Life Completely To Him

[A] I like the words of the Psalmist

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Psalms 84:10-12 (KJV)10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

(1) The psalmist discovered that life was much more fulfilling

Working for the Lord and being close to Him than hanging out

with sinners and scorners.

(2) He would rather be a Door Keeper in God’s House than to have

any office or position in society.

[B] True happiness doesn’t come in titles, positions or awards.

(1) True happiness comes only in serving God.

(2) The Apostle Paul said;

1 Cor 7:17 (NIV)

17 Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.

(3) If you have not already, take time tonight to surrender your life

to the Lord.

**Too busy to surrender to God?

**Think about the parable Jesus spoke of the man would tare

down his barns to build them larger.

Luke 12:18-21 (KJV)

18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

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20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

(4) Too involved with the World to surrender to God?

Isaiah 56:11-12 (KJV)

11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.

12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.

(5) If people would only accept the Bible as truth and let it change

their lives, they could discover true happiness.

[C] The plan of Salvation is so easy and so simple.

Rev 22:17 (KJV)17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

[D] Take the Bible for what it says and your search will be over;

True happiness comes from;

(1) Turning your life over to God.

(2) Fulfilling His Purpose for your life.

II. Be A Friend Of God’s And Not Just A Servant!

[A] Christians often speak about being the servants of God.

(1) So many think of servants as people who have to do the things