New Year: New Me

New Year: New Me

2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Good Morning Everyone- very glad that you have joined us on this last day of 2023-

I have been in prayer as we come to the very last day of one year and tomorrow move into a new year.

Most people going out of one year and into another take at least a moment of time and reflect on last year and what they would like to see happen in the new year. We get an opportunity to look at the last year and make arrangements and changes for the incoming year.

Most people believe that happens strictly by starting some things and stopping some things.

Yes, physically there are some things to start and stop but what about the spiritual side of your life?

What are you doing in that area of your life?

Most stop at only the physically… you can lose a lot of weight but if you don’t change how you eat and what you eat, the weight will quickly come back on you with a vengeance as many of us know.

Many have quit addictions only to find out we lapse a few times and then just give up and say that we cannot do it.

The spiritual side which we usually only address after we have exhausted all other avenues is to see what God has to say about the things we would like to change-

Most agree that a new years resolution is only a to-do list for the first two weeks of the new year…because they give up or forget what they wanted to change and go back to the same old same old thing.

Have you sat down quietly between you and the Lord and discussed the things that you would like to see changed going into the new year?

If you have not, why not? Do you think God is not interested in the smaller things in your life?

Only the big things?

Do you have pride in your life where you know that you cannot do what is right and needs to happen because you are afraid to allow God into that situation because you don’t want to ask for help?

Are you not in a right relationship with Him and to ask Him to help would be to admit that you would have to change some things that He has already told you need to be changed but as of yet, you are not willing to do?

It can get complicated and it can get messy

But if you take away nothing else this morning, realize that the Lord does not want you to have to do it alone and He is wanting to step in and help you do whatever it is.

Our text is 2 Corinthians 5:11-17 and it Paul speaking to us about reconciliation. Think about it, as a believer, no matter what you want to add or subject from your life if the Lord is not a part of it, you need to reconcile that with the Lord before you can get His help and perspective on it.

Addictions- you have tried and now you need to ask the Lord into that addiction.

Relationship or lack of a relationship- you need His help.

Personal job, finances, entertainment, things going on in the government that you like or dislike- you need to hear from the Lord and look into His word to find out some answers you are looking for.

Instead of the Lord being the last one you talk too about these things, about making Him the first one you talk too about it?

2 Corinthians 5:11-18 Read from the Bible clearly

Straight up- Paul tells us that we need the Lord’s help in our lives when it comes to personal and relational things-

As we live our lives for Christ, this is what we want you to follow and do!

We are not trying to brag on ourselves but giving you an opportunity to take part in what God does through us and in us.

If we are out of our minds, as some say, it is for God-(We love the Lord) it is because He is first and foremost in our lives.

He says that if He is in his right mind, it is for you and I. (Believers)

If we have a right perspective of what the Lord wants in our lives, we will live first for him and then when we are in a right relationship with Him, we can be in a right relationship with others.

WHEN THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN, EVERYTHING IS OUT OF WACK AND WE SUFFER FOR IT. IF THE LORD IS NOT NUMBER ONE, YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE LIVING OUT YOUR LIFE AS A BELIEVER WHO IS SUPPOSE TO BE FOLLOWING THE THINGS OF THE LORD.