New Years According To Proverbs Series

WHATS GONE IS GONE

Last year at this time, some of you were saying, "This year, things are

going to be different!

I’m going to change!

I’m going to be a better spouse.

I’m going to spend more time with my family.

I’m going to spend more time reading my Bible. More time praying to God. More time serving others.

This is the year I get my ducks in a row!"

Just by a simple show of hands, who has stuck to their new years resolutions?

RELEASE - QUIP

You know what they say about New Year’s resolutions? They usually go in one year and out the other!

TOP 5

I saw a recent article that listed the five most popular resolutions made most every year.

The 5th was to take up a new hobby.

The 4th was to make more money.

The 3rd most popular resolution was to improve relationships.

The 2nd was to stop smoking.

The most popular New Years resolution, you guessed it, losing weight.

HUMOROUS ILLUSTRATION – MAN ON SCALE

A woman walked into her bathroom at home. As she did, she saw her husband weighing himself on the bathroom scales, sucking in his stomach. The woman thought to herself, "He thinks that he will weigh less by sucking in his stomach." So, the woman rather sarcastically said to her husband, "That’s not going to help." Her husband said, "Sure it will. It’s the only way I can see the numbers."

HOW QUICKLY WE FORGET

Often this time of year, after the overindulgence of the holidays we make resolutions to change our habits and our way of life.

A new year gives us an opportunity to start fresh and better ourselves.

Come the middle of January we somehow forget our resolutions and go back to our old ways.

Now by a simple show of hands who can even remember their new years resolutions?

FORGETFUL ILLUSTRATION

I heard about a man who moved into a retirement community to spend the rest of his life there. It wasn’t long until he had made a number of friends among the other residents. There was one lady he was especially attracted to, & she was attracted to him, also. So they spent a lot of time together. Finally one evening he proposed, asking her to marry him.

The next morning he woke up remembering his proposal, but he couldn’t remember her answer. So he went to her & said, "I’m really embarrassed. I proposed to you last night but I can’t remember if you said `Yes’ or `No."’ "Oh, thank goodness!" she replied. "I remembered saying `Yes’ but I couldn’t remember who asked me."

It is so easy to forget the commitments and resolutions we make at New Year’s

CATEGORIES OF RESOLUTIONS

This is the 1st Sunday of the New Year. You know, when you think about it, all New Year’s Resolutions basically fall into 3 categories. They deal with: (ADVANCE)

1. Things to make us look better and live longer.

2. Things to make us have more.

3. Things that will help us to get along with everyone.

(ADVANCE)

I call them - Longevity, Prosperity and Peace.

BIBLICAL?

I went hunting for new years resolutions in scripture. Not called resolutions but what I found – well I have made them my resolutions for 2005.

PROV CHAPTER 3 - . I’m titling this sermon 10 New Year’s Resolutions From The Wisest Man That Ever Lived. Proverbs - chapter 3.

OVERVIEW

Now this first time I read I will just leave out a few words here and there and we will see just the benefits of adopting this set of New Year’s Resolutions set forth here in this 3rd chapter.

1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. [Longevity, Prosperity] . . . you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man. . .He will direct your paths. . . will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. . . your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. . . you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. . . you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. . . the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.

Solomon starts off this 3rd chapter with a very matter of fact statement.

1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.

Then He gives very specific details of 10 principles that we should live by in order to have long life, prosperity and peace