2015.01.04.sermon. MAKE A DIFFERENCE, REFLECT AND CORRECT.
GOD WORKS A NEW THING IN 2015
William Akehurst, HSWC
Isaiah 43:18-21
Philippians 3:13-14
As we entered into the new year, it is only natural for us to review the year in the past to see what was accomplished.
This is true in my professional life as well as personal life, but we should also reflect on our spiritual life.
How much time did I spend in God's word?
How consistent what's my time with the Lord in prayer?
Did my witness help to bring anyone to Christ?
Was my time with the Lord or Sunday worship or Bible study a priority?
If so, how was your spiritual life last year? How can it be improve this year?
What changes do I need to make to set priorities straight?
Once again let's reflect on the past year.
What did you see God do this past year?
Not only in you, or through you, but around you?
Did you see God's hand at work?
I saw God's leading hand directing me and giving me little signs to let me know that I was on the right track.
I saw people come to the Lord and give their hearts to him.
I saw God answer prayer.
I saw people healed of diseases, illnesses, emotional, physical and spiritual problems.
I saw people growing in the Lord and learning new things and experiencing new things in Christ.
I saw some impossible things made possible some unbelievable things made believable knowing that only God could have made this happen. My God Is Real, my God is alive, My God loves me, my God wants me..
I saw God's grace and peace transcend over tragic moments in my life, his strength and power were victorious in a time of despair. Looking back on those times, I see the footprints in the sand. I see how He connected all the dots and carried me and lifted me up through those extreme times.
I learned to trust the Lord through all things. As hard as it can be to do so, I am learning to question my own feelings of despair and tell myself, remind myself to trust in the Lord and put my focus on the Lord rather than the problem.
I have learned that with God all things are possible.
I am learning daily about what a walk of faith is.
I am taking baby steps at times and giant leaps at other times
Isaiah 43:18-21
18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
20 The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.
21 This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.
Philippians 3:13-14 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
2015 - Make a Difference
Jude 1:20-23
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
1 John 2:8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
Don’t let this be you!
Jeremiah 8:20 The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.
Changed “through”
John 1:12-13
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
RECEIVE JESUS, RECEIVE POWER TO BECOME SONS OF GOD BY BELIEVING AND BEING BORN OF GOD'S SPIRIT
John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
BELIEVE AND HAVE LIFE THROUGH HIM
Acts 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
THROUGH HIS GRACE WE ARE SAVED, BELIEVE THIS.
Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
THROUGH HIS REDEMPTION AND GRACE, WE ARE JUSTIFIED
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
JUSTIFIED, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH JESUS
Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
ALIVE TO GOD THROUGH JESUS
Romans 15:17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
THROUGH CHRIST, GLORY IN WHAT PERTAINS TO GOD
Romans 16:27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
GLORY THROUGH CHRIST
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
VICTORY THROUGH CHRIST
Benediction
Jude 1:24-25
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Revelation 22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
