WHAT ARE YOU “LOOKING FOR”?
SCRIPTURE: Titus 2:13 “Looking for (4327 wait for) that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;”
Hebrews 10:26 “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for (1561 from expectation) of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.”
Hebrews 12:2 “Looking (872 to consider attentively) unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
II Peter 3:12 “Looking for (4328 to anticipate in thought, hope or fear) and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?”
Jude 1:21 “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for (4327 wait for) the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
INTRODUCTION:
Behavioral scientists have discovered that we usually see things that we are prepared to see, & that this is all centered in a network of nerve cells called the "Reticular Activating System." And everybody here today has a "Reticular Activating System." Did you know that?
The Reticular Activating System works like this. Once something has been brought to our attention & we have been prepared to see it, we'll see it virtually everywhere we go.
For example, if you decide to buy a new car & you make up your mind that you are going to buy a certain brand, a certain body style, & a certain color, all of a sudden you'll see those cars everywhere. You'll see them on the roads, in TV advertisements, in newspapers & magazines. They're everywhere.
(Sometimes we may think this is an indication of the will of God. Beware!)
Now what has happened? They were always there, but the moment you were prepared to see them, your Reticular Activating System kicked in, & suddenly you saw them everywhere.
It happens in other areas of life, too. We see what we are prepared to see. If we are prepared to see doom & gloom in 2003, that's what we'll see. If, on the other hand, we have prepared ourselves to see sunshine & opportunities, then that is what we are going to see. Melvin Newland
Are you looking for clouds or sunshine? Are you looking for failure or faith? Are you looking for despair or hope? Are you looking for cruelty or mercy? Are you looking for judgment or Jesus?
Many people never succeed in life because they believe they can’t change. They never enjoy life because life to them is just one big failure after another. They face a new year with regret rather than the joy of knowing that God has given them the opportunity to make a difference in their own lives with the help of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jim Mooney
I. ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A CHANGE?
Someone said insanity is doing the same thing over and over and each time expecting a different outcome. Will you continue doing the same unproductive things this year that you did last year? (Vicious Cycles?)
A. Change Your Attitude
1. What are you saying?
I often hear people say things like, "Why, I can't do that." Or, "That's just too hard." Others say, "I know I'm hard to get along with, but that's just the way I am. Lord knows, I've tried, but I can't seem to change." Melvin Newland
Stop saying, "I can’t" and start saying, "I can". The person that believes that they can change with the help of God will change. Jim Mooney
2. What does the Bible say?
The Bible says that when God's Holy Spirit comes to live in our lives He can bring about dramatic & drastic changes, if we will let Him. Melvin Newland
Philippians 2:13 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his
good pleasure.”
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
That means there’s nothing I’m going to hit in the next 365 days, no problem, no situation, no circumstance, no hassle that I can’t handle, that I can’t manage, that I’m not competent to handle with the help and strength God gives me. Jim Mooney
John 5:30 “I can of mine own self do nothing (Subjection to, and dependence upon, God the Father): as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.”
II Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the
Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
Changed --- gradually, day by day, as we continue gazing:
wonderful result of our contemplation of Christ. Beet’s Notes
‘The image’ reflected in the Gospel mirror reproduces itself in those who
gaze upon it. This change is inward and spiritual resulting from inward
and spiritual vision of Christ.Beet’s Notes
3. Attitudes determine actions. They conquer who believe they can. Bruce Howell
Norman Vincent Peale told a story about a group of people who, at the end of the year, wrote down their expectations of the coming year. Each sealed his “New Year Expectations” in an envelope to be opened and read aloud only at the end of the following year.
? One man had written, “In the next year all I can expect more of the old miserable same.” Guess what? That’s exactly what he got!
? A woman listed 10 worthy goals she expected to receive. Nine of the ten had come into fruition.
? Another man, basing his expectations on Capricorn, his birth sign, predicted that he would have difficulty and frustrations. He got them, too.
? One man died during the year. When the envelope was opened, his expectation read: “As none of the men in my family have survived beyond the age of 60, I expect to die this year.” And he did—one month before his 60th birthday.
Attitude is determined by your mindset (way of thinking). Along with attitude
adjustment, we will need to look at our own mentality.
How can anyone be that optimistic? Well, I must confess that there are times when I, too am overwhelmed with what’s happening around us. But that’s just the point. We dare
not focus too much attention on the world. When I look up to Jesus, I find reason for
hope and optimism. Bruce Howell
B. Change Your Mind
1. Renewal (Renovation --- To make good as new, as by repairing, cleaning, etc.)
Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Conformed --- sharing the same ‘form,’ or mode of self-presentation. Beet’s Comm.
Ephesians 4:22 “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which
is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
The Holy Spirit is the Agent of the renewal. And He renews men by enlightening
their intelligence. Beet’s Notes
2. Carnality vs. Spirituality
Romans 8:6 “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”
The sense is, that to follow the inclinations of the flesh, or the corrupt propensities of
our nature, leads us to condemnation and death. The expression is one of great energy, and shows that it not only leads to death, or leads to misery, but that it is death itself;
there is woe and condemnation in the very act and purpose of being supremely devoted
to the corrupt passions (of the flesh). Barnes’ Notes
To be spiritually minded is to seek those feelings and views which the Holy Spirit
produces, and to follow his leadings. It tends to life, and is in fact real life. For to
possess and cultivate the graces of the spirit, to be led where he would guide us, is
the design of our existence, and is the only path of happiness. Barnes’ Notes
3. The Mind Of Christ
Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
This was a mind of humility.
The object of this reference to the example of the Saviour is particularly to enforce the duty of humility. This was the highest example which could be furnished, and it would illustrate and confirm all the apostle had said of this virtue. The principle in the case is, that we are to make the Lord Jesus our model, and are in all respects to frame our lives
is far as possible, in accordance with this great example. The point here is, that he left a state of inexpressible glory, and took upon him the most humble form of humanity, and Berformed the most lowly offices, that he might benefit us. Barnes’ Notes
C. Change Yourself Jerry Falwell
1. Setting goals helps you make real changes in life. If you don’t make a decision
to change for the better, it won’t happen.
2. Goals are evidence that you are serious about your God-given responsibilities. When you live by goals, you are not living just for today’s fun, but you live for eternity.
3. A goal is better than a dream. A dream is what you want in the future. A goal is your commitment to work for your dream. The bottom line is
a. You need dreams, but
b. You need goals to get you to your dreams.
A story in John Maxwell’s book, “ Developing the Leader Within You ” reads as follows:
· A Middle Eastern mystic said, “ I was a revolutionary when I was young and all my prayer to God was: ‘ Lord, give me the energy to change the world.’ As I approached middle age and realized that my life was half gone without my changing a single soul, I changed my prayer to: ‘ Lord, give me the grace to change all those who come into contact with me, just my family and friends, and I shall be satisfied.’ Now that I am an old man and my days are numbered, I have begun to see how foolish I have been. My one prayer now is: ‘ Lord, give me the grace to change myself.’ If I had prayed for this right from the start, I would not have wasted my life.’
May I suggest that your attitude, your frame of mind, your reaction to the events of this year will largely determine whether it is a year of victory or a year of defeat.
Melvin Newland
II. ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A CHALLENGE?
New things give us an opportunity to start over. A new year means you have a challenge to do better than the last year.
A. It’s Time To Go Forward
Deuteronomy 2:3 “Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.”
When Israel was refused leave to go the direct route to Moab through Edom’s valleys
(Numbers 20:20,21) they marched circuitously round the mountains down the Arabah between the limestone cliffs of the Tih on the W. and the granite range of Mount Seir on the E. until a few hours N. of Akabah the wady Ithm opened a gap in the mountains, so that turning to their left they could march N. toward Moab. Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
1. Deal with the difficulties of the past and change direction.
The Israelites had wandered in the desert for almost forty years. It was now
time to head toward the “Promise Land”.
2. Face the challenges of the future and go forward.
They had faced many battles, and were to encounter many more. However, this time things were about to change. They were about to become victors instead
of victims.
Deuteronomy 2:24 “Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle. 2:25 This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations that are under the whole heaven, who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish
because of thee.”
3. Take advantage of the opportunities that arise.
Don’t waste your life waiting for your ship to come in.
B. It’s Time To Take This Mountain
Joshua 14:11 “As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. 14:12 Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.”
1. Put aside the issues of age and ability.
God works through those who are available.
2. Like Caleb, claim the promises of God.
III. ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A COMMITMENT? Jerry Falwell, “New Year Commitments”
A. We Must Make A Commitment To Our God.
II Timothy 1:12 “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”
B. We Must Make A Commitment To Our Home.
1. Children commit to obey parents.
2. Children commit to love brothers and sisters.
3. Parents commit to love their children and not unduly punish them.
4. Couples commit to be true to their mates.
5. Couples commit to help their mates grow in Christ.
C. We Must Make A Commitment To Our Church.
1. Commitment to obey Christ who is the head of the Church.
2. Commit to live pure and holy.
3. Commit to sharing Christ with the unsaved.
4. Commit to invite friends and build up Gods house.
5. Commit to read daily the Scriptures.
6. Commit to pray daily.
7. Commit to tithe regularly.
8. Commit to faithful attendance, unless providentially hindered
CONCLUSION:
Carefully consider the year that is before you. Make the best of every moment as you allow God to change your attitudes, your mind, yourself. Face opposition and challenge with courage considering that you “can do all things through Christ.” Align your priorities allowing God to be first in your life, your family and home to be second, and thirdly, your church a place of refuge and worship.
