• Today is the last Sunday of 2021, and 2022 is upon us. It is a season for new beginnings.
• Today I want to encourage you to embrace the call of God upon your life in 2022. The days of excuses and kicking the can down the road is over.
• A journey of 1000 miles begins with “one step.” (You may never feel ready…)
I. GOD USES ORDINARY PEOPLE TO DO EXTRAORDINARY THINGS
A. Do you think Mary ever wondered, “Why Me?”
1. No name virgin girl
2. God lifted her out of obscurity and gifted her to the world for the birth of His Son.
B. Do you think Joseph ever wondered, “Why Me?”
1. I’m just a simple working man, a carpenter by trade, chosen by God to raise His Son here on the earth.
C. Do you think either one of them ever thought, “I’m not qualified for this!” Or,
1. “I don’t know if I can do this…, etc.”
II. OTHERS GOD CHOSE
A. Abraham
1. Friend of God… Lied to Abimelek, king of Gerar, and said that Sarah was his sister! – Genesis 20:1-3
B. Moses
1. God’s choice to set Israel free from the bondage of Egypt killed an Egyptian and hid him in the sand! – Exodus 2:11-12
C. David
1. The Psalmist King of Israel committed adultery with Bathsheba. He then had her husband killed in battle after his deception plan failed!
D. Peter
1. The rock that Jesus would build His church on denied Jesus when the going got tough!
E. Apostle Paul
1. Oversaw the martyrdom of Christians until God saved him on the road to Damascus. He was later a martyr himself.
III. GOD IS CHOOSING YOU IN 2022
A. No excuse will do… The blood of Jesus qualifies you because it washes your sin away.
1. You are destined for greatness!
2. The blood of Jesus prepares you for the journey by giving you a brand-new start.
3. II Corinthians 5:17 is in response (Therefore…) to the “Ministry of Reconciliation” explained beginning in verse 11.
a. God is saying, “I chose you… no matter what your story is. The blood of Jesus makes you new and gives you a brand-new start!”
b. Nothing else in the world has that kind of power!
B. No excuse will do… The Word of God prepares you as the principles of Scripture are applied in your life.
1. God’s Word guides your path into the fullness of all God has planned for you!
2. God’s Word conditions you for the journey.
Proverbs 3:6 – “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Psalms 23:3 – “He restores my soul: he Leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
C. No excuse will do… Prayer and Fasting empower you to accomplish the will of God and reap a harvest of souls.
1. Your harvest is waiting on your obedience.
2. The lost you will lead to Christ are waiting on you to say YES to Him.
3. The disciples you will make patiently wait for you to begin teaching and training them.
4. Why Fast & Pray?
a. Fasting subdues your flesh – Matthew 26:41 (NIV) – “The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
b. Fasting brings revelation – Isaiah 58:8 (CEB) – “The [when you have fasted] your light will break forth like the dawn, and you will be healed quickly.”
c. Fasting leads to deliverance – Isaiah 58:6 (KJV) – “Is this is not the first I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness and let the oppressed go free.”
CLOSING:
Don’t kick the can down the road anymore.
What will you do for God in 2022?
