Sermon Central
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Stop & Consider: Looking Backward-Redemptive Remembering Series
Contributed by Marty Boller on Dec 21, 2005 (message contributor)
Summary: #1 of 3 New Years teachings. Geared to help your listeners to reflect on what God has done in their lives and to dream about what God might do in the future.
Welcome to 2006. It’s New Year’s Day. A New Year.
Time for New Year Resolutions
Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions...
1. Lose weight
2. Stop smoking
3. Stick to a budget
4. Save or earn more money
5. Find a better job
6. Become more organized
7. Exercise more
8. Be more patient at work/with others
9. Eat better
10. Become a better person
No mention of God in the top ten...so we thought we’d help you out with that...
Job 37: 14 Stop and consider God’s wonders.
The last two years @ this time, we’ve challenged you to take your spiritual temperature. ‘Measuring Your God Account’.
In order to check the balance in your God Account, you’ll have to stop & stand still long enough to get an accurate reading. That’s hard to do. Ever tried to take the temperature of a toddler? Getting us to STOP and CONSIDER is easier said than done.
TODAY....as we STOP & consider God’s wonders...
Step ONE...Let’s look back...to 2005. Looking backward: Redemptive Remembering.
Psalm 77: 11-12 The Message
Once again I’ll go over what God has done,
Lay out on the table the ancient wonders;
I’ll ponder all the things You’ve accomplished,
And give a long, loving look at Your acts.
NIV says “meditate on all Your works and consider all Your mighty deeds.”
Three questions for you today…
# 1. What has been the hardest moment(s) of your life in 2005?
‘Stop & Consider’ must include the pain!
I love the Bible because it is so real. God allows us to be human. Bring your "real" life to the light in order to become light.
Psalm 77: 1-10
I yell out to my God, I yell with all my might, I yell at the top of my lungs. He listens. I found myself in trouble and went looking for my Lord; my life was an open wound that wouldn’t heal. When friends said, "Everything will turn out all right," I didn’t believe a word they said. I remember God—and shake my head. I bow my head—then wring my hands. I’m awake all night—not a wink of sleep; I can’t even say what’s bothering me. I go over the days one by one, I ponder the years gone by. I strum my lute all through the night, wondering how to get my life together. Will the Lord walk off and leave us for good? Will He never smile again? Is His love worn threadbare? Has His salvation promise burned out? Has God forgotten His manners? Has He angrily stalked off and left us? "Just my luck," I said. "The High God goes out of business just the moment I need Him."
Second question for you…
2. What has been the most blessed moment(s) of your life in 2005?
‘Stop & Consider’ must include listing your blessings!!
Where are your biggest blessings…recount them, write them down.
Psalm 77: 13-15
O God! Your way is holy!
No god is great like God!
You’re the God who makes things happen;
You showed everyone what You can do—
You pulled Your people out of the worst kind of trouble,
Rescued the children of Jacob and Joseph.
Third question for you…
3. What are you most thankful for in 2005?
‘Stop & Consider’ must include thanksgiving!
Psalm 136: 1
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His love endures forever.
OPEN SHARING...
In two sentences or less...
WHAT ARE YOU MOST THANKFUL FOR in 2005?
Psalm 138 (Responsive Reading) The Message
Thank You! Everything in me says "Thank You!"
Angels listen as I sing my thanks.
I kneel in worship facing Your holy temple,
And say it again: "Thank You!"
Thank You for Your love,
Thank You for Your faithfulness;
Most holy is Your name,
Most holy is Your Word.
The moment I called out, You stepped in;
You made my life large with strength.
When they hear what You have to say, God,
All earth’s kings will say "Thank You."
They’ll sing of what You’ve done:
"How great the glory of God!"
And here’s why: God, high above, sees far below;
No matter the distance, He knows everything about us.
When I walk into the thick of trouble,
Keep me alive in the angry turmoil.
With one hand strike my foes,
With Your other hand save me.
Finish what You started in me, God.
Your love is eternal—don’t quit on me now.
AMEN.
CLOSING PRAYER.
Next Week:
Looking Forward: Projections of Promise
