NEW YEAR TEACHING SERIES
New Year Resolutions
January 1 - February 12, 2012
If we had 2011 to live over again, how many of us would probably do some things differently? We all would - that is part of our life journey - we live and learn. As we begin this New Year, I want us to look at some New Year Resolutions that hopefully we can follow-through on. Not the kind that we follow for a few weeks or days - but decisions we can make today that will carry us through the rest of our lives. God says in Isaiah 43:18-19: “But forget all that - it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?'"
Jan. 01 The Miracle of God’s Calendar – Luke 2:41-52; 2 Corinthians 5:17
As you complete the process of packing up your Christmas decorations and tossing out that stubborn string of lights with the undetected short in the cord, let me encourage you to throw something else away. Get rid of all the regrets you’ve accumulated through the year. We do not need to be held hostage by regrets, unfulfilled plans, and mistakes of which we are ashamed. Let God give you the miracle of a new calendar today.
Memory Verse: “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
Jan. 08 The Pursuit of Joy – Romans 8:28-30; John 17
When Jesus prays to the Father in John 17, He prays for us – His followers. He says, “Now I am coming to You. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with My joy.” Why do the things of life affect us so much? Why is our joy not relentless – impervious to our circumstances? This morning we will discover how we are supposed to live – how in 2012 we can literally experience God’s fruit of the spirit - Joy.
Memory Verse: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” Romans 8:28
Jan. 15 Following the Blueprints
Put together one very run-down house, a needy family who deserves a better place to live, several opinionated designers, one week and what do you get? The answer is --- Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. What you get to see in one hour is not only the unbelievable makeover of the house, buy you see how the house makeover has impacted the life of a needy family. But in reality, it really should be called, "Extreme Makeover: House Edition", because people can change a house, but only God can change a home. This Sunday morning, we're going to see some of God's blueprint for the family and also see what happens in our families when we don't follow the prints.
Jan. 22 & 29 Relational Realities 1 & 2 – Mark 5:37; 14:32-33; Luke 8:51; 9:28
We’re all relational beings - it’s an innate quality given to us by our Creator. But so often we choose our relationships, and in particular our friendships, based on the wrong qualities. As we launch our Growth Groups this week, I want to challenge everyone of us to think through our relational world - how are we doing in building the right people into our lives - and the lives of our children. This morning we will discover God’s relational realities and how we can experience true and lasting friendships.
Memory Verse: “Then Jesus stopped the crowd and wouldn’t let anyone go with him except Peter, James, and John (the brother of James).” Mark 5:37
Feb. 05 Generous Living - Luke 16
Creating financial margin is a spiritual issue. God is very interested in what we do with money. He doesn’t need our money, but He does know that it’s an indication of what’s going on in our hearts. In this concluding message, we will look at some very practical and simple steps to get from where we are to a place where we can have margin in our life.
Memory Verse: “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Luke 12:34
Feb. 12 The State of the Church - Eyes of the Heart
