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A Time For Us. Phil. 3:13-14. The New Year. Another chance to prove self. A chance for total evaluation both as individuals and as a congregation. A Time Of Reflection. Man needs to behold self (Jas. 1:23-25). By the Word, he sees what he has
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A Time For Us Phil. 3:13-14
The New Year • Another chance to prove self. • A chance for total evaluation both as individuals and as a congregation.
A Time Of Reflection • Man needs to behold self (Jas. 1:23-25). • By the Word, he • sees what he has been, what he is, and what action should be taken.
A Time Of Reflection • Self Examination • “Not that we are • sufficient of our- • selves to think of • anything as being • from ourselves, but • our sufficiency is • of God.” • (II Cor. 3:5)
A Time Of Reflection • The Lord’s Supper was instituted to help us with this process. “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup...” (I Cor. 11:28).
A Time Of Reflection • Signs of failure: • “We do the same as last year • when we have not grown any; • when we have no desire to • improve; when we have no goal.” • “Unless above himself he can • erect himself, how poor a thing • is man.”
A Time Of Present Inventory • Some only see life as a bind between the past and future. • “Today” emphasizes an urgency! • “Son, go worktoday in my • vineyard” (Mt. 21:28). • “Behold, now is the day of • salvation” (II Cor. 6:2).
A Time Of Present Inventory • “But exhort one another daily, • while it is called ‘TODAY,’ lest • any of you be hardened through • the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:13). • Due to the closeness of the present, • we often live in the past or future, • not knowing how to handle the • now; we lose our objectivity.
A Time Of Present Inventory “New Year is the same as a tied ballgame at half-time. It is a whole new ballgame!”
A Time To Examine Objectives • The future takes preparation and anticipation. • We must count the cost (Read • Luke 14:28-33). • We must forget the • past and press • toward the prize of • God (Phil. 3:12-14).
A Time To Examine Objectives • “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Mt. 6:33). • “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Col. 3:2).
A Time For Us • My recommendations for Lakeside in 2006 (Five-point program): 1. Become more spiritual. • Overcome delinquency and • purify the church. 3. Increase attendance & giving. • Utilize more of our potential for • good, mobilizing more members.
A Time For Us • Become more evangelistic; • soul conscious – ours and others’. To the glory of God!