Messages For A New Year

The message encourages the audience to look to God's sovereignty, drawing parallels from scripture passages like Isaiah 6 and Daniel 4. The central theme is that when the world faces fear and chaos, believers must keep their eyes fixed on Jesus enthroned in heaven, remembering that God's rule is absolute and transcends earthly powers. This focus on the divine throne brings dignity and assurance, regardless of surrounding turmoil.

The speaker uses the story of Cain and Abel to teach that true faith is what pleases God, not religious ritual or the size of the offering. He emphasizes that Abel's offering was accepted because it was an offering of faith, which is demonstrated by giving God one's very best, rather than merely giving what is convenient or what others expect. True faith requires dedicating one's whole life and best efforts to God.

The central message is that true faith is demonstrated by total confidence in God's perfect love, power, and wisdom, which is more than mere intellectual agreement. Overcoming the world, as John states, is achieved through this faith, which requires confessing what God has written, not what we desire. The speaker encourages listeners to confess God's promises, like Abraham's, and to grow strong in faith by remembering that God's promises are certain, even when circumstances suggest otherwise.

The speaker advises that instead of measuring success by worldly gains like salary increases or promotions, believers should measure their progress by becoming more Christlike. He draws from the Rich Young Ruler narrative to emphasize that true spiritual wealth involves relinquishing self-sufficiency and earthly attachments to follow Christ. Ultimately, the most valuable thing we can lose is time, as God cannot restore wasted years.

The central message is that true greatness in God's kingdom is found in humility, exemplified by a little child. The speaker contrasts this with worldly measures of success, urging listeners to desire the genuine power of the Holy Spirit rather than counterfeit experiences. He emphasizes that spiritual progress requires continually striving to become more childlike in spirit, which means embracing humility and simplicity, especially concerning sin and the passage of time.

The speaker urges listeners to conduct an annual spiritual checkup to avoid self-deception, emphasizing that true love for God is proven not by emotion or singing, but by perseverance through trials. He cites James 1:12, stating that the proof of loving the Lord is overcoming temptation, which is the primary test of one's faith. Ultimately, he warns against the temptation to desire anything God has not specifically chosen for us.

The speaker encourages listeners to replace New Year's resolutions with New Year's prayers, focusing on developing the habit of keeping the Lord always before them. Drawing from Psalm 16, he emphasizes that this practice, like learning to swim, requires consistent effort to become second nature. Developing this habit allows one to navigate temptation and decision-making by constantly keeping God's presence in mind.

The message emphasizes that life in the coming year will be a time of shaking, requiring believers to plant both feet firmly in the unshakable kingdom of God. Acceptable service to God must arise not from fear or obligation, but from deep gratitude and reverence. Ultimately, an indestructible life, characterized by the Holy Spirit's gifts like joy and peace, is what allows one to remain unshaken regardless of earthly turmoil.

The message encourages reflection on life's journey by drawing parallels from the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness. The central theme, drawn from Psalm 139, is that God's eyes have watched over us from the very beginning, even before birth. This foreknowledge implies that our talents, physical attributes, and even our lifespan are part of God's divine plan for us to use for His glory.

The central message is that true Christian life requires constant dependence on the Holy Spirit and a focus on genuine fellowship with God, which is tested daily. The speaker emphasizes that God examines our heart's attitude toward Him, more so than our outward appearance, and this is best demonstrated by how we treat others. Ultimately, believers must live before God's face, loving the truth about themselves, rather than being swayed by human praise or criticism.

The sermon emphasizes that following Christ in the new year requires a life of self-acknowledgement. This means recognizing one's true spiritual state and sinfulness before God. True Christian living involves a continuous process of self-examination and repentance.

This message encourages listeners to embrace a life of peace in the new year by focusing on Christ. The core message revolves around actively pursuing peace through Christ's teachings and lifestyle. It emphasizes that true peace comes from following Him.

The central message is that the ultimate ambition for a Christian life, whether on Earth or in heaven, must be to please God. The speaker emphasizes that this ambition should remain consistent, meaning one's life direction should not change drastically upon entering heaven. He cautions against merely attending services or feeling moved by sermons, stressing that true pleasing of God comes from daily decisions and how one lives in all areas of life, including work and family.