December, 30, 2007 - "New Year's Resolutions"

Isaiah 63:7-9

(Isa 63:7 NRSV) I will recount the gracious deeds of the LORD, the praiseworthy acts of the LORD, because of all that the LORD has done for us, and the great favor to the house of Israel that he has shown them according to his mercy, according to the abundance of his steadfast love.

(Isa 63:8 NRSV) For he said, "Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely"; and he became their savior

(Isa 63:9 NRSV) in all their distress. It was no messenger or angel but his presence that saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

It was the week after Christmas. The pastor came into work and noticed that the baby Jesus figurine was missing from the nativity scene. He shook his head and went into the office. Through the window he noticed a little boy running down the street pulling a bright shiny red wagon. In the wagon was a blue baby blanket. The pastor grabbed his coat and ran outside. When he caught up with the little boy, he saw the baby Jesus figurine nestled in the blanket.

“Son, where did you get the little baby Jesus that’s in you wagon?” the pastor asked. The little boy politely replied, “I got him from the church.” “And why did you take him?” asked the pastor. The little boy replied with a grin, “Well, about a week before Christmas, I prayed to Jesus. I told him if he would bring me a red wagon for Christmas, I would take him for a ride around the block!”

What will we do for Christ this next year? If we are born-again believers , we have been given so very much. Let’s begin the new year by

1. Recounting God’s gracious acts (v. 7).
a. Things we have received: gifts, compliments, friends, family
b. Things not received: sickness, losses

Isaiah was asking the people of God to sum up their blessings, to total them, and see what God has been up to. This was meant to encourage the folks – to lead them to praise their awesome God.

Perhaps some of us have a hard time doing this. Maybe we feel like God has not been so good to us. Think about that again. Think about the roof over our heads, the ability to come to church today, even the breath that we breath!

There are many other blessings that we may not have thought of F.E. Marsh has enumerated some of these blessings:

An acceptance that can never be questioned. (Ephesians 1:6).

An inheritance that can never be lost (I Peter 1:3-5).

A deliverance that can never be excelled (2 Corinthians l:10).

A grace that can never be limited (2 Corinthians 12:9).

A hope that can never be disappointed. (Hebrews 6:18, 19).

A bounty that can never be withdrawn. (I Colossians 3:21-23).

A joy that need never be diminished (John 15:11).

A nearness to God that can never be reversed (Ephesians 2:13).

A peace that can never be disturbed (John 14:27).

A righteousness that can never be tarnished (2 Corinthians 5:21).

A salvation that can never be canceled (Hebrews 5:9).

One morning R.C. Chapman, a devout Christian, was asked how he was feeling. "I'm burdened this morning!" was his reply. But his happy countenance contradicted his words. So the questioner exclaimed in surprise, "Are you really burdened, Mr. Chapman?" "Yes, but it's a wonderful burden--it's an overabundance of blessings for which I cannot find enough time or words to express my gratitude!" Seeing the puzzled look on the face of his friend, Chapman added with a smile, "I am referring to Psalm 68:19, which fully describes my condition. In that verse the Father in heaven reminds us that He 'daily loads us with benefits.'" (Source Unknown.)

Remember

2. God’s favor is based on God’s mercy and grace (v. 7).

a. We love because God first loved us (First John 4:19).

During the building of the Golden Gate Bridge over San Francisco Bay, construction fell badly behind schedule because several workers had accidentally fallen from the scaffolding to their deaths. Engineers and administrators could find no solution to the costly delays. Finally, someone suggested a gigantic net be hung under the bridge to catch any who fell. Finally in spite of the enormous cost, the engineers opted for the net. After it was installed, progress was hardly interrupted. A worker or two fell into the net but were saved. Ultimately, all the time lost to fear was regained by replacing fear with faith in the net. As we paid nothing for God's eternal love and nothing for the Son of His love, and nothing for His Spirit and our grace and faith, and nothing for our eternal rest...What an astonishing thought it will be to think of the unmeasurable difference between our deservings and our receivings. O, how free was all this love, and how free is this enjoyed glory (Richard Baxter, The Free Gift.)

Finally,

3. God’s plan of salvation was enacted far before Christ came (vs. 8 & 9).

a. God’s plan was a plan that God enacted from the beginning.

This means several things, but I want to focus on the fact that this points to God as a planning God. And if God is a planner, so should we be planners. Having said that, each Sunday is a fresh start to a new week. How many of us, when we miss, feel like the week just isn’t the same? Each new year is an opportunity to start over – a new beginning. We should, therefore, pause and relect.

b. Take stock: are you growing? What needs to change?

My grandpa, who is 91, wrote out an incredible sermon for me. He handcopied – 16 pages front and back, a sermon written by a famous preacher – Jonathan Edwards. Rev. Edwards was one of several preachers who ignited the great awakening in the 1740's
. Here is the Editor’s note to the sermon “Sinners in the hands of an angry God” by Jonathan Edwards:

This sermon by Jonathan Edwards is probably the most famous sermon ever preached in America. As Edwards preached, strong men and women held onto the pews and cried out for mercy, pleading with the preacher: “Is there no way of escape?” Hundreds were converted after hearing the sermon. For nearly 250 years this powerful sermon, first delivered on a warm summer’s day in 1741, has touched hearts, changed lives and led to the salvation of sinners.

I thought that it would be a great idea to take a look at the New Year’s resolutions made by such a preacher, as a way to understand how to made a resolution stick. For one particular year, Rev. Edwards wrote out 12 resolutions.

Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humble entreat Him, by His grace, to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to His will, for Christ's sake. [I will] remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.

Resolved, That I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God, and my own good, profit, and pleasure, in the whole of my duration; without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence.

Resolved, to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general.

Resolved, Never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.

Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

Resolved, Never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.

Resolved, Never to do anything out of revenge.

Resolved, Never to speak evil of any one, so that it shall tend to his dishonour, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

Resolved, To study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly, and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive, myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

Resolved, Never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession which I cannot hope God will accept.

Resolved, To ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month, and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better.

Resolved, Never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

Resolved, After afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them; what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.

Resolved, Always to do that which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. Let there be something of benevolence in all that I speak.
Jonathan Edwards, The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Vol. 1.

It may be a bit too much for most of us to write out 12 resolutions. So, what one thing really needs to change in your life? Write it down, review it weekly, pray for God’s help in achieving it. Be resolute, like Jonathan Edwards. This may be your best year ever. Happy New Year!