New Year Resolutions: What You Should Know

Sermon Notes: Sunday 8th Jan 2023

After 4000 years of practices, we can say New Year Resolutions don't really work.

Here's why: we blame lack of time, resources, or motivation, but it’s more likely that

- We are not clear on the “why”?

- There is no accountability

- Our goals are too self focussed vs helping others

- We start with too many and become overwhelmed

- Thee experience of past failures leads to self doubt

- They are not really a priority

- We are wnrealistic - dream big, start small

- Our goals are too general / vague

Yet, most of us desire change. That change, the change that really matters, sustainable change, lasting, transformational change. It doesn't come from behaviour management, self discipline, will power. It comes from falling in love.

“Our 'behavior' will not be changed long with self-discipline, but fall in love and a human will accomplish what he never thought possible." Don Miller

The Gospel is the greatest love story ever told

Proverbs 3 TPT

5Trust in the Lord completely,

and do not rely on your own opinions.

With all your heart rely on him to guide you,

and he will lead you in every decision you make.

6Become intimate with him in whatever you do,

and he will lead you wherever you go.

7Don’t think for a moment that you know it all,

for wisdom comes when you adore him with undivided devotion

and avoid everything that’s wrong.

8Then you will find the healing refreshment

your body and spirit long for.

1/ Activate your faith in Jesus

Believe that God has got you, in the same way someone belays you when you rock climb!

2/ Acknowledge Jesus in everything

Think of God as next to you in the car as a conversational navigator, rather than a traffic signal out there that is controlling your travel.

3/ Adore Jesus and Avoid wrong

Adoration of one thing means turning away from something else. As you turn toward Jesus more, you will quit more of other things.

"Spend one hour each day in adoration of your Lord, she said, and never do anything you know is wrong. Follow this and you'll be fine.” Mother Teresa to Henri Nouwen

Idea: Start reading through Matthew, and write down all the miracles of Jesus that you can find. Then, go to Mark, Luke and John. Take your time! Doing this will cultivate your adoration of Jesus!