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Today is New Years. • On New Years, we often think of New Year’s Resolutions. Let me say that New Years Resolutions are no where mentioned in the Bible that I am aware of. New Year’s Resolutions are often berated and made fun of. We hear statements like, “How long do you think you can keep that resolution,” or “ Resolutions are make knowing they will be broken soon.” We hear so many negative statements that we get the idea that they are little more than a game at best.
Today is New Years. • We’ve already said that New Year’s Resolutions are not named as such in the Bible, but before you conclude that I think New Years Resolutions are simply to be dismissed, wait a moment. • Our study this morning is about resolutions. They can be made at any time of the year, and this may come as a shock, but I believe that resolutions are very important. I believe that our resolutions will determine where we will spend our eternity.
What is a resolution? • From Webster’s dictionary we find 12 different definitions including mathematical and legal definitions of a resolution. • This morning , we will concern ourselves only with #6: • 6. Fixed purpose or determination of mind; as a resolution to reform our lives; a resolution to undertake an expedition.
What does the Bible say about resolutions; especially, what does Jesus say?
Some fail because they did not know, or count the cost. • (Mat 8:19-22 KJV) And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. {20} And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
Some fail because they did not know, or count the cost. • (Mat 8:19-22 KJV) {21} And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. {22} But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
Jesus gave the cost up front. • (Luke 14:25-33 NKJV) Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, {26} "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. {27} "And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
Jesus gave the cost up front. • (Luke 14:25-33 NKJV) {28} "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it; {29} "lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, {30} "saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.’
Jesus gave the cost up front. • (Luke 14:25-33 NKJV) {31} "Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? {32} "Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. {33} "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
A great resolution • (Luke 15:17-21 NKJV) "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! {18} 'I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, {19} "and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.“’
A great resolution • (Luke 15:17-21 NKJV) {20} "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. {21} "And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
A great response • (Luke 15:22-24 NKJV) "But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. {23} 'And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; {24} 'for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry.
A foolish resolution • (Luke 12:16-24 NKJV) Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. {17} "And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?' {18} "So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods.
A foolish resolution • (Luke 12:16-24 NKJV) {19} 'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry."' {20} "But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' {21} "So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
Resolution that is incomplete. • (Mat 12:43-45 NKJV) "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. {44} "Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.
Resolution that is incomplete. • (Mat 12:43-45 NKJV) {45} "Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself,and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation."
We must replace the bad with the good. (Phil 4:8 NKJV) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things.
Peter with Good Intentions • (Mat 26:33-34 NKJV) Peter answered and said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble." {34} Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."
Herod’s Bad Resolution • (Mark 6:22-26 NKJV) And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you." {23} He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom." {24} So she went out and said to her mother,
Herod’s Bad Resolution • (Mark 6:22-26 NKJV) "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!” {25} Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." {26} And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.
Christ died for His resolution. • (Mark 14:36 NKJV) And He said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will."
Resolutions determine where we spend eternity. (Luke 6:47-49 NKJV) "Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: {48} "He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.
Resolutions determine where we spend eternity. (Luke 6:47-49 NKJV) {49} "But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great."
