Biblical Keys to Success in 2007
SNACK
As we enter a new year it is traditional for us to review what we have done to date and to think about what lies ahead. I want to share with you 7 biblical keys to success in 2007.
Primary Key #1: Acts 22: 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.
We have to declare 2007 to be a NO TARRY YEAR if we want to make the best use of it.
But my reason for selecting this passage as one of the 7 primary biblical keys to success in 2007 is the second part: “Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name.”
The problem of sin is the number one issue facing every single human being. Sin separates man from God with disastrous results:Deut 31:17; Joshua 7:12; 2 Chron 24:20; Rom 6:20ff
Sin is our #1 problem in this world and in the next. Anything that puts a block between us and the power that created and controls the universe must be a major problem.
2nd Primary Biblical Key: Phil 4: 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
SNACK
As we enter a new year it is traditional for us to review what we have done to date and to think about what lies ahead. I want to share with you 7 biblical keys to success in 2007.
Primary Key #1: Acts 22: 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.
We have to declare 2007 to be a NO TARRY YEAR if we want to make the best use of it.
But my reason for selecting this passage as one of the 7 primary biblical keys to success in 2007 is the second part: “Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name.”
The problem of sin is the number one issue facing every single human being. Sin separates man from God with disastrous results:Deut 31:17; Joshua 7:12; 2 Chron 24:20; Rom 6:20ff
Sin is our #1 problem in this world and in the next. Anything that puts a block between us and the power that created and controls the universe must be a major problem.
2nd Primary Biblical Key: Phil 4: 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
We have to face up to the reality that there will be downtimes and “learn the secret of being content in any and every situation.”
At the same time, there is so much encouragement as to what is possible in 2007 from v13: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
See also John 16: 21; James 1: 5
These passages send me a clear message. If I am a baptized believer who is walking in the light, I am empowered to deal with any situation that arises in 2007.
At the same time, I can ask God for wisdom and get it and can ask for things in Christ’s name and do everything through the strength that He gives me. AWESOME!
3rd Primary Biblical Key: Matt 26: 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
With all the empowerment that comes from being in Christ, we will only achieve sustainable success in 2007 if we submit our will to the will of God. Prov 16: 2;
Matt 6: 31ff .
4th Primary Key: Romans 12: 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
It makes little sense to continue with strategies that have consistently failed us. If we are to break new ground in 2007 and become more successful we need to change our mindset and outlook. If ever there was a time for fresh thinking and new approaches it is now.
5th Primary Biblical Key: Gen 4:9: Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?"
The reality is that we are living in troublesome times. We need the support of others. Pulling together makes it possible for each of us to achieve more. This year we have to increase our interest in others. We have to strive for more meaningful collaboration with others.
6th Primary Biblical Key: Ecc 1: 12 I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men!
If the King of Israel found it fit to devote himself to study, I suggest that most of us have little excuse for continuing in ignorance. Unbridled success in 2007 must have work to develop ourselves as one of its components.
7th Primary Biblical Key: I Tim 4: 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Success in 2007 and beyond is assured if we are careful and correct about what we believe and how we live. A life that is manifestly grounded in Christ is a successful life.
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MEAL
As we enter a new year it is traditional for us to review what we have done to date and to think about what lies ahead. This morning I want to assist you in the process by sharing with you what I would consider to be biblical keys to success in 2007.
Primary Key #1: Acts 22: 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.
On the surface the words “what are you waiting for?” or “Why tarriest thou?” jump out. I could point out that to be successful this year we cannot afford to tarry. If we find ourselves in situations in which someone has to ask “What are you waiting for?” we are likely to be at risk of missing some opportunity. We have to declare 2007 to be a NO TARRY YEAR if we want to make the best use of it.
But my reason for selecting this passage as one of the 7 primary biblical keys to success in 2007 is the second part: “Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name.”
The problem of sin is the number one issue facing every single human being. Sin separates man from God with disastrous results:
The reality is that we are living in troublesome times. We need the support of others. Pulling together makes it possible for each of us to achieve more. This year we have to increase our interest in others. We have to strive for more meaningful collaboration with others.
6th Primary Biblical Key: Ecc 1: 12 I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men!
If the King of Israel found it fit to devote himself to study, I suggest that most of us have little excuse for continuing in ignorance. Unbridled success in 2007 must have work to develop ourselves as one of its components.
7th Primary Biblical Key: I Tim 4: 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Success in 2007 and beyond is assured if we are careful and correct about what we believe and how we live. A life that is manifestly grounded in Christ is a successful life.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MEAL
As we enter a new year it is traditional for us to review what we have done to date and to think about what lies ahead. This morning I want to assist you in the process by sharing with you what I would consider to be biblical keys to success in 2007.
Primary Key #1: Acts 22: 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.
On the surface the words “what are you waiting for?” or “Why tarriest thou?” jump out. I could point out that to be successful this year we cannot afford to tarry. If we find ourselves in situations in which someone has to ask “What are you waiting for?” we are likely to be at risk of missing some opportunity. We have to declare 2007 to be a NO TARRY YEAR if we want to make the best use of it.
But my reason for selecting this passage as one of the 7 primary biblical keys to success in 2007 is the second part: “Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name.”
The problem of sin is the number one issue facing every single human being. Sin separates man from God with disastrous results:
Deut 31:17 On that day I will become angry with them and forsake them; I will hide my face from them, and they will be destroyed. Many disasters and difficulties will come upon them, and on that day they will ask, 'Have not these disasters come upon us because our God is not with us?’
Joshua 7:12 That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.
2 Chron 24:20 Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, "This is what God says: 'Why do you disobey the LORD's commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the LORD, he has forsaken you.' "
Rom 6:20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Sin is our #1 problem in this world and in the next. Anything that puts a block between us and the power that created and controls the universe must be a major problem.
We take care to discourage people from directly linking the bad things that happen to them and to others to some sinful act on their part. And that is correct. If we paid the price in proportion to our sins and at the time of our sinning, the world would be a different place. I know I would not be here talking to you.
At the same time, we fool ourselves if we do not pay special attention to the fact that we pay a price for our sins, unless we repent:
Luke 13:1-5 Repent or Perish
1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."
Our success in 2007 must include a plan to take care of sin – our # 1 problem.
The way to deal with the sin problem is set out for us in 1 John.
The way to deal with the sin problem is set out for us in 1 John.
1 John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 3:4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin.
And that is the value of the first primary biblical key to success for us today – getting Christ to take care of our sins:
And that is the value of the first primary biblical key to success for us today – getting Christ to take care of our sins:
Acts 22: 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.
If you are here this morning and you have not been baptized to wash away your sins and put yourself in a position where the sacrifice of Christ covers over your sins, what are you waiting for?
2nd Primary Biblical Key: Phil 4: 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
The implications of this passage for success are many. I want to draw attention to the fact that life is challenging. Life in Jamaica in 2007 is likely to be chock full of problems. We have to face up to that reality. Everything is not going to be all sweet and dandy. I can almost guarantee that. We do well to prepare for the downtimes and “learn the secret of being content in any and every situation.”
At the same time, there is so much encouragement as to what is possible in 2007 from v13: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
This is especially true when one considers two other passages:
John 16: 21
A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
James 1: 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
These passages send me a clear message. If I am a baptized believer who is walking in the light, I am empowered to deal with any situation that arises in 2007.
At the same time, I can ask God for wisdom and get it and can ask for things in Christ’s name and do everything through the strength that He gives me. AWESOME!
If I am wise and have powerful backing then I have every chance of achieving success in 2007.
3rd Primary Biblical Key: Matt 26: 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
With all the empowerment that comes from being in Christ, we will only achieve sustainable success in 2007 if we submit our will to the will of God.
Prov 16: 2 All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. 3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
If we are going to achieve true success in 2007, we need to ensure that we commit our plans to God and seek to do His will.
Matt 6: 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
4th Primary Key: Romans 12: 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
It makes little sense to continue with strategies that have consistently failed us. If we are to break new ground in 2007 and become more successful we need to change our mindset and outlook. If ever there was a time for fresh thinking and new approaches it is now.
Our country is bogged down and seemingly moving backwards. Our congregation and the Church as a whole are not breaking records for growth and impact. If the truth be told, many of us have been marking time. We can’t point to any real, dramatic progress when 2006 is compared to 2005 or earlier years.
For 2007 to be different we have to bring new thinking to the process. We have to change the filters that we use to view events. We can’t continue to interpret what is happening around us in the same way. We can’t pull up the same responses to the things that we perceive to be taking place.
For example, we have to recognize that we have a great deal of responsibility for what is happening in our lives. We cannot rely on thoughts that allow us to take comfort in the fact that we are victims. We have immense influence over our destiny and we need to shift our focus on taking responsibility for our destiny.
Again, we have to pay much more attention to what we are able to achieve. We have to get rid of any tendency to doubt. We have to put more trust in God and His promises and believe as we put our prayer requests to Him. In 2007, we need to step out as confident prayer warriors as we pursue significant, high impact projects.
Be different in 2007. Think big. Be bold. Be confident. Be a DOER. Let this be a blow out year for you.
5th Primary Biblical Key: Gen 4:9: Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?"
The reality is that we are living in troublesome times. We need the support of others. Pulling together makes it possible for each of us to achieve more. This year we have to increase our interest in others. We have to strive for more meaningful collaboration with others.
Are we hurting? No longer bottle it up. Seek counsel and support.
Do we need help? Ask for it. Forget pride. Stop playing the martyr. Ask for help.
Do we have an idea that we would like to see implemented? Why not explore an alliance with others?
On the other side of the coin, if you see an opportunity to help and to add value to someone’s life, stop holding back. Stop worrying about whether you ought to intervene. Stop being concerned about whether you will be rejected. As long as your motive is good and it is in keeping with God’s will as outlined in the Scriptures, making the offer is the right thing to do.
6th Primary Biblical Key: Ecc 1: 12 I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men!
If the King of Israel found it fit to devote himself to study, I suggest that most of us have little excuse for continuing in ignorance. Unbridled success in 2007 must have work to develop ourselves as one of its components. We must devote ourselves to learning new things and consolidating what we already know. We are living in a knowledge-based society. People who devote themselves to study are going to be better prepared for success.
7th Primary Biblical Key: I Tim 4: 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Success in 2007 and beyond is assured if we are careful and correct about what we believe and how we live. A life that is manifestly grounded in Christ is a successful life.
What is significant here is the potential of such a life to save not only the individual living it but others. This suggests that our Christianity must be observable. We must not only live right, we must take care to appear to live right.
All too often we set up ourselves in the role of a defence lawyer. We look for technicalities that we can use to justify our questionable behaviour.
1 Cor 10:23 "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive. 24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
1 John 2: 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
As Christians we have to be desperately fearful of Christ’s warning:
Matt 18: 5 "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. 6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
7 "Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!
V7 is clear. Woe to us if through our actions we cause others to sin. We must watch our life and our doctrine carefully. We must make our lives be a witness for Christ.
People are watching us and they must see the difference in our lives. We must be careful that we do not let the attractions and the demands of the world lead us and others into sin. We have to let God’s will rule our hearts and minds.
The reality is that we are living in troublesome times. We need the support of others. Pulling together makes it possible for each of us to achieve more. This year we have to increase our interest in others. We have to strive for more meaningful collaboration with others.
Are we hurting? No longer bottle it up. Seek counsel and support.
Do we need help? Ask for it. Forget pride. Stop playing the martyr. Ask for help.
Do we have an idea that we would like to see implemented? Why not explore an alliance with others?
On the other side of the coin, if you see an opportunity to help and to add value to someone’s life, stop holding back. Stop worrying about whether you ought to intervene. Stop being concerned about whether you will be rejected. As long as your motive is good and it is in keeping with God’s will as outlined in the Scriptures, making the offer is the right thing to do.
6th Primary Biblical Key: Ecc 1: 12 I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men!
If the King of Israel found it fit to devote himself to study, I suggest that most of us have little excuse for continuing in ignorance. Unbridled success in 2007 must have work to develop ourselves as one of its components. We must devote ourselves to learning new things and consolidating what we already know. We are living in a knowledge-based society. People who devote themselves to study are going to be better prepared for success.
7th Primary Biblical Key: I Tim 4: 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Success in 2007 and beyond is assured if we are careful and correct about what we believe and how we live. A life that is manifestly grounded in Christ is a successful life.
What is significant here is the potential of such a life to save not only the individual living it but others. This suggests that our Christianity must be observable. We must not only live right, we must take care to appear to live right.
All too often we set up ourselves in the role of a defence lawyer. We look for technicalities that we can use to justify our questionable behaviour.
1 Cor 10:23 "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive. 24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
1 John 2: 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
As Christians we have to be desperately fearful of Christ’s warning:
Matt 18: 5 "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. 6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
7 "Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!
V7 is clear. Woe to us if through our actions we cause others to sin. We must watch our life and our doctrine carefully. We must make our lives be a witness for Christ.
People are watching us and they must see the difference in our lives. We must be careful that we do not let the attractions and the demands of the world lead us and others into sin. We have to let God’s will rule our hearts and minds.
Success in 2007 calls us to a higher standard. We must answer the call to lift up holy hands in prayer (1 Tim 2:8). We must strive to live exemplary lives rather than trying to excuse some of our actions. Remember we are called to live not only for ourselves but to be an example for others.
So, as we close we posed the question: “What are you waiting for to get baptized?” There can be no really justifiable reason. Now is the time to do it. Get up and be baptized and wash your sins away.
We also discussed from Philippians the need to be ready for whatever life throws at us. At the same time, we emphasized the possibilities that are open to us to achieve great things through the power of our connection with Jesus.
We then went to Matthew and Proverbs to highlight the critical importance of committing our plans to God and of letting His will rule in our lives.
Our 4th stop was in Romans as we linked success in 2007 to changing the way that we think. To transforming our lives by renewing our minds.
The Genesis presentation of Cain’s stated indifference to the fate of his brother Abel was used to reinforce the need for close collaboration with others in order to achieve sustainable success.
Our sixth key was supported by a look at the King of Israel’s devotion to study as recorded in Ecclesiastes. Self development is an essential key to success in a knowledge-based society.
Finally, Paul’s admonition to Timothy to watch his life and doctrine was invoked to remind us of our responsibility to live in a manner that not only ensures our own salvation but the salvation of others. Woe, woe if we cause others to sin.
Our 4th stop was in Romans as we linked success in 2007 to changing the way that we think. To transforming our lives by renewing our minds.
The Genesis presentation of Cain’s stated indifference to the fate of his brother Abel was used to reinforce the need for close collaboration with others in order to achieve sustainable success.
Our sixth key was supported by a look at the King of Israel’s devotion to study as recorded in Ecclesiastes. Self development is an essential key to success in a knowledge-based society.
Finally, Paul’s admonition to Timothy to watch his life and doctrine was invoked to remind us of our responsibility to live in a manner that not only ensures our own salvation but the salvation of others. Woe, woe if we cause others to sin.
1 comment:
I love this article! It is a great way for us to really go for the gold, using encouraging and challenging passages from scripture.
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