INTRODUCTION
I.
In 1519 the Spanish explorer Hernando Cortes led an
expedition of 600 men to conquer southern Mexico.
A.
One by one he had his eleven ships scuttled and sunk, till
only one was left.
B.
When his men found out, they loudly upbraided Cortes.
C.
He asked his men what kind of man would need the ships,
except cowards.
D.
He said if any man was so cowardly, he could board the last
ship and leave.
E.
Cheers drowned the complaints, and he then suggested that
they sink the last ship.
F.
By that single action he committed himself and his force to
either succeed or die trying, for they had nothing to go back to.
II.
For all practical purposes last year is behind you—there
is nothing to go back to.
A.
You cannot undo a single action.
B.
You cannot take back a single word.
C.
Before you is a new year—full of hope and promise if you
so desire.
“I am the new year. I am an unspoiled page in your book
of time. I am your next chance at the art of living. I am your
opportunity to practice what you have learned during the last
twelve months about life. All that you sought the past year and
failed to find is hidden in me; I am waiting for you to search it
out again and with more determination. All the good that you tried
to do for others and didn’t achieve last year is mine to
grant—providing you have fewer selfish and conflicting desires.
In me lies the potential of all that you dreamed but didn’t dare
to do, all that you hoped but didn’t perform, all you prayed for
but did not yet experience. These dreams slumber lightly, waiting
to be awakened by the touch of an enduring purpose. I am the new
year.” (Author unknown)
III.
What has been the best year of your life?
A.
It might have been your graduation, marriage, birth of
children, or baptism.
B.
This next year can be the best year of your life.
C.
God wants your life to be a “success” (Josh.
1:7–8; 3 John 1:1–2).
I.
YOU HAVE NOT PASSED THIS WAY BEFORE
- After
the days of mourning for Moses, the people of God prepared to
cross over the River Jordan.
-
They were
told to keep the ark in view (Josh.
3:1–4).
a)
Aaron’s rod that budded represented God’s miraculous
power.
b)
The tables of stone represented God’s word.
c)
The pot of manna represented God’s providence.
-
All of
these showed God’s presence with the people.
- We are
entering a new year—we have not passed this way before.
-
Let’s
keep our eye on God and His word.
-
We don’t
know what the future holds.
-
James
speaks of the uncertainty of life (James
4:13–16).
- In the
15th century, mariner’s
charts crudely outlined the shore of Europe and Africa. Each
map showed a spot in the Atlantic Ocean, beyond which no ship
or sane sailor dared to venture. Written in were the words,
“Here be dragons. Here be demons. Here be death.”
- We
have come a long way in our world concepts since the 15th
century, but there is still a certain apprehension
about venturing into the “unknown.”
- Facing
the future can be inspiring, challenging and exciting.
- It
can also be awesome, fearful and dreadful.
- Tomorrow
is a blank page to be filled in by the passing of time and
events—tomorrow means hope and opportunity.
II.
LEARN TO NUMBER YOUR DAYS
A.
Moses taught the people to number their days (Psa.
90:1–12).
B.
If you ask a ship captain what his next destination is, he
will tell you in one sentence.
1.
He knows where he is going, how to get there, how long it
will take.
2.
Imagine hearing this announcement on a plane: “There is
no cause for alarm, but we felt you should know that for the past
three hours we have been flying without the aid of radio, compass,
radar or navigational beam. In the broad sense I suppose you could
say we are lost. However, on the brighter side of the picture,
I’m sure you’ll all be interested to know that we are making
excellent time.”
C.
We need goals upon which to focus our lives.
1.
Suppose you started a foot race with no finish line—you
would not know whether you were in a sprint or a marathon.
2.
Our long-range goal is heaven (Phil.
3:12–14; Heb. 12:1–2).
3.
This is our goal, but how are we going to get there?
4.
Without goals a man comes to the end of his life only to
discover his life can be summarized by: 20 years sleeping, 5 years
dressing and shaving, 3 years waiting, 6 years watching TV, 1 year
on the phone, and 4 months tying your shoes.
D.
How will you achieve your goals?
1.
Do you want to be a better Bible student?
a)
How many hours will you spend in study?
b)
What translations of the Bible, history books,
commentaries, and atlases are you going to purchase?
c)
What type of notes are you going to take?
2.
Do you want to be a better spouse?
a)
What does it mean to be a good husband or wife?
b)
What qualities will you work on?
c)
How will you express your love to your spouse?
3.
Do you want to be a better parent?
a)
How much time with children?
b)
Or do you think you can be a good parent in abstentia?
c)
How are you going to show them your priorities?
E.
Setting goals does not conflict with taking one day at a
time (Matt.
6:25–34).
1.
This passage is stresses dependency on God.
2.
What man proposes, God disposes.
3.
Some good work might have to be “pruned” (John
15:1–2).
F.
One of our biggest hindrances is the word “if.”
1.
“If I only had more time… If I was healthy like… If
my work didn’t make me so tired… If I only made more
money…”
2.
Let’s face it, we all do exactly what we want to do.
III.
OTHERS WHO JOURNEYED IN UNCHARTED TERRITORY
- Noah (Heb.
11:7).
- Abraham
(Gen.
12:1; Heb. 11:8–10).
- “Left
a trail marked by the smoke of his altars.”
- The
challenge of placing Isaac on the altar (Gen.
22).
- Moses (Heb.
11:24–27).
- What
did these men have in common? Faith!
- Faith
comes be hearing the word of God (Rom.
10:17).
- Without
faith it is impossible to please God (Heb.
11:6).
CONCLUSION
I. Many people have customs for welcoming a new year.
II. Putting away the past and starting fresh with resolutions
for the New Year is a great way to start anew.
III. The Bible encourages Christians to such renewal (Phil.
3:13–14).
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
Franklin
Church of Christ
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