Title:Year End Advice

Date:12/29/02

Text:Colossians 2:6-7

Theme:

Introduction:

For the last two years, in different year end services, I have shared with you the resolutions of Jonathan Edwards, an 18th Century minister and theologian. This morning I want to borrow some of his thoughts in another booklet he wrote: Advice to the Young Converts. He was concerned about their spiritual growth. Even though his original intent was for new Christians, I feel it is equally appropriate to a much broader audience.

In today’s text, we read, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” So what does it mean to live in him, rooted and built up in him? What is involved for new Christians to grow? Or for that matter, for all of us to grow spiritually?

Again, being the end of a year, instead of a regular sermon, may be we’ll just chat a little. Let us see how God will speak to us today through the insights of some one who lived almost 240 years ago.

I.When we listen to sermons……. 1Samuel 3:10

When we listen to sermons, hear it for yourself. After the Sunday service, we often hear people saying, “This is a good sermon. I wish so and so were here. He really needs to hear a message like this.” Certainly its good that we thought of that person. But it is more important to see what God has to say to me. As we listen to sermons, we need to ask: What is God speaking to me this morning? What are some of the behaviors I need to change? Am I still seeking the blessing God can give me while forgetting the one who blesses me? Do I need to adjust any of my value system? How should I change my thinking pattern in order to develop a biblical world view?

II.Don’t forget our sins…… 1 Timothy 1:13-15

We know for certain that when God forgives us, it is a complete forgiveness. He also forgets it completely. But we must not forget our sins. Take for an example, the apostle Paul, even in his old age, he wrote about how prior to his conversion, he persecuted the believers, was blasphemous, not worthy to be called an apostle, the least of saints, and chief of sinners. Remembering our past sins keeps us humble before God. There is nothing good within us that deserves God's salvation. It is all grace.

III.When we sin now……

There are more reasons, many, many times more reasons to feel remorse and deep sorrow. Previously we sinned because of ignorance, but now we know what is right and what is wrong, what is pleasing or displeasing to God. Thus when we sin, it is a deliberate act of disobedience.

The more I see my sin, the more I am to understand God's unconditional love and grace towards me. the more I experience God's grace, the more gracious I will be with others.

IV.When we come before God…. Luke 7:37-38

When we come to God in Sunday worshipservices, to the communion service, various prayer meetings and fellowship gatherings, we are to be like Mary. She came to Jesus with a pure and broken heart. She came well prepared, offering her best perfume to Jesus. Likewise, when we come to God in public worship, we also come prepared. If there are sins that we have not confessed or settled with our loved ones, we are to resolve it first before we come. If we have been very busy at work or school, we need to make sure we get plenty of rest on Saturday evening so we can give our best to God on Sunday morning. We are to come with the attitude that we are here to worship the most high, holy and almighty God.

V.Remember Pride…. Proverbs 16:18

We are to remember that pride is the worst viper. Pride is the greatest hindrance of our inner peace and of our communication with God. It is very difficult to get rid of. It is the most hidden sin of all. It hides inside us waiting for every chance to come out and show off. It has that tendency to become a part of us that we are not even aware it is there. Often it will also express itself in the name of humility. If our pride is unchecked, it will inevitably lead us to failure. Remember, no matter how we see it, pride is a sin, and it is clear that God detests a prideful heart.

VI.When we evaluate ourselves…… Matthew 16:24

How do we evaluate ourselves? We usually see our strengths. Even in the area of weakness, we justify it as being a natural part of us, not much we can do about it. Jonathan Edwards gave some very insightful suggestions here. He wrote that we are to look at our conversations and experiences and see if they manifest us being the lowest, the least and the most like a child. Very often we recall those moments that made us feel great and look great. We remember those moments when we are being praised and put on a pedestal. But here we are reminded to see self in a different light: are we humble like a child? Secondly, do our conversations and experiences express the fact that our hearts are fixed on God, that we are constantly denying ourselves for God. Or everywhere we turn do we see our inflated egos, trying to show how right we are?

VII.When we meet…… Hebrews 10:25

When we come to the meetings, be it Sunday worship, Sunday school, fellowship or small group gatherings, remember to encourage one another. You know, our world is rather cold and cruel, relationship wise. We praise the good looking, the smart, the famous and the wealthy ones. We criticize those who are different from us, or dissociate ourselves from people with handicaps. People are constantly trying to pull us down so they can advance ahead of us. We like winners and not the losers. When we are in trouble, when we need friends the most, no one is there. It is said that in every pew, there is one lonely and troubled soul.

So when we come together, the scripture tells us to encourage one another. That is we are to build up one another, helping them to know and experience Christ's love. Through their contact with us, they may feel loved and cared for. Don’t forget to encourage one another.

VIII.When we face our adversaries…. 1 Timothy 6:14

Whether we like it all not, people are constantly watching us. They watch our behavior and our speech. They may not notice the 99 good things we have done, but they will always see and remember that one blunder we make. Then they will talk and broadcast it. In the scriptures, there is the repeated reminder that we are to be blameless. We are not to give our adversaries an opportunity to speak evil against us.

Instead, we do our best, in public and private, to be complete like our heavenly father. We are to be holy as he is holy. Like that lamb of God, we are to be pure, humble and loving. In this way, we will not give our arch enemy, the devil, any foothold in our lives.

IX,When we pray……1 Timothy 3:15

This church has gone through much during this past year. There is much to talk about. Whether it is in Houston or outside Houston, HCC has become the conversation topic to many. This stigma will probably stay with us for some time to come.

I am certain, many of us pray on a regular basis. May I request that when we pray, let us remember to pray for this church. We shall pray that this church will once again be the house of the holy and loving God. This church is the pillar and foundation of truth. When individuals come into this community, they will experience God's presence. This is the community where they will see, learn and experience the eternal truth. This is a church where God's name will be uplifted and glorified.

And while you are praying, also remember the pastors of this church. Please pray thatby God's grace, we will serve you faithfully, with love and integrity.

X.Remember the goal of our spiritual journey…… Ephesians 4:13

Last but not least. Everyone here is on a spiritual journey. In this journey, many of us, several years ago, have come to know God through Jesus Christ. I am especially thankful that 44 of ushave publicly expressed our faith in Jesus Christ through baptism. Knowing Christ is probably the most important milestone in this spiritual journey. Yet what is the objective or goal of this journey?

Some may tell you that from now on your goal in life is to tell others about Jesus Christ. Yes, this is important, but a goal? Others may tell you from now on you are to be nice to people around you. Yes, this too is important, but a goal? Still others will say that your goal from now on is to serve in the church. Yes, serving is certainly important, but a goal? The scriptures, both in the gospels and the epistles, clearly tell us the goal in our Christian life is to be like our heavenly father. We are to be perfect like he is perfect. Paul puts it very clearly that we are to grow into the full stature of Christ, meaning that we are to become like Jesus Christ. The goal of our Christian journey is that we become like Jesus Christ. We are to be humble and gentle like he is. We are to be holy like he is. We are to manifest the fruit of the Holy Spirit, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” You know, when people see us, they will ask: Who are they?

We also know that while on earth, we live in a very sick and broken world. Therefore, we will constantly be plagued with imperfections; it could be of others’ doing or a result of our own sinfulness. And we all look forward to the day when we will see God face to face. At that time he will completely transform us into his likeness.

Meanwhile, before that day comes, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we will become more like him as each day, each month and each year goes by.

How can we become more like him? First, it is through the reading of his word. The Bible, his word to us, tells us about himself. So when we read his words, it gives us a glimpse of what he is like. Secondly, not only reading his words, we also obey them. You see, with the help of the Holy Spirit, as we read and obey his words, we are also being transformed, becoming more and more like him.

If this is our life goal, how do we evaluate ourselves? Some of us may have set all kinds of goals at the beginning of the year. Some of us may still remember the 10 resolutions I shared with you at the beginning of the year. We may want to see how we are doing in those resolutions. But what is even more important is to see ourselves against this goal of becoming more Christ like. A simple question we need to ask ourselves as this years draws to an end in a few days: Am I more like Christ now than at the beginning of 2002?