The Best Year Ever

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This is a message that discusses the kinds of "ingredients" that will help this new year become the best year ever. Several scripture texts are used for this sermon.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

We have made it through another year and we are gathered in this worship service on the first Sunday of a brand new year.

The message I felt led to bring today is just a general message of encouragement and hope. This will be a topical message and we will be looking at a number of different passages of scripture.

As I was thinking about what kind of message to share today I wanted to focus on a topic that is appropriate for the first Sunday of the new year. I wanted to focus on a topic that would be inspirational, yet challenging.

I was just trying to think of the kinds of things that need to happen in order to make 2014 the “best year ever.”

The list that I have come up with is not in any particular order, but they are just some things that I think would help make this the best year. There are certainly other items that could have been included in the list, and you may be inspired by something that is said today to come up with some additional items you might want to add to “your list.”

What are the ingredients that will help ensure that we do in fact have a Happy New Year, or the best year ever?

1. Re-orient my values and priorities.

Colossians 3:1-3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. ²  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. ³  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Far too many people, including Christians, think that happiness and contentment can be found in material possessions and wealth.

I mentioned this just last week, but we all have heard stories of individuals who acquired vast amounts of wealth and material blessings and yet were so unhappy and miserable that they wanted to die.

I believe, dear friends, that the secret to a happy life; a life that is fulfilling and satisfying, is to have my values and priorities re-oriented away from this world and material goods to the things that are spiritual and eternal.

1 Timothy 6:7-10 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. ⁸  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. ⁹  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. ¹⁰  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

The more that I am focused on acquiring financial wealth the less contented I will be, and the less contented I am, the more miserable I will be.

But if I am focused on things that are spiritual and eternal, I can be happy in the midst of circumstances that are less than desirable.

I will be able to have a great year in spite of my circumstances.

2. Focus more of my efforts on helping others.

Philippians 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. ⁴ Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

I don’t know of anything that robs me of joy and happiness any quicker than constantly being focused on myself; what I have or don’t have; and what I want/need.

On the other hand, I don’t know of anything that brings more joy and contentment than having the opportunity to help someone else in need and knowing that I have helped someone that is worse off than I am.

Along this same general theme, I would also especially mention the ability to help someone come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.

If I can focus more of my time and energies on helping others come to know Christ and get ready for heaven, it will produce unspeakable joy and happiness for me.

James 5:19-20 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; ²⁰  Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

How happy would a person be knowing that God has used them to help “save a soul from death?”

3. Purpose to become more Christ-like in my personal life.

If I purpose in my heart to be more like Christ, then whatever I may face that helps me acquire His attributes will be worth it, and I can remain peaceful and rejoice in the end results.

1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: ¹³  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

If I constantly remind myself that my goal in life is not comfort, but conformity to Christ, then I’ll have an entirely different outlook on adversity and trouble.

Hebrews 12:7, 9-11 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? ⁹ Further-more we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? ¹⁰  For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. ¹¹  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Conclusion:

As we proceed through this year the circumstances we face may not be very pleasant, but if we have stayed true to our Lord, it will be a good year. We may have to endure a great deal of adversity, but if we have grown in our faith, it will be a good year. We may have much more sorrow than we ever imagined, but if we have become more like Christ, it will be a good year. When 2014 has come to an end if we are able to look back and see that we have weathered every storm and have not only survived, but we have thrived by growing stronger in faith and have helped others come to know our Lord and Savior, then it will be the best year ever.

In order for this to be possible, we will need an abundance of God’s grace. I’m thankful that the Word tells us “He giveth more grace.” (James 4:6)

If we find ourselves growing weak and faint, He can give us more grace.

If we find ourselves lacking Christ-like spirit and attitudes, He can give us more grace.

If we discover we are becoming self-centered rather than focused on others, He can give us more grace.

No matter what we face that may threaten to derail our spiritual goals, God is able to give us more grace to come through victoriously.