Transformative Resolutions: Centering Life on God
Summary
As we approach the end of the year, many of us begin to reflect on the past and plan for the future. It's a time when resolutions are made, often with the hope of self-improvement. However, these resolutions frequently focus on personal gain and self-centered goals, such as making more money, losing weight, or picking up a new hobby. While these goals are not inherently wrong, they often lack a deeper, spiritual foundation. The challenge is to shift our focus from self-centered resolutions to those that are God-centered, ensuring that our lives are truly transformed rather than just superficially changed.
The key to a truly transformative year lies in deepening our relationship with God. Without this foundation, our resolutions are likely to falter by mid-January. We must remember that our lives will not improve unless we grow spiritually. This growth requires us to keep God at the center of our lives, not just during the festive season but throughout the entire year. Our resolve should be rooted in the enduring Word of God, which stands firm even when our personal determinations waver.
To make resolutions that stick, we must focus on spiritual principles. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, provides us with valuable insights. His resolutions were not about personal gain but about seeking wisdom and understanding from God. By following his example, we can make resolutions that are not only meaningful but also sustainable.
As a church, our collective impact is only as strong as the individual commitments of its members. We must each resolve to build our relationship with God and live out the values that come from that relationship. This means being irrationally generous, leading our families well, and reflecting God's love and faithfulness in all we do. Our personal growth will naturally lead to a stronger, more impactful church community.
Key Takeaways:
- God-Centered Resolutions: Our resolutions should focus on deepening our relationship with God rather than just personal gain. This spiritual foundation ensures that our lives are truly transformed and not just superficially changed. [06:42]
- Enduring Word of God: The Word of God remains forever, providing a stable foundation for our lives. When our personal resolve falters, we can rely on the enduring truth of God's Word to guide us. [08:34]
- Reflecting God's Love and Faithfulness: Our actions should reflect the love and faithfulness of God. This means being generous, leading our families well, and living out the values that come from our relationship with God. [19:39]
- Trusting in God's Wisdom: We must trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not rely on our own understanding. Seeking God's wisdom in all matters ensures that our decisions are aligned with His will. [24:42]
- Honoring God with Our Gifts: We should honor God with the gifts He has given us, whether they are financial, talents, or time. Using these gifts to serve others and glorify God brings order and discipline to our lives. [34:19]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:16] - The Futility of Resolutions
[02:27] - Shifting Priorities
[03:20] - Holistic Goals
[04:33] - Where is God?
[05:41] - Seeking a Divine Year
[06:42] - The Secret to Improvement
[07:55] - The Fickleness of Resolve
[08:34] - The Enduring Word of God
[09:55] - Building a Community-Oriented Church
[10:52] - Individual Commitment
[12:06] - The Importance of Resolve
[15:01] - Wisdom from Solomon
[18:04] - Storing God's Commands
[19:39] - Love and Faithfulness
[24:42] - Trusting in the Lord
[29:30] - Avoiding Self-Wisdom
[34:19] - Honoring God with Gifts
[37:37] - Embracing Discipline
[40:09] - Seeking Wisdom
[42:05] - Helping Others
[45:32] - Avoiding Harm
[49:26] - Resolving to Follow Jesus
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Proverbs 3:1-4
- Isaiah 40:8
- Proverbs 3:5-6
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what are some common resolutions people make at the start of a new year, and why do they often fail? [01:16]
2. How does the sermon describe the difference between self-centered resolutions and God-centered resolutions? [04:33]
3. What does the sermon suggest is the key to a truly transformative year? [06:42]
4. How does the sermon use Solomon's example to illustrate the importance of seeking wisdom from God? [15:01]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In Proverbs 3:1-4, what does it mean to "store my commandments in your heart," and how does this relate to making resolutions that stick?
2. How does the enduring nature of God's Word, as mentioned in Isaiah 40:8, provide a foundation for our resolutions and commitments? [08:34]
3. What does it mean to trust in the Lord with all your heart, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6, and how can this trust influence our decision-making process? [24:42]
4. How does the sermon suggest that reflecting God's love and faithfulness can impact our relationships and community? [19:39]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your past resolutions. How can you shift your focus from self-centered goals to God-centered ones this year? [04:33]
2. What specific steps can you take to deepen your relationship with God throughout the year, not just during the festive season? [06:42]
3. Identify one area in your life where you need to trust in God's wisdom rather than your own understanding. How can you actively seek His guidance in this area? [24:42]
4. Consider how you can honor God with the gifts He has given you. What practical actions can you take to use your time, talents, or resources to serve others this week? [34:19]
5. Think of a recent situation where you struggled to reflect God's love and faithfulness. How can you approach similar situations differently in the future? [19:39]
6. How can you incorporate the practice of storing God's commandments in your heart into your daily routine? What changes might this require in your current habits? [18:04]
7. Discuss with your group how you can collectively support each other in making God-centered resolutions. What role can accountability play in this process? [10:52]
Devotional
Day 1: God-Centered Resolutions
Our resolutions often focus on personal gain, such as financial success or self-improvement. While these goals are not inherently wrong, they can lack a deeper spiritual foundation. To truly transform our lives, we must shift our focus from self-centered resolutions to those that are God-centered. This means prioritizing our relationship with God and ensuring that our goals align with His will. By doing so, we can experience genuine transformation rather than superficial change. [06:42]
"For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11, ESV)
Reflection: What is one resolution you can make that prioritizes your relationship with God over personal gain?
Day 2: The Enduring Word of God
The Word of God provides a stable foundation for our lives, remaining constant even when our personal resolve falters. As we make resolutions, we must root them in the enduring truth of God's Word. This spiritual foundation ensures that our lives are truly transformed and not just superficially changed. When we rely on God's Word, we can find guidance and strength to persevere in our commitments, even when we face challenges. [08:34]
"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." (Isaiah 40:8, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate the Word of God into your daily routine to strengthen your resolve?
Day 3: Reflecting God's Love and Faithfulness
Our actions should reflect the love and faithfulness of God. This means being generous, leading our families well, and living out the values that come from our relationship with God. By doing so, we can have a positive impact on those around us and build a stronger, more impactful church community. Our personal growth in reflecting God's love will naturally lead to a more vibrant and loving community. [19:39]
"Let all that you do be done in love." (1 Corinthians 16:14, ESV)
Reflection: In what specific ways can you demonstrate God's love and faithfulness to those around you today?
Day 4: Trusting in God's Wisdom
We must trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not rely on our own understanding. Seeking God's wisdom in all matters ensures that our decisions are aligned with His will. By trusting in God's wisdom, we can navigate life's challenges with confidence, knowing that He is guiding us. This trust requires us to surrender our own desires and seek His guidance in every aspect of our lives. [24:42]
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." (James 1:5, ESV)
Reflection: What is one decision you are facing where you need to seek God's wisdom rather than relying on your own understanding?
Day 5: Honoring God with Our Gifts
We should honor God with the gifts He has given us, whether they are financial, talents, or time. Using these gifts to serve others and glorify God brings order and discipline to our lives. By honoring God with our gifts, we can experience a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment. This requires us to be intentional in how we use our resources and to seek opportunities to serve others in meaningful ways. [34:19]
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." (1 Peter 4:10, ESV)
Reflection: How can you use your unique gifts to serve others and honor God this week?
Quotes
Your life is not going to improve unless you grow your relationship with God. And you can't forget about God. You can't get mid-January and go, oh, I was so sure Jesus came to save me at Christmas, but now I don't even know if God exists. [00:06:42] (22 seconds)
We can't celebrate Jesus, Hosanna in the highest, and then by mid-January be completely taking him out. And saying he doesn't exist and he doesn't have any impact in my life. Are we that fickle? We can use Jesus to kumbaya and get gifts and build relationships and make ourselves feel good and all happy about our family on Christmas, but by mid-January, we're wondering if he even hears our prayers. [00:07:14] (28 seconds)
Surely, if we're that celebratory over him arriving and making the kind of impact he made that we celebrate on the 25th of December, surely that needs to permeate our lives. Surely, if Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, what he was to us on the 25th of December, he should be to us on the 25th of every month. [00:07:32] (23 seconds)
Isaiah 40 is actually a chapter that Leanne and I used to plant our very first church, and in it is this line, the grass withers and the flowers fade, but your resolve may totter, your determination may falter, your New Year's resolutions may be gone as quickly as they made, but the Word of our God stands forever. [00:08:41] (31 seconds)
You've got to be irrationally generous on your street before you can do it. Before we can become irrationally generous as a church. You've got to be building your relationship with your family and God before we can become a tight family that honors God. Husbands, you need to be leading in your families. Wives, you need to be leading in your families well before we can become a well-led church. [00:11:06] (25 seconds)
If God has dropped a value in your heart and you don't have the resources to do it, that's when God shines the most. And I want to say to you that you need to know that the values that we're going to have as a church are not reflecting you. No, you reflect the values that God has given you and that collectively builds the church. [00:14:43] (24 seconds)
Never let loyalty and kindness leave you. Love, loyalty, commitment, loyalty, honoring your mother and your father. That's love. It's commitment. Honoring your friends. Honoring your husband. Honoring your wife. Submitting one to the other. Working as a team. Constantly shaping one another and being allowed to grow because I know that Brother Chris, when he brings something to my attention, he's doing it out of love, not out of hatred. [00:19:39] (25 seconds)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. I want you to get into the habit, if trusting in God is something you want to resolve to do. [00:24:42] (19 seconds)
Anything that the Lord has wired you to do well. If you can sing sing with everything you've got. If you're an encourager, encourage the bahibi-jibis out of them. If you are a giver, give till you've got. If you are a prophet, speak out the prophetic word of God. But can you get on with it and do it please? [00:34:19] (18 seconds)
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