This One Thing I Do

Temple Baptist Church - 1-6-2019

Philippians 3:13

Introduction: 

A.  As we now come to the 1st Sunday in 2019, I want to focus for a little while on strengthening our resolve to continue following Christ this year.  I am not big on New Year’s Resolutions, but I do believe that we need to see where we have been (2018), where we are (1-6-2019), and where we want to be on December 31st of 2019 if the Lord has not returned by then.

B.  I want to preach this message in two parts because the verse is in two parts: past and present.

C.  Paul said, “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind ...”  We cannot forget everything that happened last year because we can draw wisdom from what we did right and what we did wrong.  We want to build on the good things and correct the wrong ones this year.

D.  I did not get everything that I wanted last year and probably will not get all that I want this year, but I will face this new year with the hope of God in my heart and my eyes upon Him.  Aren’t you glad that you do not know what you will face in 2019? 

E. The past can do one of two things:  it can either haunt you or it can help you!  Which one applies to you is your personal choice. We need to make right choices this coming year in order to maintain both our Christian testimony and influence.

F.  This morning, we need to put last year in its proper perspective.  That perspective is this:  last year is history and we cannot change it.  I want to give you two things that will help you to face the New Year in a right way.  I will try to keep this as simple as possible.

1.  Put The Past In The Past!

2.  Put The Future In The Present!

G.  Things that we can correct from last year.

1. Past failures not to be repeated.  You blew it at times.  I blew it at times.  I was not always a good Christian this past year.  May the Lord help me to be a better Christian in 2009.

2. Past victories not to be forgotten but placed in a proper perspective.  There were times when you were a good Christian last year.  You grew in the Lord and were blessed and rewarded for it.

3. Forget your disappointments!  NO ONE gets everything that they want!  There were times when the enemy got the upper hand.  There were times when you had to do without some things.  There were times when you did not understand and probably still do not understand.  God never said to understand; He said to trust.

4.  Forget your hurts and forgive those who hurt you.  Hurt always turns to anger and anger to bitterness if not dealt with properly.  Forgiveness of our enemies is as much for our sake as it is for their sake.

H.  God was God last year and He will be the same this year.

1. God was good to us this past year!  He will be good to us in the coming year.

Psalms 23:6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Lamentations 3:22-23  It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

2. God’s grace was sufficient this past year!  His grace will be sufficient in the coming year.

2 Corinthians 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

1 Peter 4:10  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

2 Corinthians 4:15  For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

3. God’s strength was made perfect in our weakness last year!  His strength will be there in the coming year.

Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Ephesians 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

4. God’s presence was with us last year!  He will be there this next year.

Hebrews 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and becontent with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 

Isaiah 49:15  Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

5. God’s promises were made sure to us when we needed them last year!  We can rely upon them in the coming year.

2 Corinthians 1:20  For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 

6. Last year is history and next year will be history soon!  “And it came to pass!”

Next year is just “future history.” 

Psalms 90:9  For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.  (Face the New Year with hope and trust instead of doubt and fear.  The Lord will be the same tomorrow as He was yesterday and today!)