WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.780 All right, please take your copy of God's Word and turn with me to 2 Thessalonians chapter 1. 00:00:07.200 --> 00:00:13.700 Our text for this morning will be 2 Thessalonians chapter 1, verses 11 and 12. 00:00:14.620 --> 00:00:18.900 If you've been here with us for a while, yes, we're going to talk about resolutions again. 00:00:20.519 --> 00:00:25.839 This week we will celebrate the arrival of a new year, which I am so thankful for. 00:00:25.839 --> 00:00:32.880 However, this past year has been so particularly strange and tiring. 00:00:33.920 --> 00:00:42.039 I'm not sure that 2021 will be any different at this point, but it just still feels good to enter in to a new year. 00:00:42.879 --> 00:00:48.480 While on the one hand will only be another day into another journey around the sun, 00:00:48.480 --> 00:00:55.320 on the other hand there is something seemingly significant about passing from one year into another. 00:00:56.200 --> 00:01:05.359 Doesn't it feel like we are turning a page in a book, closing the chapter that we call 2020 and opening the chapter we will call 2021? 00:01:06.560 --> 00:01:10.340 Doesn't it feel like an opportunity for a fresh start? 00:01:11.400 --> 00:01:18.240 Because of the grace of God to us in Jesus Christ, we always have the opportunity to start afresh. 00:01:18.239 --> 00:01:25.359 But our minds are often drawn to make new commitments at the beginning of the year that we call resolutions. 00:01:26.319 --> 00:01:31.060 We are surrounded by people making resolutions and suggestions for resolutions. 00:01:31.060 --> 00:01:36.840 If you're on social media, you've already seen them, and more will come in this week. 00:01:36.840 --> 00:01:46.859 But our prayer this morning is that we can look to God's word together and consider how we can make resolutions that please him. 00:01:47.960 --> 00:01:50.659 Now, some have asked if resolutions are biblical. 00:01:50.659 --> 00:01:54.939 Should we make promises to change? 00:01:55.000 --> 00:01:57.179 And I would say emphatically, yes. 00:01:57.340 --> 00:01:59.819 We most certainly should. 00:02:00.500 --> 00:02:03.979 To believe in change is Christian. 00:02:03.980 --> 00:02:14.360 We are a people who have been changed from enemies of God into his friends because we have placed our faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. 00:02:14.500 --> 00:02:18.980 We are fundamentally changed by our faith in Christ. 00:02:19.340 --> 00:02:21.480 So change is Christian. 00:02:21.479 --> 00:02:29.219 Further, we have set for us a pattern in the Bible of God's people making promises that are pleasing to God. 00:02:29.299 --> 00:02:33.899 Let me give you just two examples, and then we'll turn our attention to today's text. 00:02:34.159 --> 00:02:35.239 Old Testament example. 00:02:35.719 --> 00:02:40.919 Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the Babylonian king's food or wine. 00:02:41.120 --> 00:02:43.679 Daniel chapter 1 and verse 8. 00:02:44.219 --> 00:02:45.419 New Testament example. 00:02:45.659 --> 00:02:51.079 Paul resolved to make his way to Jerusalem to fulfill a Nazarite vow. 00:02:51.479 --> 00:02:52.219 That he had made. 00:02:52.399 --> 00:02:55.319 Acts chapter 19 and verse 21. 00:02:55.479 --> 00:02:58.099 And there are many other examples in the scripture. 00:02:59.079 --> 00:03:03.039 So, let us resolve to change. 00:03:03.439 --> 00:03:06.519 Believing that change is really possible. 00:03:07.319 --> 00:03:11.879 May we not just do so at the first of the year, but may we do so at the first of the year. 00:03:12.239 --> 00:03:15.620 And may we do so in a way that pleases our God. 00:03:16.759 --> 00:03:20.919 2 Thessalonians chapter 1, verse 11 and 12. 00:03:20.919 --> 00:03:24.079 Before I read it, beloved, let me remind you that this is God's word to us. 00:03:24.699 --> 00:03:27.060 It was written for his glory and our good. 00:03:27.619 --> 00:03:32.859 And we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and obey its commands. 00:03:32.860 --> 00:03:37.240 To this end, we always pray for you. 00:03:37.240 --> 00:03:45.200 That our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power. 00:03:45.720 --> 00:03:55.160 So that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in him according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:55.159 --> 00:03:59.859 Now, the outline for this morning's text is as follows. 00:03:59.979 --> 00:04:03.500 Number one, resolve to be holy. 00:04:04.419 --> 00:04:07.859 Number two, resolve dependently. 00:04:08.319 --> 00:04:11.099 Out of dependence, resolve dependently. 00:04:11.699 --> 00:04:16.639 And number three, resolve for the glory of Christ. 00:04:16.639 --> 00:04:30.060 At the age of 19 and across some time, a young follower of Jesus Christ penned 70 resolutions, promises aimed at God's glory and his good. 00:04:30.060 --> 00:04:42.459 The first resolution reads, resolved that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God's glory and my own good, profit and pleasure in the whole of my duration. 00:04:42.840 --> 00:04:48.180 Without any consideration of the time, whether now or never so many myriads of ages. 00:04:48.439 --> 00:04:54.600 Hence, resolve to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. 00:04:54.600 --> 00:05:01.360 Resolve to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great so ever. 00:05:02.600 --> 00:05:05.260 Anybody making resolutions like that this year? 00:05:06.140 --> 00:05:09.439 This young man's name was Jonathan Edwards. 00:05:10.379 --> 00:05:17.140 In the preamble to his resolutions, he wrote the following, which is found in the quotation section of your bulletin this morning. 00:05:17.200 --> 00:05:20.540 So if you have that, you can read this along with me. 00:05:20.540 --> 00:05:30.100 Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these resolutions. 00:05:30.520 --> 00:05:35.800 So far as they are agreeable to his will for Christ's sake. 00:05:36.500 --> 00:05:48.600 And it is my intention this morning to weave Edwards' poignant preamble through our text to set for us an example of application for how it is that we are to make resolutions. 00:05:48.600 --> 00:05:55.080 Now, in addition to our text this morning, I do want to encourage you to read Edwards' resolutions. 00:05:55.240 --> 00:05:57.120 You will be greatly encouraged by them. 00:05:57.939 --> 00:06:00.860 So number one, resolve to be holy. 00:06:01.240 --> 00:06:02.060 Resolve to be holy. 00:06:03.439 --> 00:06:11.580 If you make resolutions that are not aimed at your holiness, then you are setting your sights far too low. 00:06:11.579 --> 00:06:21.500 If conformity to Jesus Christ is not the end goal of all that we do as Christians, then we are failing miserably short of that which God has called us to. 00:06:22.379 --> 00:06:26.860 Holiness is our high calling in Christ Jesus. 00:06:27.879 --> 00:06:32.839 Having come to Christ, we are made holy in him. 00:06:33.060 --> 00:06:35.519 His holiness is imputed to us. 00:06:35.899 --> 00:06:39.259 And then we are meant to become holy. 00:06:39.259 --> 00:06:41.560 We don't do this with perfection, right? 00:06:41.819 --> 00:06:48.920 But it expresses our great love and adoration for what God has accomplished on our behalf. 00:06:49.480 --> 00:06:51.539 Don't get this wrong this morning, right? 00:06:51.579 --> 00:06:55.879 I am not suggesting to you that you make a resolve to be holy so that God will accept you. 00:06:56.620 --> 00:07:04.399 What I'm saying to you is that because God has accepted you in Christ, you should resolve to be holy, to live a life that is pleasing to him. 00:07:05.319 --> 00:07:08.039 Peter wrote in 1 Peter 1, verse 13 and following, 00:07:08.040 --> 00:07:12.100 Therefore, preparing your minds for action and being sober-minded. 00:07:12.840 --> 00:07:17.900 Set your hope fully on the grace that we brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 00:07:18.620 --> 00:07:20.360 As obedient children, right? 00:07:20.500 --> 00:07:24.120 Having been made children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance. 00:07:24.740 --> 00:07:29.320 But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct. 00:07:29.319 --> 00:07:31.819 Since it is written in Leviticus 11, verse 44, 00:07:32.439 --> 00:07:35.719 You shall be holy, for I am holy. 00:07:36.439 --> 00:07:45.300 In our text, I first want to draw your attention to the specific what that Paul prays for the Thessalonian believers in the second letter to them. 00:07:45.740 --> 00:07:46.639 Verse 11, he says, 00:07:46.639 --> 00:07:49.159 To this end we always pray for you. 00:07:49.279 --> 00:07:49.899 What end? 00:07:49.979 --> 00:07:53.060 What is it that he's praying for these believers? 00:07:53.439 --> 00:08:04.259 That our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith. 00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:07.779 So his prayer is not an aimless prayer. 00:08:07.899 --> 00:08:09.439 He's not just saying we pray for you. 00:08:09.519 --> 00:08:13.379 He's saying we pray something specific for you. 00:08:14.339 --> 00:08:20.399 He is not primarily concerned about their circumstances, that they would have jobs or find houses or be in good health. 00:08:20.879 --> 00:08:24.279 But rather, he is concerned about their holiness. 00:08:25.399 --> 00:08:27.379 He prays two specific things. 00:08:27.980 --> 00:08:31.699 That God would make them worthy of his calling. 00:08:31.699 --> 00:08:35.080 Some translations say, count you worthy. 00:08:35.759 --> 00:08:45.379 Paul's prayer is that they are, in fact, counted worthy of God's saving call, which is evidenced in the practice of their faith. 00:08:45.639 --> 00:08:53.100 That they would show themselves to be Christian by the way they orient their lives toward Christlikeness. 00:08:53.100 --> 00:09:04.360 He also prays that they would be able, God would enable them to fulfill every resolve or desire for good and every work of faith. 00:09:05.159 --> 00:09:10.519 This was a consistent concern of Paul's for those who claim to follow Jesus Christ. 00:09:10.940 --> 00:09:16.820 Because the fervent pursuit of holiness is a marker of those who are truly converted. 00:09:16.820 --> 00:09:27.200 People who have been changed in type also desire to change in degree, to be conformed to the image of their Savior. 00:09:28.120 --> 00:09:36.300 Now, for a moment, don't lose sight of our text in 2 Thessalonians, but let me show you how concerned Paul was with the holiness of those professed to follow Christ 00:09:36.300 --> 00:09:40.240 by looking at the prayers he mentions in four of his other letters. 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:47.240 First to the Corinthians, in 2 Corinthians chapter 13, the beginning part of verse 7, he says, 00:09:47.419 --> 00:09:54.299 But we pray to God that you may not do wrong, that you would be holy. 00:09:54.700 --> 00:09:59.740 And in verse 9, the last part of verse 9, 2 Corinthians chapter 13, 00:09:59.740 --> 00:10:09.440 Your restoration, so those who have been wandering from the faith, them coming back to the faith, is what we pray for. 00:10:10.080 --> 00:10:12.820 So he prayed this for the Corinthian believers, that they would be holy. 00:10:13.539 --> 00:10:18.860 His letter to the Philippians, Philippians chapter 1, verse 9 and 10, he writes, 00:10:18.860 --> 00:10:24.700 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more with knowledge and all discernment, 00:10:24.700 --> 00:10:32.519 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. 00:10:32.919 --> 00:10:36.419 Again, a prayer for the Philippian believers for holiness. 00:10:37.680 --> 00:10:41.800 He prays the same for the Colossian believers, chapter 1, verse 9 and following. 00:10:41.919 --> 00:10:46.800 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, 00:10:46.799 --> 00:10:51.439 asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 00:10:52.199 --> 00:10:57.219 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, 00:10:57.740 --> 00:11:01.659 bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God, 00:11:02.099 --> 00:11:05.779 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might, 00:11:06.179 --> 00:11:09.879 for all endurance and patience with joy. 00:11:09.879 --> 00:11:15.339 And he works out some of the ways in which we will be holy as Christ followers. 00:11:15.340 --> 00:11:23.259 And lastly, to the Thessalonian believers, 1 Thessalonians chapter 3, verse 11 and following. 00:11:23.360 --> 00:11:27.300 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. 00:11:27.940 --> 00:11:33.560 May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all as we do for you, 00:11:34.060 --> 00:11:38.720 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father 00:11:38.720 --> 00:11:41.960 at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. 00:11:41.960 --> 00:11:44.460 And then in chapter 5 and verse 23, 00:11:45.360 --> 00:11:48.639 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, 00:11:49.080 --> 00:11:55.720 and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:11:56.100 --> 00:12:04.120 Paul is highly concerned about the holiness of those who profess to be in Christ. 00:12:04.540 --> 00:12:10.259 Now again, we have not arrived at perfect holiness on our own, right? 00:12:10.259 --> 00:12:19.360 But God, in Christ, sees Christ's perfection, gives to us his spirit, and enables us to follow him. 00:12:19.860 --> 00:12:24.059 And we are, if we are in Christ, going to express this. 00:12:24.200 --> 00:12:27.439 We are going to be growing up into maturity. 00:12:27.580 --> 00:12:33.220 We are going to look more like Jesus day by day by day. 00:12:33.220 --> 00:12:36.740 So as Christian people, we ought to want this. 00:12:36.840 --> 00:12:37.960 We ought to desire this. 00:12:38.060 --> 00:12:40.120 We ought to hate the way of the world. 00:12:40.180 --> 00:12:42.779 We ought to love the way of God. 00:12:43.180 --> 00:12:49.240 We ought to want to put off our flesh and put on our new selves. 00:12:49.820 --> 00:12:54.000 I don't want to reject the old Nathan, and I want to live in the new Nathan, right? 00:12:54.019 --> 00:12:59.160 Who is empowered in this way to honor God in the world in which I live. 00:12:59.159 --> 00:13:04.059 So back to Edward's statement, his preamble statement. 00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:05.419 He says, 00:13:05.500 --> 00:13:08.199 Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, 00:13:08.439 --> 00:13:12.759 I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these resolutions 00:13:12.759 --> 00:13:19.399 so far as they are agreeable to his will for Christ's sake. 00:13:19.899 --> 00:13:22.879 This is what God wants of us. 00:13:23.019 --> 00:13:25.299 It is what is good for us. 00:13:25.299 --> 00:13:31.139 It is what displays him to the world in which we leave that so desperately needs to see him. 00:13:31.659 --> 00:13:33.979 Our holiness. 00:13:35.519 --> 00:13:41.219 Edward's resolves were aimed at his character, his personal habits, his relationships, 00:13:41.219 --> 00:13:44.179 and his service to the world around him. 00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:45.559 Again, you should look these up. 00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:50.359 They will encourage your soul in the way that you desire to change. 00:13:50.360 --> 00:13:56.279 To go a little bit further, let me give you three examples of my own for this year. 00:13:56.500 --> 00:13:59.919 So I tend to write out resolutions each year. 00:14:00.399 --> 00:14:03.259 Often they live in my head for a long time as the end of the year approaches. 00:14:03.440 --> 00:14:06.940 I always think, oh, boy, this year, how's next year going to be better? 00:14:07.159 --> 00:14:12.300 How am I going to work harder by the grace of God to be pleasing to him? 00:14:12.340 --> 00:14:14.500 So I'm just going to give you three quick examples. 00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:24.360 First, resolved to increase my affection for God by spending more time in the created world. 00:14:24.879 --> 00:14:28.399 I spend too much time in a study with books. 00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:32.220 Sometimes it makes me want to implode. 00:14:33.559 --> 00:14:37.620 And I feel so moved to worship when I'm outside. 00:14:37.759 --> 00:14:41.320 So next year I intend to do more of that, which probably means I'll be outside with a book. 00:14:41.320 --> 00:14:45.120 But I'll be outside at very least. 00:14:45.320 --> 00:14:47.760 It's good for my soul, I have noticed. 00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:49.980 It's taken me 40 years to learn that about myself. 00:14:50.200 --> 00:14:52.100 It's very good for me to be outside. 00:14:52.340 --> 00:14:54.760 My affection is increased for God in doing so. 00:14:55.060 --> 00:14:56.700 I think I could do so flippantly. 00:14:57.340 --> 00:15:02.760 And so I'm saying I want my affection for God to be increased in spending time outside. 00:15:02.960 --> 00:15:04.080 I'm setting that for resolved. 00:15:04.200 --> 00:15:06.660 I'm going to work on that this next year. 00:15:06.659 --> 00:15:15.959 Second, resolved to endeavor to know God in my Bible reading, not just know about God. 00:15:16.399 --> 00:15:22.339 I find this little drift in my soul from time to time that I open up the text and I read my Bible a lot. 00:15:22.419 --> 00:15:23.759 You guys know this if you know me. 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:25.740 I'm in the scripture quite a bit. 00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:29.139 But I often do it as kind of a fact-finding mission. 00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:37.000 I'm gathering info as if it's just another one of the books that I'm reading and not the Holy Writ, this inspired book, right? 00:15:37.080 --> 00:15:43.319 God condescended to become an author and to write a book and I can meet with him in this text. 00:15:43.679 --> 00:15:46.059 And so I want to be better at that. 00:15:46.199 --> 00:15:53.299 I want to set myself to knowing God and spending time with God in a fresh way this next year, 00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:55.080 in a way that I struggle with at times. 00:15:55.080 --> 00:16:00.220 You've probably heard me make the distinction between reading the Bible for me and reading the Bible for you. 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:01.780 I often read the Bible in that way. 00:16:01.900 --> 00:16:03.800 Like, oh, this will be a great cross-reference for that thing. 00:16:03.840 --> 00:16:05.220 Or this will be really good for so-and-so to hear. 00:16:05.300 --> 00:16:08.020 Or I find myself making notes and prepping stuff. 00:16:08.160 --> 00:16:13.100 And I just need to sit with the Lord in the scripture this next year. 00:16:14.320 --> 00:16:15.860 Third, I've shared this one with you before. 00:16:16.580 --> 00:16:18.139 Again, I'm going to make an effort at it. 00:16:18.680 --> 00:16:20.900 Resolved to read 50 books this year. 00:16:21.920 --> 00:16:23.060 I've only gotten to 36. 00:16:23.059 --> 00:16:25.779 So, yeah, but it wasn't this past year. 00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:27.659 But 50 books this year. 00:16:27.799 --> 00:16:32.379 But specifically that increase my awe of God, right? 00:16:32.839 --> 00:16:36.659 To expand my vision of who God is. 00:16:36.699 --> 00:16:46.099 So I'm going to select books carefully to that end and set myself to reading 50 books that will expand, increase my awe of God. 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:56.759 Okay, so there's some examples, just three examples in my life of how this next year I am resolving to be holy, to grow in holiness in this next year. 00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:59.500 So, resolve to be holy. 00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:03.740 Number two, resolve dependently. 00:17:04.819 --> 00:17:10.000 You are powerless to change yourself in any meaningful way. 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:12.099 You may be able to do little things. 00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:15.279 You may be able to do some temporary things. 00:17:15.380 --> 00:17:20.279 But you are powerless to change yourself in any meaningful way. 00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:28.220 But God is all powerful and desires to change you into the image of his son. 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:32.420 I hear a lot of people make excuses for the way they act because of their personality. 00:17:33.279 --> 00:17:38.519 Just to posit as a little aside, the spirit of God is more powerful than your personality. 00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:43.920 He can overcome and change you in meaningful ways. 00:17:43.920 --> 00:17:48.960 This is why Paul so readily prays for the church. 00:17:49.259 --> 00:17:50.440 I give you that repetition. 00:17:50.680 --> 00:17:59.400 He is praying for the church that they would grow in holiness because he knows that only God brings about meaningful change. 00:17:59.600 --> 00:18:00.840 They must be active. 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:02.519 They must be doing something. 00:18:03.019 --> 00:18:06.500 But it is God who will accomplish it. 00:18:07.060 --> 00:18:09.720 So verse 11, 2 Thessalonians chapter 1. 00:18:10.320 --> 00:18:11.380 Verse 11 says, 00:18:11.380 --> 00:18:19.300 He is constantly in prayer for these believers, right? 00:18:19.860 --> 00:18:24.580 That our God may make you worthy of his calling. 00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:26.640 He may fulfill every resolve for every good work of faith. 00:18:27.520 --> 00:18:29.480 By his power. 00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:30.760 In verse 11, right? 00:18:30.840 --> 00:18:32.220 Not by their power. 00:18:32.640 --> 00:18:36.540 That God would do it by his power. 00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:40.240 So the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in him. 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:41.500 Last part of verse 12. 00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:46.859 According to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ, right? 00:18:48.380 --> 00:18:50.880 Paul wrote in Philippians chapter 2, verse 12 and following. 00:18:51.059 --> 00:18:56.400 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence, but much more in my absence. 00:18:56.900 --> 00:19:00.359 Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 00:19:01.359 --> 00:19:03.299 For it is God who works in you. 00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:07.220 Both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 00:19:07.220 --> 00:19:12.240 So meaningful change takes effort on our part. 00:19:13.100 --> 00:19:17.180 And, and more importantly, it takes the grace of God. 00:19:17.920 --> 00:19:26.400 If we resolve to be holy, we can have confidence that God will work in our working toward that great end. 00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:30.240 God desires that you would be holy. 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:33.440 This is consistent with his will for your life. 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:43.299 So if you're making resolutions to be holy, you're aiming them at that end, you can have a confidence that as you're working, he will work. 00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:45.619 Again, Edwards. 00:19:46.619 --> 00:19:52.819 He says in his preamble, being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help. 00:19:53.539 --> 00:19:59.180 I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these resolutions. 00:19:59.659 --> 00:19:59.740 Right? 00:20:00.099 --> 00:20:04.559 So far as they are agreeable to his will for Christ's sake. 00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:06.799 So resolve to be holy. 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:09.440 Do so dependently. 00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:14.980 And third, resolve for the glory of Christ. 00:20:15.940 --> 00:20:20.059 Why did Paul want to see the Thessalonian believers grow in holiness? 00:20:20.460 --> 00:20:21.740 What was the aim of that? 00:20:21.799 --> 00:20:24.220 What was the purpose of that? 00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:26.460 He tells us in verse 12. 00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:33.579 So that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you. 00:20:34.160 --> 00:20:43.000 That Jesus would look more as he is as these people grow in his likeness. 00:20:43.140 --> 00:20:47.039 That he would be displayed to the world in which they live. 00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:52.200 Resolutions aimed at making you a better you miss the mark. 00:20:52.200 --> 00:20:57.279 When your end goal is your glory and not the glory of Christ. 00:20:57.720 --> 00:21:01.360 In your intention you have made yourself a God. 00:21:01.940 --> 00:21:04.160 And you have bowed before a paltry throne. 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:08.319 A resolution to be more healthy, for example. 00:21:09.259 --> 00:21:12.360 Fall short if it is merely for your image. 00:21:12.660 --> 00:21:15.299 If you just want to look better to people. 00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:17.539 So you want to be more healthy. 00:21:17.640 --> 00:21:19.559 Or you just want to feel better. 00:21:19.559 --> 00:21:22.839 It's aiming too low. 00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:26.500 If it is aimed properly, I would say to you, it's a good thing. 00:21:26.579 --> 00:21:29.819 You could actually resolve to be more healthy in this next year. 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:35.720 If you being healthy is to give yourself in service to others. 00:21:36.339 --> 00:21:39.139 I want to feel better so I can love my family better. 00:21:39.579 --> 00:21:41.279 I want to be more sharp. 00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:44.740 I want to have a keen awareness of how I eat things. 00:21:44.839 --> 00:21:47.460 And what goes into my body that affects the way I think. 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:50.660 Sweet stuff dampens my ability to think clearly. 00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:54.379 Many people don't know this about Jonathan Edwards as we're talking about him. 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:57.059 But he went through an experiment in his eating. 00:21:57.420 --> 00:22:00.639 To figure out what would maximize his time in study. 00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:02.379 And he essentially became a vegetarian. 00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:03.220 He wasn't quite there. 00:22:03.319 --> 00:22:05.379 But he ate lots and lots of vegetables. 00:22:05.380 --> 00:22:09.160 Because it fed his clarity of mind. 00:22:09.460 --> 00:22:12.200 So he was looking for ways in which he could be healthy. 00:22:12.320 --> 00:22:14.180 But not for his own sake. 00:22:14.300 --> 00:22:16.700 But for the sake of others. 00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:18.680 To the glory of God. 00:22:19.020 --> 00:22:22.360 This is the way in which we ought to be making resolutions. 00:22:23.600 --> 00:22:24.940 Samuel Rutherford once said, 00:22:25.060 --> 00:22:27.000 Build your nest upon no tree here. 00:22:27.580 --> 00:22:31.060 For you see, God has sold the forest to death. 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:37.399 We are meant to be aiming ourselves at the world that is to come. 00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:40.440 Not at the world that is. 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:43.859 Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians chapter 10 in verse 31. 00:22:44.359 --> 00:22:47.059 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do. 00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:50.159 Do all to the glory of God. 00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:53.119 And in Colossians chapter 3 in verse 17. 00:22:53.399 --> 00:22:55.399 In whatever you do in word or deed. 00:22:55.899 --> 00:22:57.940 Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus. 00:22:57.940 --> 00:23:01.519 Just giving thanks to God the Father through him. 00:23:02.220 --> 00:23:02.960 So whatever we're doing. 00:23:03.080 --> 00:23:04.840 Word, deed, eating, drinking. 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:06.180 Whatever it is that we're doing. 00:23:06.259 --> 00:23:10.700 Whatever possible thing that could be included in a resolution for next year. 00:23:10.860 --> 00:23:14.299 Should be aimed at the glory of God. 00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:18.400 It is the high calling and the greatest joy of the Christian. 00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:21.600 To know God and to make him known. 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:26.519 Peter wrote in 1 Peter chapter 2 verse 9 and following. 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:56.099 Here we are. 00:23:56.099 --> 00:23:56.399 Right? 00:23:56.639 --> 00:23:57.839 You were not a people. 00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:59.039 You've been made a people. 00:23:59.179 --> 00:24:02.000 But you're strangers in the place that you live. 00:24:02.659 --> 00:24:06.579 Peter says to abstain from the passions of the flesh. 00:24:06.579 --> 00:24:09.019 Which wage war against your soul. 00:24:10.059 --> 00:24:12.299 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable. 00:24:12.699 --> 00:24:15.000 So that when they speak against you as evildoers. 00:24:15.079 --> 00:24:16.899 They may see your good deeds. 00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:18.599 And glorify God. 00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:21.779 On the day of visitation. 00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:25.799 We are set to this task as Christian people. 00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:29.779 And it ought to be our greatest joy to do so. 00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:33.500 Again Edwards in his preamble. 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:36.779 Being sensible that I'm unable to do anything without God's help. 00:24:36.859 --> 00:24:40.299 I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these resolutions. 00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:43.599 So far as they are agreeable to his will. 00:24:44.359 --> 00:24:47.420 For Christ's sake. 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:49.180 For his glory. 00:24:49.420 --> 00:24:52.099 That he would be known. 00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:54.579 So resolve to be holy. 00:24:55.579 --> 00:24:57.200 Do so dependently. 00:24:57.200 --> 00:24:58.140 And do so. 00:24:59.140 --> 00:25:00.440 For the glory of Christ. 00:25:02.100 --> 00:25:02.860 In conclusion. 00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:03.940 I'd like to ask you. 00:25:04.319 --> 00:25:05.039 Some questions. 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:07.059 For the sake of application. 00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:09.360 Just to keep you thinking in the right direction. 00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:10.220 If you're not already. 00:25:10.360 --> 00:25:11.220 And move you along. 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:13.759 And there are questions with sub questions. 00:25:13.880 --> 00:25:14.220 So I'll tell you. 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:14.980 There's going to be seven of them. 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:15.519 So here we go. 00:25:17.160 --> 00:25:17.700 Number one. 00:25:19.100 --> 00:25:22.640 What about you most needs to change? 00:25:23.539 --> 00:25:26.120 Any of us could think of anything that needs to change about us. 00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:27.839 What about you most needs. 00:25:27.979 --> 00:25:30.959 Most fundamentally needs to change. 00:25:31.099 --> 00:25:33.279 What sins seem to ensnare you? 00:25:33.639 --> 00:25:35.500 What habits do you neglect? 00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:37.399 Do you read your Bible enough? 00:25:37.459 --> 00:25:38.439 Do you pray enough? 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:41.199 Are you regularly sharing the gospel? 00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:44.259 You've come here today and gathered with the church. 00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:44.779 That's wonderful. 00:25:44.919 --> 00:25:47.199 Do you regularly gather with the church? 00:25:47.659 --> 00:25:49.839 Do you work hard? 00:25:49.979 --> 00:25:52.500 Are you setting yourself about the task that God has given you? 00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:55.119 Do you rest well? 00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:57.919 It's time to turn it off. 00:25:58.039 --> 00:25:59.839 Do you turn it off? 00:26:00.099 --> 00:26:03.839 What about you most needs to change? 00:26:05.119 --> 00:26:05.559 Number two. 00:26:06.219 --> 00:26:07.799 Why would you like to change? 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:12.799 Is your desire for change for God's glory and your good? 00:26:14.179 --> 00:26:15.059 Or is it selfish? 00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:17.419 Is it aimed at your glory? 00:26:17.420 --> 00:26:17.920 Number three. 00:26:20.140 --> 00:26:20.860 Number three. 00:26:22.700 --> 00:26:26.019 How are you going to change? 00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:28.960 By God's grace? 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:31.200 But what is the plan? 00:26:31.620 --> 00:26:33.320 What are the actual steps you'll take? 00:26:33.680 --> 00:26:33.800 Right? 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:37.480 That you hope that God will empower to help you change. 00:26:37.620 --> 00:26:40.220 What are you actually going to do? 00:26:40.920 --> 00:26:45.880 I'm getting to a place where if I do not put something on my calendar, it will not happen. 00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:46.740 It just won't. 00:26:46.839 --> 00:26:47.700 I've got too much going on. 00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:49.360 I get there's too many things going on in my brain. 00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:54.339 When I was a child, my dad had a big like day planner, like big portfolio day planner, 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:57.240 leather thing that he put three whole punch things in. 00:26:57.240 --> 00:26:59.500 And bought this set every single year. 00:26:59.579 --> 00:27:02.120 He wrote calendar things down and to-do lists and all of this stuff. 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:05.160 And he kept it in a, like a satchel that he took to work with him. 00:27:05.160 --> 00:27:06.200 And he called it his brain. 00:27:07.019 --> 00:27:08.940 And he would say, Nathan, go get me my brain. 00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:10.299 And I always thought it was hilarious. 00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:13.500 Both that he called it his brain and that he couldn't remember. 00:27:13.819 --> 00:27:14.440 Stuff like that. 00:27:14.579 --> 00:27:15.200 Well, guess what? 00:27:16.160 --> 00:27:16.740 I'm there. 00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:21.319 Now we have these amazing devices where we can record everything, right? 00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:27.899 If something important needs to happen, I have to take steps to make sure that it happens. 00:27:29.159 --> 00:27:34.500 Number four, what is most likely to prevent your change? 00:27:35.619 --> 00:27:39.079 What circumstance needs to change in order for you to change? 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:43.599 Perhaps your schedule, the people that you're hanging out with. 00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:49.200 Have you failed to change so many times in the past that you're afraid to even try? 00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:52.640 Does your mindset need to change? 00:27:55.539 --> 00:28:02.259 Fifth, what truths do you need to believe in order to change? 00:28:03.620 --> 00:28:07.580 What do you need to believe in order to change? 00:28:07.620 --> 00:28:11.460 I hope I've said some things to you this morning that would orient you rightly in your thinking. 00:28:11.840 --> 00:28:15.000 Change is possible by the grace of God. 00:28:15.840 --> 00:28:17.480 Let me give you two other quick examples. 00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:20.440 Romans chapter 8 and verse 1. 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:21.599 Paul says, 00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:26.819 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:30.880 Some of you don't put yourself to the work of changing. 00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:36.039 You don't go to God in Christ because you don't really believe this. 00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:40.099 You feel condemned because you know you need to change. 00:28:40.360 --> 00:28:42.660 I'm not living up to the measure. 00:28:43.120 --> 00:28:44.839 I may not be worthy. 00:28:44.839 --> 00:28:50.139 If you're failing to believe the gospel, if you're in Christ, he has given you his righteousness. 00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:58.139 And so you have the ability to go to this God of grace and ask that he would help you to grow. 00:28:58.519 --> 00:29:00.980 Help you to honor him. 00:29:01.599 --> 00:29:04.000 Maybe failing to believe this. 00:29:04.319 --> 00:29:07.659 This could be a truth that would help you to change. 00:29:07.660 --> 00:29:10.500 Or Philippians chapter 1 and verse 6. 00:29:10.620 --> 00:29:10.940 Paul says, 00:29:10.940 --> 00:29:21.700 You might have justification sorted in your head. 00:29:21.900 --> 00:29:24.120 Yes, I am saved in Christ. 00:29:24.620 --> 00:29:28.820 But you've forgotten altogether about God's sovereignty in sanctification. 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:31.880 He is going to bring it to pass. 00:29:31.880 --> 00:29:37.080 He is going to work in your working to help you be holy. 00:29:37.480 --> 00:29:41.160 So what truths do you need to believe in order to change? 00:29:42.620 --> 00:29:43.340 Number six. 00:29:44.200 --> 00:29:47.040 Are you committed to change? 00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:52.340 We are such a comfort loving people. 00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:59.439 It seems that we are losing the ability to know what it means to work hard at much of anything. 00:30:00.599 --> 00:30:04.619 Beloved, anything worth doing in this world will be hard to do. 00:30:05.439 --> 00:30:11.480 There is so little, so little worth anything that's easy in our lives. 00:30:12.099 --> 00:30:15.399 Changing takes work on your part. 00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:16.839 Are you ready? 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:20.519 Are you committed to change? 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:22.720 And lastly, number seven. 00:30:24.139 --> 00:30:26.339 How can the church help you change? 00:30:27.299 --> 00:30:30.980 We are meant to be a people pursuing change together. 00:30:31.220 --> 00:30:34.559 Pursuing holiness to the glory of God together. 00:30:34.900 --> 00:30:39.379 So how can people come alongside you and do that work with you? 00:30:39.639 --> 00:30:41.039 We want to do that. 00:30:41.139 --> 00:30:43.119 We want to be involved in that. 00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:46.940 For the glory of Christ and the place in which we live. 00:30:47.559 --> 00:30:48.379 Let's pray together.