1. Resolutions For The New Year Luke 16:1-9

2. Luke 16:1-5 1 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. 2 And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. 3 Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. 4 I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. 5 So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? Resolutions For The New Year 2

3. Luke 16:6-9 6 And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. 7 Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore. 8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. 9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. Resolutions For The New Year 3

4. “Resolved” Defined Vine - ginosko - “to come to know, perceive, realize,” is used in the 2nd aorist tense in Luke 16:4. “I am resolved,” expressing the definiteness of the steward’s realization, and his consequent determination of his course of action. Dictionay.com - to come to a definite or earnest decision about; determine (to do something): I have resolved that I shall live to the full. Resolutions For The New Year 4

5. Introduction This is a good time to examine the past year and resolve to improve in the year to come. 2 Corinthians 13:5 Christians are commended to grow… Ephesians 4:15 1 Peter 2:2 2 Peter 3:18 Growth in the knowledge of God’s word is a must… Ephesian 5:17 Growth in spiritual service is a must… Romans 12:1-2 We will study some areas we should RESOLVE to grow… Make every effort to constantly improve! Resolutions For The New Year 5

6. Resolve to Be A Christian Being a Christian is a following a new and better way Paul acknowledged that being with the Lord was “far better” Philippians 1:23 Disciples in 1 st Century were called “Christians” Acts 11:26 This was a Divinely given name - Isaiah 62:2 “were called” - chrematizo Paul and the apostles tried to persuaded people to be Christians Acts 26:28 To be a Christian and partake in righteous suffering glorifies God 1 Peter 4:16; Acts 5:29, 40-42 Resolutions For The New Year 6 “…to receive a name or title, be called” - Thayer

7. Resolve to Be More Faithful A disciple is a follower of the Master teacher Acts 11-26 Faithfulness is commanded and rewarded Revelation 2:10 2 Timothy 4:6-8 James 1:12 If you are not faithful, return to the Lord Prodigal son - Luke 15:1-32 The faithful should encourage the faltering James 5:19-20; Galatians 6:1-2 Resolutions For The New Year 7

8. Resolve to Attend All Services Prepare for gathering together to worship… Be on time - Matthew 25:1-13 Be prepared - Amos 4:12 Be willing - 2 Corinthians 8:12, 19 Be enthused - Psalms 122:1 Be here or be no where - Hebrews 10:21-26 Grow in faithful, stable attendance! Make it your goal to have a year of perfect attendance! Resolutions For The New Year 8

9. Resolve to Read the Bible Daily Start this week with your daily Bible reading! Use the 5-day reading plan on our website The Bereans searched the scriptures daily Acts 17:11 Daily Bible reading helps us… Know God’s word - John 8:32 Avoid being deceived - Acts 20:30 Have a appetite for the word which enables spiritual growth 1 Peter 2:1-2 Resolutions For The New Year 9

10. Resolve To Pray Daily Paul taught to “pray without ceasing” - 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Philippians 4:6 The Lord taught a parable that men ought to pray always Luke 18:1 Follow the pattern of the psalmist in prayer Resolutions For The New Year 10 “As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice” - Psalms 55:16, 17.

11. Resolve to Win Souls Are we sewing the seed? Evangelism is the duty of all… Personal Evangelism Is Sowing Seed - Luke 8:5-15 Personal Evangelism Is Fishing for Men - Matthew 4:18-19 Personal Evangelism Is Winning Souls - Prov. 11:30 Resolve to be like proclaimers of Christ of the 1 st Century Anna - Luke 2:36-38 Andrew - John 1:40-42 Paul & the apostles - 1 Corinthians 1:23 Resolutions For The New Year 11

12. Resolve To Be Hospitable The 1 st Century Christians were given to hospitality… Romans 12:13 Acts 2:46 The apostle Peter taught hospitality… 1 Peter 4:9 This is an individual responsibility Use your home for this good work! Resolutions For The New Year 12

13. Resolve to Live For Heaven Live your life so you will go to heaven! We must be obedient to God’s commandments Resolutions For The New Year 13 “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14)

14. Conclusion Be resolute to grow in your service to God Strive to grow in the Lord 2 Peter 3:18 Serve God acceptably… Resolutions For The New Year 14 “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire” - Hebrews 12:28, 29