New Goals and True Goals for a New Year    (January 3, 2010)

SERMON TEXT:  I Corinthians 11:17-34 ("How the Lord's Supper leads to Mercy Ministry" Pastor H preaching).  We will also, speaking of which, observe the Lord's Supper and take up our new Quarterly Mercy Offering in addition to the normal Tithes and Offerings.  

SUNDAY SCHOOL & ADULT CLASS (9:30am):  A combined adult class on Psalm 143 -- seeking God even when we don't feel like it (sounds excellent!), led by ministerial candidate Benjamin Wontrop.  Winter Session begins January 17th (see insert this Sunday).

SUGGESTED FAMILY WORSHIP TEXT:  Acts 2
HYMNS:      ~ At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing (Trinity 420)
                      ~ Lord, Thou Lov'st the Cheerful Giver (Trinity 434; tune same as Love Divine, Love Excelling)
                      ~ Let Thy Blood in Mercy Poured (Trinity 429)
                       ~ We are God's People (Trinity 355 )

SONGS:       ~ Come and see!

DEVOTIONAL:    New Goals and True Goals for a New Year

It’s that time of year again.  Time for self-evaluation, and resolutions and goals as a new year begins.  Do you make these?   They are not a bad idea, when done in light of the Gospel.  When done remembering that we no longer need to justify ourselves, that life’s ultimate goal is simply to glorify and enjoy God forever.   I have been thinking about these myself – things I would like to get done this next year - things like more exercise, better writing, being more organized, and perhaps helping create more church programs and organization.   I feel the need for something new, something different.

But last Sunday, my goals were rearranged by Pastor Water’s sermon.  I was reminded of what really counts in God’s sight.  And thus I have revised my goals.

For those who missed Pastor Water’s excellent sermon last week, here is a brief (unauthorized) outline, based on his text, I John 4:7-12.  If you were, there is a reason for my reviewing his message, so bear with me.  Here it is:

Intro:  John says true love is based not on the worthiness of its object, but on its source: God

Why We Love

I.  We love because of who God is (God the Father; verses 7-8)
    God IS love, thus we need God in us to love rightly

II.  We love because of what God did (God the Son; verses 9-11)
    ~ God sent His Son as a propitiation for our sins, the epitome of love
    ~ As Paul Tripp says: love is a willing self-sacrifice
    ~ Look to love in little ways without the need for acknowledgment
    ~ Do not be a reservoir of God’s love, collecting it in, but only trickling it out;
    ~ Instead “let” God be a fountain of love within you, pouring forth His love
    ~ How?  By returning to the Gospel

III.   We love so that our neighbors will see God in us (God the Spirit; verses 12-13)
    ~ The “new command” to love one another Jesus gives us in John 13:34 is both the example of His sacrificial death and the Spirit given power to love which came with the New Covenant

Conclusion: therefore, love one another!

So, what if we each took this sermon to heart and let it remake our 2010 goals?  What if, instead of only writing down things we would like to get done, we resolved to all things – old and new – with greater love?  What if, instead of allowing ourselves to get bored with those daily tasks, we asked God to help us do them in love for Him and neighbor?  That we see each small deed as a way to love others?  That we become more interested in others’ welfare, and less consumed with our own goals?

So, what if instead of my self-focused goals, I reconsidered them like this:   more exercise so that I stay in better health to serve others; better writing if it is needed to encourage others to grow in Christ; trying to stay organized so that I have more time for others; and instead of new programs, a renewed commitment to pastoral visitation and prayer, remembering that true Kingdom growth always starts with the small things first.  And thus, I am not besmirching the idea of setting concrete goals, or of self-discipline, or trying new things.  But I am doing it under the overall goal of loving God and neighbor.  And since love is hard to quantify, perhaps giving up the idol of being able to easily measure any progress.

But somehow, when I remember to major on the majors – loving one another – as Brian preached from I John, and hold my other goals a bit more loosely, life seems to be lighter, happier, and in the end, more productive.

What are your goals for 2010?   Why not sit down and think some through – but do so in light of the Gospel and this overall principle of doing everything in love.  After all, as PCA pastor and professor Henry Krabbendom likes to say, only two things in this world last forever – souls and love.

Perhaps then, what we do in 2010 will not just impact this coming year, but will be around 1,000 years from now and beyond.  And so maybe we should not just set goals for 2010, but for 3010, and beyond – to know and love God with all our hearts, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.  If we do that, 2010 will indeed be an excellent year, whatever else should come to pass.  See you all Sunday!  ~ Pastor H