HOW TO BEGIN THE NEW MILLENNIUM WITH GOD
Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, Dec. 12, 1999, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
HOW TO BEGIN THE NEW MILLENNIUM WITH GOD
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Exodus 12:1-6
Text: Exodus 12:2
Exodus 12:2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.
Introduction: Our passage describes the institution of the Jewish Passover, commemorating the escape of the Israelites from the bondage of Egypt. It was to be considered “the beginning of months” and “the first month of the year to you.” Would to God that people started off their calendar year with God! Would to God that people believed their SPIRITUAL birthday was more important than their PHYSICAL birthday!
By the way, you need to have the proper relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ to start the new millennium off right. Notice in the scripture reading that He is
1. THE PROVIDED LAMB – V. 3 “a lamb”
2. THE PARTICULAR LAMB – V. 4 “the lamb”
3. THE PERSONAL LAMB – V. 5 “your lamb”
I thought about preaching this message the first Sunday of January, but I have decided to go ahead and give it to you before the time comes.
Let’s start off the millennium with the Lord! He needs to be “in the beginning” with US.
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
You know, it is EASIER for something to GO right and STAY right if it STARTS right! That is true of a youngster, a married couple, a new Christian, a church, etc.
IN ORDER TO BEGIN THE NEW MILLENNIUM WITH GOD,
I. LET’S PUT AWAY WHERE WE HAVE BEEN
Genesis 19:17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
A. Don’t let sins of the past slow you down
B. Don’t let sufferings of the past slow you down
C. Don’t let successes of the past slow you down
* Rather than concentrate on what you did for the Lord 10 years ago, WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR HIM NOW?????
II. LET’S PRAISE GOD FOR WHERE WE ARE
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
He wrote that from jail, and we find elsewhere:
Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
A. We are in a state of grace – Hallelujah!
* Saved by grace – Eph. 2:8-9
B. We are in a state of godliness
* The Holy Spirit indwells us!
* The Holy Spirit is leading us to do right!
C. We are in a state of growth
* Are you growing???
* I’m not what I SHOULD be, and I’m not what I WANT to be, but, praise God, I’m not what I USED to be!!!
III. LET’S PRESS FORWARD TO WHERE WE SHOULD BE
Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
A. We should be teachers! – Heb. 5:12
B. We should be a testimony!! – 2 Cor. 5:18-20
C. We should be triumphant!!! – 2 Cor. 2:14
IV. LET’S PROVE GOD’S PROMISES ALONG THE WAY
1 Kings 8:56 Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.
2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Thank God for His Promises!!!
A. The promise of salvation – John 3:16; Acts 16:31
B. The promise of the Spirit of God – Gal. 3:14; Eph. 1:13
C. The promise of the scriptures – Prov. 22:20-21
* Given by inspiration! – 2 Tim. 3:16
* Guaranteed by preservation! – Ps. 12:6-7
D. The promise of supply – Phil. 4:13
E. The promise of strength – Phil. 4:19
F. The promise of soul-winning – Ps. 126:5-6
G. The promise of success – Josh. 1:8
Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
CONCLUSION:
In review, in order to begin 2000 with God,
I. LET’S PUT AWAY WHERE WE HAVE BEEN
II. LET’S PRAISE GOD FOR WHERE WE ARE
III. LET’S PRESS FORWARD TO WHERE WE SHOULD BE
IV. LET’S PROVE GOD’S PROMISES ALONG THE WAY