Resolutions or Otherwise

The turn of the year is a great time to examine

why you exist.

What is your story?

What did the 2014 chapter read like?

What will the 2015chapter read like?

Humans are caught—in their lives, in their thoughts, in their hungers and ambitions, in their avarice and cruelty, and in their kindness and generosity too—in a net of good and evil. I think this is the only story we have and that it

occurs on all levels of feeling and intelligence. Virtue and vice were warp and woof of our first consciousness, and

they will be the fabric of our last, and this despite any changes we may impose on field and river and mountain,

on economy and manners.

There is no other story. A man, after he has brushed off the dust and chips of his life, will have left only

the hard, clean questions: Was it good or was it evil? Have I done well—or ill?

East of Eden - John Steinbeck

In asking what the past year was like,

what are you thinking of?

Fond memories? Life improvements?

Celebrations? Glad occasions?

Disappointments? Deaths?

Discouraging events? Failed relationships?

The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards

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, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so

many myriad’s of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and

how great soever.

Resolution #1 - Jonathan Edwards

Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

Resolution #7 - Jonathan Edwards

Resolved, never to say anything at all against anybody, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to

mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the

golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of

this Resolution.

Resolution #31 - Jonathan Edwards

Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what good I have got by them, and

what I might have got by them.

Resolution #67 - Jonathan Edwards

Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot

hope God will accept.

Resolution #29 - Jonathan Edwards

Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul

to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every

circumstance.

Resolution #65 - Jonathan Edwards

Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

Resolution #6 - Jonathan Edwards

Eighteen years old.

It’s never too late, or early, to own your life story.

Do you think Mr. Edwards always kept his resolutions?

Do we really think that Mr. Edwards was Mr. Edwards

because he was more stubborn than the rest?

Of course not.

The lie that we all tell ourselves is that our resolve with our power will lead to

our transformation.

It is not your resolve which ultimately determines the

course of your years.

To this end we always pray for you, 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, 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.

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 - Paul of Tarsus

Your resolve with your power will lead to your failure.

Your resolve with His power will lead to His glory.

How do we receive His power?

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my

witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Acts 1:8 - Saint Luke

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my

witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Acts 1:8 - Saint Luke

But how does His Spirit give us power?

Our salvation occurs in three phases.

JUSTIFICATION This is the work completed

by the Cross & Empty Grave. Your sin was paid for, just as if it never occurred.

SANCTIFICATION This is the work that began at

the Cross. Because we are now justified, we can now be formed

into the image of the justifier.

GLORIFICATION This is the work made possible at the Cross and demonstrated

by the Risen Jesus. Sanctification complete.

We so often try to force our own spiritual growth, rather than letting God work in us.

All things work together for those that love Him,

for those called according to His purpose.

The next verses define good in the previous verse.

We are predestined to conform to the image of Jesus.

It doesn’t say “predestined to heaven”. Heaven is not

the ultimate goal of God for His adopted children.

You are supposed to look like Jesus.

Move from spiritual milk to spiritual bacon.

SPIRITUAL MILK What Sin Is

Who Jesus Was What Jesus Did

Repentance and Faith How to Read the Bible

The Basics of Spiritual Disciplines What is the Church?

SPIRITUAL BROCCOLI Identifying Idols

How the Holy Spirit Functions In Us Living on Mission

How can I Serve & Love the Church? Preaching the Gospel to Yourself

Rebellion vs. Religion vs. Redemption

SPIRITUAL BACON Leading Like Christ

Training Others Structure of a Biblical Church

Involvement in Systemic Missions

Cool story, bro.

But how does His Spirit give us power?

PSALM 51

David’s backstory.

This is post-Goliath.

This is post-Kingship.

This is post-Bathsheba.

David knows that, in spite of his resolve, he has failed.

So he pleads.

PLEASE HAVE MERCY. WASH ME.

I SEE NOTHING BUT MY FAILURE.

IF YOU DON’T CLEANSE ME, I’LL NEVER BE CLEAN.

And then verse 10.

The beauty of the Christian life is that God not only

removes filth, shame, & sin…

He replaces them.

In place of a filthy heart, a clean one.

In place of a selfish spirit, a Sacred one.

In place of sin’s separation, His presence.

In place of the despair of sin, the joy of salvation.

In place of your stubborn refusal to transform,

a willing Spirit.

These things can be replaced because Jesus took your place.

The Holy Spirit applies the work of Jesus to our heart.

The Holy Spirit is the beautiful graffiti of Heaven, covering the grime on the walls of our heart,

claiming us as Heaven’s territory.

He clarifies the image of Christ, that we may see Him.

The Holy Spirit is the microscope & telescope of Heaven,

allowing us to see both the nooks & grandeur of Jesus.

He is our means of communication with the Trinity,

that we may know Him.

The Holy Spirit brings power because He is the channel through

which the cleansing, replacing ability of the Father flows.

The Holy Spirit brings power because He brings the Gospel.

The Holy Spirit brings power because He brings us Jesus.

Question & Answer