Commitments for the New Year

Let’s discipline and exercise ourselves to godliness this year. It takes commitment to live for God. With His help, we can do it!

1. Commit to staying right with God and others. (Acts 24:16)
• What does it take to stay right with God? (1 John 1:9)
- Admit your sin and stop making excuses.
- Ask God to forgive you and accept His forgiveness.
• What does it take to stay right with others?
- If you have offended someone, then go to them ASAP and try to make it right. (Matthew 5:23-24)
- If someone has offended you, then go to them ASAP and try to make it right. (Luke 17:3-4)
- It takes the godly characteristics of humility and forgiveness. (Galatians 5:22; Mark 11:25-26)

2. Commit to being consistent in your devotions. (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-2; Proverbs 2:1-5; Luke 18:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)
• Establish a time, a place, and a plan.
- Some suggestions:
> Find a secluded place without distractions.
> Keep it simple.
> Pray out loud.
> Don’t get too comfortable and fall asleep.
> Use a prayer list.
> Have an accountability partner.

3. Commit to being faithful to church. (Hebrews 10:23-25)
• We help each other persevere. (Hebrews 10:23)
• We help each other love and serve God. (Hebrews 10:24)
• We should not forsake the local church but should come to encourage one another. (Hebrews 10:25)
• We should be FAT Christians.
- Faithful – In attendance
- Available – What can I do to help
- Teachable – Humble and willing to change

4. Commit to giving obediently to the church. (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7)
• Principles of Giving in the Old Testament
- Old Testament believers gave up to 25% plus free-will offerings.
- Old Testament believers gave their first fruits to God (i.e., their first and best to God).

• Principles of Giving in the New Testament
- Every believer is to give. (1 Corinthians 16:1)
- We are to give regularly. (1 Corinthians 16:2)
- We are to give proportionately or in keeping with our income. (I Corinthians 16:2)
- We are to give generously. (2 Corinthians 9:6)
- We are to give purposefully. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
- We are to give willingly. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
- We are to give cheerfully. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

5. Commit to sharing the gospel with the lost. (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21)
• We are clearly commanded to spread the Gospel.
• The Gospel is man’s only hope.