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"RESOLUTIONS FOR A NEW MILLENNIUM"
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. As the New Year approaches
we have the unusual opportunity to
 experience not only the start of a new year...
 a. But also the beginning of a new century
 b. And the beginning of a new millennium
 -- I speak accomodatively
for the new century and millennium
 actually begin on Jan. 1
2001
 
2. On the verge of a new millennium
it is natural for Christians to
 reflect...
 a. It has been almost 2000 years since the promise of our Lord's
  return - Ac 1:9-11
 b. While this is a long time for us
we understand it is an
 indication of the Lord's longsuffering - 2 Pe 3:8-9
 c. And so we continue to look forward to His coming - 2 Pe 3:10-12
 
[As we enter the third millennium (provided the Lord does not return
before 2001)
permit me to suggest some "Resolutions For A New
Millennium"
beginning with a reminder of...]
 
I. OUR ULTIMATE GOAL IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM
 
 A. TO BE READY FOR THE LORD...
 1. To be found by Him in peace - 2 Pe 3:14a
 2. To be without spot and blameless - 2 Pe 3:14b
 -- Whenever the Lord returns
we certainly want to be ready for
 His coming!
 
 B. TO REMAIN STEADFAST...
 1. Lest we fall - 2 Pe 3:17a; cf. He 3:12-14
 2. Lest we be led astray - 2 Pe 3:17b; cf. 2 Pe 2:1-3
 -- To be ready for His coming
we must make sure we do not fall
 away through negligence
nor be led astray by false teachers!
 
[What could be more important
than to be ready for our Lord when He
returns? If it was important for Christians in the first millennium
(indeed
even in the first century) to be ready
how much more for us
in the third millennium? To ensure that we attain our ultimate goal
I
offer several resolutions for...]
 
II. ATTAINING OUR GOAL IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM
 
 A. READ THE BIBLE DAILY...
 1. It provides the way to salvation - Ja 1:21
 2. It provides the nutrition for spiritual growth - 1 Pe 2:2
 3. It provides the protection against drifting away
or being
  misled by false teachers - He 2:1-3; Ac 20:29-32
 -- Resolve to spend time each day feeding upon the Word of God!
 
 B. PRAY EVERY DAY...
 1. For the Christian
prayer is the means by which we remain holy
 and without blame
for it is the way to forgiveness - 1 Jn 1:9
 2. For the Christian
prayer is also the way to peace - Ph 4:6-7
 -- If we desire to be found by the Lord in peace
without spot
 and blameless
then "pray without ceasing" (1 Th 5:17)!
 
 C. ATTEND ALL THE SERVICES OF THE CHURCH...
 1. Our assemblies are designed to encourage faithful service
 - He 10:24-25
 2. It is one way we edify one another against falling away - He
 3:12-13
 -- Do not discount the importance of assembling with other
 Christians to remain strong and faithful...attend every
 service you can!
 
 D. GROW IN THE GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST...
 1. This was Peter's last written admonition - 2 Pe 3:18
 2. He wrote of the blessings found in the knowledge of Christ
 a. Grace and peace are multiplied - 2 Pe 1:2
 b. All things pertaining to life and godliness are provided
 - 2 Pe 1:3
 c. There are exceedingly great and precious promises - 2 Pe
  1:4
 d. We can be partakers of the divine nature
having escaped
 the corruption of the world through lust - 2 Pe 1:4
 3. Peter described what is involved in growing in this knowledge
 - 2 Pe 1:5-8
 a. Applying all diligence
 b. Developing the graces of a Christ-like character
 4. He explained that diligence in this area will ensure an
 abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord
 - 2 Pe 1:10-11
 -- This should be our "prime directive"
made possible through
 such tools as the Word of God
prayer
and the fellowship of
 the church!
 
 E. DISPLAY HOLY CONDUCT AND GODLINESS...
 1. This we should do in view of what will one day happen - 2 Pe
  3:10-11
 2. Without holiness
no one shall see the Lord - He 12:14
 3. The exercise of godliness has promise of the life to come
 - 1 Ti 4:8
 -- This display of holy conduct and godliness is especially
 important as we spend the time of our sojourn among those of
 the world - 1 Pe 2:12
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Do we desire to remain steadfast?
 a. Not led astray by the error of the wicked?
 b. Found by the Lord when He comes
in peace
without spot
and
 blameless?
 
2. Then simple resolutions such as ...
 a. Read the Bible daily
 b. Pray every day
 c. Attend all the services of the church
 d. Grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ
 e. Display holy conduct and godliness
 ...will go a long way to ensure a proper state of preparedness
 
We will therefore be ready for His coming
whether He comes in this
millennium or the next!

－－《Executable Outlines》