Sermon Tone Analysis

Good Things Coming Together

I want to talk to you about what I believe God wants to do prophetically in 2023.

The Apostle Paul by the Spirit wrote to the Romans and reminded them about the hope that we have in Christ for all things to be made new.

He encouraged them to persevere in hope.

He then reminded them that the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses and intercedes on our behalf.

And then He reminds us that for those who are called according to God’s purposes, who love Him, everything works together for good.

In November of 2022 the Lord spoke to me about this year.

The Spirit spoke Romans 8:28 to me and began to tell me that in 2023, God was going to bring about good things.

This would be a year of divine connection.

As New Years has come, have you thought of things that you want to change or do in the coming year?

Every year seems to bring hope and promise that something new can come.

It’s a reminder that the old has passed and it is an invitation to believe for something new.

I think we know that nothing will change if we aren’t willing to do some things differently.

This is true naturally and spiritually.

If we start with how we position ourselves in faith and with the pursuit of God’s plan for our lives then we will find the good and godly connections that God is bringing into our lives in the coming year (cf.

John 15:5).

A New Way

In order to enter into the new way that God has for us in the coming year, we can’t trust in our own plans and strategies to get us there.

There was a survey that said about 41% of Americans make them and only 9-12% of those who made them actually succeeded.

Speaking of resolutions, writing them increases your chance of actually doing them by about 42%, while only saying them actually dramatically decreases the likelihood that we will.

These statistics seem to point to the idea that mostly our efforts fail.

See, there is only one way that bring you into God’s best for you.

The word translated watch means to ponder, consider carefully, and weigh.

It also carries out the idea of practice.

It’s not just “Pay attention!”

intellectually.

It is an action something we do actively.

Here we are saying, “Try it and see.”

When the Hebrew Bible speaks of path it often is referring to the way of God’s Law.

The most common word used for that is derek.

But here, the writer uses a different word, maʿgāl.

This word is like an entrenchment or a track.

What makes this so interesting is that the root of the word isn’t about a path at all…it is about cows.

Specifically, the calf that was used as a sacrifice.

When you focus on the path of sacrifice, then all your ways will be established.

The word established according to the TDOT is kûn.

that the focus in most texts is not on a state but rather on making or becoming.

What is emphasized is not stability but permanence and utility.

If we try to reduce the various usages to a single common denominator, it would be: “call something into being in such a way that it fulfills its function (in the life of an individual, in society, or in the cosmos) independently and permanently.”

In other words, being established is being functional, useful, holy.

In the words of Skip Moen,

Why do we pay attention to the path?

Because the path leads to the altar and the altar leads to destruction and destruction leads to life and life leads to God’s purposes.

To become who we are is to follow the cow path.

If we want to see good things that God has prepared for us coming together, then we need to learn how to get on the right path.

The path that leads to Jesus.

The path that leads to the cross.

God is for us and wants good for us.

Walking His path leads to purpose and blessings.

Choosing the Path

There are three areas that I believe that God really wants to bring new connections in your life this year.

We are called to God’s purpose.

To be called is to be separated, set apart as holy.

As we follow the path that the Lord has set before us, we will find that God is working all things together for our good.

Connect With God

The most important path to walk is the one that brings us closer to God.

The good news is that God promises that we will find Him if we search for Him with all of our heart (Jeremiah 29:13).

How do you walk this path in 2023?

I propose that you start by being intentional.

Develop a spiritual growth plan that works for you and stick to it.

Consider the things that are simple and foundational like prayer and Bible reading, worship and serving.

The best thing to do is to ask God.

Can tell about Cecil here

Illustration: Heard a testimony of a man who lost 100 lbs through going to the gym but how he started was interesting.

For the first six weeks he went to the gym but wasn’t allowed to stay more than 5 minutes.

He’d go, do half a workout, and leave.

What he was doing was mastering the art of showing up.

The person telling this story said that “a habit must be established before it can be improved.”

Start seeking God.

Show up.

Show up for prayer in the morning.

Show up by reading the Bible, even if it is a few verses.

Show up when there are church services.

Establish the habit of seeking God and then allow Him to help you improve it.

You don’t have to start perfect but you do have to start.

Connect With Others

God has appointed people who have something that you need (and you are that person for others).

Elijah was walking in God’s purpose.

And that meant that he experienced the effects of his own ministry.

There was a famine in the land.

God had miraculously provided but the brook dried up.

So God appointed a woman to take care of Elijah (she didn’t know it though).

When he found her, they both experienced God’s blessing and provision as they came together.

Ask God to show you who that person is or who those people are that He has appointed to help you accomplish your purpose.

Illustration: God spoke to Ananias and sent him to Paul (Acts 9:10-19).

Barnabas opened doors for Paul and introduced him to the church leadership (Acts 9:26-27).

Lydia, a businesswoman, became the point of contact for a new church in Philippi (Acts 16:11-15).

There are people that God has ordained and appointed and commanded to assist you in walking out His purpose for your life (and you for them).

Ask God to lead you and connect you.

Be open to connect with others and listen for the Spirit’s leading and you will discover divine connections waiting.

Connect With Our Destiny

The last place that I believe God is emphasizing relates to our purpose.

God has gifted you and anointed you so that you could accomplish the work He created for you (Ephesians 2:10).

To connect with your destiny and purpose you need to use your gifts for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

When you walk the path that God has set before you and do the things that God has anointed you to do then you will see Him promote and bless you beyond expectation (Psalm 75:6-7).

Illustration: When King David was setting musicians over the temple, he put the trained and skilled ones over the others.

Ex: One key difference between someone who is a professional and amateur is practice.

God wants to connect you to more opportunities as you work towards your purpose.

But to be in position for that you need to practice and use the gifts God has given you.

Your gift will make room for you.