Sermon Tone Analysis

INTRO: Beginning a new year is one of those things in life that almost mandatorily to reflect on the past, and to look forward to the future.

A new year means...

We are closer to the day of our death or the day the Lord comes back, whichever comes first.

We are closer to the time when we must stand before Him and give an account of our lives; the day when He will say one of two things:

The day when He will say one of two things

Or...

Matthew

Imagine you are a minister of the Gospel, and there was a built-in day, or time, of the year when it was a guarantee, almost, that people would be considering their life past, present, and future.

As a New Year begins, I am reminded of the fact that we are one year closer to... a.

The day of our death, or the day the Lord returns b.

That day when we shall stand before the Lord in judgment - .

That day when He will either say... 1) "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" - 2) "Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels" - 2. Since we are one year closer to that day when our final destiny will be forever determined, let me use this opportunity... a.

To provoke your thinking as to how you have used this past year b.

To suggest some resolutions for the coming year [My goal is to encourage us to make better use of the time we have left, and to prepare us for the day of reckoning that awaits us.

Let's begin, then, by asking...] I. IN THE PAST YEAR A. HAS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND CHRIST IMPROVED? 1. Have we drawn nearer to God? - cf. 2. Bearing in mind that a close relationship depends upon good communication... a. Have we been faithful in listening to God through His Word? 1) Another year has gone by; did we read through the Bible this year?

2) If not, and especially if we never have, can we honestly say that we are taking our relationship with God seriously?

b.

Have we been steadfast in talking to God through prayer? 1) Any effective communication requires a two-way street 2) Therefore fervent Bible study should be joined with fervent prayer 3) Has our degree of prayerfulness increased or decreased this year?

B. HAS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH BRETHREN IMPROVED? 1. Has our love for one another increased this year?

- cf. 2. Are we any closer to one another than we were a year ago?

a. E.g., have we been in the homes of brethren?

b.

E.g., have any of them been in our homes?

3. Do we even know who our brethren are? a.

Each year brings new members into the family of God b.

Have we made the effort to know them?

Even by name?

C. HAS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THOSE IN THE WORLD IMPROVED? 1.

As people of God, we have an important responsibility toward those in the world - cf. .

To be a positive influence ("You are the salt of the earth") b.

To demonstrate a better way ("You are the light of the world") 2. Have we made progress this year in developing meaningful relationships with people in the world?

a.

So the light of Christ can be seen in our lives b.

So the gospel of Christ can be communicated to them 3. Or are we like most "neighbors" in this day and age... a. Living next to each other, but not really knowing each other?

b.

Having forgotten the lost art of "Southern hospitality"?