New Beginnings for a New Year

[ ] 12/28/2003 #532 NEW BEGINNINGS FOR A NEW YEAR Proverbs 3:1-12

INTRODUCTION: The New Year is before us. We live in a world of war, hatred, destruction and confusion. We have no idea what this coming year may hold for us. The wise will seek the face of the Lord and live for Him. When we live in His will, we can face our tomorrows without fear.

I. DEVOTION TO THE LORD A. PREPARATION OF THE HEART. 1. Believing heart. (Heb. 11:6; James 1:6-8) 2. Clean heart. (Ps. 66:18; Isa. 59:2; 1 John 1:7) 3. Surrendered heart. (Matt. 6:24; John 13:13-14; Rom. 12:1-2) B. PRIORITY OF THE WORD. 1. Source of faith for salvation. (Rom. 10:17) 2. Spiritual food for new nature. (Matt. 4:4; 1 Pet. 2:2) 3. Solid foundation for our lives. (Matt. 7:24-27; Ps. 1:1-6)

II. DEPENDENCE ON THE LORD A. TRUST IN THE LORD. (v. 5 -7) 1. Reasons for trusting the Lord. a. Faithfulness of the Lord. (Ps. 119:89-90; Phil. 1:6; 2Thess. 3:3) b. Foolishness of man. (Pr. 28:26a; 14:12, 14) 2. Results of trusting the Lord. (v. 6b) a. He will direct our path. (v. 6b) b. We will depart from evil. (v. 7b) 3. Reward for trusting the Lord. a. Prolonged life and peace. (v. 2) b. Favor with God and man. (v. 4) c. Physical health. (v. 8) B. TITHE TO THE LORD. (v. 9 -10) 1. Required by the Lord. a. Teaching of Jesus. (Matthew 23:23) b. Teaching of Paul. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8) 2. Rewarded by the Lord. (v. 10; Matt. 6:31-34; Mal. 3:8-10)

III. DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD A. REASON FOR CHASTISEMENT. 1. Correction of Lord’s children. 2. Partakers of His holiness. (Heb. 12:10) 3. Fruit of righteousness. (Heb. 12:11) B. RESPONSE TO CHASTISEMENT. 1. Despise not the chastening of the Lord. (v.11) 2. Neither be weary of his correction. (v.11)

LESSONS FOR LIFE: 1. Our devotion to God should not be based upon the violence in the world but the fear of facing a holy God. (Matt. 10:28; Heb. 10:31) 2. Sin is a snare to destroy the lives of people. (James 1:14-15) 3. The Lord offers a new birth for the lost and a new beginning for the backslider.