160103 AM Day by Day in 2016

Day by Day in 2016   A.  For what are you aiming in 2016? B.  It’s an important question because:      1.  To be aimless is to have no goal, no purpose, no direction.      2.  As disciples of Jesus, we are called to the very opposite of aimlessness:  a.  “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness…” (Matt 6:33)  b.  “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise…” (Eph 5:15-16)  c.  “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time” (Col 4:5)  d.  “Do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward” (Heb 10:35)  e.  “Let those of us who are mature think this way…” (Phil 3:13-16)   As a means of sharpening our aim at the dawn of this new year, consider 1 Timothy 1:5. · We have been _______________ (Matt 28:18; Acts 2:36). · In order to fulfill the charge, we have to _______. · We are aiming for _________ (Matt 22:34-40). · The love for which we are aiming ____________ from a three-pronged source (Prov 4:23): à A heart that is ________ (James 4:1-8) à A conscience that is ____________ (1 Pet 3:18-22) à A faith that is _______________ (1 Tim 1:18-19a) · Failure to carefully aim leads to _______________ (1 Tim 1:6-7) and shipwreck (1 Tim 1:19b). · As a means of answering our charge, we have a practical plan for personal and congregational growth in 2016 rooted in Acts 2:42-47. Our aim in 2016 is to follow in the footsteps of those earliest Christians—ordinary men and women whose lives were powerfully changed because of their: à Conviction à Devotion à Awe à Fellowship à Efforts to spread the good news