Well we have arrived at our final message for the year 2006 A.D. and wish you all a very prosperous and happy new year. Next week if the LORD tarries, we shall return to our study through the gospel of Mark in the 8th chapter. What is a good approach for ushering in a new year? Should we make resolutions as many do only to find them cast quickly aside? Or Just what is a more assuring manner to achieve spiritual progress in the coming year? Well listen in as Pastor: Fisher presents a message for the new year called: “Pressing On by the Merits of Christ”
Old Testament Scripture Reading: Psalms 143:1 – 12 (KJV)
Psa 143:1 A Psalm of David. Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
Psa 143:2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
Psa 143:3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.
Psa 143:4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
Psa 143:5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
Psa 143:6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.
Psa 143:7 Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
Psa 143:8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
Psa 143:9 Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
Psa 143:10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
Psa 143:11 Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
Psa 143:12 And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.
New Testament Scripture Reading: Philippians 3:2 – 16 (NASB)
Phil 3:2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; Phil 3:3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, Phil 3:4 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: Phil 3:5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; Phil 3:6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. Phil 3:7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Phil 3:8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ, Phil 3:9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, Phil 3:10 that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; Phil 3:11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Phil 3:12 Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Phil 3:13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, Phil 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; Phil 3:16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.
Transforming Power Statements:
#1) Once time has passed we are no longer able to return, but we can plan to make changes and improvements as we grow closer to God through His Son our LORD.
#2) God is always approving of our steps toward progress and He alone is able to supply lasting power to our deepest spiritual needs.
#3) Because of the perfect sacrifice of Christ, we can draw near with full assurance and have been guaranteed access before the throne of grace where
