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38th Street Church of Christ 3904 38th Street NW Canton, Ohio 44718 330-492-5523 Fax: 330-493-7119 |
“Closing Out The Year” |
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I. Introduction.
A. I would suppose we’re all thinking this, so I might as well
say it (no doubt, you’ve heard it already): “Where has this
year gone?”1. How brief a time, really, is one year. How quickly
twelve months are used up – day-by-day, week-by-
week.2. But, how psychologically mentally refreshing it is
to bid old year good-bye and start anew.3. How important it is for us, not to dwell too long on
past successes or failures, but to use them as lessons
for the present and future.B. As students, we come to know well routine of taking “final
exams” when we reach end of period of schooling. (Not
sure who dislikes “finals” more, students or teachers;
students take one test – teachers must grade all tests.)1. Experience teaches us it is not good, nor profitable,
to go to test unprepared. Whether we studied over
many days, or “crammed” on night before test, we
had to go back and review what we’d learned over
course of a semester or other academic unit.2. As this year passes into next year, might be good to
“review” our past twelve months and, as if on test,
answer some specific questions about what has and
hasn’t happened, what we’ve done or left undone.
It’s another type of self-examination, a “final look”
as we close out 2008 and prepare to begin again.C. If God gave us a “final exam” at the conclusion of each
year, what kinds of questions would He ask and require
an answer?1. One possible outline for such an imaginary test
could be Psalm 26. Look at sections of this Psalm
of David as if we were being questioned by God.2. In looking back over 2008, how would we answer
these questions?D. This Psalm begins with statement on judgment, and
examination – (READ vs. 1-2).1. As this year draws to a close, can we say: “God, I
am ready for my test?” Do we feel prepared to be
examined on our use of these past twelve months?2. For example, how have we used our time?
(Ephesians 5:15-16: “See then that you walk
circumspectly not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming
the time, because the days are evil.”)a. In 2008, did I “make the most” of the time
allotted to me? How did I use, or misuse,
my time?b. The “days” of which Paul wrote were,
indeed, “evil”. In just a few more years,
Rome would suffer its “great fire” and Nero
would slaughter Christians to divert
suspicion from himself as to its origin.
Jerusalem would fall to the Roman armies
of Vespasian and Titus. So many would
suffer persecution and death.c. But, today, how much time remains for you;
for me? The days are still “evil”. How shall
we live now, so as to have eternal life with
God?d. Have I secured my own salvation? Then
have I led others to obey God?
(Romans 13:11-12: “. . . knowing the time,
that now it is high time to awake out of
sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than
when we first believed. The night is far
spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore
cast off the works of darkness, and let us
put on the armor of light.”e. Each passing day brings us closer to our
last day and closer to the final judgment
of our lives and our use of this great gift
of time.3. Not only must we account for how we used time,
but also for how we’ve gained, and spent,
material possessions. How have we used what God
has given us, materially, this year?a. We cannot forget that what God says, and
requires, is what’s important; not what
“everyone else” is doing.b. Whether it’s time, money, talents, and
abilities – we are called to be good stewards
of what we’ve been given. Have we been
in 2008?4. How is our spiritual life, as compared with this time
last year? Have we grown? Are we stronger
spiritually – or weaker?a. The Psalmist said: “. . . I have also trusted
in the Lord; I shall not slip (v. 1). So, God
asks us question: Did you progress
spiritually this year, or did you “slip back?”b. Our continued faithfulness is our choice, but
it depends upon our continued “[trust] in the
Lord.”c. Jude: verse 21: “Keep yourselves in the
love of God.” That places responsibility
upon us. If we choose to fulfill this
responsibility, then God: “is able to keep
(you) from stumbling and to present you
faultless before the presence of his glory
with exceeding joy.” (v. 24).d. Growing spiritually stronger means
[walking] [i.e. living] in His truth”
(Psalm 26:3).II. Additional Questions.
A. As we look back over 2008, what about our daily
practice of Christianity?1. Did we worship God regularly and participate in
worship, or were we just an occasional spectator
at church assemblies?2. Did we encourage others, especially when they
were having personal or family difficulties, or
did we do and say nothing to try to help them?3. Did we give to the Lord’s church as we really
should, and could, and to benefit others with
physical needs?4. Did others see Christ in us – in our speech and our
actions and did we exhibit the “fruit of the Spirit”:
love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness,
faith, and self-control (Galatians 5:12-23)?5. If God were to ask for an account of these things
for this year, how would we respond? What does
the evidence show?B. Another question: “Who were your close companions and
friends? How did they affect your life and life-style?1. RE-READ Psalm 26:4-5; 9.
2. It is a critical matter when people get into wrong
circle of friends; too often, it is the first step toward
getting away from the Lord and the church.3. As example, take case of Amnon in II Sam. 13:
(v. 3: “But Amnon had a friend, whose name was
Jonadab, . . .: now Jonadab was a very crafty
man.”).a. Jonadab encouraged Amnon to sin – to
fulfill his desire for his sister, Tamar.b. Amnon would have been better off with
no friend than friend like Jonadab.C. Then Psalm 26:6: (RE-READ; God could ask us: “Did
you treat others right this past year?”1. Did we even make apologies, if that’s what was
necessary to make a situation right?2. Willingness to forgive – and to ask forgiveness
when we are wrong – are essential for faithful
Christians. Jesus, in “Model Prayer” said:
Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
(Matthew 6:12). We expect God to forgive us –
have we practiced forgiveness during this year?3. (Quote:) “An apology is a lump in the throat
caused by having to eat your own words. Humble
pie is the only pastry that’s never tasty.”4. Such good relations with other people are necessary
for us to be able to worship God “in spirit and in
truth.” As Psalmist said: “. . . so will I go about
your altar, O Lord.”D. (RE-READ v. 12) Finally, take a last look at this year:
“Are you strongly rooted in faith and prepared to meet God
as you are?”1. Certainly, appearances can be deceptive. Did you
ever look at something that appeared to be strong,
only to find out it wasn’t because of what was under
that deceptive surface?2. Just a few “outward” signs of spiritual strength are
not what’s necessary to be prepared to meet God in
judgment. (READ Matthew 7:22-23).3. Psalm 40:2: “. . . set my feet upon a rock, . . .”
4. As 2008 closes, is my faith built upon such a
solid foundation, or is it only solid-looking, but
lacking real substance?III. Conclusion.
A. However we might answer these questions, the days of
this year are just about used up. They are gone, lost in
time, never to be repeated. Such a look back has merit
and value only if it causes us to hold onto what is good,
let go of what is bad, and improve for the future.B. As we turn the calendar over from 2008 to 2009, we
should appeal to God, as David did: (READ v. 11).1. If we haven’t been faithful, let’s be so in 2009.
2. If we haven’t given as we should, let’s do so in
2009.3. If we haven’t been forgiving, let’s be so in 2009.
4. If we haven’t grown spiritually, let’s do so in 2009.
5. If we’re not prepared to meet God in judgment, let’s
get ready now.C. In just a few days we celebrate the coming of a new year.
The old is put aside and the new, always filled with hope
and promise, taken up.1. But, what if, in just a few days, it was your life
that was ending – and not just another year? Does
your “. . . foot stand in an even place: . . .?”2. What better time to begin to build a life and future
upon solid rock and not deceptively shifting sand?3. Set spiritual goals for the new year – and secure
your salvation with a merciful God.