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Putting Our Best Foot Forward Introduction: Welcome to 2012! There is no better way to start a brand new year, as a Christian, than to worship our Creator on the Lord’s Day. We are blessed to have this opportunity on the first day of this New Year. There is a phrase that we going to focus on today, and Lord willing, this year ahead, that is, “Putting our best foot forward”. The origin of this statement goes back to 1613, when it appeared in a poem written by Thomas Overbury. The phrase means to be “set out on a journey, or task, with purpose and intent”. In our time together let’s consider our purpose; our task; and our journey—so that we can continue in them every day this year. Let’s open the scriptures together as we consider these thoughts. Our Purposeful Focus There are different ways of living this life; that is made obvious by observation. There are some people who are just living—floating along down the river of life. Paul, in Ephesians 4:17-19, says that these worldly floaters are: pursuing futility, living in darkness, separated from God because of their ignorance and willful blindness, and simply directed by their own lusts. Peter, in 1 Peter 4:2-4, further describes these ones as: those who pursue the lusts of this world; those who think that a disciplined life is a strange idea; and those who mock the seekers of truth. In contrast to those floaters there are those who have a reason for all the things they do in life. They are those who seek with determination, the will of God (Matthew 6:25-33). These are the achievers—who see a goal and gain it. Which, do you suppose, should describe a Christian? Certainly, the fitting description is of those who live with purpose. There are different ways that the world measures success; we need to understand that spiritual success is the greatest success, regardless of what the world says. As Christians, we live with goal reaching discipline, as Paul did (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). We, like Paul, must be determined to do God’s will, always desiring to succeed. We are pushing forward; not floating along. We have direction—always ahead (Philippians 3:13); we have diligence (Philippians 3:14); and we have drive (Philippians 4:13). Our Task: We have some work to do. We must grow for the Lord as individuals, continually bearing fruit (John 15:1-8) and increasing in knowledge (1 Timothy 4:13-16; 2 Peter 3:18). We must, as a group, grow in love (Philippians 1:8-10) by Encouraging one another (Romans 12:10). We also have the task of seeking others. We must strive to add to our number by offering the hope of truth to all (Mark 16:15-16) and knowing the hope of their reception (Matthew 13:1-23). It is not easy to accomplish our task. We must be motivated continually by our undeniable need to achieve. We must achieve personal growth, so we are prepared to receive our reward (2 Timothy 4:8). We must achieve strength group, so we have help in time of need (Romans 12:13). We must strive to achieve increased number, so more are saved and less are lost (Matthew 25:46). We have help toward our success. We are able to lean on the strength of the Lord (Ephesians 6:10-18). We have encouragement from our family in the Lord (1 Peter 1:22). We also have the confidence of the truth and hope of the gospel (Romans 1:16). Our Journey: Life is a journey. A journey on which we travel for an uncertain time (James 4:14). It is because of this uncertainty that we must take action now! The worst thing that we can do on this journey is float without direction. Time is too precious and forgiveness is too necessary. We must get busy achieving the spiritual goals set out before us (Ephesians 2:10). We are journeying toward our Heavenly home. The place prepared for the faithful (Hebrews 11:16). We acknowledge the reality that the way is difficult but doable (Matthew 7:13-14) and we push ahead knowing that we set on a course that will lead us the best of the best (1 Peter 1:6-9). Conclusion: By making the effort of participating in worship today, the first day of 2012, we have all “put our best foot forward”. We have begun this year’s journey with purpose and intent. There is no better way to start our New Year than to focus on worshipping God, as we have today. As Christians, we have begun with a commitment to continuation. However, if there are those among us who are not yet Christians, what could possibly be better than starting this New Year with the newness of life? Jesus has established a road for us to follow (Matthew 7:13-14). But you must first, enter that road through obedience to the gospel (Acts 2:38-42). If you are ready, will you put your best foot forward in obedience? The time is now. ~tss |