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2009 Year End Lessons Introduction:
In a few days 2009 will come to a close and we will turn the calendar to another
year. It is a time for reflection,
meditation, and contemplation. Let
us look back at some events of 2009 and some lessons we can learn from them. I)
The Ice Storm in January A)
The worse ice storm in decades 1.
Looked pretty but people were out of work, schools closed for a number of days
if not weeks. 2.
Trees were badly damaged, power lines down, people were without electricity,
running water, heat, ability to heat food, take baths, watch TV, etc. 3.
Some people adjusted by purchasing generators, using candles, reading books,
going to bed early, wearing more clothes in the house, etc. B)
Lessons 1.
Be thankful for all of those little blessings, John
6.11 “when He had given thanks” 2.
1 Timothy 6.6-8 with food and
clothing to be content. 3.
Every good and perfect gift comes from God, James
1.17 4.
Patience is a virtue, James 1.2-4 a.
Patience is long suffering, not giving up, and not getting mad or even. b.
Patience is to quietly endure despite all of the obstacles one faces, Luke 21.19 c.
It is through patience we learn to overcome the obstacles we face; anger, malice
toward others, etc. II)
Death of Celebrities in late June A)
Michael Jackson, Billy Mayes, Ed McMahon, Farah Fawcett, Steve NcNair 1.
Each died with a certain amount of fame; some in sports, others in
entertainment, and others in the business world. 2.
Each died having made a good amount of money.
Although some were broke or close to being broke when they died. 3.
Billy Mayes died at the height of his career; Michael Jackson was trying to
recapture some of his former fame. B)
Lessons 1.
Despite the appearance of stability and permanency life is brief, 1 Peter 1.24-25 2.
You can’t take fame and fortune with you, 1
Timothy 6.7 3.
The only permanent thing is our relationship with God when we die, 1 Timothy 6.17-19
a. Person that dies lost will
be lost
b. A person a dies in the right relationship with God will be saved and
have eternal life, 2 Timothy 4.7-8 III)
The Massacre at A)
One lone gun man killed 13 people and wounded 30 others 1.
The gun man was an army psychiatrist. He
was a Muslim and sympathetic with the enemies of the 2.
Those killed were soldiers about to be deployed 3.
They were unarmed and there for a ceremony.
They thought they were in a safe place. B)
Lessons 1.
The unexpected attack is always the worse. How
many times does the Bible tell us to “Beware” or “Take heed”? Take Heed
is used 49 times in the Bible, 21 in the N.T.; while beware is used 30 times in
the Bible, 20 in N.T.
a. Matthew 7.15 “Beware of false prophets who come to you in
sheep’s clothing”
b. Matthew 10.17 “beware of men, for will deliver you to councils”
c. Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees,
Matthew 16.6, 11,12
d. Luke 12.15 “Take heed and beware of covetousness” 2.
Satan will attack us in unexpected ways and times.
3.
Ephesians 6.11 speaks of the wiles
and schemes of the devil. The devil
will not advertize his intentions but will seek to deceive u s. 4.
Over confidence, letting our guard down, thinking we are off limits are tactics
of the devil, 1 Corinthians 10.12-13.
5.
Each warning is there for a purpose. We
can fall from grace, 2 Corinthians 6.1;
Galatians 4.11 all point out that we need to be careful for a reason. Conclusion:
Experience is a hard teacher. It
gives you the test first and then the lesson.
We have all gained experience this past year and need to learn those
lessons for the future test we will face. |