Text: Luk 13:6-9
Introduction
A. What do we do first thing in the morning? We look into the mirror. Why?
B. Thank God for another year of grace.
C. What kind of a year has 2015 been for you? Where would you place it on a scale of 1 – 10?
D. How about rating yourself in terms of:
Physically – Are you healthy?
Socially – Are you a better person as a husband, child, worker, father, mother, and friend?
Economically – Has God blessed you materially?
Spiritually – Are you growing as a Christian?
Discussion
A. REFLECTIONS As A Person.
“Look at me. You may think you see who I really am. But you’ll never know me. Everday It’s as ifI play a part. Now if I see I wear a mask. I can fool the world. But I cannot fool my heart. Who is that girl I see, staring straight back at me? When will my reflection show who I am inside?” (Refection, Mulan, Disney Animated movie)
What do you see in your mirror?
Think back and check what kind of a person you were during 2015. Were there any regrets?
If you were able to re-live some part of the year, what would you have done differently?
Would you have shown more understanding, be more caring, show more patience, be less critical, and be more supportive and helpful?
Critical Reflection: Am I the kind of Christian that God created me to be? Eph 2:10; 5:8
B. REFLECTIONS On Relationship With God.
Have you grown spiritually? 2 Pet 3:18
REFLECT: How much did your life reflect the fact that you are a child of God? a. Was I living as a child of God? b. Did I reflect the love of God in my heart? 1 John 4:8 c. Did I interact with others with the same love and forgiveness that Jesus has shown towards me? Eph 4:32 d. Am I ACTIVE in the church? 1 Cor 15:58 e. Have I been STUDYING the bible diligently? 2 Tim 2:15 f. Am I a PRAYING Christian? 1 Thess 5:17
C. REFLECTIONS On The Parable Of The Barren Fig Tree.
Why should that tree remain standing?
Why should it keep taking up space, using up the goodness of the soil if it is serving no purpose? What’s the point of having a tree that should bear fruit but does not?
What would you do if you have such a tree in your garden?
Lesson: Jesus isn’t just talking about a fig tree. He’s talking about you and me. What kind of tree have we been in 2015?
Do you need one more year? “Give me one more year. I will change. I promise!” Give me one more year and I promise to do these in the New Year: a. I will read my bible daily. b. I will be more active in the church. c. I will attend mid-week bible class. d. I will attend all church services. e. I will love my brethren.
D. REFLECTIONS on STEWARDSHIP Entrusted to Us: “Give an account of thy stewardship” Luke 16:2
Our Time – Have we redeemed the time? Eph 5:16
Our Talents – For every talent that God has lent to us, God expects us to use them. He will ask for an account of what we did with those talents that He has given us. Matt 25:19
Our Possessions – Have we been using them to the glory of God or to glorify self? Acts 5:111; 4:34-37. “When God blessed you financially, don’t raise your standard of LIVING. Raise your standard of GIVING.”
Our Responsibility – Have we done that which is our duty? Luke 17:10
Our Influence - Have we been a good influence? Matt 5:16
Our Relationship with God – Have we drawn nearer to God? Jas 4:8
Our Relationship with One Another – Am I a loving and forgiving Christian? Eph 4:32
Our Relationship with the World – Are we worldly? Matt 6:24; Titus 2:12; 2 Tim 2:15; 1 Jn 2:15-17
E. REFLECTIONS on a Balance.
How would we weigh in God’s balance? a. A king was found wanting. Dan 5:27 b. Job’s request to be weighed in God’s even balance. Job 31:6 c. The Psalmist requested God to search him. Psa 139:23; 26:2 d. It’s time for a self-check in God’s balance. 2 Cor 13:5 e. Would we be found wanting?
F. REFLECTIONS By Others.
How will we be remembered when we die?
What kind of legacy am I leaving behind?
A good father? A faithful and loving husband? A good worker? A Christian?
How will God rate us? “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matt 25:20)
Leave a good name behind. Pro 22:1
G. REFLECTIONS For Improvement.
“She hath done what she could.” Mar 14:8
Do your best. Eccl 9:10
Conclusion
A. We do not know what tomorrow will hold, but we know who holds tomorrow.
B. What does 2016 hold for me? I don’t know. But I know God has already been there.
C. The best thing to do with the past and its broken dreams is to let it go! Thank God for where He has brought you and what He has done in and through your life. “But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before” (Phil 3:13).
D. Resolve to do this one thing: “but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Josh 24:15