## Resolutions Worth Keeping

## Revelation 3:1

Like many other Christian festivals, the celebration of New Year's Day in the West started before the church came into existence. The Romans celebrated the start of the New Year on March 1, not January 1. Julius Caesar instituted New Year's Day on January 1 to honor Janus, the two-faced god who looks backward into the old year and forward into the new. The custom of "New Year's resolutions" began in this early period, as the Romans made resolutions with a moral flavor, mostly to be good to others. Today, many have taken New Year's Eve and New Year's Day as God-given opportunities to reflect, pray, and dedicate ourselves anew to our Lord. What resolutions will we make this year? Many resolutions will be forgotten about before the end of this month. I would like to suggest a few important resolutions that are worth keeping!

Revelation 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

This message is from the Lord Jesus Christ. The recipient of the message was a local church in the first century; the church of Sardis.

Note what Jesus said about this church. He described it as a "dead" church. That means that churches can die. Now sometimes a church ceases to exist (Victory Baptist Church of Portland, Oregon), but all too often they die inwardly, even while it appears to still be alive.

I. Don't Give Up Even in the Face of Persecution

A. Satan seeks to destroy through persecution.

(1 Pet 5:8-9) "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: {9} Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."

1. History records how our enemy has brought persecution against the believers down through the ages.

2. We should not be surprised that he continues to do so today.

(1 Pet 4:12) "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:"

3. This past year has been a very difficult year for me personally, and for our church.

4. There is no doubt that the enemy has had us in his sights, and has fired at us with both barrels!

B. How should we respond?

1. Some are silenced by it.

(John 12:42-43) "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: {43} For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God."

2. Others rejoice in it.

(Acts 5:41-42) "And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. {42} And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ."

C. How we react will determine our future as a church.

1. A church that is silenced by persecution will soon die.

2. A church that rejoices in persecution will not go unnoticed by the Lord.

(Mat 5:11-12) "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. {12} Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."

3. The Lord took note of the church in Pergamos and Philadelphia.

(Rev 2:13) "I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth."

(Rev 3:8) "I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name."

II. Don't Give Way to False Teaching

A. Satan has used this tactic to threaten many churches...

1. The church at Ephesus was threatened by it, but they overcame.

(Rev 2:2) "I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:"

2. Peter warned of the danger of error.

(2 Pet 2:1-2) "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. {2} And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of."

B. We must guard against false doctrine.

1. By continueing in sound doctrine

(2 Timothy 3:13-14) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

2. Sound doctrine involves preaching the Word, which includes both negative ("rebuke") and positive ("exhort") elements.

(2 Tim 4:1-2) "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; {2} Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."

3. We must not support those who teach contrary to the doctrine of Christ

(2 John 1:9-10) "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. {10} If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:"

III. Don't Give In to Indifference

A. This is the most effective weapon Satan uses.

1. It jeopardized the standing of the church at Ephesus, who had left their "first love" cf Re 2:4

2. It is what characterized the church at Laodicea, making it repulsive to Christ. Cf Re 3:15-17

3. We do not have to oppose the church to kill it, just be indifferent!

(Prov 18:9) "He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster."

(Mat 12:30) "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad."

B. Symptoms of indifference...

1. Irregular attendance of services

2. Lack of participation in the services

3. Consistently arriving late to services

4. Lack of participation in outreach and ministry.

5. Lack of faithfulness in areas of stewardship.

6. Failure to pray consistently and be involved in personal Bible study.

C. Fervent service is the only antidote to indifference.

1. We must replace our indifference with involvement.

(Gal 6:9) "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

2. It's never too late to change.

3. Nothing could be more true.

(Heb 10:24-25) "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: {25} Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

4. Let's be honest with God today.

a. Some are Church Pretenders: people who have never been saved. Come.

b. Some are Church Attenders: people who come to the services, but that is it. No commitment, no service. Come.

c. Some are Church Members: people who are actively serving God and advancing the cause of Christ in our community and around the world. Come and recommit yourself to the Lord and this church!