New Beginnings

New Beginnings

It is good to make new beginnings. Let us, with anticipation and zeal, talk about what we can do in the future – with the help of God. Let us look to Him, moving in faith, acting with all confidence that He will bless our efforts as long as we act according to His plan. In Psalm 119:33-40, the psalmist spoke of revival. It is my sincere hope & prayer that each one of us will follow through on what we read in this passage. Note also, Paul’s prayer for the Colossians in 1:9-12. Since we’re talking about new beginnings today – let us take a closer look at these verses and see some things that we must be committed to do.

I. 1:9 – Be _______________ with ______________________.

A. Bible places a premium on knowledge: See Pro. 1:7; 19:2; John 8:32

1. filled with knowledge: to be ___________________; to be completely under the _______________ of.

B. Two key ingredients in obtaining knowledge:

1. _________ - do we really want it? What is the desire of my heart?

2. Real ______________. It will come for those who ______________. See 1 Tim. 4:7b-10

II. 1:10 - _________ in a manner worthy of the Lord.

A. How is my pattern of conduct?

B. What we ______ says much about our ______________! Mt. 7:16, 20

1. Quit talking about what a great Christian you _________ be and _____ ________ being God’s kind of Christian!

III. 1:10 – Lead ____________ lives.

A. John 15:8 – we must bear _________.

B. It is revealed in our _____________________. Gal. 5:22-23

C. It is seen in our ___________________. 2 Pet. 1:8

D. It is shown through _____________ the lost. Rom. 1:13-17

IV. 1:10 – Increase in ____________________.

A. Spiritual growth needs to go on ____________________.

B. Let us work toward a more perfect ________________. 1 John 2:3-5

C. Let our spiritual growth be characterized by an __________ faith – 2 Thess. 1:3

1. The more one who comes to _________ God, the greater ones faith _____ God.

V. 1:11 – Grow in ___________________.

A. Do I have firmness of will? Character, mind, and purpose?

B. Am I willing to exhibit __________ ____________?

C. Will I stay the course during tough times?

VI. 1:11 – Steadfastness & _______________________.

A. Not everything will be easy. Righteous people do __________. Problems come.

B. Through our ___________________ of God, we can have patience to see things through.

VII. 1:12-14 – Never ______________ what God has done for us!

A. 2 Pet .1:3 – God has promised to provide all _________ __________ for our spiritual needs.

1. This should fill us with profound ___________. See Col. 1:11c-14

2. We’ve been ______________ from the domain of darkness.

B. We’ve been ______________ to the kingdom of His beloved Son.

C. How blessed we are & how happy we should be!

Conclusion:

Today we’ve talked about some “new beginnings.” Do you need to make a new start? You can be pardoned from your sins; Jesus can redeem you. Do you know Jesus? Does Jesus know you? See Psa. 103:12; Micah 7:19; 1 Jhn. 2:1-5



New Beginnings It is good to make new beginnings. Let us, with anticipation and zeal, talk about what we can do in the future – with the help of God. Let us look to Him, moving in faith, acting with all confidence that He will bless our efforts as long as we act according to His plan. In Psalm 119:33-40, the psalmist spoke of revival. It is my sincere hope & prayer that each one of us will follow through on what we read in this passage. Note also, Paul’s prayer for the Colossians in 1:9-12. Since we’re talking about new beginnings today – let us take a closer look at these verses and see some things that we must be committed to do. I. 1:9 – Be _______________ with ______________________. A. Bible places a premium on knowledge: See Pro. 1:7; 19:2; John 8:32 1. filled with knowledge: to be ___________________; to be completely under the _______________ of. B. Two key ingredients in obtaining knowledge: 1. _________ - do we really want it? What is the desire of my heart? 2. Real ______________. It will come for those who ______________. See 1 Tim. 4:7b-10 II. 1:10 - _________ in a manner worthy of the Lord. A. How is my pattern of conduct? B. What we ______ says much about our ______________! Mt. 7:16, 20 1. Quit talking about what a great Christian you _________ be and _____ ________ being God’s kind of Christian! III. 1:10 – Lead ____________ lives. A. John 15:8 – we must bear _________. B. It is revealed in our _____________________. Gal. 5:22-23 C. It is seen in our ___________________. 2 Pet. 1:8 D. It is shown through _____________ the lost. Rom. 1:13-17 IV. 1:10 – Increase in ____________________. A. Spiritual growth needs to go on ____________________. B. Let us work toward a more perfect ________________. 1 John 2:3-5 C. Let our spiritual growth be characterized by an __________ faith – 2 Thess. 1:3 1. The more one who comes to _________ God, the greater ones faith _____ God. V. 1:11 – Grow in ___________________. A. Do I have firmness of will? Character, mind, and purpose? B. Am I willing to exhibit __________ ____________? C. Will I stay the course during tough times? VI. 1:11 – Steadfastness & _______________________. A. Not everything will be easy. Righteous people do __________. Problems come. B. Through our ___________________ of God, we can have patience to see things through. VII. 1:12-14 – Never ______________ what God has done for us! A. 2 Pet .1:3 – God has promised to provide all _________ __________ for our spiritual needs. 1. This should fill us with profound ___________. See Col. 1:11c-14 2. We’ve been ______________ from the domain of darkness. B. We’ve been ______________ to the kingdom of His beloved Son. C. How blessed we are & how happy we should be! Conclusion: Today we’ve talked about some “new beginnings.” Do you need to make a new start? You can be pardoned from your sins; Jesus can redeem you. Do you know Jesus? Does Jesus know you? See Psa. 103:12; Micah 7:19; 1 Jhn. 2:1-5