Soul Change Youth Ministry

01/01/2017

"RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR"
Preacher : Pst. Oluwafunmisho Akinduyite

INTRODUCTION

1. As a New Year begins, I am reminded of the fact that we are one year
closer to...
a. The day of our death, or the day the Lord returns
b. That day when we shall stand before the Lord in judgment
- 2Co 5:10
c. That day when He will either say...
1) "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared
for you from the foundation of the world" - Mt 25:34
2) "Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire
prepared for the devil and his angels" - Mt 25:41

2. Since we are one year closer to that day when our final destiny will
be forever determined, let me use this opportunity...
a. To provoke your thinking as to how you have used this past year
b. To suggest some resolutions for the coming year

[My goal is to encourage us to make better use of the time we have
left, and to prepare us for the day of reckoning that awaits us. Let's
begin, then, by asking...]

I. IN THE PAST YEAR

A. HAS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND CHRIST IMPROVED?
1. Have we drawn nearer to God? - cf. Jm 4:8
2. Bearing in mind that a close relationship depends upon good
communication...
a. Have we been faithful in listening to God through His Word?
1) Another year has gone by; did we read through the Bible
this year?
2) If not, and especially if we never have, can we honestly
say that we are taking our relationship with God
seriously?
b. Have we been steadfast in talking to God through prayer?
1) Any effective communication requires a two-way street
2) Therefore fervent Bible study should be joined with
fervent prayer
3) Has our degree of prayerfulness increased or decreased
this year?

B. HAS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH BRETHREN IMPROVED?
1. Has our love for one another increased this year? - cf. 1 Th
4:9-10
2. Are we any closer to one another than we were a year ago?
a. E.g., have we been in the homes of brethren?
b. E.g., have any of them been in our homes?
3. Do we even know who our brethren are?
a. Each year brings new members into the family of God
b. Have we made the effort to know them? Even by name?

C. HAS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THOSE IN THE WORLD IMPROVED?
1. As people of God, we have an important responsibility toward
those in the world - cf. Mt 5:13-16
a. To be a positive influence ("You are the salt of the
earth")
b. To demonstrate a better way ("You are the light of the
world")
2. Have we made progress this year in developing meaningful
relationships with people in the world?
a. So the light of Christ can be seen in our lives
b. So the gospel of Christ can be communicated to them
3. Or are we like most "neighbors" in this day and age...
a. Living next to each other, but not really knowing each
other?
b. Having forgotten the lost art of "Southern hospitality"?

[The questions I am raising can be summarized in this way: "Another
year has gone by; have we made good use of the time the Lord has given
us, or have we wasted it?"

It is likely that all of us in some degree have not made good use of
the past year. But at this point, let's apply the words of Paul:

"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one
thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching
forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal
for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
(Php 3:13-14)

With this attitude of pressing forward, let me suggest the following
resolutions...]

II. FOR THE YEAR AHEAD

A. RESOLVE TO DRAW NEARER TO GOD AND CHRIST...
1. By having a daily reading program of God's living and abiding
Word - He 4:12
a. Read the Old Testament this year - cf. Ro 15:4; 1Co 10:11;
2Ti 3:14-17
b. Read the New Testament also - Jm 1:21; 1Pe 2:2
2. By being diligent in prayer - He 4:14-16
a. Let's be a thankful people - cf. Col 4:2; 1Th 5:17-18
b. Perhaps Daniel's custom of praying three times daily would
be worthy of emulation - Dan 6:10

B. RESOLVE TO BECOME CLOSER TO THE BRETHREN...
1. By making it a point to learn every one's name - cf. 3Jn 14
a. Get a directory
b. Each week, connect a couple of names and faces until you
learn them all
2. By having a different person or family in your home each month
- cf. 1Pe 4:9
a. It doesn't have to be a fancy dinner
b. Just a simple visit to become better acquainted
3. Or by visiting a different person or family each month
a. It might not always be convenient to have people in your
home
b. But you can arrange to visit them in their home (if you are
alone, take someone with you)

C. RESOLVE TO GET TO KNOW NON-CHRISTIANS BETTER...
1. By having one new neighbor or co-worker in your home each
month - cf. Ga 6:10
2. Or by visiting one new neighbor or co-worker each month
a. It doesn't have to be a fancy meal or formal visit
b. It is amazing how far simple hospitality and neighborly
kindness can go...
1) To build meaningful relationships
2) In which opportunities can be created to share the
gospel

CONCLUSION

1. These resolutions may sound simplistic; but if implemented, they go
a long way...
a. To producing the kind of lifestyle that is becoming of Christians
b. To increasing closer relationships with God, our brethren, and
the lost
1) That will bless our lives
2) And be a blessing to the church and our community
c. To create a clearer conscience next year at this time

2. Time is a precious commodity, given to us by God...
a. That is truly like a v***r - cf. Jm 4:13-15
b. That needs to be carefully redeemed - cf. Ep 5:15-16
-- I hope that these suggestions for resolutions for a new year will
help you in making better use of it!

3. Finally, let me share with you the following poem...

"A New Year, A New Beginning"

The old year ends, a new begins
With pages clean and new;
And what is written on each page
will now depend on you.

You can't relive the year that's past,
Erasing every wrong;
For once a year - or day - is spent,
It is forever gone.

But don't give up in dark despair
If you have failed some test;
Seek God's forgiveness and resolve
Henceforth to do your best.

Resolve each precious day to do
Things good and kind and pure;
Though days and years may pass away,
These things shall still endure.

You know not where your path may lead
Nor what's beyond the hill;
But know that God walks at your side,
If you will do His will.

All things are possible with God,
Though days be bright or dim;
So do your best and know that you
Can leave the rest to Him.
- Author Unknown

If you are not a Christian, or you are a child of God who has strayed
from the Lord, you need to make the best use of the time you have now...

"We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not
to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: `In an
acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation
I have helped you.' Behold, now is the accepted time; behold,
now is the day of salvation."
(2Co 6:1-2)

31/12/2016

Sermon for the End of the Year
Preacher : Pst. Oluwafunmisho Akinduyite
Text: Luke 13:6-9

Jesus told them this parable: "There was once a man who had a fig tree growing in his vineyard. He went looking for figs on it but found none. So he said to his gardener, "Look, for three years I have been coming here looking for figs on this fig tree, and I haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it go on using up the soil?' But the gardener answered, "Leave it alone, sir, just one more year; I will dig around it and put in some fertilizer. Then if the tree bears figs next year, so much the better; if not, then you can have it cut down.' "

Another year of grace

Another year has almost gone and we are on the brink of another! What kind of a year has 2016 been for you? Where would you place it on a scale of 1 – 10?

Maybe you would give 2016 an 8 or 9 out of 10 – in other words, it was a really good year.
It was a good year because you had
success in your business,
a good year at work or at school,
good family relationships,
new friendships?
2016 was a year that included a lot of exciting things, new challenges, tasks completed, a great holiday.
Or maybe you rate this past year 8 out of ten compared to the previous year which was a horrible year

Or maybe you would give 2016 a 5. It was just another year, pretty much the same as any other year? Nothing very exciting happened, in fact, it was kind of dull and dreary. Just getting up, going to work, coming home, going to bed and then doing the same thing the next day and the next and the next.

Maybe 2016 deserves only 2 out of 10. That’s because it was a really dreadful year. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. The year included tragedy, sickness, loss of friends, marriage problems, the kids were just impossible, even a death in your family. How would you rate this year?

Think back and check what kind of a person you were during 2016. Are there some regrets? If you were able to have some part of the year over again, how would you have behaved differently? Would you have shown more understanding, cared more, been more patient, less critical, been more supportive and helpful? As I reflect on the year that has past there are certainly things that I wish I would have done differently.

How about your relationship with God? Did that flourish and grow during 2016 or did it just hover in much the same place as it did the previous year or perhaps even went backwards as you prayed less, heard less from God through his Word, worshipped less. Maybe God didn’t have a big part to play in your life during this past year; somehow he just slipped into the background. You could well ask the question: how much did my life reflect the fact that I am God's child –
did I speak as a child of God;
did I act with the love of God in my heart;
did I interact with others with the same love and forgiveness that Jesus has shown toward me?

As we stand on the threshold of another year, Jesus tells us a parable. It’s brief but the point is clear.

"Listen," Jesus says. "A man has a fig tree and plants it in his vineyard. (Apparently it was common for fruit trees to be planted among the vines). Three years later he’s making his way up and down his vineyard, he is looking forward to the taste of a ripe fig but he sees that the fig tree still doesn’t have any fruit. He calls to his gardener, ‘Hey! Get over here. Why is this tree still here? It’s taking up soil and moisture and space. Cut it down, right now.’

Jesus got it right.
Why should that tree remain standing?
Why should it keep taking up space, using up the goodness of the soil if it’s serving no purpose?
What’s the point of having a tree that should bear fruit but does nothing?
Maybe you’ve had a tree in your garden that was a big disappointment and you have laid into it with an axe and dug it out roots and all.

Jesus’ words, "Cut it down, right now, and stick a match to it" cuts deeply. The owner has a right to be disappointed and angry at that useless tree. It’s no wonder he wants it destroyed. But as we listen to Jesus story we know Jesus isn’t just talking about a fig tree. He’s talking about you and me. We are led to ask ourselves, "Am I bearing fruit? I keeping sucking up the nutrients of the soil in which I’ve been planted and when am I going to show some kind of fruit to match the years I’ve been standing in God's garden and all the opportunities I’ve been given?"

Jesus takes a breath and continues. "Leave it alone for one more year", the gardener pleads, "I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year fine! If not, then cut it down."

And with that, Jesus ends his story of the fig tree leaving his listeners to ponder the generosity, the patience, the grace of the gardener. They are struck by the words of the gardener when he says "Leave it alone". The word used by Jesus here also means "forgive". They know now that Jesus wasn’t simply telling a story about a fig tree but he was talking about God and the way he forgives us even though we don’t deserve such generosity and kindness.

You see, God has given us some wonderful soil for growth. In Colossians chapter 2 we are told, "You have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord. Now keep on following him. Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful" (verses 6 & 7). As God's people we build our lives on Jesus. Our very existence, our day-to-day living, our every breathing moment has its source in him. We occupy valuable space in the garden. The soil is rich and our roots are there and the owner of the garden is looking for fruit. God wants to see in us the kind of fruit that he would expect to see from someone who has been made new and holy through the blood of Jesus; from someone who has been given a new life by the living Jesus.

As 2016 draws to a close he sees all too well what has happened in the past - how our relationships haven’t always been what they could have been.
He has seen the arguments,
the inability to be generous when it comes to forgiveness and reconciliation,
the lack of gratitude to your parents,
the disrespect for your children,
the disconnection between you and the church and what God offers through his church.

He’s seen it all as it has unfolded during 2016 much to our embarrassment. And he’s forgiven it all. And we’ve drawn on that forgiveness. We’ve heard his words every Sunday as he says to us, ‘Your sins are forgiven!’
We’ve been assured of that each time we’ve come to the Lord’s Supper.
We’ve drawn on those riches, and still there’s someone we haven’t forgiven.
Still there is that relationship that remains fractured,
still no words are spoken between you and the person with whom you have fallen out,
still the anger wells up whenever you think of that person or hear his/her name.

What magnificent love God shows us! He really must think we’re something special. What love that he takes me and adopts me and calls me his child. That love of God is so precious to us especially when we have cried out in despair and pain and need the reassurance that everything will be all right!
But how many times has someone cried out for some love and we’ve been so busy enjoying that love ourselves that we haven’t heard the cry?

It’s true that there have times when we’ve really felt down, really alone, we’ve spent restless nights in our beds and the morning has brought no relief. And someone has helped us! A telephone call, a letter, a word, an arm around our shoulders and we’ve been uplifted! Perhaps a sermon, a devotion, a hymn or song has reassured us and given us hope!
But how deaf we’ve been to the loneliness and confusion and despair all around us?

"Give the tree one more year", the gardener in the vineyard said. The owner wanted to chop it down but the gardener isn’t going to give up. He’s going to dig around it, turn over the soil, add some fertiliser, show it some more TLC and give it another chance! Isn’t that just typical of the Spirit of God? The soil may be brown and hard-baked, but he’s going to send rain. There’s going to be a change. The gardener is determined and he’s going to see to it!

Listen to what Jesus tell us in John chapter 15:5,
"Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me". The key is to be connected to Jesus. He is the one who can enable us to be what we ought to be. We need him to help our branches bear fruit. Without him, we will rate each year that passes below 5 on the 1 to 10 scale!

Everyday we are inclined to want to break the relationship that God has with us and to turn our back on the way he wants us to be as his children. We are like the fig tree that fails to produce good fruit. Thank God for the patience and grace of the gardener.

Jesus gives himself for us. He becomes the manure, the fertiliser for us as he is rejected, laughed at, crucified as a criminal. On the cross, nails, thorn-spikes and spear dig into him. He waters the ground with his own blood. He does everything. We do nothing. We simply trust in his grace. In Christ, we are made beautiful, fruitful gardens.

He digs around so that the love of God pours out of us and begins to work in us and we become lovely people, through Jesus! With his kind of fertiliser we begin to accept others as he was able to accept others … and us.

The parable about the fig tree makes it quite clear that we have been unfruitful, unfaithful, yet in spite of our lack of fidelity, God is faithful.
Be sure of this: Jesus waits for us, spade in hand, wheelbarrow by his side, ready to bring us into 2017. That’s a promise. Armed with that promise, we can step forward into the New Year ready to let him do the work in us that only he can do. Thanks him for his goodness in giving you, giving us, one more year of grace!

© Pastor Oluwafunmisho Akinduyite

21/12/2016

Word Conference 2016 # Finding the me that's locked inside #

01/12/2016

12/10/2016

For we live by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7

11/10/2016

Bible is a door to lightness...

10/10/2016

Titus 3:5 says, “God saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of His mercy.” His mercy is not based on our performance. If it were only dependent on us living a perfect life, none of us would be here. That’s the beauty of mercy.

04/10/2016

Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22

03/10/2016

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

03/10/2016

The teenage years can be difficult and lonely as most teens struggle to fit in and take on new responsibilities. Media and peers both constantly bombard youth with the message that they are never good enough and will never measure up. No wonder most teens end up hopeless and lonely!

19/09/2016

According to the Word of God in Luke 8:44, She came up behind him and touched the fringe of His garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. I decree and declare with the Authority of God Almighty in to the life of someone that is reading these prophetic declaration, every sickness, failure, lack, curse, un-fruitfulness, poverty, shame, refusal, denial, untimely death, and any unwanted issues in your life at the mention of JESUS name shall cease. Whatsoever that is not giving glorify to the name of God in your life will vanish and flee today. I speak into your creation, every satanic chain and bo***ge will break immediately, the demonic mountain before you shall turn plain in Jesus name. You shall be identified and be picked for greatness, uplift, promotion, employment, approval and any kind of miracle your heart desire in this week and beyond. And you will testify to the Lord's goodness, So shall it be for you and your household in Jesus name. Have a fruitful week. Bro. Oluwafunmish Akinduyite T. Sam