sermon notes – January 1, 2017
Optimistic
Ephesians 5:15-17
Christ wants all of us to be optimistic—in fact, the Bible says so! Whether we go through life seeing the glass as
half full or half empty radically changes everything- from our walk with God, to our relationships with others.
How full is your glass? As we enter 2017, pastor Michael discusses how to avoid being the ultimate oxymoron−
a Christian pessimist. An optimist doesn't live in denial, pretending bad is good. Being optimistic means a life
lived by faith in God's promises!
Difficult Times
Paul says that the 'days are evil". We need to hear what God is saying to us because we absolutely live in
difficult times. Our world has real issues - economic, political, social, racial, medical, religious, and many more.
In our day, it seems that imminent catastrophe could come from any direction. We also realize that God has
every reason to judge our nation. Within our culture, there is a pervasive sense of anxiety, as though everyone
feels they are on thin ice. Since 9/11, we realize that maybe we've had it too easy, and bad guys are just on the
horizon. We worry that things will only get worse. People have lost faith in their government. People have lost
faith in the church. People have lost faith in God. What should Christians say about all this?
Walking Wise
How should we live in times like these? Our text offers us three answers, each one filled with clear direction for
the days to come. We face a strange situation in the world today, a seeming contradiction. Things are getting
worse. And yet there are great opportunities for the children of God. Should we be optimists or pessimists?
Should we be somewhere in between? Let’s see how God’s Word helps us answer those questions.
1. Watch Your Step
To “be careful” means literally to walk accurately or precisely. The King James uses the old word
“circumspectly.” Sometimes we are guilty of living too fast. We make too many snap judgments, too many hasty
decisions, we speak too fast, we move too fast, we react too fast, we answer before we hear the question, we
just keep on pressing the throttle of life forward because we’ve got too much on our plate and we dare not slow
down. It’s even possible in the name of God to go too fast. We want to right the wrongs of the world too fast.
We try to win the world too fast. Because we speak too quickly, our words are hasty and ill-timed. We go before
we’re ready, speak before we have anything to say, teach before we’re taught, and build high before we build
deep. We are reacting, not relying. What happens when you hurry, hurry, hurry? You don’t watch where you’re
going and you trip and fall. Most often we trip not in headlong pursuit of evil but in our headlong pursuit of
good. (Psalm 46:10). When we slow down enough to get God involved, we discover that he can do more through
us than we can ever accomplish on our own.
2. Redeem the Time
Making the MOST (redeem) - is a salvation word, but originally it comes from the marketplace and means to
“buy back” or to “purchase” something. You “redeem” something when you buy it for your own use. The other
Greek word refers not to the strict passage of time but to the moment of opportunity that requires action.
The things that make it difficult for us for live as Christians are the things that make us shine. Hard times are
blessings in disguise. Days of moral compromise offer incredible opportunities for the gospel. When the world
around us seems to be going haywire, we have an incredible opportunity to display the life-changing power of
Jesus Christ. The darker the night, the brighter the light shines.
3. Understand and Do God’s Will
God says you are here for a purpose. God says you can do all things through Him. God says you are created for
good works. And that mean right here and right now! SAY IT: - “I just want to do God’s will.”
Optimistic?
Christians are both pessimists and optimists, but we are much more optimistic because though we see what is
happening in the world around us, we know that Jesus Christ conquered the grave. And because he lives, we too
will live. When we see evil advancing in the world, keep in mind what Jesus said. “Let not your heart be
troubled.” (John 14:1 KJV).
Eight Verses
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“The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation” (Exodus 15:2)
“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)
“Those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 Kings 6:16)
“The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1 KJV)
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1)
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
“Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4 KJV)
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20)
Carpe Deum. Seize the day for God! (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Group/Family Discussion
ICEBREAKER
Tell about the best thing that happened to you in 2016.
1. Read the eight verses above, and tell everyone which one is most meaningful to you and why.
2. Talk about your 2017 plan to: (What will you do, and how will you do it?)
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DEVOTE DAILY (Bible Reading & Prayer)
PURSUE RELATIONALLY (Deepening Friendships with other believers - LifeGroups)
COUNSEL BIBLICALLY (Memorizing & Studying God’s Word)
LIVE AUTHENTICALLY (Confessing Sin and Praying for One Another – Growth Groups)
ENCOURAGE FAITHFULLY (Daily speaking encouraging and biblical words to others – Bless 10)
ENGAGE MISSIONALLY (Involved in spreading the gospel and discipling others – volunteer in children,
youth, or adult ministry leadership)