Make The New YearBETTER

Than the Old

Ps. 90:12

By Ron Halbrook

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• Introduction1. “So teach us to number our days,

that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Ps. 90:12)

2. Moses reflected on his faith in God, the meaning of life, & the passing of time

3. We profit by marking time Gen. 1:14; Ex. 20:8-11; Acts 20:7; Eph. 5:15-16

Make The New YearBETTER

Than the Old

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• Introduction4. Let us reflect with Moses in Psalm 90:

Vv. 1-6 God eternal, man temporalVv. 7-11 God’s anger against sinVv. 12-17 Prayer for God’s favor

Make The New YearBETTER

Than the Old

Vv. 1-6 God eternal, man temporal

1 Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. 3 Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men. 4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. 5 Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up. 6 In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth.

Vv. 7-11 God’s anger against sin 7 For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled. 8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. 9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. 10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.

Vv. 12-17 Prayer for God’s favor 12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. 13 Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants. 14 O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. 15 Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. 16 Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. 17 And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

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• Introduction5. Make the New Year better:

Seek cleansing of sinDetermine to learn & grow Study God’s Word more diligentlyDraw nearer to God in prayerStrive for a godly home

Make The New YearBETTER

Than the Old

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I. Seek Cleansing from Sin A. Urgently Seek God’s Forgiveness

Without Excuses or DelayPs. 51:1-4 Accept responsibility for sin, plead for pardon

Make The New YearBETTER

Than the Old

Ps. 51:1-4 Accept responsibility for sin, plead for pardon

1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

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I. Seek Cleansing from Sin B. Start with the New Birth

Jn. 3:3-5 A new beginning: change of heart & relationship to God

Make The New YearBETTER

Than the Old

Jn. 3:3-5 A new beginning: change of heart & relationship to God

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

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I. Seek Cleansing from Sin B. Start with the New Birth

From kingdom of Satan to kingdom of God, from guilt to innocence, from despair to hope!The land of beginning again!

Make The New YearBETTER

Than the Old

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I. Seek Cleansing from Sin C. Keep a tender conscience to correct

& resist sinPs. 19:12-13 Seek cleansing, do not persist

Make The New YearBETTER

Than the Old

Ps. 19:12-13 Seek cleansing, do not persist

12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. 13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

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I. Seek Cleansing from Sin C. Keep a tender conscience to correct

& resist sinActs 8:21-24 Simon sought cleansing

Make The New YearBETTER

Than the Old

Acts 8:21-24 Simon sought cleansing 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. 24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

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I. Seek Cleansing from Sin D. Jesus Invites the Weary Sinner

Matt. 11:28-30 Come unto me

Make The New YearBETTER

Than the Old

Matt. 11:28-30 Come unto me

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

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II. Determine to Learn & Grow A. Disciples of Christ Are Learners

Matt. 28:19-20 We have much to learn

Make The New YearBETTER

Than the Old

Matt. 28:19-20 We have much to learn 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

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II. Determine to Learn & Grow B. Bear the Beautiful Fruit of the Spirit

Gal. 5:22-23 The Holy Spirit teaches us

Make The New YearBETTER

Than the Old

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

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II. Determine to Learn & Grow C. Press to Grow in the Christian Graces

2 Pet. 1:5-11 Growth: gateway to heaven

Make The New YearBETTER

Than the Old

2 Pet. 1:5-11 Growth: gateway to heaven 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

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III. Study God’s Word More Diligently A. Bible Study Essential to Learn & Grow

1 Pet. 2:1-3 As an infant craves milk

Make The New YearBETTER

Than the Old

1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

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III. Study God’s Word More Diligently B. Eagerly Searching for Truth

Acts 11:17 Noble, sincere spirit

Make The New YearBETTER

Than the Old

11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

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III. Study God’s Word More Diligently C. Inexhaustible Treasure Mine

Ps. 19:7-11 Warnings, rewards

Make The New YearBETTER

Than the Old

Ps. 19:7-11 Warnings, rewards

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

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IV. Draw Nearer to God in Prayer A. Jesus Teaches Us How to Pray

Matt. 6:9-13 A model prayer

Make The New YearBETTER

Than the Old

Matt. 6:9-13 A model prayer 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

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IV. Draw Nearer to God in Prayer B. Psalms Teach Us to Pray in All Situations

Ps. 42:1-3, 7-8, 11 Offer prayer & praise day & night

Make The New YearBETTER

Than the Old

Ps. 42:1-3, 7-8, 11 Offer prayer & praise day & night 1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? 3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?

7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. 8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

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V. Strive for a Godly Home A. Husbands & Wives Unite in Love,

Cooperate Eph. 5:23-25 Unselfish mutual love

Make The New YearBETTER

Than the Old

Eph. 5:23-25 Unselfish mutual love

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

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V. Strive for a Godly Home B. Fathers Are Spiritual Leaders

Eph. 6:4 Godly living is leadership, sin destroys it

Make The New YearBETTER

Than the Old

4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

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V. Strive for a Godly Home B. Fathers Are Spiritual Leaders

Eph. 6:4; Acts 2:42; 20:7; Heb. 10:25 Spiritual leadership includes private & public worship

Make The New YearBETTER

Than the Old

4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

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V. Strive for a Godly Home C. Emulate Men of Faith

Gen. 18:19 Abraham’s character

Make The New YearBETTER

Than the Old

19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

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• Invitation1. “So teach us to number our days,

that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Ps. 90:12)

2. Moses reflected on his faith in God, the meaning of life, & the passing of time

3. We profit by marking time Gen. 1:14; Ex. 20:8-11; Acts 20:7; Eph. 5:15-16

Make The New YearBETTER

Than the Old

40

• Invitation4. Make the New Year better:

Seek cleansing of sinDetermine to learn & grow Study God’s Word more diligentlyDraw nearer to God in prayerStrive for a godly home

Make The New YearBETTER

Than the Old