Proverbs 3:1

My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commandments. For length of days and long life and peace, they will add to you.

Father, standing here today on the very first day of the new year, I think it's safe to assume that virtually all of us would love to have length of days, long life, and peace added to us. And so, God, I pray that you would help us to take heed to your word, to observe what your word says. Not only to know it intellectually, but to make it a part of our lives, to apply it.

Lord, teach us how to apply your word, to make it a part of who we are daily, the way that we interact with people, the way that we respond to people. Jesus, you said that your word sanctifies us; it's truth. Lord, we are washed by the washing of the water of your word. Our minds, lives, and hearts are transformed as they are renewed by your word.

I pray that not just today, but this whole year, we dedicate this year, 2017, to you on this first day of 2017. May it be a year in which we grow in our understanding and our application of who you are and what you've revealed to us, of what you've called us to do. So, God, speak to us today. We ask this in Jesus' name, and all those that agree said, Amen. You can be seated.

For some people, the transition into a new year is not that big of a deal. They don't think much of it; it's just another date that moves from 2016 to 2017, another month that moves from December to January. For a segment of people, it's not that significant. However, we know from research that nearly two-thirds of Americans count this as an important transition. Over 60%, specifically 62% of Americans, take time at the end of each year and at the beginning of the next to reflect on their lives.

As we enter a new year, many of us resolve to make some changes, to be different, and to do something new. With those statistics in mind, six out of ten of us in this room this morning have been thinking about 2016 and looking forward to 2017, perhaps desiring to make some alterations.

A couple of days before the new year, a woman walked into the bathroom to see her husband standing on the scale. He kept sucking in his stomach, and she finally shook her head and said to him, "You do realize that that's not going to help." He replied, "Sure it will. I can't see the numbers if I don't do that."

According to research, 62% of Americans are making resolutions, and many people at the top of the list for 2017 include getting healthy and losing weight. In fact, these are consistently the number one and number two resolutions each year. I was reflecting on this last week, considering everything from Thanksgiving and even backtracking a bit to October, November, and December. I think I probably do need to eat a little healthier. However, I also thought that I should eat all the junk food first so that I'm not tempted by anything in the house. So, I guess I’ll just have to get through all that by the end of the day.

There are several common resolutions that people are making this year, just as they do every year. Number one is to get healthy and stay fit. Number two is to lose weight. Number three is to enjoy life to the fullest. Number four is to spend less and save more. Number five is to spend more time with family and friends. Number six is to get organized. I particularly like number seven: I resolve to not make any resolutions. Number eight is to learn something new or start a new hobby. Number nine is to travel more, and number ten is to read more.

While 62% of Americans are making resolutions, only 8% of those who make New Year's resolutions actually follow through on them. So, the odds are not always in our favor. I hope that every single one of us who is making any resolutions will be among the 8%. That is what we want to work towards this year.

There are changes and things that you are seeking to do in the new year. As I was thinking about New Year's resolutions and resolving to make a change, to do something different in the new year, I started to reflect on the wisdom of Solomon. I came to Proverbs chapter three and was reading through this passage. In this passage, I believe there are ten resolutions of the wise man, Solomon.

The book of Proverbs is called the Wisdom of Solomon. Solomon is considered by some to be the wisest man who ever lived. He was the king of Israel some 3,000 years ago. He wrote Ecclesiastes, he wrote these Proverbs, he wrote the Song of Solomon, and he wrote a number of the Psalms. There are many other Proverbs and wisdom sayings that he wrote, which we do not have, but they are spoken of in the Book of the Kings. The Book of Chronicles also speaks about the immense wisdom of this man, Solomon.

When you read through Proverbs, and I highly recommend that you do, read through Proverbs chapters one to thirty-one. It is interesting that there are 31 chapters in Proverbs and typically 31 days in a month. You could read through this wisdom literature 12 times in a year if you committed yourself to it. It wouldn't take you very long, and I think that would aid in our growth of wisdom. In fact, probably one of the greatest things you could do to change your life in 2017 is to spend time reading God's Word. We will talk a little bit more about that as we go through this morning.

To help you do that, one of the things I started in 2016, which we are continuing in 2017, is called the Listening Plan. If you go to the listeningplan.com—just spell it out, no spaces—you can subscribe to a daily email that will come to you every single weekday starting tomorrow. It will walk you through the New Testament. It just so happens there are almost identically as many weekdays in a year as there are chapters in the New Testament. You can go through the New Testament by reading or listening to a chapter a day through the Listening Plan.

I think this is a good place to start with the Scriptures. God's Word is able to make us wise, transform our minds, and sanctify and cleanse us. Therefore, probably one of the best things you can do in 2017 is to commit to reading through the Scriptures on a regular daily basis. I believe the Listening Plan could help with that. At this point, we have 900 subscribers who are subscribed to this, and it is growing at about a hundred new subscribers.

Every single month, it's really neat to see that happening. As I was looking through Proverbs chapter three and going through each of the Proverbs in this chapter, I noticed that there are about ten resolutions from the wise man Solomon. These are the wise guy's resolutions.

Notice what he says at the beginning. We just read this verse a moment ago: Proverbs chapter three, verse one. "My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commandments." The New Living Translation says, "If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying." I don't think there's anybody in this room, or even outside of this room, who does not want to live many years and have a satisfying life. In fact, many people are looking for and seeking satisfaction in this life—a long life and satisfaction.

We know, and there have been songwriters who have told us, that you don't always find it. "I can't get no satisfaction," right? People are seeking it, desiring it, and yet they're missing out on it. Solomon says here, "Listen, my child, my son, take heed to the words that I'm going to command you, and the result will be that you'll live many years and your life will be satisfying."

If we take note of Solomon's instructions, I believe there are some really helpful resolutions—things that, if we resolve to do, will have a significant impact on our lives, not just in 2017, but going on into the years to come.

Look with me, if you will, at Proverbs chapter three, verse three, and we'll see our first resolution that the wise man Solomon gives to us: "Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and men."

It's interesting; we live in a culture today, in the 21st century, especially in 2017, where the generation that's coming up right now has never lived without smartphones and social media. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat—you can get on the list of all these different social media platforms. Sociologists, those who study these things, tell us that this generation's entire esteem, their entire value, and the dignity they place...

In their own lives, people often base their self-worth almost entirely on what others think of them, particularly through social media. It's phenomenal how they will post pictures and share various thoughts, with their mood rising and falling based on how many likes or comments they receive. They seek their value and esteem from the opinions of others.

However, I am here to tell you that this does not bring any true value or esteem. The greatest value comes from God. Solomon advises that if you want to experience the favor and esteem of both God and, secondarily, man, you should follow certain principles. The English Standard Version states, "Let not steadfast love and faithfulness leave you."

The first principle is to be merciful and faithful. If you desire the esteem and honor of God, and, secondarily, the people of this world, you must embody these qualities. The word translated as merciful, "let not mercy and truth forsake you," comes from the Hebrew word "chesed," which signifies the steadfast love of God. This attribute is core to God's nature.

If we were to compile a list of all of God's attributes, it would be extensive, far beyond what any of us could fully articulate. Among these attributes, I believe that steadfast love is very near the top, if not at the very top. In fact, when God introduces Himself to Moses in Exodus 34:6, the first thing He declares is, "The Lord, the Lord, God merciful."

Solomon, in his wisdom, advises those who heed his words—his children and followers—to be merciful and faithful. Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." It is interesting to note that every one of us desires mercy for ourselves, yet, in our fallen human nature, we often seek justice for others. We see this tendency clearly when someone breaks the law in our presence, particularly while driving.

We see situations and think, "Gosh, I wish there was a police officer here right now." I experienced this just last night. I was with Pastor Mark, his wife, and my wife, and we were getting off the freeway when a car went right through a red light. A cop had just stopped another person, and we thought, "Man, I wish you would have gotten the guy that went through the red light." Where's the cop? We want justice for other people.

But when it comes to us, every single one of us has run a red light or two, or maybe gone a little faster than we should on the 15. You know the experience when you catch a glance in your rearview mirror and think you saw something black and white? Your heart skips a beat. Am I alone in this? No. And what do you instantly say? "Ooh, ooh, Lord, please." We want mercy for ourselves.

Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." The second resolution is found in verses five and six of Proverbs 3: "Trust in the Lord with all," circle that word "all," "of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path."

Trust in the Lord with all of your heart. Over the years, I've talked with brothers and sisters in the church, and on more than a few occasions, I've had people tell me, "Oh, you know, I have a really hard time memorizing Scripture. I don't have the best memory." Yet, there are probably a number of you here who know this verse. You may have read it on a card that someone sent you as encouragement, or you've seen it on a bookmark, or maybe you've come upon it in the Scriptures.

It's one of those famous verses that people encourage you to memorize. What I have found is that even for those who have a hard time memorizing the Bible, it's easier to memorize this verse than to apply it. This is one of those hard verses: "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart. Don't lean on your own understanding."

I don't know if you're anything like me, but when I come to a problem or some sort of issue that I have to deal with, I'm one of those highly analytical people who wants to look at it from 900 different positions and angles, trying to deconstruct it and figure it out. I want to understand it and fix it. Yet, there are many times when I come to obstacles and difficulties that are just not fixable.

In my strength or my ability, it is hard for me to let go and relinquish my understanding in those situations. Yet here, Solomon says, "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart. Don't lean on, don't rely on your own understanding. In every step you take, in all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your steps through whatever problem you are facing, whatever difficulty you are going through."

So, resolution number two: trust God completely. Don't depend upon or rely solely on your own understanding, but entrust your cares to the Lord. The Scriptures say, "Commit your cares to the Lord, for He cares for you." That's good news. It is reassuring to know that as we stand at the beginning of a new year, every one of us will go through things this year that produce anxiety. A number of people in our church right now are experiencing very distressing situations that cause extreme anxiety, worry, and stress.

Jesus taught, "Who by worrying can add one cubit to their stature?" Or, in another way of saying it, "Who by worrying can add one day to their life?" You really can't fix anything by worry. The Scriptures say, "Do not fret; it only causes harm." I am sure that every single one of us has experienced at some point the harm of fretting and worrying.

Worry is meditating on your problems. People sometimes want to know, "What exactly is meditation?" Well, if you don't know how to meditate, you actually do, because every time you worry, that's what you are doing. You are constantly going over and over in your mind what your problem is and how you can fix it, how you can make it right. Yet Solomon, in his wisdom—wisdom given to him by God—says, "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart. Don't lean on your own understanding. In every step you take, in all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path."

Listen, we believe in a living God, a God who knows and is intimately involved in the things of our lives. The Scripture says He knows the number of the hairs on your head. Now, for some of you, you've made it easy for God, but He knows the number of the hairs on your head. Something so insignificant and strange that the Scriptures would mention it. If He knows that, He certainly knows the things you are facing, and He has the ability and power to help you.

Direct your steps. Isaiah, the prophet, wrote 2,800 years ago, "God, you will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed upon you because he trusts in you." God will keep you, maintain you, and hold you in a place of perfect peace. The words for perfect peace in the original language are "Shalom, Shalom." Shalom is the greeting oftentimes of the Jews, both then and now; it means "peace be to you." Peace. Shalom. He says, "You will keep him in Shalom, Shalom, Shalom," which signifies peace multiplied. This is for the person whose mind is set and stayed on you because he trusts in you.

In the following verse, Isaiah 26:4, the application of that truth is made clear: "Trust in the Lord forever, for in Him is everlasting strength." I want to know the perfect peace of God, and the way to do that is to set and fix your heart and your mind upon the Lord, to trust in Him, and to put your confidence in Him.

Solomon continues in verses 7 and 8, saying, "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones." Resolution number three is to be humble. Resolve in 2017 to be humble. We live in a culture that says you need to be assertive, to stand your ground, and to have strong self-esteem or pride. Yet, while people assume that this is the way to succeed in this world, in the kingdom of God, which is eternal, the message is clear: do not be wise in your own eyes; be humble.

The New Living Translation states, "Don't be impressed with your own wisdom; fear the Lord and turn away from evil." Jesus taught this in Luke 14. He said, "When someone invites you to a meal, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, go up higher,' and then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." The exhortation is given repeatedly in the Scriptures: humble yourself before God.

He is the one who will lift you up and exalt you. Follow the pattern of Jesus. We're told in Philippians chapter 2, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. But he made himself of no reputation, taking upon himself the form of a servant. He humbled himself." Therefore, God has highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that he is Lord to the glory of the Father. He humbled himself, and Paul says, "Let that mind be the mind that you hold on to, that you live after."

God's economy is different from the economy that we live in. So resolve in 2017 to be humble. Look at verses nine and ten. He says, "Honor the Lord with your possessions, with the first fruits of all your increase, so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine." Resolution number four is to be giving. Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the best part of everything that you have. This is hard sometimes for us because the Scriptures make it very clear that our hearts are connected to our treasure. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Jesus spoke on this quite a bit in the Gospels, addressing the issues of wealth and money. In the wisdom of Solomon, God-given wisdom states, "Listen, give your first fruits to the Lord. He will take care of the things that you need." Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, "Don't worry about what you're going to wear, what you're going to eat, or where you are going to sleep." Remember, all those things unbelievers seek, but you have a Father in heaven who knows the things that you have need of. Trust Him. Seek first His kingdom, and all these things will be added to you, which is exactly what Solomon is saying here. Be one who gives of the first fruits to the Lord, and He will cause you to have the abundance that you need.

He takes care of our needs. I have seen this in other people's lives, and I have experienced this in my own life. For all of my adult life, every single time any sort of income comes in, the very top of it, the first fruits, the first bit of it, is given to the Lord. My wife and I have always given at least 10% of everything that comes in to the Lord. There have been times when things have seemed tight, and we have thought, "I don't know..."

If we're going to have what we need in this situation, every time without fail, and sometimes miraculously, God has taken care of the things that we have need of. I am not promulgating or preaching some sort of prosperity gospel that simply says that God exists in heaven to give you all the things that you want. That's not what I'm saying.

But Jesus did say in Luke's Gospel, chapter six, verse 38, "Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put to your account, your bosom; for with the same measure you use, it will be measured back to you."

Here's something I've seen and taught: God gives to an open hand. Someone who is willing to give to others and share with others will receive from God because He finds them faithful in the things that He has given to them. If you say, "I don't know if I can do this; I don't have what I need to be able to accomplish this," listen, we want to help you to be able to do that.

That's why, in just a couple of weeks on the 14th, we are going to be having a Faith and Finances class. It's just one day for three hours on a Saturday morning, the 14th of January. If you want to understand the theology of treasure and what the Bible has to say about these things, as well as some practical counsel—both from the Scriptures and just practical, good understanding on these matters—I will be teaching this class. You can register for free online at the church's website, lifeinconnection.com. Come on out; I think it will be of great value to you.

Why? Because the wisdom of God through Solomon is to honor the Lord with your possessions, with the first fruits of your increase, so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine. Resolve to be giving in 2017.

He goes on in verse 11 of Proverbs, chapter three: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; for whom the Lord loves, He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights."

Resolution number five is to be teachable. This year, not only are we going to have a Faith and Finances class, but we will also have a class on marriage, a class on parenting, and a number of other discipleship classes coming in 2017. These are great areas for us to be teachable, but that's not the only place where we need to be teachable. Notice He speaks here as a father to His children. God, if you are a follower of Jesus, is your Father, and He disciplines His children.

Now, how many of you remember being disciplined as a child? Oh boy, I do. There are a couple of different ways you can respond to discipline. You can harden your heart, stand against it, or turn away from the discipline and try to rebel against it. If you do this, it will have no value and produce no fruit in your life.

Alternatively, you can turn into that discipline and recognize that whom the Lord loves, He chastens. If you're disciplined by the Lord, it reveals to us that you are His child. The author of the book of Hebrews quotes this verse verbatim in Hebrews chapter 12, stating that the person who is exercised by this correction from God yields the peaceable fruits of righteousness in their life. It produces righteousness in their life.

So, endeavor and resolve this year to be teachable. Turn into the correction of the Lord, not away from it. Allow God to instruct you. This idea of discipline is connected to the idea of discipleship, and God wants to grow us into maturity. He does not want us to remain like little infantile two-year-old Christians.

Let me tell you, there are many in the church—not just this church, but the church as a whole—who are probably infantile Christians, and we need to grow. Many times, this growth requires turning into the chastening of the Lord, accepting it, and saying, "God, disciple me, raise me up." Resolve this year to be teachable.

Solomon continues in verses 13 through 24, which is quite a big section. In fact, much of the book of Proverbs, the 31 chapters, deals with what he discusses here when he says, "Happy is the man who finds wisdom." More than any other book in the Bible, the book of Proverbs speaks of wisdom. This word is used almost 50 times throughout the 31 chapters. Almost every single chapter of this book deals with wisdom.

The opening words of Proverbs call us to seek wisdom, and here again, he returns to this theme. He states that blessed, or happy, is the one—the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding. Almost always in Proverbs, wisdom is personified as a her, and she is to be pursued.

Verse 14 states that her wisdom's proceeds are better than the profits of silver and the gain of gold. How many people do you know that are seeking and purposing in their lives to pursue riches? Most of the people we interact with on a regular basis are focused on acquiring wealth. He says wisdom is better than silver and fine gold.

In verse 15, it is written that she is more precious than rubies, and all the things that men desire cannot compare to her. Think of all the things that our hearts desire in this world. Our hearts are like little desire factories; they constantly produce desires. I want that. As you get older, you learn to restrain those desires and keep them quiet. When you're a little kid, you see this constant expression of wanting: "I want, I want, I want." It just comes right out of them, and we often think, "Gosh, they're so immature." But we are the same; it's just that we mask it better. The desire is always there, desire after desire. He says everything that man could desire pales in comparison to wisdom.

Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left are riches and honor. A long life, prestige, and wealth are truly found in wisdom. Her ways are the ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happier are all who retain her. The Lord, by wisdom, founded the earth. By understanding, He established the heavens. By His knowledge, the depths were broken up, and clouds dropped down dew.

My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion, for they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck. Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet. I don't know about you, but I like sweet sleep. I have four young kids, so I really appreciate sweet sleep.

Therefore, resolve number six: to be a seeker of wisdom. To be a seeker of wisdom is to be a seeker of God, for He is the source of wisdom. It comes from Him. So, be a seeker of wisdom in 2017.

As I said earlier, if you want to begin to fulfill this resolution, I encourage you to read a proverb a day. Read Proverbs chapter one on January 1st, chapter two on January 2nd, and go through to see if the words of God's wisdom through Solomon do not change the way you see the world and how you interact with your spouse, your children, your coworkers, and your friends.

In verse 25 of Proverbs chapter three, it says, "Do not be afraid of sudden terror." Isn't that what we've been afraid of for 16 years now, since 9/11? Americans and Westerners have been afraid of sudden terror. It was all over the news in the last couple of days as people were getting ready to celebrate New Year's Eve. There were worries about the big events happening, and from Sydney all the way through, people were watching to see if there would be any terror attacks. There happened to be one last night in Istanbul, and people are afraid of sudden terror.

Yet, here it says, "Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked." When it comes, it will come. Notice that it says, "when it comes," but it also says, "don't be afraid." How can we not be afraid when it comes? It says, "For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught."

Resolution number seven is to be confident in the Lord. This goes back to number two: trust God completely. Find your confidence in the Lord. The Scriptures say, "Some trust in horses, some trust in chariots, but we will trust in the name of our Lord." The psalmist wrote this 3,000 years ago, and it is still true today. Though they may have trusted in horses and chariots back then, today people trust in things like nuclear weapons, the strength of their government, their 401(k), their intelligence, their career, and their looks, which are fleeting. They trust in all kinds of different things, and every single one of those things will leave you when hard times come.

They will not support you when difficulty comes into your life. But the Lord is our strength. He is our ever-present help in time of trouble. He's our sure foundation, our fortress, our rock, our refuge. Be confident in the Lord. The only way you can truly be confident in the Lord is to spend time getting to know Him and to see that He is worthy of your confidence and your trust. How will you ever trust in Him if you don't truly know Him? There is no better way to get to know Him than through the way He has revealed Himself in the Scriptures, through His Word. So, resolve in 2017 to be confident in the Lord.

He continues in verse 27: "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in the power of your hand to do so. Do not say to your neighbor, 'Go and come back, and tomorrow I will give it to you,' when you have it with you now." Resolution number eight is to be generous and good. Don't withhold good from those to whom it is due. Don't hold back when you have the ability to give to someone. Be generous and good.

He goes on in verse 29: "Do not devise evil, plan evil against your neighbor, for he dwells by you for safety's sake. Do not strive with a man without cause if he has done you no harm." Resolution number nine is to be a good neighbor. We talked about this in our series leading up to Christmas about three or four weeks ago. We discussed the concept of being a good neighbor. A lawyer came to Jesus and asked Him what the greatest command in the law was. He said to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself.

This lawyer, seeking to justify himself, asked Jesus, "Well, who is my neighbor?" He was trying to find a loophole to avoid being neighborly to someone. Jesus taught through what we call the parable of the Good Samaritan, revealing who the neighbor was. The neighbor was the one who showed mercy, the one who showed goodness and kindness. So here, Solomon says to resolve to be one who is a good neighbor.

Finally, in Proverbs chapter three, verses 31 through 35, he says, "Do not envy the oppressor."

Choose none of his ways. For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord, but His secret counsel, God's secret counsel, is with the upright. The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the just. Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble. The wise shall inherit glory, but shame shall be the legacy of fools.

Resolution number ten: be just. He blesses the home of the just. The word "just" could also be translated as "righteous." Be righteous in the way that you deal with people. Act rightly. The prophet Micah said, "He has shown you, O man, what is good and what the Lord requires of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk in humility before God."

To do justly, to love mercy—many times we want to swap those and say to love justice. That is where our nature goes. Yet He says, "I want you to do what is right, to be merciful to other people, and to walk in humility."

I suggest to you that if you take some time in 2017 to apply yourself, to resolve to do some of these things—yes, getting fit, getting healthy, losing weight, getting on a budget, spending more time with family, reading more—those things have value. All those things could be good. But Solomon said, "My son, do not forget my law. Let your heart keep my commandments. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying."

I suggest that these wise man's resolutions might be at least one answer, one step in moving that direction. So may God help us in this new year to be merciful and faithful, to trust God completely, even when we're going through things that try our minds and our hearts. Let us be humble, giving, teachable, seekers of wisdom, and confident in the Lord.

Be generous and good, to be a good neighbor and to be just. Amen.

Now, with the time we have remaining today, we want to do what we do every New Year, starting off the new year. That is to partake of communion together, to partake of the bread, which symbolizes the body of Jesus that was broken for us, and to take of the cup that symbolizes His blood that was shed for us.

We're going to be studying, in just a couple of months, through the book of Hebrews. As we go through the book of Hebrews, we're going to see that the old system of sacrifice, which was a part of the Old Testament, the first covenant, was never enough. It was insufficient to deal with the problem of our sin. But Jesus came and established a new covenant 2,000 years ago, and His death on the cross is enough to deal with all sin of all people at all times. So when we partake of the bread and the cup, we're remembering that He has paid it all. It's done. It is finished.

I’m going to invite our worship leaders to come back up. They’re going to lead us as our ushers distribute the bread and the cup. Make sure you just grab the bread, grab the cup, hold on to it, and we’ll partake together in just a few minutes.

So let's pray. Father, I pray that You would help us to be able to apply and do the things that we see in Your Word, not just here in Proverbs chapter three, but in other places. May we make these things a part of our lives every single day. God, by Your Word, transform us. Sanctify us. Cleanse us. Make us more like You, Jesus. Help us to be those who are bearing the fruit of the Spirit. God, pour out Your Spirit upon Your church and begin to produce in our lives love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, self-control, and patience. Let all these things be a witness of Your glory and grace, and work in us.

Now, as we dedicate this new year to You, as we remember that the very reason we have received forgiveness and grace is because of Your body and Your blood—Your body broken, Your blood shed for us—help us to keep that in our hearts and minds, not just now as we prepare to partake of communion, but as we go from this place.

Do a work in your church and through your church, we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

Our Father everlasting, the all-creating One, God Almighty. Through Your Holy Spirit conceiving Christ the Son, Jesus our Savior. I

I believe you rose again. I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord. I believe in you. I believe in God our Father, I believe in Christ the Son. I believe in the Holy Spirit; our God is three in one. I believe in the resurrection, that we will rise again. For I believe in the name of Jesus.

The Lord Jesus, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had broken it, He gave thanks. Giving it to His disciples, He said, "This is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me." Let's partake together.

In the same manner, after they had eaten, He took the cup and said, "This is the cup of the new covenant in my blood. This do as often as you drink it in remembrance of me." Let's partake together.

Lord, we know that as often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we do so proclaiming your death until you come, knowing that you are not still dead, but you are alive. You rose from the dead and you are seated at the right hand of glory. And Lord, we trust that you will one day come again.

We look forward to that day. We know that the very fact that you have yet to come back means that there is still work for us to do in 2017. This work is for every single person that you have brought to this place today. By your grace, you have gifted every one of us. By your grace, you have called every one of us. We are not worthy of that calling. And yet, Jesus, you, by your wonderful love, goodness, and grace, have given to each of us gifts and callings. We are your workmanship, created for good works that you prepared for us for this year—good things that you have for your church in 2017.

I pray, God, that we would fulfill every one of those good works as we seek and follow you. It is certain that your people, a part of this church this year, will go through difficult things and experience anxiety-producing situations. There will be highs and lows, joys and sorrows. But in every single one of those things, God, we pray that you would reign over our lives and that we would see your hand even when we are going through trials and difficulties. Help us to be strengthened by you.

Lord, we look to you by your Spirit. We are not sufficient of ourselves to think anything is being of ourselves, but you have given us the strength and sufficiency that we need. So, God, would you build up your church here at Cross Connection this year, and would you use us to be lights in a dark world? May people see our good works and glorify you, our Father in heaven.

We thank you for the salvation that you have given to us and the grace that you have extended to us. I pray, God, that you would use us, your church, to extend that grace to other people. We pray all this in Jesus' name. And all those that agree say, Amen.