RESOLVED: To Be a Student of God's Word

I started a new sermon series at Sixth Street yesterday called "Resolved: Commitments that Count".  In this 4 week series we will be looking at 4 key resolutions that if we undertake them will have dramatic effects on our lives, families, and church in 2011.  I talked about how most of us have become disillusioned with making New Year's resolutions because we confuse resolutions with goals.  A goal is a preferred outcome.  However, if we don't make it, no big deal because it was a goal.  Resolutions require resolve.  "Resolve" is defined as "to come to a definite or earnest decision about; a determination to do something."  Resolve requires determination.  Determined to not be content any longer and determined to do whatever it takes to make necessary changes.  For instance, I may have a goal to lose weight and eat better.  However, when my doctor tells me that if I don't exercise and lose weight that I may have a heart-attack and leave my wife a widow and my kids fatherless, now I have determination.

With that in mind, as Christians we usually make a new year's goal to "read the Bible more."  However, the weakness of that statement is what usually leads to our failure. If you only read the Bible 10-12 times last year outside of attending a worship service or small group, then if you read it 20-25 times this year you would technically accomplish the goal, but still fall far short of your intention.  Instead, we should me a "resolution" to become a student of God's word.  That statement carries with it greater weight, accountability, and action.  When I phrase it in that manner, then I must make some hard changes in my life and time management to accomplish it.

We looked at Hebrews 4:12 and the Prosperous, Powerful, Piercing, Probing, and Productive word of God.  We saw that God uses Scripture to transform our desires, attitudes, thoughts, values, and priorities.  Here is the resolution I have adopted and gave our church as a challenge yesterday:

WHEREAS, the natural course of our personal human nature is to trust in our own wisdom in all matters of life; and
WHEREAS, the wisdom of the world is foolishness in the sight of the living God; and
WHEREAS, the life of the believer is to be one of deep devotion to God and personal transformation by the renewing of one's mind; and
WHEREAS, the Bible is the authoritative, life-giving, inspired, inerrant word of the living God; and
WHEREAS, the mind of the believer is transformed through devotion to and interaction with Scripture; be it now
RESOLVED, that as a follower of Jesus Christ that I will become a student of God's word; and
RESOLVED, that I will no longer be content with a shallow relationship with holy Scripture; and
RESOLVED, that I will intentionally and purposefully manage my time to create opportunities to regularly read and study; and
RESOLVED, that whenever I find something in my life that is incompatible with God's word that I am to change and not it.

I also gave some suggestions for Bible reading plans for 2011.  Here are some of them:
The ESV Bible Plan
The One Year Bible Chronological Plan - read the events of the Bible in the timeline as they happened.
Discipleship Journal plans - The 5x5x5 plan and the regular through the Bible plan.
Youversion.com

Helping In Haiti?

I have been asked by a couple of members of Sixth Street if we are going to do anything to help with relief in Haiti. I had thought of doing something this past Sunday, but didn't have enough time to decide and announce it. I have heard of some churches that have given 10% of their Sunday offerings or taken special offerings to help with relief efforts. I certainly want us at Sixth Street to do something tangible.

In times like this, the Red Cross gets most of the attention. They are by far the largest and most mobilized organization to respond to disasters. Did you know, however, that Southern Baptists are the third-largest disaster relief response organization? Baptists have an awesome system to not only provide food, clothing, and clean-up, but also to share the important message of hope in the gospel. I am certified as a Disaster Relief volunteer with Alabama Baptists, but do not have my specialized certifications. You can read more about the SBC response in this article.

We will take any donations that you feel led to give to help with relief in Haiti. We will channel all donations at this time to the SBC Disaster Relief. Just make a check out to SSBC and put "Haiti" in the for line. I would also highly endorse another organization that is on the ground in Haiti - Compassion International. They have many sponsored children in the country and are doing a great job as well. You can donate to them by following this online link.

Whatever God leads you to do, know that you can make a huge difference for the gospel. If you would like to be a part of starting a disaster relief team here at Sixth Street, please drop me an email at mhaines@sixthstreetbaptistchurch.com.