Starting a New Year
The Parable of the Sower (Matthew
13:1-9; 18-23)
Introduction.
Today
the elders will have their annual meeting with the congregation. They have
asked me to present in my lesson, both a summary of my work in the previous
year, some plans for the year ahead, and a short lesson to encourage us in a
new year.
I.
Things Accomplished. This past year
has been a productive year. It has involved…
- A
Series of Studies
- Bible
Survey (Sunday morning class).
- Study
of Bible Characters (Monday nights once a month).
- Stages
of Life Series (Seven lessons thus past Fall and a booklet that went along
with it).
- The
Preacher Training, has progressed (our first one will end in the Summer of
2010).
- Curtis
will begin a new work
- Projects
- Website
re-design. We did a major redesign of the website aimed at making it
more user friendly. It includes a Question Board, where people
can post questions anonymously.
- Progress
on Matthew commentary. I am continuing progress on my commentary on
Matthew for the Truth Commentary Series.
II.
Things Planned. Lord willing, this new year will
involve some exciting plans and opportunities.
- We
plan to begin some new studies
- 2
Corinthians (Sunday morning).
- New
Prospects.
- Bulletins
in the community (to try and reach new prospects we plan to distribute
some of our leftover bulleting in the community as a way to invite people
to services).
- New
Works
- Preacher
Training. (In June we will begin a new training program with Jason
Garcia).
- New
Opportunities
- Trip
to Israel. I have had a wonderful opportunity to travel to Israel in
February. Chuck Kelley plans to accompany me on this study trip.
III.
The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-9; 18-23).
- Life
in Christ is about Growth
- We
can be “devoured”— “wither” or be “chocked.”
- We
can produce fruit
-
Types of Fruit
- Maturity
(Gal. 5:22-24).
- Doing
good (Heb. 12:11).
- Evangelism
(John 4:35-37).
Conclusion.
In This Coming Year…
- May
we do all we can to grow
- May
each of us “bear fruit.”
- May
we avoid allowing our life to be found “by the wayside”—in the “thorny
soil” or “stony ground.”
