Ecclesiastes 1:9-10The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there anything whereof it may be said, See, this is new? It hath been already of old time, which was before us.
THESIS: To predict events in the New Year for our church (AND YOURS) - based upon past records and God's Word and its promises and certainties.
INTRO:
A. Each New Year all the psychics, fortune tellers, prognosticators, and other assorted kooks and crazies come out of the woodwork with all kinds of predictions. They bank on the fact that no one will check on their past record of failures and only remember things which they accidently get right.
B. There are only 2 reliable sources for predicting the future - the past (see text) and the Scriptures (see text). If you want to know what will happen, simply study what has happened. History does repeat itself.
ILLUS: 🔹The death rate is still 100%; for every one born, one dies! That's certain. 🔹Men sin in every age. That's what you can put your money on. 🔹Men will believe in evolution out of EMOTIONAL PANIC and intellectual self-deception. Scientists who know better continue to believe in spontaneous generation (creation of everything out of nothing) – [The Big Bang]. 🔹It is impossible and they know it, but their only alternative is to believe Genesis 1:1 and that is unthinkable to them. That's a fact and nothing has changed since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden! 🔹Scientists continue to search for the time, space, continuum and it is all explained in the first ten words of God’s Word: “In the beginning (time), God created (energy), the heaven (space) and the earth.” (matter) DONE!
II Pet. 3:3-5 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
NOTE: 💥What you read in the NEWS paper isn't new! 💥What you read in God's Word is God's latest revelation (1000's of years old and more accurate than your evening NEWS cast!).
TRANS: Today I want to give you "MY PREDICTIONS FOR 2021" based on facts established by the past and God's never-changing Word...
I. SOME WILL JOIN US!
A. Thru Salvation:
1. Via the Bus Ministry. 2. Via Soul-Winning. 3. Via Evangelistic preaching.
ILLUS: This is certain! Why? Because it is predicated upon the eternal, never-changing Word of God. If we continue to get the message of salvation out, some WILL be saved!
Mt.13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also BEARETH FRUIT, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Ps. 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, SHALL DOUBTLESS come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
B. Thru Relocation:
1. We need to pray that those in liberal or neo-evangelical churches will get right with God, move their membership to our church.
ILLUS: While any solid ministry is built on soul-winning, not sheep stealing, it often takes some time before new converts begin to tithe, get involved in teaching, etc. and so an occasional transfer can be a blessing.
2. We need to pray that those who move into our area who are saved will see that their family needs to be involved in a soul-winning, aggressive, separated, Bible-believing, Baptist church like ours.
ILLUS: Isn't it exciting to know that you will get to know people you don't know now and have the privilege of serving the Lord together. 👉I predict that SOME WILL JOIN US in 2021 we don't even know yet!
II. SOME WILL LEAVE US!
A. Relocation:
1. Some will be relocated by occupation, health or other valid reasons. 2. Some will relocate based upon frivolous reasons.
ILLUS: Someone once said that the reason "the grass is greener on the other side of the fence" is because the devil has been there with a paint bucket! All churches have problems because all churches have people. But very few churches, if any, in this area are as committed to the preaching of the whole counsel of God and the defense of the faith as this church. Few, if any are as committed to a fundamentalist, separatist position as this church. Few, if any, still practice biblical church discipline. I find it strange that God leads folks to relocate to Florida and other warm places in Dec. through March each year. Why not in June through August? 😊
B. Revival:
1. Some will leave us because called to the ministry and will need to go to school or the field of service God directs them into.
ILLUS: One sign of a vital ministry is that it is reproducing and sending forth laborers into the harvest field.
2. We need to have a greater emphasis on missions and full-time service for our youth in 2021!
C. Return to the World:
1. Sadly, some will get backslidden and become drop-outs. 2. Tragically, some cannot grasp the concept that God cannot bless when they are out of fellowship and that chastening in the will of God is better than prosperity out of the will of God!
NOTE: I predict that SOME WILL LEAVE US thru relocation, revival and a return to the world in 2021! III. SOME WILL SLOW UP!
A. The Lazy:
1. Some will quit their class, bus route, soul-winning because it just takes too much effort for them. 2. They love being a part of a good church, but don't contribute much themselves.
ILLUS: These are the ones who gripe about the church not going forward or dropping ministries, etc. But they not only no longer give of their time or talents, they have even quit tithing! Basically they are church parasites who suck the lifeblood out of the church but never give very much themselves.
B. The Lukewarm:
Rev. 3:15-16 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
1. These have "left their first love." 2. They used to be a blessing to the Lord and His Work. 3. They live in the past and talk of the "good old days."
ILLUS: They say it can't be done anymore, but others are doing it! They focus on the deterioration of morals, our society, etc. not realizing that if these things be true then their ministry is more needed than ever.
NOTE: I predict that SOME WILL SLOW UP in 2021!
IV. SOME WILL GROW UP!
A. Consistency:
1. There is no short cut to spiritual maturity, just hard work. 2. There is nothing new under the sun in relation to spiritual growth, either!
Heb. 5:12-14 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
B. Chastisement:
1. Some who will not come to maturity by instruction, yieldedness and obedience, will come by chastening!
ILLUS: ⭐Shannon Sullivan had to "grow up" before her time due to Betty's M.S. She was doing chores when she was 6 that other girls do when they are 12. ⭐Some of God's people are forced into maturity thru some disaster or calamity because God had to chasten them to get them to grow up. They were "spoiled brats" so the Lord got out His rod and gave them a "wake up call"! (I am not suggesting this is the case in this instance, but can be in other situations. Don’t let it be you!)
2. Like earthly children, God's children sometimes need the rod to force them into obedience.
NOTE: I predict that SOME WILL GROW UP in 2021. Some the hard way and some God's Way.
V. SOME WILL GO UP!
A. Via the Undertaker:
1. I predict that some in these pews will go home this year. 2. Each of us had better "set (our house) in order, for (we) shall die and not live."
B. Via the Uppertaker:
1. 2021 may be the year of the Rapture. 2. Scripturally nothing is out of place to prevent it. 3. Historically everything is in place to promote it.
ILLUS: Anyone with common sense is can see unprecedented changes in our society, government and nation and are witnessing things we have never seen before and never dreamed would happen. The death, destruction, murder, mayhem and wars and rumors of wars all point to the end of this age. Jesus may come tonight!
NOTE: I predict that SOME WILL GO UP in 2021...maybe all of us!
CONCL: 💥I predict that any and all of the events spoken of tonight WILL COME TO PASS exactly as I have predicted them. 💥Past events and God's Word both guarantee it! 💥Only YOU have the power to prevent spiritual deterioration or to promote spiritual maturity. The choice is yours!
These are "MY PREDICTIONS FOR 2021" and they WILL take place.