Sunday Sermon Starter 1-17-12

Four weeks ago we started a series of sermon starters designed to help usher in a new year called “iResolve.” We have examined thus far the need to prepare for open doors, pray without ceasing, and maintain purity in our lives. These have focused on our relationship with the outside world, our relationship with God, and our relationship with our inner self. All of these are key essentials in living up to God’s divine expectations for our lives and developing into faithful Christians and productive servants in the kingdom. The final lesson in this series focuses on putting all three of these key ingredients together in forming a truly powerful weapon in God’s arsenal – resolving to live each day as though it were our last. By doing so we live without regret but we also live with motivation of what the eternal tomorrow could bring!

Title: iResolve to Live Each Day as Though it were my Last

Texts: Ecclesiastes 3:1-2; Matthew 24:36; James 4:13-14; Hebrews 9:27

Main Point: Life is brief, thus how we live it is of the utmost importance. Each day has eternal implications looking forward to the judgment; thus if I knew that today were to be my last upon the earth how would I live it? Carefully or carelessly? If Nadab and Abihu knew that day in Leviticus 10 would be their last, would they have made better decisions? If Korah, Dathan, and Abiram knew their lives would end on that day in Numbers 16 how would they have reacted differently to Divine authority? What about Achan – Joshua 7? What about Ananias and Sapphira – Acts 5? These and many others create a long story line of those who forgot that life is brief and each day counts toward eternity – knowing that how would I characterize my last day?

Discussion Points:

• I Would do a Good Deed, Reflecting God in my Actions – Matthew 25:31-40; Matthew 5:14-16
• I Would Speak a Kind Word, Reflecting God in my Speech – James 3:8-12
• I Would Show Love to my Family, Reflecting God in my Home – Ephesians 5:25; 6:4
• I Would Make Amends, Reflecting God in my Attitude – Matthew 5:21-24
• I Would Put Away Evil, Reflecting God in my Priorities – Matthew 6:24
• I Would Tell Someone About Jesus, Reflecting God in my Purpose – Acts 8:26-30; 1 Peter 3:15
• I Would Pray More Intently, Reflecting God as my Helper – 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Hebrews 13:5-6
• I Would Worship Reverently, Reflecting God as my Father – John 4:21-24

Hopefully today is not my last day on earth. There are many things in this life to live for and enjoy and we obviously want to do so to our fullest potential. But the key is to live today as if it were our last. In doing so there will be no regrets when that day ultimately does come!