New Year’s Sermon Outline

Introduction: A guy who works regularly recently said that January is the worst month at the gym because all the “resolution people” are there. Many people at this time of year feel that it is the ideal time to begin exercising and losing weight. When we make resolutions, we are saying that it is time to take action.

1. There’s an ideal time for important actions (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). There are seasons in our lives where we have special opportunities. We should seize the day when it is the ideal time. God does great things in our lives through divine appointments. Sometimes we get second chances if we miss an opportunity.

2. There’s an ideal time to share the gospel with particular individuals and groups of people (Luke 10:1-11). One reason that laborers are few is that they feel overwhelmed by the task of harvesting. Jesus made it clear that the task is not overwhelming if we locate receptive individuals and groups of people. Jesus also said that we should not cast our gospel pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6). He was referring to resistant people. The apostle Paul followed Jesus’ instructions to shake off the dust and go elsewhere when resistant people are encountered (Luke 10:11, Acts 13:51, Acts 18:6).

Conclusion: Non-Christians should not receive the grace of God in vain during the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:1-2). When they are under the special conviction of the Holy Spirit, they should take advantage of their special opportunity and be willing to surrender their lives to Christ in repentance and faith.