Our last Sunday of 2017. The sermon was short and sweet. Here are my notes of last Sunday’s sermon.

Romans 8:28:

" And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

• Surrender, sacrifice, and trust
• God is good, all knowing, and all being
• Be confident and assured

Luke 17:11-12 & 15 & 17-19

Getting ready for the new season

Look at the future with vision, big vision, but blurry details. Others have a time of reflection. Where did I go wrong, what makes mistakes were made, etc., and they reflect so much they don't cast a new vision for the new year.

For the new year, the hope is that you do both. Reflect and cast vision for the new year.

I’ve made mistakes, reflect on where I've been, then cast vision for the future. Cast a vision of a bigger picture than the previous year.

Story time.

Jesus walking on the border between Samaria and Galilee (watch tower is what Samaria means).
Watching and waiting for war and troubles. While they are in peace waiting. It is lonely being still. Galilee is the city. The busy city, the marketplace, and the big picture. Were you the person this year that was busy with people, with activity, and with no time for even quiet time? We keep ourselves busy and don’t take time for family or for God.

What about the family?

God wants us to be obedient. We go above and beyond and end up becoming disobedient.

You may have a great idea that goes above and beyond, but it may not be what was asked of you. Which makes you disobedient. The way to go above and beyond is to be obedient first, then go above and beyond.

There is a middle line between being so busy and a place of peace. Many associate peace with quiet, which isn’t true. A quiet person is often tormented and overwhelmed with fear. In a place of peace, are you going to watch God walk by or are you going to ask to go with Him? The first verse applies to people that cling to Jesus. He becomes your balance.

Galilee would be the fraction of a telescope and Samaria would be the reflection.

This year, give yourself time to reflect. What did you do that got results and what didn’t? What caused sickness, what caused problems to repeat themselves without resolution, what problems have been repeating over the last few years?
Now reflect on how to ensure they don’t continue to repeat themselves.

Compare it to the amount of people at the gym in January versus April.

January everyone is on fire with motivation to become healthier. Then by April it is empty with just the regulars. What happens by April that caused that?

Small Group questions to ponder.

1. Don’t over-reflect about what you didn’t do
2. Don’t overreact about your situation
   Don’t overreact to your environment, just act. Like Jesus walking in the storm, He doesn’t react to it, He acts.

Time to be hands-off and shout-on.

Sometimes there isn’t a season for a touch, but there is a time for a shout. A season for not seeking a touch, but rather seeking His presence. You want to be hands-on, when you need to be calling out His name. 2018 is the time your voice is louder than your touch. Time to be hands-off and allow God to be hands-on.

Luke 15
Luke 17:16

Be like the people that reflect on what God has done and will do again. When Jesus asked these questions of reflection, don’t just be a refractor when setting vision, but also be reflecting.

Amen!