Sermons
Taking Off The Blinders
“TAKING OFF THE BLINDERS”
Good morning! When I knew that I would filling in for Terry, I began to consider a few ideas. A couple weeks ago I was talking with Bruce after services about what I was thinking of speaking about and he mentioned a saying that he had heard that impressed him. Here it is, “When in your car the windshield gives you a far greater view than the rearview mirror!” That is the lead in to this morning’s sermon.
I know this title, “Taking Off The Blinders”, may seem a bit odd, but it’s designed, along with Bruce’s quote, to peek our interest.
What this title has reference to is our perception of the world around us. We tend to become comfortable with the way we see it and refuse to let anything change that perception. We go through life in our own little world and put blinders on to anything that might alter our view.
On the last sermon of the year preachers tend to talk about all that has happened with the passing year. And the first sermon of the New Year we always hear about making and keeping resolutions.
Well, I’m not a preacher so I’m at liberty to mix that up a bit. I’m not going to dwell on the past but look to the future.
This morning we could look back at 2019 but let’s move to the upcoming year 2020.
All I will say about this past year is that it has been a challenge for the church in many ways but also has been a blessing in many ways.
Many of us have been through struggles, but we know without a doubt that God can change circumstances and make the New Year a year of blessing!
When we say Happy New Year to someone, we are inviting the New Year to be a better year than what we are coming out of.
We are passing on a blessing that we hope will see answers to people’s prayers, improve their health or have more happiness and peace in their lives.
Every year many people stay up to see the old year out and the New Year in. As I get older I’m finding that a little harder to do. I remember growing up in New York City and watching the ball drop then in the morning going down to Time’s Square and looking for stuff that people had dropped. We found money and even a couple rings.
Pessimist stay up after midnight to make sure the old year leaves and the Optimist stays up to see the New Year in!
Here is something to think about!
IF NOTHING CHANGES, NOTHING WILL HAPPEN DIFFERENTLY AS WE ENTER A NEW YEAR!
If we maintain a life with blinders on, only seeing what we want to see, nothing will be any different than the past year. We will, next year be hoping for a better year just like we are doing this year.
Put another way:
If you do not have a plan for the New Year, the New Year will fast become the Old Year and you will be at the same spot next year.
Oprah put this way: “Cheers to the New Year and another chance to get it right.”
I agree with her here, we are fast approaching the beginning of a New Year and we have a chance to change some things that will in fact change our lives!
Every year people move out of state, change their jobs, make a lot of resolutions, make promises to self and to others and by the end of January they are in the same funk that they ended December with-why?
Because nothing changed, they do the same old thing, the same old way, and they wonder why nothing different happened.
Let’s boil this down.
Some things need to be RETAINED, some things need to be REMOVED, and some things need to be REMEMBERED.
RETAINED
REMOVED
REMEMBERED
God’s Word and God does not change, “God is the same yesterday, to day, and forever.” He means what He said, and will do what He says.
Therefore, as we look towards the New Year, we have to look at our lives and see where we are at, (remove our blinders).
Who or what are we putting our faith in?
Are we willing to make any necessary changes that will put us in a right relationship with the Lord?
How many of us have made petty resolutions that will not cause a change in our lives?
Talking about petty resolutions, do these fit any of us?
How many kept to the diet?
How many kept exercising past February?
I may reason in my own mind that this year is going to be different.
I have been considering how I can accomplish that.
If I decide to eat more and exercise less, I will succeed!
Maybe your blinders are so tight to your face that you don’t think you need to change anything.
A believer looking to the future is going to be different than a non-believer.
As believers we should be looking at the future through the clear unobstructed, blinder free eyes of faith that God knows the plans that He has for us and it is plans to give us a future and a hope based upon God’s promises that He will never forsake us and will walk with us.
As believers we look to the New Year with the truth that we do not have to face the future alone, that God will dwell within us and help us.
A non-believer is forced to look at the New Year through the eyes of mere chance and circumstance.
Let me ask: Which one are you? And what are you putting your faith in?
As we think on these two questions, we should do a bit of a check list to see which eyes we are approaching the New Year with.
Will we allow the Lord to be Lord of our lives? Yes or no
Will we be obedient to God’s Word or do things our own way? Yes or no
Will we trust God or are we putting our trust on just our own accomplishments and breaks? Yes or no
How we answer these questions will determine what we “RETAIN” in our lives, what we “REMOVE” from our lives, and what we hold dear to or “REMEMBER” in the coming year, whether trials or joys.
Let’s for a short time look at the New Year as believers and what we can expect:
Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”
We are to put our trust in the Lord that He will care for us in good and bad times.
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here.”
God has given us a “clean slate.” He has forgiven us our past sins. We must likewise accept this by faith and move on. We have been recreated as His children!
Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make our paths straight.”
Putting God first we have direction in our lives.
Would you not agree that it is easier to look to the New Year with the mind of Christ helping us as opposed to ourselves slogging through the days ahead?
The future looks brighter when we remove our blinders and understand that God has a plan and He desires not to harm us but gave us a hope for the future!
If we are in Christ, (a believer), we understand that He desires for us to have a fresh start.
After our baptism the scriptures inform us that we are a “new creation” created in Christ Jesus! Those are not just nice words to say, those are the absolute word of truth. That’s why God sent Jesus to the cross!
We are offered this tremendous fact, our past does not rule what our future will be!
Trusting in the Lord is hard, not because He does not want to help us, but because we do not easily let go of things, even bad things and harmful things….
Isaiah 43:18-19 – “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
In this verse we just read the question, “Do you perceive it?”
How can we if we go through life with blinders on! Blind to the promises of God, blind to truly trusting in God and not oneself. We do not walk this Christian life with blind faith. We know what we believe and God has given us peace through His word of promise.
It is that faith in God that gives us the courage to rip off the blinders and face life knowing that the Lord will never leave nor forsake us no matter what we may face!
Always remember this; Where we place our faith will be where we draw our strength from.
Let’s ask ourselves this; with all the resources of Heaven, do we think the Lord can change our lives? OF COURSE HE CAN!
What good is it if we resist the change He offers?
Why accept this truth but not allow it to permeate within us?
Remove the blinders! Let go and let God!
The only resolution that we should consider making for the New Year is that we will serve God more and draw closer to Him than ever before!
If we make that our prayer, I’m sure that He will delight in answering it!
I’m sure you agree that this coming year should not be just another year. We should be looking forward to this coming year as a year that God may do something amazing not only in our individual lives but the Church as a whole.
As we wind down this morning’s sermon, let us review the (3) words that were mentioned earlier.
Retain, remember, and remove.
There are things we should retain, some we should remove and some we should remember.
Things retained: We as believers are to hold to the things that God has given or that God has ordained for our lives and stand on His promises. In Paul’s final letter to the church at Philippi, talking about God’s Joy in our lives, and not being anxious for things that are out of our control.
We are to retain our relationship with the Lord above all else!
We are to have fellowship with believers and be with people of like-minded faith, yet make an impact with those God has put in our paths!
He says these words; “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, think about such things.” Phil. 4:8
We are to hold onto everything that God gives us. Hold onto the passion of God and Jesus. We are to have compassion for others, showing kindness with a sincere heart. Things to retain.
Things to remove:
While we are to hold onto things God has given us, we are also to get rid of things that take us away from the things of God. Sometimes even good things can distract us when we put all of our efforts into them.
The scriptures teach us that we need to get rid of any bitterness, rage, anger, slander, along with every form of malice.
The word used in scripture for “get rid of” is a strong word that can be defined as, throw out, discard, dispose of, not to pick up again.
If any of these things are in your life, God desires to remove them. Remember, we do not, nor can we clean ourselves up. God wants to do these things in us but we have to be willing to let Him.
We must remove our blinders and trust God. Things to remove.
THINGS REMEMBERED:
Col. 2:5-7 – “So then, just as you have received Jesus Christ as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
If we are overflowing with thankfulness that means we have no room for bitterness, anger, or malice!
Joshua told the people of God to build a memorial so as not to forget what God has done for them.
We should build a memorial in our hearts to keep the Lord first in our lives.
The silent times when God is quiet, Learn the lessons He has for you and me, and at other times make sure you remember the things He has done so your relationship with Him does not suffer and knock you off track.
“Christ in us, the hope of glory” Remember who you are in Christ!
Things to remember.
CLOSE:
We are going into another year. Time does not slow down and time has a way of making us or breaking us.
Let our prayer today be that whatever God has for each of us in 2020 that we are open to it and want it. And we are willing to accept change in our lives. Change that brings us closer to God.
Let’s all remove the blinders and ask ourselves these few questions.
Are there things in my life that the Lord would want out of my life?
Are there things I need to keep or bring back in my life?
Are there things I need to remember – take a trip down memory lane so that I can again praise God for all He has done for me?
As we are led in the closing song, if you need the prayers of the church come forward during that song and we will pray for you. Please don’t leave this morning with the feeling that you should of come forward for prayers but didn’t.
For anyone who hasn’t chosen the Lord Jesus as savior this song is for you as well. It is your opportunity to come forward and accept Jesus into your life and begin the New Year as a child of God, forgiven and blessed. Receive Him and He will clean your slate and give you that fresh start that you know you want and need.
Let’s stand and sing!
