Hebrews 13:5 ,6 * Jan 2\2000

Most of us have had the experience of attending a class or family reunion. Before leaving for the reunion you get out the musty old school year books and refresh your memory with the names of the students. Many memories flood back into your mind as your study the pictures. You even try and guess what some of your friends will look like, and what kind of jobs and families some of these old classmates have.

When you get to the reunion and meet someone you haven't seen for forty years it can be quite embarrassing. The conversation goes something like this. "I don't believe that I've met you before." "What! You don't remember who I am?"

You look closely, examine the eyes, the bald head, the sagging chest and the wrinkled face. There is something about the voice that sounds vaguely familiar but it does not seem to fit the body you are looking at.  In desperation you say, "Is there any reason why I should remember  you? They answer, "Yes! We went to school together for six years. I'm the Jones boy. "No kidding! You're the Jones boy?"

On your way home you begin reflecting on the event. It was well planned and executed and you are so glad that you attended. But you also have this feeling of sadness.  Its been forty years and some of your old friends haven't changed. O, they have gained weight, bought hearing aids and thick glasses but there has been precious little change in their attitudes, goals and achievements. A tragic reality of life is that some people choose not to grow or change. They choose mediocrity instead of excellence.

I never, never want it to be said of me, "Eugene rejected excellence for the comfortable rut of mediocrity." Life is too precious, too sacred, too important. If I ever go stagnant please give me a swift kick where I need it.  I hope you'll love me enough to challenge me to keep growing.

The start of a New Year can be likened to a jump into the great unknown. Some people make preparation for the jump and strap on a parachute. Other people say, "Whatever will be will be." They jump without making any preparation or giving any thought to where the jump may take them.

No thought is given as to how their life could be better and in turn bless other people and make this world a better place in which to live. To have an excellent year, we must have excellence in four areas of our lives. The writer to the Hebrew believers encourages us to have excellence in our pursuits, our attitudes, our devotion and in our choice of a helper.  "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."   So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"  (Hebrews 13:5-6 NIV)

I. To Insure an Excellent Year We Will Choose Excellent Pursuits.
We pursue the values and objects that bring us the greatest satisfaction. The writer to Hebrews admonishes us to avoid the world's popular pursuit. "Keep your lives free from the love of money."  The Scripture warns us about the hold money can have on our lives.

The big danger we face is the temptation to find our salvation in money rather than in God. Thus we pursue money for our happiness, identity and security. Every day I need to ask myself, "What is my number one pursuit in life?"

The Psalmist prayed a practical prayer, "Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word." (Psalms 119:37 NIV) The pursuit of money is idolized by all ages in our society. We worship at the shrines of the rich and famous. Some of us are captivated by the spice girls, others by Martha Stewart, Bill and Milinda Gates or Warren Buffet.

Here are five reasons why the love of money has the power to keep us from having an excellent year.

1. The love of money weans our affections from God.
2. The love of money puts possessions before people. Relationships are sacrificed on the road to wealth.
3. The love of money brings negative changes to our attitudes and personalities.
4.  Loving money changes our life focus from God and others to ourselves.
5.  The love of money introduces greed into our lives.

Study the following Scriptures for more insight into God's attitude toward the love of money and greed. (2 Peter 2:3 , 1 Timothy 3:3 , Ephesians 5:3 , Colossians 3:5 ,  1 Corinthians 5:11 .  Romans 1:29 ) We will have an excellent year if we choose excellent pursuits.

II. To Ensure an Excellent Year Choose The Excellence of Godly Satisfaction.
 " . . . be content with what you have." Life presents us with a paradox over the matter of contentment. There is the contentment of laziness versus the contentment of Godly provision.

At the school reunion some of the people were in the rut of laziness. Their talents were going to waste, they were not functioning at the capacity God intended them to function. Eat, sleep, TV and beer is the extent of their life. That is the contentment of slothfulness.

To make 2000 an excellent year we must say, "I thank God that I have everything I need for my happiness and wholeness. But I must increase my physical, emotional, mental and spiritual capacity so that I can do my part to make this world a better place.

I saw pictures of refugees in Sierra Leone and it made me sick. The wicked, evil rebels came into the villages and dragged men, women and children from their homes and with a big axe chopped off a hand or a foot or a leg. What type of man could chop the foot off a little child or a woman?

I will not be content with the physical and spiritual poverty in my world. I will not accept the current level of pain, suffering and hostilities. I refuse to free fall through the year 2000, indifferent to the needs and hurts of others.

III. Make 2000 an Excellent Year By Choosing an Excellent Companion.
"God has said, "'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."' (Hebrews 13:5-6 NIV) When you think of the word companion, what images come to your mind? A companion is someone who comes with us to share the joys and the sorrows of our journey. When a spouse dies the survivor feels deep loneliness over the loss of companionship.

Think of the ways a companion can minister to us.

1. There is the sharing of life's special moments.
2. Companions are good sounding boards.  We need someone we can ask, "What do you think about this?"
3. Companions encourage us through difficult times. They keep assuring us that we will make it.
4. Companions also look out for us. Four eyes and ears are better than two.

When Joshua faced a new leadership challenge God spoke to him the following words of promise through Moses. "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV) Leadership can be an exceedingly lonely calling. Joshua knew that since God was with him no one could stand against him.

David drew to Solomon's attention the steadfast companionship of God. "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished." (1 Chronicles 28:20 NIV)

2000 will be an excellent year because God will be with us every moment of every day wherever we may go. Therefore, every morning I will acknowledge His presence with me wherever I go.

IV. Make 2000 an Excellent Year By Choosing an Excellent Helper.
In how many ways could you use help to make the year 2000 more excellent? As the pastor of New Hope Community Church I need help to understand the real needs of this congregation.

I need God's help to lead you beside still waters, to see your soul restored and to lead you in paths of right-wise-ness. I need God's help in the making of wise decisions about our move to Armstrong next year. I need God's Spirit to do the work of an evangelist. I need help to be the husband, father and Grandfather of God's calling. How do you need God's help this coming year?

"So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"  (Hebrews 13-6 NIV) This will be an excellent year because God will help us achieve the goals that He has purposed for us to realize. We don't have to tackle the impossible on our own.

For twenty eight centuries the words of Isaiah have offered us hope that we will have an excellent year. "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  (Isaiah 41:10 NIV) 2000 will be an excellent year for us because we are choosing excellent pursuits, Godly satisfaction, excellent companions and helpers.

TLC  Discussion Questions:

1.  Share some of your excellent dreams for the year 2000
2. Read Hebrews 13:1-6 and list all the excellent activities that are listed.
3. Explain the blessing that Hebrews 13:2 describes. Share any experience you may have had entertaining angels.
4. Read Hebrews 13:5 and share how you have dealt with the love of money.
5. How are greed and the love of money connected? 2 Peter 2:3 , 1 Timothy 3:3 , Ephesians 5:3 , Colossians 3:5 ,  1 Corinthians 5:11 .  Romans 1:29
6. How would you describe the contentment mentioned in Hebrews 13:5 ?
7. Share some ways you have experienced the companionship and help of God.
8. Why is it so easy to drift through life and is it important that we try and make a difference in our world?