Sermon by David Garrison
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Date: January 10, 2021
Message titled–Lessons I learned from 2021.
Deuteronomy 4:9
Moses was writing in the book of Deuteronomy to the Child of Israel encouraging them not to forget all they had seen as God delivered them from Egypt.
Deuteronomy 4:9 9 Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons;
This has been an eventful year. Scripture encourages us not to forget what we have seen & the lessons we have learned. We are to teach those things to our kids.
When you go through the circumstances of life, you can either simply endure them or you can learn from them.
As I look back over the past year, I am not going to sugar coat it or say this was greatest year of my entire life. In many ways, it has been one of the hardest years for many, especially mentally. I had to frequently remind myself of the bible scripture Ecclesiastes 3 that says, “To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven”.
This year might have been hard, but there is a reason for it and a purpose. Every hardship, battle, and trial we face while on this earth there is a purpose behind it and a lesson to be learned.
2020 might not be my favorite year ever, but it certainly has been the most eye-opening year of my life. Today I want to share some of the biggest lessons I have learned from 2020. You can follow along on the outline on the back of your bulletin and fill in the blanks.
#1 Practical Lessons
A. Be prepared for change because change is inevitable. Write this down. Change
Paul understood the need to be flexible because of changing circumstances.
I Corinthians 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
Occasionally, a year comes along like 2020. It forces change on you, and at that point, you either adapt or you break. What keeps me optimistic is seeing that people can not only adapt but can thrive in a changing world. Look how much progress we have made in the span of less than a year. We have made great advances with the tools that help with remote collaboration. If a year ago you would have told me a company could have their entire workforce working remotely, I would have laughed at you. Seriously? Yet today we as a church are excited to have John & Jess & their entire family back home with us from Colorado. John is working remotely at home.
Life has different seasons. Things change. That is inevitable.
Proverbs 27:1 Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
Things change. That is inevitable. We must be flexible to deal with the changes we face.
B. A 2nd Practical lesson—Don’t take freedoms for granted Write this down. freedoms
We have enjoyed great freedoms in our nation. Our forefathers fought & gave their life so we can enjoy the freedom we have today. But those freedoms are rapidly changing. Over the last year we have lost many freedoms. May we never again take for granted:
Dinner Night with friends.
Birthday gatherings.
Coffee with a friend.
Crowded church pews.
The Roar of a stadium.
Hugging our loved ones.
Laughing with friends.
Visiting loved ones in the hospital.
Freedom to move freely through society on a daily basis.
Freedom to be able to go to work.
I’m not saying social distancing is not necessary. But the reality is, we have lost a lot of freedoms. Even the freedom to comment your beliefs without worrying about censorship.
C. Another practical lesson—It’s Okay to Slow Down. Write this down. Slow Down
As a perfectionist or workaholic, I used to think that being busy all of the time was a badge of honor. If I wasn’t doing anything productive or knocking off all the items on my to-do lists/ I felt I was a complete failure. To this day I still struggle mentally with wanting to always be doing something. That can be utterly exhausting.
Like it or not though, COVID-19 completely changed my fast-paced way of life. I was FORCED to slow down. Even better, I learned it’s OK to slow down and just be. To be quite honest, it was a wakeup call that I desperately needed. I finally granted myself the permission to do less and relax more. I am not fully there yet, I’m working on finding that delicate balance. I’m thankful that I was pushed towards that this year.
Jesus knew what was to slow down.
Mark 6:31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
The old Preacher used to say—We need to come apart & rest before we come apart.
D. 2 more practical lessons—It’s Okay to Ask for Help—Write this down. Ask for Help
I have been dealing with mental struggles personally this year as never before. It really left me feeling alone, isolated, and overwhelmed. I’ve always struggled with asking (and accepting) help from others, but I found myself learning this year that it’s okay to do both. I’m so thankful for my wife who has really been there for me this past year in so many ways. I am also thankful for Bro Robert. He is such a blessing. He is always asking me. “What can I do for you?” Tim is always texting me saying, “I am praying for you.” Craig is an encouragement to all of our men. He sends out messages on FB to encourage us. He is always checking how he can help them. Pam is great to send out cards checking on people and to encourage them. Letha, Bev, & Linda are great to send out cards to encourage. As well as many others.
It is OK to ask for help.
Galatians 6:2 “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
Romans 14:7 “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.”
No man is an island. It is OK to ask for help.
E. 1 more practical lesson—Learn to Use the “Off Switch” Write this down. Off Switch
As someone who struggles with anxiety, 2020 was a nightmare at times and completely overwhelming. There have been so many terrible things happening around the world. Everything you see on the news and social media nowadays is negative. That said, this past year I learned it’s OK to take breaks from social media & the news. There’s an off switch for a reason. My mind can’t handle the constant negativity, fighting, & toxicity that you see. All the drama. I’ve learned to really limit my consumption of it all. I find myself much happier when I’m not so consumed with everything on Facebook and on the news. And I have more time to just enjoy life instead of worrying about what everyone else might be doing.
A secret to Jesus’ mental health is found in Mark.
Mark 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
There are times we need to take a break from the world.
#2. Those are the practical lessons—Now some things I learned about finances.
A. You need to plan financially. Be a good steward. Write this down. Plan
In the past 10 months so many have lost jobs. Business have closed, initially unexpectedly.
As a church, we have taught repeatedly that we must learn to live on a margin. Everyone should have a $1,000 minimum emergency fund. Learn to have a savings. Put 3 months living expenses in the bank. You never know what lies ahead.
Many people were grateful for a stimulus check last spring. Then 8 months later we got another $600. (Don’t get me started on how much other countries around the world got more money than American citizens) If you need money for groceries & rent—great. Pay for those things with your stimulus. But if you don’t, you should not use the extra money to buy a new TV. To go out eat. To buy extra lottery ticket or to go to the casino. 😊 You need to learn to plan financially. You may need the money later. We don’t know what else may happen.
James 4:14 14Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.
Proverbs 6:6-8
6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8 Provides her meat in the summer, and gatheres her food in the harvest.
Learn to plan financially.
B. 2nd Financial lesson from 2020—Be Content With What You Have. Write this down. Content
They say the grass is always greener on the other side. I really don’t believe that.
This year we were all forced to stay home, spend more time with our families. That taught to make use of what we already have. This might have been hard for some, but for me it was an amazing blessing that I’m very thankful for. Instead of worrying about all the things I wished I had, this year I found myself learning to be completely content. I found myself shopping a lot less this year. De-cluttering and purging the excess in my life and in our home. I say it all the time, but we’re not promised tomorrow, and it is important to live and enjoy today in the now.
Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. …
1 Timothy 6:6-12 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
Those are just a couple of things that I learned financially.
# 3 What I learned about Social Media.
A. 1st Watch what you post on the Internet. Write this down. post
Last Summer we learned of a 19-year-old freshman at University of Tennessee by the name of Mimi Groves. She was living her dream. She was on the nationally ranked cheering squad at University of Tennessee. Then a former classmate who had a grudge against her reposted something she had posted on line 4 years ago. (When she was only 15-year-old.) It was a 3 sec video when was in traffic. She posted it in Snapchat. It showed her using a racial slur. A 4-year-old post resulted in her being taken off the team & her leaving the University. She had worked hard her entire life. She was disciplined in her workouts and dedicated to her dream. But she lost it all over the 3 sec video she posted 4 years ago. Her dream was lost over something she did as a 15-year-old teen. Watch what you post on the Internet.
This was not an isolated case. Breanna Mitchell of Alabama wanted to visit the concentration camps in Auschwitz with her dad. Tragically he passed away before they made the trip. Ultimately, she did go. While there, she took a selfie in front of a Concentration Camp. In the picture she was smiling. She then photo-shopped her dad into the picture with her. It represented a happy memory. The trip they were going to take. When she posted the picture on-line, she was attacked for smiling in the picture. The 18-yr-old (just a senior in high school) has been threatened with poisoning, to have acid poured on her, & a whole host of other horrific crimes by angry Internet users. They have even photobombed her picture with her and her dad in front of the World Trade Center.
Teens. Adults. Be careful what post online.
Mark 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Here also in eternity.
B. 2nd thought about social media/Internet. Watch your time. Write this down. time
You can get consumed if you spend a lot of time on your phone and computer online. If you use your phone to get online, I would encourage you to go to the settings. Find the tab that says screen time. Click on that. Most people would be amazed at how much time they spend on their phone. I encourage you to watch the time that you spend on social media.
Song of Solomon 2:15 Catch us the foxes, The little foxes that spoil the vines, For our vines have tender grapes.
All of labors of the owner of vineyard can be destroyed by little foxes. Little things can make big impact. Little things can often make a BIG negative impact.
C. 3rd lesson from social media—It impacts your attitude—Write this down. attitude
It can stress you out, work you up, and get you frustrated if you are not careful. Mom and Dad watch your kids as well. You may need limit their time online. It impacts their attitude as well. Teens, you may not understand it now, but Mom and Dad are trying to help you. Don’t get mad at them.
Last—let me close with 5 Spiritual Lessons that I learned in 2020
I will move quickly through them and I encourage you to go back and think on these things. You can study them in more detail on your own.
I hope you take notes and review them later during the week. If you want to grow spiritually, if you are serious about your Christian life, it will take more than just an hour on Sunday morning. What you learn at church–from the pastors is small compared what you learn if study on your own. It is like an iceberg. You only see about 10% of an iceberg above the water. It is much bigger under the water. The top of the iceberg that you see is what learn from your pastors. It is only a small percentage of iceberg. The part that is under water is much larger. That is what you learn as study on own.
#4. 6 quick spiritual lessons Learned in 2020
A. 1st Don’t put your faith in the government. Write this down. faith God is still in control.
Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
I contemplated developing this point—you can’t trust your government. But that would be and hour and a ½ long sermon. (You can read this part on our closed member group on FB. Keep in mind events changing as I wrote it.)
We need to understand that God is still in control. It does not matter who sits behind the desk in the Oval Office—God is still on the throne in heaven.
B. 2nd If you want to know what is really going on, you can’t trust the mainstream media. You can’t even trust Google. You’ve got to go to OAN & NewsMax. Ha just kidding. I was seeing if you are awake and thinking on your own. 😊
Write this down Word of God. You’ve got to go to the Word of God
John 8:32 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
So many are missing what is going on in our nation. Our nation is so divided. Let me tell you that it is not about Democrats vs Republicans. It is not about Biden vs Trump. It is so much bigger than that.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
America is locked in a spiritual battle. We had better wake up & realize what going on.
C. 3rd Don’t take the church for granted. Write this down. church
We need each other and not just online. We need the fellowship. We need the teaching where we can interact. We need to join together to reach the world. Together we can have a greater impact than we could ever have as individuals.
Why do we need the church? Why must I not take it for granted?
May I preach? This is 2021. When I think of 21, I think of becoming of age. Being an adult. It is high time the church grows up. Matures & stops acting like a little child. The reason we are having so many issues in America today is because the church has failed—am I right? We have taken the church & our responsibilities as a church for granted.
Our family was talking about the events of this past week at the US Congress. My son, Jeff commented, “Christians have forsaken the true Gospel, then act surprised when stuff like this happens. If we leave God out of everything, don’t be surprised when society no longer acts civil. If you don’t like the way things going in our nation, we don’t need to make changes in White House. We need make some changes in God’s house.”
R. G Lee an Evangelist & Preacher of years gone by used to say:
If all the sleeping folks will wake up
If the lukewarm folk will fire up
If the dishonest folk will confess up
If all the disgruntled folk will cheer up
If all the depressed folk will look up
If all the estranged folk will make up
If all the gossipers will shut up
If true soldiers will stand up
If the dry bones will shake up
If all the church members will pray up…
Then we can have revival
What we need is an old-fashioned camp meeting in the church. Where God’s people fall on their face—repent of their sin—cry out to heaven. Then & only then will God heal our land!
It is 2021. It is time for the church to grow up.
The reason is…# 4 on the list.
D. Because Life is fragile. Write this down. Life
James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Many of you lost loved ones this past year. Letha. Robert. Connie. Diane N. Others as well. If the Lord tarries his coming, we have no guarantee who will be here 1 year from now. You say, that is OK. I’m saved. I’ll go to heaven. Well Praise the Lord, but what about your family. Your kids and grandkids. Friends. Neighbors.
Yes, it has been rough year, but get over it. It is not about me. It is not about you. It is not about this world. When will we learn it is about eternity?
In spite of all we faced in 2020, let me encourage you to hang in there—we will make it.
E. Because we did make it through this past year– that cause me to have hope. We have hope. Write this down… hope
The writer of Hebrews said in Hebrews 6:19 We have hope as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast,
He also said we have the promise of God… Hebrews 13:5 I will never leave thee nor forsake thee
F. And because I have hope I can say Last point— It is well with my soul. Write this down….. It is well with my soul.
Horatio Spafford knew something about life’s unexpected challenges. He was a successful attorney and real estate investor. But he lost a fortune in the great Chicago fire of 1871. Around the same time, his beloved four-year-old son died of scarlet fever. Thinking a vacation would do his family some good, he sent his wife & 4 daughters on a ship to England. He planned to join them after he finished some pressing business at home.
While crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship was involved in a terrible collision and sunk. More than 200 people lost their lives, Including all 4 of Horatio Spafford’s precious daughters.
His wife, Anna, survived the tragedy. Upon arriving in England, she sent a telegram to her husband that began:
“Saved alone. What shall I do?”
Horatio immediately set sail for England. At one point during his voyage the captain of ship was aware of the tragedy that had struck the Spafford family. The captain summoned Horatio. “We are now passing over spot where the shipwreck had occurred.” He told Horatio.
As Horatio thought about his daughters, words of comfort and hope filled his heart and mind.
He wrote them down, and they have since become a well-beloved hymn:
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll—
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to know
It is well, it is well with my soul.2
Perhaps we cannot always say that everything is well in all aspects of our lives. There will always be storms to face, and sometimes there will be tragedies. But with faith in a loving God and with trust in His divine help, we can confidently say, “It is well, it is well with my soul.”
It has been a rough year, but we made it! I am not sure what is coming during the next year—or even in the next week. But we can make it, if keep eyes on Him.
It is 2021—It is time the church grew up. Would you say right now, Holy Spirit speak to me. God speak to me about this past year. I wonder, is the Holy Spirit convicting you of sin? Do you need to come & repent? Church. It is time for us to grow up. To lay aside the weights that so easily beset us as the writer of Hebrews said.
Is the Holy Spirit burdening you for the lost? Will you come and pray. Will you commit to witness?
As God speaks—will you respond?
We made it! Struggles may await us in the coming year. But it is. OK. If struggles come, remember He is the Chain Breaker. He is the Way maker.
God does not want us to simply survive, He wants us to thrive. Church let’s grow up. Let’s trust God that He will call us to do more for Him in 2021—-
Let me walk on the waters wherever you call me.
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander.
And my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior.
The Crossing Springfield 