A Better Year Begins with a Better Walk (Sermon & Song) - DJ Dickerson

Well, tonight the theme that we are

looking at and studying together and

singing about is a better year begins

with a better walk.

With this new year that is upon us and

as a new year begins, the world is

filled with resolutions. I think we are

aware of that. uh gyms fill up,

diets begin,

goals are set, and according to

statistics, by midFebruary,

many of those resolutions quietly fade

away.

The reason is quite simple.

Most resolutions focus on external

change,

not spiritual transformation.

God has never been interested in mere

calendar change.

A new year does not automatically make a

new person. I [clears throat] think we

would come to grips with that one pretty

easily. Only a renewed heart and a

committed walk with God can do that. I

thought about the psalmist Psalm 90 and

verse 12:es 10- 12. It says, "The days

of our lives are 70 years, and if by

reason of strength they are 80 years,

yet their boast is only labor and

sorrow. For it is soon cut off, and we

fly away, who knows the power of your

anger? For as the fear of you, so is

your wrath. So teach us to number our

days that we may gain a heart of

wisdom."

So this evening, we're we're not asking,

"What do I want to change this coming

year?" We are asking how does God want

me to walk this year?

That song that we just sang and the

verses that we considered already,

just as I am, is a reminder that God

receives us where we are, but calls us

to move forward in our lives.

And I think that's quite apparent with

what we saw in Philippians 3 and:es 12-4

with what Paul was saying. And the first

we might consider is we resolve to leave

the past

where it belongs. We know that Paul the

apostle was a man with a past uh before

obeying the gospel. He p persecuted the

church. He imprisoned believers and he

consented to the death of innocent

Christians. And if anyone had reason to

be paralyzed by regret, it certainly

would have been the Apostle Paul. Yet

Paul, as stated in Philippians chapter

Philippians 3 · chapter mention

3, he refused

to live looking backwards.

Now, it's a very interesting word that

you see in that verse of verse 13 when

he says, "But one thing I do, forgetting

those things which are behind and

reaching forward to those things which

are ahead." That word forget does not

mean erasing memory. I think we

understand that part of it, don't we?

It's a hard thing to forget or might say

erase memory.

But what it does mean is refusing to

live controlled by it.

There are two dangers of living in the

past. Number one is past sins.

Guilt that God has already forgiven. And

number two is past successes. You might

say, "Well, why did you say past

successes?"

Because comfort

that prevents future growth. That's what

past successes do. We we try to live

holding on to those past things and in

the glory days some people might

consider it. But what the point is is we

see with even the well Paul said in 2

2 Corinthians 5:1

Corinthians 5:1 17 therefore if any

wasn't in Christ he is a new creation.

Old things have passed away. Behold all

things have become new.

And so what we're seeing from these

songs and from these scriptures is we

don't let forgiven sins define our

identity. We don't let yesterday's

faithfulness replace today's obedience.

And a new year is an opportunity to

press forward, not look backwards. The

song that we're about to sing, number

109,

entitled Higher Ground,

reminds Christians that growth is

intentional,

that faith must keep pressing forward,

and the goal of the Christian life is

always upward toward God and toward

heaven. And we can't progress and we

can't rise to the occasion if we are

looking back and holding on to the past.

Think about that in these words that

we're about to sing in number 109.

Brother Randy Hod is going to lead us in

all verses of this song. And following

this song, Brother Robert Ruten will

lead us in our next scripture reading of

Ephesians chapter 5 and verses 5 through

Ephesians 5 · chapter mention

15-1 17. [clears throat]

I'm pressing [singing]

the upward way

onward.

Lord

[singing and music] and let me stand my

faith on heaven's [chant] table.

[singing]

My heart has no [singing]

desire to stay where doubts arise and

fears.

Though some may dwell where these

abound, my prayer, my name is higher

ground. Lord, lift me up

[music and singing]

and let me stand by

[singing]

a higher plane.

Lord, my feet on [singing] higher

ground. I want to live above [chant] the

world though

[singing]

our world for

[singing]

the joyful sound the song of saints on

higher ground

up and let [singing] me stand by heaven.

Everable

lander

[singing and music]

I have found

my feet on higher [singing]

ground. I want to scale the utmost high

and catch a

glory

but still afraid till heaven.

Lord, lead me onto higher [singing]

ground. Lord, lift me up and let me

stand by faith on heaven's

table.

[singing]

Lord, plant my feet on [singing] higher

ground.

That's Ephesians 5 15-1 17.

See then that you walk circumspect,

not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the

time, because the days are evil.

Therefore, do not be unwise, but

understand what the will of the Lord is.

Those very verses there is talking about

the resolution that we should all have

as well as to redeem the time that God

has given. Speaking of time, as we read

from Psalm 90 a moment ago as well as he

is instructing us in Ephesians chapter 5

Ephesians 5 · chapter mention

even here that we walk in a certain way.

The realization is that time is the most

valuable

resource that we possess

and the one we waste most easily.

We can recover money but you can never

recover time.

And to redeem, as that scripture points

out, means to use it intentionally,

not casually. And we often say the

words, you know, I don't have time for

Bible study or I don't have time for

prayer. I don't have time for service.

But what we really mean is, I've chosen

something else instead. That's that's

actually what we mean when we say those

words

or have that thought.

So we're talking about and considering

in this point is that we resolve to

prioritize worship over convenience.

Resolve to schedule prayer and Bible

reading. Make that an integral part of

your daytoday life because again a

better year begins with what? A better

walk. And resolve to spend time on

eternal matters. Those things you've

heard me say we we spend time on things

that translate into eternity.

Those eternal matters, not just on

urgent ones. The passage said the days

are evil. I think that's an apt

description of our day and age today.

And what that means is that time easily

slips away

if we are not deliberate. That's why he

used the words, "Walk circumspectly, not

as fools, but as wise, redeeming the

time because the days are evil." The

next song that we're going to sing,

number 118, has to do with time. Take

time to be holy. That means we're

intentional and deliberate about being

holy, for he, our God, is holy.

It's a reminder that holiness requires

intentional time with God. We're going

to sing all verses of 118.

Brother uh Roland Morris is going to

lead us in this in this song. And

following this song, Brother Kyle Hill

will lead us in our next scripture

reading of Romans 12 1 and two.

Take [singing] time to be holy. [music]

Speak

of thy Lord

[music]

mighty [chant and singing]

him.

[music]

and feed on [singing]

his word.

Make

friends [music and singing] of God.

Help

those who are [singing]

[singing]

blessing to see

Take [music]

[singing]

the

world

[music]

with

Jesus [singing] alone.

>> [singing and music]

>> Jesus

[singing]

[music]

Shall

[singing]

[music]

I shall see

the holy [music]

thy soul?

are [singing]

[music]

his control

[singing] by his

mountain [music]

of love.

>> [singing]

>> shall be

service of

Romans 12:es 1 and

I urge you therefore rather by the

mercies of God to present your bodies

living a holy sacrifice acceptable to

God which your spiritual service and do

not be conformed to this world but be

transformed by the renewing of your mind

that you may prove what the will of God

is that which is good and acceptable to

God.

Next thing we think about resolving here

is offering oursel fully to God. You

know that verse we actually saw this

morning near [clears throat] the close

of the service of Romans 12 that brother

Kyle just led us in

the fact of what is being stated there

that we present our bodies a living

sacrifice holy and accept of God which

is your reasonable service. And what

that says to us that God does not want

occasional devotion.

He wants complete surrender.

Under the old law, sacrifices were

placed on the altar and died.

Under the new covenant, we are called to

be living sacrifices.

Which is harder?

Because living sacrifices

have a tendency to crawl off the altar.

You ever think about that?

It does make you wonder, doesn't it?

Well, see, God wants our actions,

he wants our attitudes, our priorities,

our will to be his will.

Partial commitment is no commitment at

all.

Luke 22 and verse 42 we know of Jesus

facing that of the upcoming crucifixion

and he knew when he said father if it is

your will take this cup away from me

nevertheless not my will but yours be

done.

I want us to ask as we even look back

over the past year and we think about

how much did we resolve to give God.

Did we truly give God our whole self?

Did we resolve that obedience would not

be selective?

Did we resolve that comfort will not

override conviction?

Well, as I stated earlier, it's in the

past.

We have this day that we've been able to

spend and worship to God.

And as the days go and we have another

day tomorrow and then upcoming the new

year of 2026,

I hope that we will resolve each and

every day to give God our whole self.

resolve that obedience will not be

selective and that will resolve that

comfort will not override conviction.

The next song that we're about to sing

is I surrender all.

It's a familiar song like the rest of

them that we've been singing already

this evening and this is a declaration

of surrender and dedication.

Each word of this song emphasizes that

following Christ is not a partial commit

but a total yielding of one's life,

one's will, one's desires.

And each verse acknowledges that true

disciplehip requires letting go of self,

reinforcing the central message that

faith demands more than words. It

requires action and obedience.

It's a psalm that reminds us as

believers

that surrender is actually ongoing,

not a one-time act, and that true

freedom and joy are found when Christ is

allowed to reign fully in the heart and

in our lives.

Again,

living sacrifices have a tendency to

crawl off the altar. It may be that we

have to think we need to get back on it

and stay on it to be and surrender all

that we are. Brother Kyle Hill is going

to lead us in this next song. I

surrender all all verses. And then

following this song, Brother Roland

Morris will lead us in our next

scripture reading of 1 Peter chapter 1

1 Peter 1 · chapter mention

13-16.

Number 332. I surrender all

[chant]

to Jesus.

I [singing]

surrender

to [singing] him. I freely

give.

I [music]

will

love and trust [singing and music] him

in his presence

daily.

I [singing]

surrender

all.

I [singing]

surrender.

[music]

I surrender all

to theeless

[singing and music]

I

all to Jesus

I

surrenderly

at his

I found

worldly

pleasures

all for

take me Jesus

take me now

[singing]

[music]

[singing]

I surrender

Right.

All to thee my [singing] blessed [music]

Christ [singing]

all

to [music] Jesus [singing]

I

surrender

I give myself

to thee.

Fill me with [singing]

thy love and power.

Let thy blessings

fall [singing] on me.

I surrender

all.

I [music]

[singing] surrender.

I surrender. All

to thee [singing]

my blessed [music]

I surrender

all.

I'm reading from first Peter 1 13-16.

Therefore, guard your minds for action.

Keep sober in spirit. Fix your hope and

sleeping on the grace to be brought to

you in the revelation of Jesus Christ.

As obedient children, do not be formed

to the former lust which were of yours

in your ignorance, but like the holy one

who called you, be holy yourselves also

in all your behavior.

because it is written, "You shall be

holy, for I am holy."

Those verses and songs tie in to what we

just read from Romans 12. And that's

very resolution to be transformed, not

conformed.

The world constantly presses us into

this mold in thinking, in values, in

morality, and priorities.

But what we find from these scriptures

is God is calling us to stand apart to

be different.

Transformation begins in the mind. And

when you think about that, it's, you

know, what we dwell on, what we consume,

and what we allow to shape shape our

thinking.

You know, there's many passages that

speak to this that one cannot live a

godly life with a worldly mind. As we

see in Proverbs 23 and verse in the

first part of verse 7, for as he thinks

in his heart, so is he. And Paul would

even drive this point home in

Philippians 4:es 8 and 9. He says,

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are

true, whatever things are noble,

whatever things are just, whatever

things are pure, whatever things are

lovely, whatever things are of good

report, if there is any virtue, and if

there's anything praiseworthy, meditate

on these things, the things which you

learned and received and heard and saw

in me, these do, and the God of peace

will be with you."

So what these scriptures are saying to

us in these songs even is that we have

to show resolve

that we resolve to guard what enters our

minds,

our hearts.

We resolve to fill our thoughts with

that which is good, that which is

praiseworthy, that which is pure and

noble and just and true.

And that would of course include

obviously scripture.

Resolving to think differently than the

world.

The next song that we'll sing

is 325.

I am resolved. Lord, to whom shall we

go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.

John 6 and verse 68.

Brother Roland Morris will lead us in

this song and followed by that song

we'll have Hebrews 3:es 12-15. Brother

Daniel Cecil will lead us.

I am resolved no [singing] longer to

linger

by the world. [singing]

[music]

Things that are higher, things that are

over

[singing]

my side.

I will

[singing] gladest.

[music]

I [singing]

will come to thee. [music]

I am resolved [singing] to go to the

savior

and

he [singing] is the [music] true one. He

is the just one. He [singing]

had the word of life. [music]

>> [singing]

>> will

[music]

[singing] glad

Jesus.

Great [singing] is highest.

I will come to [music] thee.

I am to [singing] follow the savior.

faithful and true [singing] each day.

what he say

[singing]

will [music]

heest.

[singing and music]

[singing]

[music]

I will [singing] come to thee. [music]

I am [singing]

to

the kingom

leading the path of [singing] sold.

[music]

[singing]

Till I [singing] entering

[music]

I [singing]

will [music] hastest

[singing and music]

[singing]

[music]

I [singing]

will come to [music] thee.

Hebrews 3 12- 15

brothers, lest there be any of you in

evil, unbelieving heart leading you to

fall away from the living God, but adore

one another every day as long as it is

called today. that we may be hardened by

the deceitfulness of sin. For we have

come to share in Christ if indeed we

hold our original confidence firm to the

end. As it is said today, if you hear

his voice, do not harden the hearts as

[clears throat]

the song. We were just singing

[clears throat]

that strong declaration that we sang

together of personal commitment to

follow Christ without hesitation or

compromise.

I think it's a fitting anthem for

spiritual determination. It's a firm

decision to turn away from the world's

distractions and to pursue a life of

obedience and faithfulness to God.

Each one of those verses, what did we

see? It highlighted common obstacles

that challenged disciplehip

such as worldly pleasure, fear, and

temptation while affirming the resolve

to press forward regardless of the cost.

The repeated statement, I am resolved,

underscores that faith is not passive,

but intentional,

requiring daily choices grounded in

conviction. And as we saw in those

verses that brother Daniel just led us

in from Hebrews chapter 3,

Hebrews 3 · chapter mention

you notice that there's a lot of words

that have to do with based off of

condition. If we hold fast, if we right,

if we continue, that means

that we are to resolve to finish

faithful to God.

I will submit to you that God is not

impressed by short beginnings alone.

He desires faithful endurance.

You know, I thought about how, you know,

a lot of times it's it's it's

interesting how a new year, this is what

we do. It's it's just it's common

that we think about a new year, it's a

turning of a new chapter, a new page,

however you want to describe that. And

and we begin the the new year. It's

going to be a new year. It's going to be

a new me, right? I mean, we might have

already said that a couple times. We

say, "I'm going to claim this year." You

know, that type of thing. And then we

begin the year motivated. We we are so

motivated. But again, by midFebruary, we

start drifting as the year progresses

on. I can promise you, I've been there.

I know faithfulness is about

persistence. We make a bunch of goals.

A lot of times we think about all of

those are physical things that we want

to alter and change because our health

and all and I'm not those are all good

those are all good things that we want

to change to

but focus as we have noted in this

lesson that we're resolved regarding our

spiritual health our spiritual vitality

because faithfulness is about

persistence. The Hebrew writer says as

well in Hebrews chapter 12 1 and2,

Hebrews 12 · chapter mention

"Therefore we also, since we are

surrounded by so great a cloud of

witnesses, let us lay aside every weight

in the sin which so easily ens snares

us. And let us run with endurance the

race that is set before us, looking unto

Jesus, the author and finisher of our

faith, who for the joy that was set

before him, endured the cross, despising

the shame, and sat down at the right

hand of the throne of God."

What we are reminded of yet again today

is remember that faithfulness is daily,

not seasonal,

and that endurance is emphasized

rather than speed.

And our resolution should always be each

and every day, it's not it's not about

just starting strong,

but it's about remaining steady.

that we keep worshiping, we keep

serving, we keep praying, and we keep

trusting even when there's difficulties

and issues and problems and all of those

things

because our goal

is heaven.

Heaven should be the diamond desire of

everyone's heart.

And the scriptures teach us how we can

get there.

The next song we're going to sing is

When We All Get to Heaven,

number 194.

This is a reminder of the finish line we

are running toward.

This song is is truly a joyful

expression of Christian hope focused on

the promise of eternal life with God.

And it emphasizes the assurance and

anticipation of heaven to those who

faithfully follow Jesus.

And what's interesting as you go through

these verses, and again, these are all

familiar songs to us,

but this song contrasts the struggles

and trials of earthly life

with the peace, rest, and joy that await

us as the redeemed.

You'll see that repeated refrain that

highlights the certainty of victory

through Christ and encourages the word

that we've been talking about already is

perseverance

in faithful living. Heaven is portrayed

not as a vague idea

but as a promised home prepared by

Christ for those who love him and obey

his will. And it's a great reminder to

us as believers that

present hardships,

those difficulties, those trials, those

are all temporary

and that faithfulness now leads to

everlasting joy later when he shall come

to be glorified in his saints and to be

admired in all of them in that day. 2

Thessalonians 1 and verse 10. Brother

Kyle Copeland is going to lead us in

this song. And following this song,

we'll have our next scripture reading by

brother Kyle Hill of Ecclesiastes 12 13

and 14.

[clears throat]

>> Sing [singing]

of Jesus. Sing his mercy and his grace

[singing]

in the

bright and blessing. He'll bring

us [singing]

when we all

get to heaven.

What [singing] day of rejoicing [music]

of that will be when we all

[music] see [singing] Jesus

will sing and shout

while we walk [singing]

over

the sky.

>> [singing]

>> traveling days are over.

Not a [singing]

shadow

when we all [music]

get to heaven.

on a [singing] day

[music]

that will be

all Jesus [singing]

[music]

will sing and shout

the victory.

Let [singing] us stand

true and faithful,

trusting, serving

every day.

Just [singing] one glimpse of him in

glory

will [music]

[singing] get to heaven.

on a day [singing]

andjoicing [music]

that will be

all [singing]

Jesus

will sing and [singing] shout.

[music]

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14

The conclusion when all has been heard

is to hear God and keep his commandments

because this applies to every person for

God will bring every act to judgment

everything which is sin whether it is

good or evil.

Friends, if we have talked

[clears throat] about and studied,

I will submit to you

that a new year does not guarantee a

better life,

but a renewed walk with God does.

Ecclesiastes

is a very interesting book.

And if you haven't taken the time lately

to read chapter 1 through chapter 12, do

that this week.

All the things that Solomon had,

wealth, you name it, he had it. Power,

but what was just read in Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 12 · chapter mention

chapter 12 is what he brought it all

down to. all the vanity of vanities, all

his vanity of exation of the spirit, all

the feudal things that he talked about

of this worldly life

because when he gets down to the end, he

says the whole duty of man is to fear

God and keep his commandments.

That was that was the result

and the reminder that we will all give

an account before our creator.

So I I submit to you in this lesson in

closing

is let this year and I would say yay

each and every single day

be marked not by the resolutions that

fade

but by commitments that endure.

The good news is that we don't have to

wait till the year 2026

to change our walk because we can do it

right now.

As I mentioned, as living sacrifices, we

have the tendency to crawl off the

altar. And it may be as a Christian, as

a disciple of Christ that you may have

crawled off.

This is a call to get back on the altar

and truly be the living sacrifice that

we've all been called to be. Are we

perfect? Am I perfect? No.

Absolutely not. As I've always said, I

got a sign around my neck basically says

work in progress.

We all do.

And I'm thankful for a God that is

patient, is long-suffering, and he has

given us yet another opportunity as we

have gathered this evening to take stock

and inventory of our lives and look into

our hearts and see really what have we

resolved to do today? What will we

resolve to do tomorrow as the Lord gives

us another day?

And friends, if you need to obey the

gospel, you need to put on the body of

Christ in baptism as commanded in the

scriptures, you can do that right now.

All things stand ready.

You can resolve

to have that better walk

right now.

As it says in Romans 6:3 and 4, being

Romans 6:3

buried with Christ in baptism to rise

and walk in newness of life.

If your faith has grown weak, you can

renew it now. You need prayers, seek

them now. Today is the day of salvation.

Don't wait. Don't put it off. It starts

right now.

And that's the question we're asking.

Why not now?

The song selected for invitation, why

not now, is a direct and urgent call to

immediate obedience to the gospel. The

words of this song confronts the human

tendency to delay spiritual decisions

and challenges the listener to respond

to God's invitation without

postponement.

The repeated question throughout this

song, why not now? Removes excuses and

presses the truth that the present

moment is the best to obey

God.

And the words of this song echo the

biblical warning against

procrastination. It reminds us that

tomorrow is uncertain and opportunities

may not return.

Ultimately, why not now? Urges the

hearer to choose Christ now. calling for

decisive faith, decisive repentance,

decisive obedience, stressing that delay

is absolutely dangerous,

and that the proper response to God's

grace is always immediate action.

We don't wait for another year to do

what God calls us to do today

because a better walk awaits us right

now.

So

why not now? Call ye upon him while he

is near. Return to the Lord and he will

have mercy. What great promises the

scriptures give us. If you're a subject,

invitation, call, whatever your

spiritual need, won't you come as we

stand and we sing the song that's been

selected.