Sermon 

Predictions for the New Year 

Intro.

    * People have been doing this for millenniums.
    * They do it because they feel like they need out side help.
    * I hesitated to do this.
    * 2006 the year of the Dog.
    * What about predictions in general.

Predictions in general

    * Scientists analyzed a total of 240 earthquake predictions by 27 astrologers and found their accuracy to be worse than guessing.
    * Culver and Ianna surveyed 3,011 specific predictions made in U.S. astrology magazines. Only 338 (11%) were correct, and many of these could be attributed to shrewd guesses, vagueness or inside information.
    * For instance Bernard Silverman found no link among the records of 2978 couples who married and478 couples who divorced in Michigan.

Acts 7 :42 - 43

⁴² Then God turned away from them and abandoned them to serve the stars of heaven as their gods! In the book of the prophets it is written, 'Was it to me you were bringing sacrifices and offerings during those forty years in the wilderness, Israel?

⁴³ No, you carried your pagan gods— the shrine of Molech, the star of your god Rephan, and the images you made to worship them. So I will send you into exile as far away as Babylon.'
 
Isaiah 8:19-22

¹⁹ Someone may say to you, "Let's ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do." But shouldn't people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead?

²⁰ Look to God's instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark. 21 They will go from one place to another, weary and hungry. And because they are hungry, they will rage and curse their king and their God. They will look up to heaven 22 and down at the earth, but wherever they look, there will be trouble and anguish and dark despair. They will be thrown out into the darkness.

1. What’s wrong with living by these predictions?

    * It is clearly against God’s word.
    * We live with feet on both sides of the road.
          o God is patient
          o But He desires everything
    * We show God our lack of trust in Him.

2. What empowers predictions?

    * Fear
    * Belief
    * Parental / family pressure.
    * The desire to keep in control of our lives.

3. What Are Suhu Jeff’s predictions for 2007 the year of the Pig. Heb 10:23

    * God will keep his promises.
          o He’ll save us and prepare a place for us.
          o He will take care of all your needs.
          o He’s coming again
    * If you have a Good year or a bad year he will never leave you nor forsake you.
    * Make an investment in the kingdom of God this year and your investment will be stored in a place where there will be interest and also the investment will never go down.  2 Corinthians 9:6 & Luke 12:33 & 34..

GO Questions

Ice breaker:

What is the weirdest thing you've heard about Chinese / other culture's belief? For example, in Chinese culture, it's bad to have the number 4 in any part of your life because it means "death", but it's good to have 4 years difference in marriage age because it's sturdy like a table's legs.

Questions: 

1. Have you ever experienced a good year or a bad year? Can you please share?
   

1. Have you ever been asked to follow a traditional belief in an event in your life? Let's say, you have to get married on a "good day", or you must break a lantern when you move in to a new house, and so on. Please share.
   

1. Pastor Jeff mentioned about "living with feet on both sides of the road" Do you still somewhat believe in things like black cat brings bad luck, "knock on wood", number 13, lucky number 8 (in Chinese culture), and so on. What does this say about our Christianity?
   

1. Have you ever read your horoscope or prediction of your Chinese zodiac? If you do, what makes you read it? Do you think it's a sin for us Christians to read those kinds of readings?
   

1. This year began with a lot of disasters in Indonesia. Jakarta's flood, continuation of Lapindo's mud, plane accident of Adam air, and so on. Do you think this is going to be a "good year" or a bad year"? Preparing this year to come, do you believe in Jeff's "prediction"?  - Deut 31:6 and Hebrews 13:5-6
   

1. 2^nd prediction from Jeff:  "Investment in kingdom of God will have returns with interest and investment will never go down." Moreover it cannot be stolen or destroyed. What do you plan to invest in kingdom of God for 2007?

GO Questions by I Lung / GO Escape