Dr Tom Hover
January 4, 2026
I Corinthians 2:1-5 / Jude 20-25
OUR NEW YEAR VOW TO VICTORY! / MAKING A DISTINCTION
OUR NEW YEAR VOW TO VICTORY!
Reading: I Corinthians 2:1-5
Text: I Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
Introduction: It is wonderful to know that we can make a fresh beginning. No matter how far we have traveled, there is further to go: no matter how far we have fallen short, it is always possible to make a new start. Knowing this we probably understand why so many at this time of year make resolutions and vows If you kept every vow or resolution you made last year, you’d probably be skinny, smart, healthy, rich, and bored. Why not be sure by having your New Year’s Resolutions or vows notarized? Some have told me, “That we should keep all our vows secret. That way nobody will know when we break them.” The fact of the matter is that most good vows start too late and end too soon. A Vow is an earnest promise or pledge that binds one to perform a specified act. It is stronger than a resolution.
Have You Made a Vow unto God? There are many good Vows.
A.) Joshua in Joshua 24:15 (a vow for the home)
B.) Psalmist in Psalm 118:24 (a daily vow)
C.) A Vow for The Church (an attendance vow) Hebrews 10:25, The warning! Hebrews 26-31
D.) A Vow to Be Spiritually Hungry. Matthew 5:6, I Peter 2:2
E.) You Should Make Vows and You Should Keep Your Vows You Make! Ecclesiastes 5:4-5, Psalm 76:11, Deuteronomy 23:21 One reason we so often fail in our New Year’s vows is that they are so often negative or without reason or direction.
Example: Jephthah Vow in Judges 11:29-40
F.) One Christian’s Vow: “I steadfastly refuse to gratify the devil by being discouraged!”
G.) One of Greatest Vows! (Is A Vow for the Christian Life.)
I Corinthians 2:2 Our text Verse. Our Scripture reading reveals some interesting facts concerning Paul’s technique of preaching the gospel:
1.) He Did Not Clothe It in Great Eloquence. I Corinthians 2:1
2.) His Technique Was Not Subtle Oratory. I Corinthians 2:3-4
3.) He Taught That Faith in Christ Was Not a Product of Scientific Education. I Corinthians 2:5
I.) THIS VOW IMPLIES THAT:
A.) “Christ Crucified” is the greatest historic event.
B.) Paul Believed the world’s greatest need was Jesus.
C.) He made all else inferior to his “VOW”.
II.) WHAT IT MEANS TO “PREACH CHRIST”
A.) To Declare Him as God’s Incarnate Son, Philippians 2:6
B.) To Declare Him as the Only Savior Acts 4:12
C.) To declare Him as Our Example John 13:15
III.) WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO PREACH “CHRIST CRUCIFIED”? Preach- We need to preach-
A.) “Redemption through his blood,” Ephesians 1:7
B.) “Being Justified by his blood,” Romans 5:9, Hebrews 9:22
WE PREACH CHRIST; CRUCIFIED, RISEN, COMING AGAIN!
IV.) “I DETERMINED NOT TO KNOW ANYTHING EXCEPT JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED.”
Paul’s obvious meaning is that he-
A.) Accepted nothing that denied his vow, I Corinthians 2:2
B.) Nothing so inspired him to action, Romans 1:15
C.) Nothing else gave him greater confidence, II Tim. 1:12
E.) Nothing gave him greater Reason to Live. Philippians 1:21,
Galatians 2:20
Conclusion: I Peter 1:14, Isaiah 40:31
This being the first Sunday of the New Year, many may decide to make resolutions or what some may call turning over a new leaf. The Bible Word is “Vow”. This is good and positive if it is carried out and done right. The trouble many have with turning over a new leaf is that once you have done it twice, you’re right back where you started. There’s a big difference between turning over a new leaf and turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Have you made “Our New Year Vow to Victory?”
PM SERVICE 6 PM
MAKING A DISTINCTION Scripture: Jude 20-25. Text: Jude 22
“And of some have compassion, making a difference”
Introduction: Make a difference by making a distinction.
