Day by Day in 2016 A. For what are you aiming in 2016? B. It’s an important question because: 1. To be aimless is to have no goal, no purpose, no direction. 2. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to the very opposite of aimlessness: a. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness…” (Matt 6:33) b. “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise…” (Eph 5:15-16) c. “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time” (Col 4:5) d. “Do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward” (Heb 10:35) e. “Let those of us who are mature think this way…” (Phil 3:13-16) As a means of sharpening our aim at the dawn of this new year, consider 1 Timothy 1:5.  We have been _______________ (Matt 28:18; Acts 2:36).  In order to fulfill the charge, we have to _______.  We are aiming for _________ (Matt 22:34-40).  The love for which we are aiming ____________ from a three-pronged source (Prov 4:23):  A heart that is ________ (James 4:1-8)  A conscience that is ____________ (1 Pet 3:18-22)  A faith that is _______________ (1 Tim 1:18-19a)  Failure to carefully aim leads to _______________ (1 Tim 1:6-7) and shipwreck (1 Tim 1:19b).  As a means of answering our charge, we have a practical plan for personal and congregational growth in 2016 rooted in Acts 2:42-47. Our aim in 2016 is to follow in the footsteps of those earliest Christians—ordinary men and women whose lives were powerfully changed because of their:  Conviction  Devotion  Awe  Fellowship  Efforts to spread the good news