I AM RESOLVED
Text: 1 Cor 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. (determined -krino..to decide; make definite decision )

Introduction: New Year's resolutions have been long a subject of levity among men and truly most have been broken almost as soon as they were made. But nevertheless, a child of God needs to make and KEEP the resolve of our text.

I Some examples of resolve

A. Some wrong resolves
1 Pharaoh's wrong resolve Exo 7:23 And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also.
2. Israel's wrong resolve Exo 32:22 And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.
Exo 32:23 For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
Exo 32:24 And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.

B. Some good resolutions that weren't kept.
1. Peter's resolve Luke 22:33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
Results: Luke 22:61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Luke 22:62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
2. Ananias and Sapphira
Acts 4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
Results: Acts 5:5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
Acts 5:10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

C. Some resolves which were carried out.
1. Joshua - Josh 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
If a man wants a christian family, HE MUST take HIS place as head of his house.

2. David resolved to work for God's house and was blessed 1 Chr 29:1 Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.
1 Chr 29:2 Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.
1 Chr 29:3 Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,

3. The resolve of the Israelites caused Judah to become powerful under Rehoboam
2 Chr 11:16 And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.
2 Chr 11:17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon.

4. Paul's resolve (Text) Henceforth a crown.............

5. The determined resolution of Christ has provided us with a Saviour
Isa 50:5 The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.
Isa 50:6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
Heb 12:2 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

II What WE need to resolve
A. Humility I Pet 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

B. A good list of resolutions;
1 Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
1 Th 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
1 Th 5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
1 Th 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
1 Th 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
1 Th 5:16 Rejoice evermore.
1 Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
1 Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Th 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.
1 Th 5:20 Despise not prophesyings.
1 Th 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (In other words, STUDY!)
1 Th 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
1 Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Th 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
1 Th 5:25 Brethren, pray for us.
C. One can only add; Witness and teach 2 Tim 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

III The resolution the lost need to make
A. To find salvation at all cost. When this resolution is made earnestly, You will find that the cost has already been paid.
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.