happy new year!
Erik Strunk
Happy New Year!
Introduction
We have now come to that time of year where all of us look back at
everything that has happened throughout the past year and eagerly
think about how we can make the next year better. Many make
resolutions, but often wonder if they will even stick to it.
As we begin a new year, it is good to remember all the things that
made the past year great, but lets try to remember the greatest thing
that happened best of all. Jesus Christ, the baby of Bethlehem, gave
us lasting and spiritual peace, and will continue to do so in the year
to come. Now that you have a general idea about what New Year is all
about, sit back and read this sermon as I describe biblical takes on
the reasons to celebrate the new year.
Part one: The Return
In the next days, many people will be returning Christmas presents. I
must ask you if you are planning to return the gifts that God has
given to you?
God has given you gift far greater than any presents you received
yesterday. St. Paul lists some of these in Galatians 5:22-23,"The
fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control". Think about
this for a moment, why would you want to return them?
These are gifts for your heart and life. These gifts will not wear out
with use, but instead will grow stronger with time. God's gifts will
not depreciate in the eyes of others but will appreciate as your
friends and family see your good works and glorify your father in
heaven. These are needed and welcomed gifts. Maybe today or tomorrow
you will be returning that ungly shirt or the coffee maker you do not
need, but these gifts of God are needed in your daily life and so they
should be kept and used.
Part two: A Dark Beginning
As we begin this new year, we do so with a multitude of different
perspectives. Some see this as a time of renewal, reflection, and
resolution. Others see the days after the heady sights and sounds of
Christmas as being a return to the same old worries. What we all want
to know is, "Will this year be a time of bright hope or dark
beginnings?"
Those of us who are seeking advice may want to check out a specific
reading in Matthew and recall the time when King Herod gave orders to
kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years and
under. Isn't it wonderful that we just celebrated the birth of Jesus
Chrisr? Now we concentrate on the discordant and dissonant story of
the cinniving, murderous Herod. This calls our attention to that which
is evil, malicious, immoral, and malevolent.
You all may be wondering why God includes this story in his word, and
the answer is because God is honest. If you would please check the
scriptures for yourself, you will see us humans as we truly are. In
the scriptures, you will read about rapists, idolaters, adulterers,
and murderers who marched through the centuries. The massacre of
Herod's soldiers does not stand out because his deed is so much darker
than that of anyone else. It stands out because its evil is
silhouetted against the brightness and holiness of the Savior's birth.
It reminds us to see the baby Jesus for who he really is, the Savior
who has come to rescue us.
Part three: Reasons to Celebrate
To celebrate means to rejoice together over an event-perhaps a
victory, birthday, wedding, or family reunion. Maybe someone long
absent has come home. These are among many of the reasons why we
celebrate, and that is what really matters.
The recovery of a lost sheep was an important evnt to celebrate among
Palestinian shepherds. To find it and restore it back to the flock
marked the triumph of the shepherd's love and concern. Here was the
truly human touch so easily lost in the age of machines.
To be sure, there is joy in heaven over all the faithful members of
Christ's church, over the so-called 99 who remained true to their
savior. The lord and his angels are happy over their constancy and
consistancy, their spiritual growth, and their service in and to the
flock to which the Good Shepherd ministers. There is also great
exceeding joy over sinners who repent and return to Christ's church of
believers.
Why this great joy? It means the recovery of a human soul worth more
than all the material wealth of the world. It means the reinstatement
of a person for whom Jesus Christ shed his precious blood. It means
the restoration of an essential link in the golden chain of Christian
fellowship. It also means regaining a lost jewel in the crown of the
King of Kings, Jesus Christ, whom brought back from the dead "through
the blood of the eternal covenant (Hebrews 13:20)"
Part four: Judgement Day is Set
As the Christian Church all over the world winds down its celebration
of the historic occasion of the birth of the Savior, we should enter
the new year with great anticipation of Christ's second coming.
This ought to be a solemn reminder that the lord will return a second
time to judge the world. The date for this event has already been
established, and we are rapidly moving toward that day.
As you and your family think about the new year, the fun-filled
celebrations, and the family get-togethers, it is the Lord's will that
you re-examin your life. Just let me ask you one thing, if Christ were
to return this New Year to judge you and the entire world, would you
welcome him with great joy and expectation, or will the New Year
become for you a time of shame and even fright?
Might it be that this anxiety and fright, for the most part, would be
a result of your having been living your life apart from God. For the
grace of God, you and I would have no choice but to be condemned to
the fires of everlasting hell, forever and ever. However, God has not
destined us for wrath. God's desire for us is that we obtain salvation
through the Lord Jesus Christ. Then, when the great Day of Judgement
comes, you will not need to tremble in fear. Instead, with a
conscience cleansed by the blood of Christ, your heart shall be filled
with great joy. Now, isn't this something worth celebrating?
Conclusion
Now that the holidays are over and you return to your normal routine
of life, the world will not have changed. All the world's problems
will still be out there. You may even be unappreciated or despised.
The truth is, in this New Year, the world will be the same old
troublesome place, but you will not be changed.
I now invite you to take the time to remember what the Lord has done
for you this past year and seriously think about what you will do for
him in the coming year. Consider asking Christ into your life and
remember that the Word of the Savior, the Word of Forgiveness, and the
Word of Life, has penetrated your heart and enables you to glorify and
praise God. With this said, I wish you all a very blessed New Year
filled with many blessings and great joy. Take care and God bless!
written by E. Strunk on 12/17/2008