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Series: GOOD TIMES
Passage: 1 Peter 1:17-25
ONE GREAT TRUTH: In spite of the difficulties of our times, we can celebrate the principle of “family” within our homes and our churches – we all belong!
Based on Isaiah 43:18-21
The passage we are reading is quoted out of context quite often. I have heard well-meaning Christians say, “God says He will do a new thing… well this is it!” But what exactly is it that Isaiah is talking about? Remember that Isaiah very accurately prophesied of the Babylonian captivity to come. He gives the reasons, the indictments for which God is bringing the captivity as judgment.
What is the new thing that God will do? It’s a prophetic statement about the re-gathering together of Israel. Please don’t misunderstand the text, which was written with a direct application to the Jewish people. What is the principle we learn from it today? It gives us great insight into the character and heart of God. I believe we can learn some great lessons from God’s Word to Israel as we approach a new year…
God says that if we’re to move forward with the confidence of God, there are some things we need to completely forget but there are always things we must remember as well. Let’s sort it out.
A. What to carry.
1. The Word of God.
2. The work of God among His people.
3. The positive responses of God’s people.
2 Thess. 2:15 – “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”
B. What to bury.
1. The sins of our past.
Ps. 103:12 – “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
2. The suffering of our past.
Here are two important questions for some self-evaluation as you start your new year:
1.) What do I need to bury from my past? What will hinder me from living for Jesus in ’06?
2.) What is something God has given me in 2005 that I need to carry with me?
One of the most prominent ways we often face the new year is with fear and intimidation. We’re afraid of change, of the unknown, of the uncertainties of life. But God always gives us reason to “fear not.”
A. When we are lost, He has a map for us.
B. When we are thirsty, He has a river for us.
C. When we are afraid, He has a Word for us. (go back to verses 1-3a)
What are you facing in 2006 that you need to pray about today? What do you believe God is going to lead you to do this year that you need to be ready for?
Notice something about this statement. God makes it through a prophet to a people who are being very rebellious. Isaiah’s message has been one of judgment because the people are backslidden. But here God looks at His people and says, “They will show forth my praises.” God looks at Israel and He sees what they can become.
We can look forward to the ways in which God might use us this year if we are fully surrendered to His will. We can also look forward to the great worship service in the sky when all of God’s people will be gathered together.
Philip. 2:10-11 – “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Are you looking forward to 2006? If Jesus is in charge, then you can anticipate God being active in your life this year. What are you praying for God to do in your life this year? What kind of growth do you want to see?
Resolutions are faulty only because they are uttered by such weak lips. In reality, it’s good to make commitments to God periodically. Jonathan Edwards made some great resolutions at a very early age and one was to meditate more upon his own impending death. Another was to always be doing what he would want to be doing if he knew Jesus was going to come in the next hour.
What if Jesus came today? Are you prepared for His coming?
Christmas Sermon Series: God’s Christmas Messages to You, Part 4
Based on Luke 2:8-20
This is the fourth and final message in a series of Christmas messages based on the angelic appearances of the first Christmas. We’ve learned with Zechariah and Elizabeth to “prepare for the miraculous.” We’ve learned with Mary to “prepare to be God’s instrument.” We’ve learned with Joseph to “prepare to meet the Savior.” Today, we learn with the shepherds to “prepare for history’s greatest news.”
More than the others, God’s message through the angels to the shepherds represents His universal message to all of humanity. It was the only angelic announcement that involved more than one angel (it involved myriads) and it was the only one to more than one person (Elizabeth was not with Zechariah). It was a group of angels giving God’s message to a group of people who were looked at as “common” in Jesus’ day.
Christmas is, at least in part, the story of God sending His message to all of humanity, to you and me.
GOD’S MESSAGE TO THE WORLD…
Notice that the shepherds were living in the fields with their sheep. That was their life and their livelihood. They were real people with real lives doing real things. I want you to understand that the Christian message is not for perfect people, but for real people. Notice that the angels said that the good news would be for all people.
There are two elements to be found in the reaction of the shepherds to the message of the angels and these two reactions should be ours today as well.
A. Fear.
Fear because God is holy, because He is great and awesome, and because He will judge sin. Fear because an encounter with the holy God is a reminder that we are ultimately sinful and unable to stand in His presence.
“For our God is a consuming fire.” –Hebrews 12:29
“For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” –Revelation 6:17
It is very true that the gospel (which means good news) is not such good news until we realize the bad news, that we’ve sinned against and offended a holy God who will punish us for eternity in hell if we do not repent and come to Christ by faith.
B. Joy.
Joy, sweet relief, peace in the soul. That’s what they felt when they realized that the message here on earth was not one of judgment (that will come for the unrepentant in heaven) but rather one of a Savior.
The shepherds decided to act on the message and go meet the Savior. Every time we hear the message of the gospel, God’s good news, we are called to a crisis of faith, a moment of decision. We must decide what to do with Jesus in this life or perish for eternity.
You see, we are all responsible to respond to the light God gives us. We should know from nature that there is a God and seek Him further. We should hear our conscience telling us that we’ve sinned and we should seek to repent. We should hear the gospel and respond to the light of God’s message, God’s revelation.
The Bible and the gospel preached by preachers across the land is God’s message of warning and consolation to us today and we must respond.
Notice the change in the shepherds’ lives. Their newfound faith prompted them to do at least two things:
A. Tell others about Jesus.
B. Offer praise to God.
Their hearts were changed! They had a new message to give and a new song to sing because things were different for them now. They had met the Savior!
What about you? Have you received His message? Have you met the Savior? Are you different now than before? What have you done with Jesus?
Brandon is first and foremost a follower of Jesus Christ. He's a husband to Angie and a Dad to Ella Grace and Samuel David. He's a Pastor to Bethel Baptist Church, Editor of Fuel Your Blogging and also a logo and web designer.
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