“NEW YEARS SERMON”

 

 

I.   AS WE THINK ABOUT THE NEW YEAR, IT IS APPROPRIATE TO REMIND OURSELVES THAT NOT EVERYTHING WILL BE NEW IN THE COMING YEAR.  THERE ARE SOME OLD THINGS THAT ARE STILL EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

 

     A.  For example, Paul said in 2 Tim. 1:13 READ.  There is a pattern of sound words.

     B.   Some of the people present this morning are veteran Christians.

     C.  You know what God’s pattern is.  You have defended it.  You know what God’s pattern is.

     D.  You have defended it.  Your dedication to God’s pattern is right and commendable.

     E.   We also have people present who are not yet adults.  There are adults who are not yet veteran

     F.     Christians.  The New Year means that each one of us will soon be a year older.

     G. With this extra year added to our lives, our young people need to continue to hear that God

     H.  Has a pattern for Christians.

           1)   Our people need to know that vocal music is God’s pattern for music

           2)     They need to know that elders is God’s pattern for leadership

           3)     From our teachers in bible classes must come forth God’s patter for salvation.

           4)   The pattern for worship must be emphasized, the organization of the church.

                 a.     Jesus at the head, elders is every congregation

                 b.     And no earthly headquarters must be upheld.

           5)   Our people need to know that false teachers exist in the church

           6)     There are those in and out of the church that would like for us to abandon God’s pattern.

     I.    Some of you may pay attention to religious news, if you do, you have heard about

     J.     “Willow Creek Community Church.” This religious group is in the area of Chicago.

           1)     One an average weekend, 15,000 people come to Willow Creek.

           2)     There is one Saturday night service and 2 Sunday services.

     K.     Services at Willow Creek are interesting.

           1)   The lights are dimmed music blares, people clap, sway, and tap their feet.

           2)     There is video and drama; children can play darts, basketball, and color.

           3)     There is a food court that is fit for a shopping mall.

     L    Some of our brethren, it is reported, have gone to Willow Creek.  Is this holding to the pattern?

     M.  Are we to look around and find a successful marketing plan like Willow Creek has?

     N.  Is part of the pattern finding tricks to bring in the masses?  No.  God said. “Hold the Pattern.”

     P.   Folks, the pattern are not darts, drama, and food. As the New Year begins we must pay attention to      Q.  God’s way of doing things.  As a congregation, this means sticking with the book.

     R.   On an individual basis, it means what Paul said in Phil. 1:16 READ. We must do what is right.

     S.   And be able to defend our practices, what is right may not be popular.  It may not appeal to the

     T.     Majority.  Doing what God has said will give us God’s approval. Some of our children are now    U.  Old enough to defend the faith.  We need to insure they know and are able to defend B. pattern.

 

II  AS WE COME INTO THE NEW YEAR WE NOT ONLY WANT TO BETTER PREPARE OURSELVES TO STICK WITH GOD’S PATTERN, WE ALSO SHOULD SPEND MORE TIME IN PRAYER.

 

     A.  There are lots of areas where prayer is needed. Prayer needs to be directed to God on behalf

     B.   Of sick people.  There are those who are physically ill.  Some of these persons are members,

     C. Some are not.  James said that prayer for the sick is important Jas. 5:16. READ 

     D.  Paul said in 1st Thess: 5:17 READ.  In addition to praying for the physically sick, pray for

     E.     Spiritual ill. There are brethren here and elsewhere who are spiritually weak.  10 moths ago

     F.   I heard a preacher make this statement.  He was speaking to a group of preachers.

     G.  “On any given morning, 70% of the people present are weak/hurting.”

     H.  Or if we do not see anyone is weak in the faith, we are not looking hard enough. They are there.

     I.    Prayer is a good place to start in regard to helping ill people.  Prayer also needs to be offered

     J.    On a national level.  Our nation needs prayers. As things currently stand

           1)     There are a majority of one party in the House and the Senate,     there is a different party

           2)   In the White House.  This has not diminished some political differences.

           3)     Some very serious matters are being decided in our nation’s capital.  Paul said that it is

           4)   Right for us to pray for the people involved. 1st Timothy 2:1-2 Read.

     K.  Prayers for politicians are important.  Let us not limit our prayers to the sick and elected persons.

     L.   Let’s remember other leaders.  While on vacation last summer, we worshipped at an area

     M.     Congregation.  The local preacher presented a lesson prayer.  He said, “It warms my heart to know      N.  That people pray for me.”  When we were leaving I said in a light hearted way,

     O.  “You must never get cold.”  I then explained.  I pray for this man and his work nearly every day.

     P.   As members of the Goshen Church of Christ.  We can and need to pray frequently about this

     Q.  Congregation.     We can pray that Goshen will stay with God’s pattern. Prayer and members

     R.   Prayers for the elders are important, health and wise judgment.  Prayers for elder’s wives are            S.     Important, Sometimes after a lesson people make a comment to me.

           1)   I appreciate each thought whether it is favorable or not.  After a recent lesson on appreciating

           2)     Elders, I got some feed back.  It was indicated that I had not said anything about the wives.

           3)     Allow me to make a remark or two on that subject right now.  The wives of elders and                4)     preachers are often inconvenienced.  While all the other families are headed home.

           5)   3 women and my daughter sit in the foyer while a meeting takes place.  Church responsibilities            6)   can and do intrude on family time.  These women have all the responsibilities that other

           7)     Christian’s wives have plus a few more.

     T.     Therefore, they too deserve appreciation and our prayers.  Public and private prayers are worthy           U.     requests to put before God.  I have not asked the elders, but I have no doubt that they appreciate

     V.  Prayers on their behalf, my family certainly appreciate prayers offered on our behalf.

     W. I am sure that appreciation is on your part too.  I am sure that appreciation is on your part too.

     X.     Frequently I pray for the Christians here who have unfaithful mates.  Included in my prayers are

     Y.     Requests for Goshen’s young people. I hope to pray even more in the New Year. 

    

III     LOOKING TOWARDS THE NEW YEAR, THERE IS A THIRD MATTER FOR US TO CONSIDER.

 

     A.  This matter is found in Matt. 9.  Matt. 9:35 tells us how Jesus was healing people.

     B.   The Lord went to cities, villages, and synagogues.  He preached the gospel and cured all kinds of G.     Sickness. Matthew tells us that great crowds came to the Lord.  Jesus “saw the multitudes.”

     H.  The sight Jesus saw caused him to be “moved with compassion.”  Christ saw these people as

     I.    Sheep without a shepherd.  This is the background for what is in vs. 37-38 READ.

     J.    The harvest in Matt. 9 is not a physical harvest.  Actual grain is not in the context. 

     K.  The Lord was speaking of souls; people in sin.  Jesus wanted them to be rescued.

     L.   Jesus has the same goal today Heb: 13:8 READ.  We still have an area to harvest.

     M.  This area is an interesting one.  I have never been in a place like this.

           1)   We have several surrounding communities. Ligonier, Bristol, Nappanee, Millersburg,

           2)     New Paris, Elkhart, Middlebury, Warsaw and obviously Goshen. There are Christians

           3)   In these 9 different communities.  Some might say, “That’s bad.  This limits fellowship

           4)      Opportunities.  We’re scattered, maybe this is bad, maybe not.  Christians living in 9        

           5)     Different areas have a good side.  There is a little light in each of these areas.

     N.  We are God’s laborers.  In our culture and time, the harvest may not be plenteous.

     O.  The other part of Matt. 9 is true; laborers are few.  We are God’s workers.  We are the

     P.   Seed planters.  This is our job.  1st Cor. 3:6 says, READ.  As we enter into the New Year we need    Q.     to fill up our bag with seed.  At every opportunity, we plant and /or water what is planted.

     R.   The life or the death of the seed is a matter that concerns God.

 

CONCLUSION:

1.  Remember three things for the New Year.

2.  Know and hold to God’s pattern; pray more; plant plenty of seeds

3.  When harvest time comes, we will be immeasurably blessed.

4.  If you want to be blessed by God in the New Year, you must be a faithful Christian.  Are you one?