A New Beginning - Part 1

2 Corinthians 5:11-17 “Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade people, but we are well known to God; and I hope that we are also well known in your consciences. We are not commending ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart. For if we have lost our minds, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf. Therefore, from now on we recognize no one by the flesh; even though we have known Christ by the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

 

Pastor Herk's new Year's sermon message began with him stating that the success of year 2021, which we have just began, is going to be based largely on our attitude and if we are going to allow ourselves to do what is needed in our lives. 2021 can be an amazing year, if you allow it to be, even if we are going through a lot. When we say “Happy New Year”, what are we saying actually? Out with the old and in with the new? We certainly mean well by it. Verbally, we are giving a blessing on that person for the year in front of them. 

 

Cheers to the new year; another chance to get it right. Nobody is perfect, so maybe this is a time for change; a New Year’s resolution. Three things we need to think about going into 2021 are (1) our attitude of how this new year will be, (2) what and who are you putting your trust in for this year? (3) What part do you play in the process? Pray about what direction the Christian church should be putting their time, resources and efforts this coming year, as the world in which we live is in chaotic uncertainty and social unrest. All disciples of Christ need to thoughtfully pray about and take action towards discovering God purpose for their life, aspiring to what God wants them to accomplish. 

 

Finding out our spiritual gifts is the very beginning of learning where we need to go in our journey by the purpose of God. Once we discover our gifted talents, then we need to discover what we are to do with them; not what we want to do with them, but what the Lord wants us to do with them. People may have the same gifts, but different passions, personalities and different directions, so we need to pray about it. But, God gave all of us gifts and a purpose for being here. We need to find that individual purpose and serve our Lord God to the best of our ability. It’s going to take some effort. It doesn’t matter how old you are. We don’t ever outgrow our need to serve God as the affective disciple He wants us to be. 

 

Those who are “born again” believers are Christ’s Ambassadors on this earth. As a child of God, we have all the resources of heaven to have a successful new year. Every year offers us all a new beginning and hope. How many put themselves in a position to receive what is available to us from the Lord, if we just desire and ask for it? Most people look forward to the new year as it zeros measured goals and accounts, to start fresh. But, it is our attitude has everything to do with the results on how the year will play out. If you don’t believe change and progress are possible, then that’s probably how it is going to end up. Keep focused on God and you’ll be going in the “right” direction. It’s important to stayed connection and close to God. 

 

2021 will have a renewed purpose when we realize and understand that without the Lord this will be just another year. Looking for true and lasting joy in this life will not happen if you do not have Jesus in your life. If you are looking or joy this year without Jesus in it, good luck with that. You may have occasional joyful moments, but it will be circumstantial only. But, if you want true happiness that lasts and people can see in you when they look at you, you need to have Jesus in your life. Maybe, you are looking for peace in this world. True peace comes from God, who is in control of all things. Peace in not based upon having no troubles. In this life you shall always have troubles. Joy, peace and hope are dependent upon God. 2021 depends upon Jesus Christ.

Let's continue Pastor Herk's "New Beginnings" message in the next post. 

In Christ, Brian