New Year sermon
Sing to Jehovah a new song; Sing to the Lord, all you earth. Sing to Jehovah, give thanks to his name; Promise him day by day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous works among all peoples. Psalm 96: 1-3.
Dear ones, we are entering the New Year. The New Year brings new hope for you. Yet, every day in life is the same; our fast-paced, stressful life never lets us relax. We cannot get enough rest because of the daily challenges of life. A moment of happiness comes from time to time in life, but many of us cannot experience them. This is the way of life of human beings on earth.
The futility of vanities, says the preacher, is the futility of vanities, all is vanity. What good is a man if he works under the sun? All things are wearisome, more than one can express; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, or the ear is filled with hearing. Ecclesiastes: 1: 2-3, 8. How true these words of the preacher are today. The original sin of disobedience committed by the first human parents causes this state of man. Man has lost true peace and genuine joy in life. Sin caught him in the trap of vanity. He tries hard to find true happiness, true peace, and the true meaning of life, but it stays away from him. The Lord Jesus came into the world to deliver humankind from this yoke of futility, to give him the true God, true peace, genuine joy, the true meaning of life, and salvation from the accursed life. Whoever believes in him and dedicates his life to him for salvation, Jesus removes the original sin from his life. The accursed life goes away, and he receives the blessed life of fellowship with God. There is a need to put off the work of futility and enjoy the genuine joy of living in the company of the Lord Jesus.
Then what is the New Year? But the whole life will stand before you with blessings. Putting away the work of vanity means abandoning a life full of material desires and adopting a spiritual lifestyle. It is a spiritual way of life that brings us a blessed life. As we walk the path of blessing, as we enter the New Year, let us learn about this spiritual lifestyle, embrace it and enjoy the blessed life to the fullest.
Rejoice in the Lord Jesus:
Beloved, genuine joy and true peace are in the Lord. Years will come and go, but life in the Lord will be fruitful. Saint Paul, while guiding the congregation in Philippi, writes, Rejoice in the Lord, I say again, rejoice. Philem 4: 4. for rejoice in the Lord. It is natural to ask here what exactly to do, so let us know how to rejoice in the Lord.
A] Happiness in the soul:
This is a mystery. Eating and drinking is not the kingdom of God, but the kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 The Holy Spirit dwells in us 1 Corinthians 6:19. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 4:30 So live your life inspired by Him. Gal 5:16 The inspiration of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control. if anyone has a question about it that, how sinful man can have such a significant life? The answer is; of course, we should be able to do all these things with joy because the inspiration of the Holy Spirit differs from the Inspiration of the body. So the joy of the flesh differs from the joy of the Spirit. Gal 5: 22-26. A body rejoices when the desires of the flesh are being satisfied. And the soul rejoices when the desires of the spirit are being fulfilled. Therefore, we need to focus on the desires of the Holy Spirit. The more we submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit, the more we get the strength to produce the fruits of the spirit.
Therefore, the word of God says, “Although someone’s prosperity reached the sky and head touched the cloud. Yet he will perish forever, like excrement. Those who have seen him will say, “Where is he?” Job 20: 5-7. So it is good for a man that he should take efforts to fulfil the desires of the Spirit so that righteousness will bear fruits and life will be like ransomed people of the Lord. They will return to Zion, singing the praises of Jehovah. And on their heads, there will be everlasting joy; They will rejoice and be glad, and they will flee from grief and sorrow. Isaiah 35:10.
B] Happiness in participation:
Happiness in the Lord can be fulfilled only when we give priority to the life of fellowship. The splendid example of joyful life; we find in the fellowship of the first congregation. Members of that congregation were caring for each other. Their lives were under the guidance of the apostles.
They would gather in the temple, breaking bread from house to house, and eating their food with great joy and openness. They praised God and had the favour of all people, and the redeemed received them daily. Acts 2:42:47.
The Holy Spirit encourages us to be part of the church fellowship. King David says, “I rejoiced with those who said to me, let us go to Jehovah’s temple. Psalm 122: 1. Glory and majesty are before him; Strength and happiness are in his abode. 1 Chronicle 16:27. This means that the true source of peace and happiness is the Lord Jesus. He who takes refuge in him enjoys true happiness. We have real power in The Lord Jesus. He described it by pointing out what kind of authority, we have in him. He says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. If they agree on anything they ask for, my Father will do for them it in heaven, for I am with them wherever two or three are gathered together in my name. Matthew 18: 18-20.
C] Happiness in learning:
The Holy Spirit gives us an appetite for learning. Blessed is he who finds joy in learning the Word of God. Psalm 1: 2. The early Christians placed special emphasis on learning from God’s Word. So they could influence the world. It revealed the power of the Lord to them. The apostle Peter guides the congregation. Let go of all wickedness and all hypocrisy and envy and slander of every kind. Like a newborn baby, crave pure spiritual milk so that by it you grow up in your salvation. 1 Peter 2: 1-2. Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding. Because it is better than the rupee and better than the gain of gold. Nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand, and wealth and honour are in her left hand. Her ways are ways of joy, and all his paths are peace. It is a tree of life for those who hold it, and happiness is the one who keeps it. Proverbs 3: 13-18.
Serve the Lord Jesus: people The Lord Jesus has chosen us to be His witnesses. We have a responsibility to proclaim the good news of salvation. If we are in this service with our body, mind and money, then we have no reason to worry. Thus saith the Lord, Bring ye tithes into the storehouse, that ye may have food in my house: and if ye have done this, I will open unto you a window of heaven, and bless you, whether it be good or bad: see my testimony now. Malachi 3:10. Psalm 35:27 God assures Abraham of his well-being when he is chosen. Genesis 12: 1-3. The Lord Jesus assures us he will always be with us. We do not want to worry about tomorrow, but we do not need to worry about tomorrow. Paul says, do not worry about anything, but pray to God with all thanksgiving, praying and pleading for all things, and the peace of God Beyond that, she will keep your heart and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Philem 4: 6-7.
Beloved, work for a living. You have many needs, but the Lord Jesus says, don’t worry about what to eat or what to drink or what to wear, because the people of the nations are trying to get all these things. The Father in heaven knows. But seek ye first the kingdom, and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6: 31-33.
Glory to the Lord Jesus: We are to glorify God in this world. We are the salt and light of this earth. The Lord Jesus wants the people of the world to glorify God for their good works. Matthew 5: 13-16 Let us see how God is glorified in our life. The power of the Holy Spirit should manifest in our lives because it brings glory to God. God’s kingdom is not in words but in power, 1 Corinthians 4:20. Saul, the persecutor of the churches, turned to God and became Saint Paul so that it spread the glory of God. In the same way, our conversion glorifies God. Gal 1: 18-24. Glorifying God by giving generously and willingly for the good news. 2 Corinthians 9: 6-13. Glory to God restrains Satan’s actions. Those who stumble in the work of evangelism come to the fore. Acts 4:21. God is glorified when the people of the world repent and turn to God and are saved. Acts 11:18 Glorifying God by Fruiting John 15: 8.
Summary for implication:
Beloved, the world is excited about the New Year but is sceptical about what the coming year will bring. It cannot hide their dilemma, despite ostentation. However, we welcome the God-given New Year by worshipping him by singing a new song. Remembering His grace, love and thanking Him for His goodness. And especially pray to Him for grace so that we may serve Him, and glorify Him through our lives in the upcoming New Year.
Rejoice in the Lord always, walk in the Spirit, be zealous for fellowship, and grow in the teaching of the Lord. The mighty hand of the Lord has been always with us.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I thank you for always being with me. I thank you for this New Year. May you always be happy with me this year, serve you and glorify you. As you ask in the name of Jesus, listen, Amen.
Rev. Kailas [Alisha] Sathe.