Sermon Text: John 1: 1-13
The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John.
7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.
8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
Morning Message:
Happy New Year! Is it? I mean, what is your outlook for this year? Well, I don’t know pastor, it’s just another day, another year, nothing has changed. I know that’s what you are thinking and feeling because that is the easiest way to approach the new year. Just keep doing what we always do; living like we have for years. After all I have made it this far in life by doing things the same way. Do you really think that God’s plan for your life and the life of his church is to be stagnant and do the same old things? It’s time to start over. Do you realize that in eight short weeks we will be starting the season of Lent? Fifteen weeks from today we will celebrate Easter, the Lord willing, and Jesus hasn’t returned yet. My point is: this is the time to start over. We have a window, a short amount of time to refocus our efforts for the Lord. What is God calling you to do this year? Please, don’t say “nothing.” If God is not calling you then you either don’t know Jesus, or you are tuning him out.
Our God is a God of new beginnings and second chances. God, in his love and grace allows us to start over as many times as we need to. As a matter of fact, I believe that God fully expects and wants us to start over and over and over because when we do, we repent and admit that we need God’s help. I believe that this is our biggest problem with starting over; we don’t want to admit that we need God’s help, and it is just easier to stay stuck in our same old ways. Don’t take this the wrong way. I am very thankful for the ministry that takes place in this congregation. We are a tithing church; we give more than ten percent of everything that comes in back in our mission giving. Our ministry has grown to the point that we reach out with the gospel further than ever before. Thanks to a lot of hard work and the blessing of modern technology, our church services and messages are not confined to the walls of this church. Some have stepped forward and started new ministries that have propelled the gospel forward into the homes of many who can’t make it to worship. I am thankful for the ministry that takes place here, but as your pastor, I cannot afford to be satisfied and become complacent. I believe that God expects growth in his people. How are you growing? What is God putting on your heart for this year?
When we take the time to read through God’s word, especially the Old Testament, we see so many times when Israel fell short of God’s expectations. So many times, they would go the wrong direction and even serve other gods. God would punish them; they faced exile and plagues, drought, and famine; they pushed the limits of God’s patience repeatedly; and they suffered needlessly because they so often rejected God’s call on their lives. They would always reach a breaking point, a place where they would finally turn back to God and his ways. When they finally repented, they started over. I don’t know what you see when you look at the world that we live in, but what I see is a mess. I see a nation that has turned its back on the God that blessed us with our very existence. I see poverty, not somewhere in the world, but in our country, in our neighborhoods, in our very backyard. I see families devastated by drugs and alcohol. I see a nation that has allowed gambling to take over the hearts and minds of its people. I see Godlessness all around us and a selfishness that has become a normal way of life. I see, all too often, God’s church, frozen, stuck in a rut, unwilling to be the body of Christ and give of itself for the sake of the gospel.
In the beginning was the Word, Jesus, and the Word, Jesus, was with God, and the Word, Jesus, was God. He, Jesus, was with God in the beginning. Through him, Jesus, all things were made; without him, Jesus, nothing was made that has been made. It’s important for us to hear this scripture this way. We need to recognize the holiness of our Savior. We need to grasp that Jesus is not just a baby lying in a manger, he is God, the creator of all things. He was there when all things were created. He was there when mankind fell short and sinned and was condemned to death. He came to earth to give us a new beginning, to pay the price for our sins. Jesus is the God of fresh starts. When the world was at its bleakest God created a way for us to start over through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. When we belong to Jesus starting over is a blessing. What will you change this year? How will you serve your Savior and make a difference in your church? It is time to start over! Will you?
In Christ’s Love and Peace
Pastor Bob
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