|
The Way I See It.
January 2, 2005
NEW!
The outline points in RED are from a message brought at York Alliance Church, York, Pa., by pastor David King. This is an adaptation of Pastor King's message. From it, I have discovered a great many truths that not only apply to us today, but also hold promise for the future.
New! Now there's a word for you. Every year, at this time, this word, perhaps more than any other, is repeated multitude of times. As the year progresses it looses its newness and old begins to resurface. But, have we really looked at this word as it applies to all people at all times?
I think not. So let's investigate this word new and see if we can learn anything of value. Who knows, but that we can view our present with the hope of the future. A new future, with new expectations, and new revelations. In other words, let's take a "Trip to Truth."
CENTRAL THOUGHT: With God, new things are not just for New Years. God's new things-the promise of His presence and His work-are for every day and for every believer who will look to Him with anticipation, and receive His mercies, for they are, "new every morning."
But, we have a problem. The past, the old, and the memories that do us more harm than good at times, accuse us or depress us if we let them. Isaiah 43:18-19 tells us to:
"Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not
perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland. N. I. V.
Well, it's a beginning isn't it? Only former things worth remembering are those that the Lord has done. They are reminders of His faithfulness to all generations of believers.
Yet, the passage cautions us to be observant regarding some things. We are to observe the new things the Lord is doing. We are to look very closely, for we might miss them. Prayer is advisable: "Lord, show me the new things you are doing."
Today, we look at our country, the society we live in and, for the most part, we feel things are pretty much okay. It may not be a Garden of Eden, but it's great to live in America. Look more closely at verse 19. Is God saying we are in fact dwelling in a desert and in a wasteland? Is there a conflict here?
To begin with, we need to understand that God is far more interested in moral and ethical aspects of life than natural in things, or in natural history for that matter. Natural things come and go. Ethics and morality are ongoing. We should pay heed to what God has to say regarding all things, as they apply to the NEW.
If we are to receive and enjoy the new things of God, then the old things must go. How does God view abortion, as an example? Forty (40)-and more-million scientists, doctors, educators, tradesmen, people that were to live in all walks of life-done away with as some mistaken convenience.
Is God indifferent to child or spousal abuse? What about illegal drug addiction, or for that matter 'legal' addiction through drinking or smoking. We've seen the highest officer in our nation fall through moral turpitude. Some of our corporate leaders are, in fact, not leaders. Greed, power, and avarice are bringing down the rich and the mighty.
Some of our most trusted people-those in the clergy-are caught up in long term sexual misconduct. If we can't trust in them, whom can we trust? God views all moral misconduct in the same way: it's SIN. Our leaders must hold to a higher standard.
The name "Christian" is taking a beating these days, and it is grossly unfair. There is no differentiation between those who are truly Christian (Christ-like) and those who are posing as Christians, but living a lie.
Did Christians for example, persecute Jews? This is an important question. One that needs looking into by both gentiles and Jews. Jesus was a Jew, therefore born-again Christians-those grafted into the root of Abraham-have a foundation that is Jewish. We don't persecute our own. We bless instead.
Well, you get the idea. More could be said, but more importantly, let's move on to the new things of God.
The Apostle Paul wrote some amazing things in Philippians 3:10-14.
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Was Paul preoccupied with past things or was he looking for the new, in the present and in the future? Why the straining? Perhaps, like us, Paul realizes the past can have holds-strongholds-on him and, therefore. we see he's straining to break free from them in order to obtain a new thing: THE PRIZE!
Christians, we should realize the past only affirms the grace of God-His presence, work, and ways. The present and future hold great expectations because of one thing: Jesus is there! Can we concentrate on that? There are six categories we should look at. These six categories contain the hope that the NEW will have meaning for us today and for all our tomorrows.
THE START. A new covenant.
"The time is coming, declares
the Lord.
When I will make a new
covenant
with the house of Israel
and with the house of Judah." Jer. 31:31
"He has made us competent as ministers
of a new covenant-not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." 2 Co. 3:6.
"But God found fault with the people and said:
"The time is coming, declares, the Lord,
When I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel
and with the house of Judah." He. 8:8
To Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. He. 12:24.
THE MEANS: A new birth and a new creation.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope
Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, …"
1 Pet. 1:3
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
The old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Co. 5:17.
"Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything;
what counts is a new creation." Gal. 6:15
THE SYMPTIONS: A new mind. A new attitude. A new spirit. A new song. A new and living way of the spirit. A new life.
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing, and perfect will." Ro. 12:2.
- (As a result of the above the following occurs.)
"For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." 1 Co. 2:16.
"to be made new in the attitude of your minds; Eph. 4:23.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." Phil. 2:5
"I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their hearts of stone and give them a heart of flesh." Ezek. 11:19
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Ps. 51:10.
"… by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain that is, his body, …" Heb. 10:20.
"But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code." Ro. 7:6.
"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." Ro. 6:4.
"Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast-as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." 1 Co. 5:7
THE GUIDELINES: A new teaching. A new commandment.
"The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching-and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him." Mk. 1:27 (The Gospel.)
(Jesus states) "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." Jn. 13:34
"And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another."
2 Jn. 1:5
THE RESULTS: A new name. A new self. A new strength. A new heart.
"The nations will see your righteousness,
And all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow." Is. 62:2.
(Jesus says) "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it." Re. 2:17
"by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, …" Eph. 2:15.
"To be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
Eph. 4:23-24.
"and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." Col. 3:10.
"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Is. 40:31.
"Rid yourself of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel?"
Ezek. 18:31.
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
Ezek. 36:26.
THE FINALE: A new heaven. A new earth. All things new.
"Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind."
Is. 65:17.
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea."
Rev. 2:1.
"He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." Rev. 21:5
NEW! Now there's a word for us. A word that contains hope and a promise for the future. These passages of scripture speak for themselves. But, always remember context rules! Read them within the context where they are found.
So, do I wish you a new and prosperous New Year? No, I don't think I do. It's more than that. I wish that you might have a new and prosperous NEW LIFE.
Well, that's the way I see it. You may see it differently and that's okay. It will be between you and God. [All scripture references are taken from the N. I. V.]
William.
keystone@suscom.net
Bible Headquarters
Next Lesson
Coming Soon
|
|
|
|