January 16th, 2023
by Ray Jones
by Ray Jones
In his book The Hallelujah Banquet Eugene Peterson from a sermon on Revelation 21:5-7 which includes the statement, “Behold I make all things new”, connects and contrasts the experience the energy or mood of the New Year with our experience of the book of Revelation:
“The characteristic mood, the typical mental stance, on New Year’s Day is a look to the future. We have a calendar of unused days stretching out before us. There is curiosity about them and fear of them. Amateur prophets make predictions. Astrological magazines and horoscope plotters are in their peak season.
Articles proliferate in magazines and newspapers: the business outlook, the literary prospects, the political probabilities, the social changes expected. And with all this, no one can avoid these personal questions: What will it bring for me? What waits to be recorded in the diary pages of the new year?
The book of Revelation is the word of God that speaks to this combination of anxiety and hope about the future. For the person who is concerned with the future, the book of Revelation is the timely word of God. In the course of our years, New Year’s Day is a day wherein our concern about the future is expressed. The book of Revelation is the part of Scripture that deals with our concern about the future.
… The statement “I make all things new” is supported by the identification “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.” Alpha is the first letter in the Greek alphabet, and Omega is the last. When translated into our terms, Alpha and Omega comes out as “from A to Z.” God’s being includes all things. Nothing is excluded from his will and purpose, including time.
Every new year, we find a year ahead of us in which God will be making all things new. Of everything that is and of everything that takes place, he will be both the source and the destination. It takes great courage to believe that and great faithfulness to act upon it, for every newspaper in the country will be headlining a contradiction, and your own sin and rebellion will be turning in contrary evidence. All the same, let this word of God tear away the veil that obscures the presence and action of God in the days ahead.”
So, what’s ahead for you? Why not decide right now to let God make all things new in your walk and relationship with Him and then watch the transforming work He does with you and through you.
“The characteristic mood, the typical mental stance, on New Year’s Day is a look to the future. We have a calendar of unused days stretching out before us. There is curiosity about them and fear of them. Amateur prophets make predictions. Astrological magazines and horoscope plotters are in their peak season.
Articles proliferate in magazines and newspapers: the business outlook, the literary prospects, the political probabilities, the social changes expected. And with all this, no one can avoid these personal questions: What will it bring for me? What waits to be recorded in the diary pages of the new year?
The book of Revelation is the word of God that speaks to this combination of anxiety and hope about the future. For the person who is concerned with the future, the book of Revelation is the timely word of God. In the course of our years, New Year’s Day is a day wherein our concern about the future is expressed. The book of Revelation is the part of Scripture that deals with our concern about the future.
… The statement “I make all things new” is supported by the identification “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.” Alpha is the first letter in the Greek alphabet, and Omega is the last. When translated into our terms, Alpha and Omega comes out as “from A to Z.” God’s being includes all things. Nothing is excluded from his will and purpose, including time.
Every new year, we find a year ahead of us in which God will be making all things new. Of everything that is and of everything that takes place, he will be both the source and the destination. It takes great courage to believe that and great faithfulness to act upon it, for every newspaper in the country will be headlining a contradiction, and your own sin and rebellion will be turning in contrary evidence. All the same, let this word of God tear away the veil that obscures the presence and action of God in the days ahead.”
So, what’s ahead for you? Why not decide right now to let God make all things new in your walk and relationship with Him and then watch the transforming work He does with you and through you.
We've Never Been This Way Before
R.T. Kendall's book our book study that begins today at 5:00 PM in the worship center. This is an annual event that focuses on deepening our relationship with Christ. I hope you will join me. I look forward to sharing with you insights and applications from this excellent book by Dr. R.T. Kendall. Copies are still available in the Welcome Center.
All Things New: New Steps For A New Year
I am also excited to begin a brief new sermon series with you for the next 4 messages.
The series is titled “All Things New: New Steps for a New Year” In the series I will talk with you about some things that should be new in your life if you are going to experience God’s purpose for your life.
And remember, God is always trying to take you someplace new. I love being your Pastor!
For God’s Glory Alone,
Pastor Ray
The series is titled “All Things New: New Steps for a New Year” In the series I will talk with you about some things that should be new in your life if you are going to experience God’s purpose for your life.
And remember, God is always trying to take you someplace new. I love being your Pastor!
For God’s Glory Alone,
Pastor Ray
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