January 1, 2017
The Promise
- Isaiah 43:15-21
- Rev. Scott Shelton
Good morning and welcome to the New Year’s Day – one worship service.
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and it’s good to worship together – to start the new year with God, each other and to share communion- a little later.
As we have the new year, we want to take a moment to look back and look ahead – so I’d like us to use both the old and the new, the Old Testament and the New Testament, to look backwards and forwards at our life with God.
So we’ve been using the OT, words of Isaiah for Christmas, our “Sage Story,” I’d like us to use at least once more, and then skip ahead to another prophetic type voice in Paul – in Philippians. Let’s read.
Isaiah 43:15-21 – I am the Lord, your Holy One,
the Creator of Israel, your King.
Thus says the Lord,
who makes a way in the sea,
a path in the mighty waters,
who brings out chariot and horse,
army and warrior;
they lie down, they cannot rise,
they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:
Do not remember the former things,
or consider the things of old.
I am about to do a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.
The wild animals will honor me,
the jackals and the ostriches;
for I give water in the wilderness,
rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my chosen people,
the people whom I formed for myself
so that they might declare my praise.
That is our OT reading.
Then our NT reading, from Philippians 1:1-11 – (NRSV)
“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.”
Brothers and sisters – this is the Word of the Lord – thanks be to God!
Let us pray – O Lord may the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts bring honor to you, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer, Amen.
As we see what Isaiah says, we look back…and look ahead. Isaiah says, forget the former things, do not dwell on the past and see, God is doing new things.
Isaiah is speaking for a people who’ve been in exile – defeated, uprooted, and down. But he’s telling them to look up. Look ahead.
We all have times – I did and I’m sure you did in 2016, which brought you down. Times this past year where you were frustrated, hurt or defeated. But God says he is with us, that God provides in the good times and bad, and as we begin anew, it is a good time to look up, look ahead.
A fun metaphor to think about things behind and things ahead is to compare your rearview mirror to the windshield. The mirror is small and windshield huge in comparison. Mirror helps you see what is behind – basically allows you an awareness of what was behind.
The windshield is huge. You can see so much. Your future is ahead. See what are the twists and turns in your field of vision. Helps you to know when do you need to slow down and stop – when do you need to move ahead slowly – or quickly.
God tells the people through Isaiah that he’s making a way for them – streams in the desert.
There is life ahead – even though things of the people have been bleak. We are reminded again that God is Emmanuel – God with us – through God in the flesh – through Jesus.
And God sent His Spirit – to live in use – to give us things like guidance, wisdom, and courage, in the year ahead!
So…
How do we do not focus on the past and look to the future?
We look to Paul.
I thought it might be fun to have something memorable this morning to use words that begin with P.
So with some help from bible commentator Dr. Maxie Dunnam, let’s study. These notes are in your bulletin and on screen. The first P words are…
Paul – Prison – Philippi
Prison is where he is writing from – writing to the Christians at Philippi - and yet despite being in prison – Paul expresses joy and care he is writing to.
Prayer.
Paul prays diligently for the people he loves at Philippi. And the prayer includes that he is thankful – Paul says, “I give thanks to God every time I remember you.” He prays for them with joy. Paul has passion in his prayers – he loves these people. We can pray like Paul does for people in our world.
Then he shares a ….
Promise.
This is our promise – what we can count on in 2017 – remember this if not anything else today:
Philippians 1:6 “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.”
This is the promise and good news at Christmas and for the New Year.
God is steadfast – he holds strong for the long term. God perseveres. God sticks with it – for us.
God is a like a good Father – who when a child runs away – waits longingly for the child to return – and welcomes him or her back with open arms.
If you have moved away from God in some way in 2016, move to God now – God is waiting with open arms.
This can be described as a process of sanctification. One pastor says of sanctification, “Sanctification is not some mystical or strange experience. Whenever you invest in someone’s life, you care about how they turn out.” God has invested in us, and he assures us that God finishes what he starts. “Sanctification is God’s promise to us – we’re going to make it – He will personally see to it.” Ray Pritchard.
So God has started something good in you – and he will complete it.
So with God, in this New Year, instead of trying a new year’s resolution – see what God is doing with you already, and want more of that. Follow more of that. Do more of that. Join with God in what God is already doing in your life.
So how do we do that? Back to words that begin with P:
Practice
Day by day, week by week, month by month, year by year.
As a sports fan, athletes have some born qualities – but the ones who are the best work at it all the time.
Steph Curry – the 2 time MVP of the NBA, known as one of the great ballhandlers in basketball – he’s got sick handles – the kids would say. He’s also talked about as the greatest shooter in basketball – maybe not just now but for all time! How? He practices, he’s steadfast – works at it. his before game practice has become legendary – let’s take a look at it in this video.
Video of Steph Curry dribbling and shooting – approx. 1 min. 20 seconds.
I can’t play basketball like Steph – but I can practice my faith. Here I am practicing my faith:
Here I am studying the bible. Oh, look at this verse, that is great.
Here I am praying. God that verse, makes me think of this person – I need to pray for him. I should text him, or no, I’ll just call him.
Not so exciting. Christian life not so exciting sometimes. But we are called to practice. Practice spiritual disciplines in the New Year – such as praying, studying God’s word, individually and in a group. Practicing the disciplines helps us be ready when called upon to act. Our faith takes practice.
Here are some things we should not do – that also begin with P.
We should not hold ourselves up to be…
Perfect.
When we get to be face to face with God someday, we will be sanctified – made to be who we are in Christ. In a sense, we will be perfected.
But now, we can never be perfect. We are certainly new creations in Christ – made new – good to think about in the new year. But I struggle in my faith sometimes. We all do.
If you set New year’s resolutions – even spiritual ones, you will almost surely fail in some way.
Go back to God – he is bringing about a good work in you – he will not give up – keep at it – get up again and start over.
As we mentioned earlier, we can sometimes get stuck in the…
Past.
But with God, we can see how it has shaped us, learn from it, let go of it, and move forward.
What former thing as Isaiah says, do you need to give to God?
What new thing is God doing now in your life? Is it something you can build on? How can you build on that with God’s help?
So we need to come back to the fact that we are with God – in 2017. He is perfecting us – he who began a good work in you will complete it.
So what can we do according to Paul says in Philippians in chapter one:
In the new year, in your walk with God…
Which do you need most?
- Partake – of God’s grace and goodness
- Participate – wherever God is calling you
- Partner – with God in serving others
First is to partake.
Partake. Partake of God’s grace and goodness.
New KJV says of vs. 7 – “we are partakers of the gospel of grace with Paul.” We can drink in God’s grace. Through this church, through others, through what God offers to you. Find ways this year to take in God’s grace. If you need help, ask for it. Get involved here at ZPC where you can be fed, or have fellowship with others.
Look for ways to be with others, see God’s grace, hear more, learn more, learn from others.
We can also…
Participate. Participate wherever God is calling you.
See where you can participate in God’s plan for you. God has chosen you, called you, has a plan for you to help.
So how can you participate?
With People! This could be relationships, or community – as we often say at ZPC. But I needed a P word – so it’s people. Paul says we do this together. As a church, with others. Life not meant to be lived alone.
Worship, be here to worship together – inspires you and me for the week ahead.
Home groups – get involved in the next 3 weeks – sign ups start next week.
What if you are new to this church thing, new to faith? Or growing in your faith?
Participate – do this with others – ZPC men’s study, Mops, life changes, Men’s Thursday morning study, kids and youth programs where they are. Sign up to go to a Great Banquet.
Find your place – ask me or someone on staff how you might get plugged in. Or be bold and sign up for an opportunity you see in the bulletin.
Finally…
Partner. Partner with God in serving others.
IN the NIV, it says in vs. 5, we are partners with Paul in the gospel.
At least 3 of our six marks touch on this.
Voice to speak good news – use words to encourage others – share your faith by what you say and how you say it.
Arms of love, or. Look for ways to talk to others, to show them love through actions, inside church – and outside to others – we have opportunities for you, but feel free to find that yourself.
A spirit of servanthood and stewardship. You grow more by serving. Use your time, talents, and your treasurers to serve God.
Ok, last P words:
Passionate Pursuit
Find ways to pursue God. What are you passionate about? Or at least curious about? Get involved in it. Go for it. you will probably be getting closer to bringing to completion what God has already begun in you.
Our paths are not straight. They zig zag and curve. They move. Our lives change. We grow in different ways in different season of life. So follow God now – pursue God – and see where it takes you.
My high school, college years, then my early 20s were pivotal for my faith.
Murray Gossett was one of my pastors who helped me partake of grace, participate, and to partner.
First I saw God’s grace – and was a partaker of God’s grace in a hard time - even when my friend Todd died in a car accident. Murray and friends surrounded me with grace and we walked through it. I saw God’s grace – I was a partaker of grace.
Then participate – I joined a small group – got really active in my church. This was a time when I grew much in my own faith.
Started volunteering – found out I was passionate about youth ministry. So I partnered in the ministry.
Plus I wanted to hang out with Murray – he taught me a lot just by being there – mentored me – so I started exploring seminary and ministry.
God called me to ministry. And as I volunteered at my church, and then went to seminary and got in to ministry – I was partnering with God in his work. What a blessing!
What does God have for me in 2017? My life is still growing and changing. I’m going to be partaking of his grace, participating here with you, and partnering with God and with you in ministry.
So how do we end? Paul closes with a prayer – and as I close in prayer, I’ll include Paul’s words.
Let’s pray.
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”
God we give you thanks for past year. We ask your blessing for new year ahead.
Help us each to partake of your grace, participate where you lead us, and partner with you in ministry.
God – may you complete the good work in us that you have already begun. In Jesus name, amen.