The New You

There was something really predictable that happened at church yesterday.  I had been thinking about it last week so I already knew there were going to be some changes from the previous Sunday services.  Since the first of the month every sermon, every song, and even all the prayers carried in their content the story of Jesus' birth.   Since we had been instructed so convincingly about the virgin birth and the manger scene, this event was the most important birth since the beginning of time.

With the passing of Christmas Day last week, it made me wonder how the messages from earlier in December, which directed all of us to increase our faith and loyalty to the truth about the baby's birth, could be expanded to reveal more truth.  The more I think about it, that's exactly how the four gospels in the New Testament begin.

After all of that has been proclaimed to the church, what kind of sermon could be preached the Sunday after Christmas, that could build up the body, the church?  The most important things had been taught every Sunday and it all centered around the birth of the Christ-child.   If, on one hand we can predict the December messages prior to Christmas Day to all be about the birth of Jesus, can we predict the sermon topic of the Sunday after Christmas?

Someone might suggest we teach on New Year's resolutions, and I suppose that's part of it.  There is certainly nothing wrong with us resolving to be a better person, a better parent, a better mate, or a better employee.

The real message of the new year centers around our understanding and application of the truth of the gospel being the "power of God to save us."   It may call on each of us to take a close inspection of our lives and the way we conduct ourselves.  We may need some changes in our attitudes or the way we handle crisis at home or work.  We may even see necessity for some different approaches to problems in the church. 

There are countless sermons that connect with the beginning of a new year, all of which are to lead us to improving ourselves.  It begins with a self-examination.  With that, we can more easily detect the areas of life which need improvement.  With all that is well and good when it comes to improving ourselves, we could hit a bump and decide we are just not up to the change.  The danger of that is when we revert to last year's person, and there is no change and no growth. 

Let's connect the sermons on the birth of Jesus, with the sermons on the NEW YOU.  When Jesus is out of the manger and into the business of his Father, then we can see how both messages are connected. It's the reason this Jesus could tell us the greatest commandment is to love God and the second is to love others.   It is also the reason we need to associate the baby in the manger, with his ultimate mission of becoming our Savior on the cross.  It's all for us, all according to God's plan, for taking us home for eternity.  "Father, teach us through the earthly birth of your Son, and the message of his gospel, the heavenly mission for which you call us. Bring us into relationship with you through your love, and the sacrificial death of your Son.  Amen"

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