January 12, 2014
Morning Service

We have entered a new year already.   The year of 2013 may have been a wonderful year for us, or it may have been a very difficult one.  Either way a New Year, a new beginning, is upon us with 2014.  Though we may have sworn off of the “new year’s resolutions,” we all still look ahead with some anticipation of what 2014 will bring us.  We look forward to a new fresh start.

With the New Year, I think it only appropriate that we recognize that we serve a God who offers us a “new beginning.”  He specializes in taking people whose lives seem hopeless and making something great out of them.  Each of us who have chosen to be a follower of Jesus Christ has been given a “New Beginning.”

 2Co 5:17 So that if anyone is in Christ, that one is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

 

 This morning we will look at some examples from the scriptures of others who accepted this chance to “become new.”  Our hope is to build our faith as we read His Word.

One who received mercy

John 8:3-11 And the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman taken in adultery. And standing her in the midst, (4) they said to Him, Teacher, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.  (5)  Now Moses in the Law commanded us that such should be stoned. You, then, what do you say?  (6)  They said this, tempting Him so that they might have reason to accuse Him. But bending down, Jesus wrote on the ground with His finger, not appearing to hear.  (7)  But as they continued to ask Him, He lifted Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you; let him cast the first stone at her.”  (8)  And again bending down, He wrote on the ground.  (9)  And hearing, and being convicted by conscience, they went out one by one, beginning at the oldest, until the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.  (10)  And bending back up, and seeing no one but the woman, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are the ones who accused you? Has no one condemned you?”  (11)  And she said, No one, Lord. And Jesus said to her, “neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more.”

•  She was caught in this act of a sin that, according to the law, she deserved to be stoned to death.  We can only speculate what this woman did with her “New Beginning.” 
• I tell you this morning that each of us is that woman.  We have many times sinned willingly against God’s expectations for us.  Paul tells us in Romans.

Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,

• Yet because of Jesus, we too have been spared the fate we deserve.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

• Our salvation, the forgiveness of our sins, is a gift given to us because Jesus paid the price for them.  Do not ever take that for granted.  He bought us a ‘”New Beginning” with His blood, giving us hope of eternal life and peace with God.
• This is the perspective I challenge you to adopt in 2014.  We like this woman, all are guilty deserving judgment, yet Jesus has given us a second chance.

One who is set free.

 

Luke 8:26-7 And they sailed down to the country of the Gadarenes, which is across from Galilee.  (27)  And He going out onto land, He met a certain man out of the city, who had had demons a long time, and put on no clothes, nor stayed in a house, but among the tombs.

• Here we see a man who is bound by demons to a life that he would never choose.  He is in bondage to sin and has no way of escaping, until he meets Jesus.  Jesus gives him a “new beginning.”

 

Read verse 28-34-Jesus sets him free.

 

  (35)  And they went out to see what had been done. And they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had departed sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.  (36)  Also those who saw it told them how the demon-possessed one was healed.  (37)  And all the multitude of the neighborhood of the Gadarenes were seized with a great fear, and asked Him to depart from them. And entering into the boat, He returned.  (38)  And the man out of whom the demons had gone out begged Him, desiring to be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, (39)  “Return to your own house and declare what God has done to you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the entire city what great things Jesus had done for him.

• Notice the man’s reaction.  He begged Jesus to allow him to go with Him.  His desire was to draw closer to the One who had set him free.
• Where are we this morning?  Are we like this man bound to a lifestyle that we would not choose?  Chained to sin and circumstances we cannot overcome?  Jesus can break every chain that binds you and give you a “new beginning.”  He alone can change your life if you let Him.
• Has He already broken those chains?  Your desire should be to draw closer to Him and serve Him.  How do we do that?

 

James 4:8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners; and purify your hearts, double-minded ones.

• Draw near to Him and He will draw you to Him.  Seek to be clean and He will purify you.  Lose the double vision and be given a new perspective.

Notice what Jesus told this man to do in verse 39.

 “Return to your own house and declare what God has done to you.”

• Jesus does not require him to do anything except go home and share his testimony with those around him.
• How about that as a new year’s resolution?  What would happen if each of us looked for more opportunities to share our testimony with others?
• What is my testimony?  This is where I was when Jesus found me and this is where I am now.
• I encourage you to take time and write out your story.  It doesn’t need to be long, only truthful and heartfelt.  That will make it easier to share it as opportunities arise.  Trust the Holy Spirit to prompt you and to give you the right words to say.

 

Lord grant us opportunities to share with others what You have done for us and the courage to do it.