New Year! Fresh Start!

Diets Purchase new car or home Pay off credit cards Get married Be nicer to people Reading Bible in a year Do less laundry and use more deodorant We often make these resolutions knowing we may not keep them. It almost becomes a joke sometimes. We can usually keep them until the challenges hit. Then we either push forward. Or, we give up. Most of us probably give up. This year I want to challenge you to make some resolution – or promises.

We are going to talk about some specific things found in our scripture readings this morning. Some challenges, or new ways to think about things. Let’s start with our first Isaiah passage and how God sees us – as a reminder for this new year.

Isaiah 43:1–2 NIV

1 But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Creator God is our created! We are His creation!

Psalm 139:7–10 NIV

7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

Psalm 139:11–14 NIV

11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

He sees us, He knows us, He loves us…because He created us! Let me illustrate this is a way that may make more sense. How many of you like to create things? What do you create? Musicians – you make music or write words… Art – paint, draw Writers? Builders You see as creators, you create things… When you create something, you have an attachment to it! You know it, the inside and outs of it! And usually, you love it!

When you create something, you typically hope that it has an impact on others…. You hope other can hear and feel the music that you have written.. You hope that whoever reads what you wrote can be moved by it… Drawings and art…you hope that someone sees it and feel more than just what is presented… Builders hope that someone will use it and appreciate it… Or those who create food with a smoker…we hope that others can smell it…and taste it…and have an experience with it. You see, God created us. He knows us. He loves us! He hopes that His creation can have an impact on others. He hopes that the time and energy and love that He puts in us can be spread to others. God is our creator – we are his workmanship

Ephesians 2:8–10 NIV

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

God has created us…and he longs for us to do good works for Him!

Isaiah 43:1 NIV

1 But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

He created you! And when He created you…He formed you. He had a plan in mind for you! He knew who you are and who you would be long before you would ever know. God, the creator of the universe, had you in mind before he created you. He has redeemed you. He created something, someone, that is perfect in His eyes. He knew you, and he loved you, and He had a purpose for you. And then you had to go and mess it up. Girls’ room – make it nice – new dresser curtains, bed, etc. Setting up Taisa’s toddler bed

We get finished and I sat on it….not kidding and broke it… The look on Julia and Tasia’s face – the disappointment was real!!! Taped it up and it worked fine! God forms us...knows us, loves us, has plans for us…and we mess it up! But, then there is redemption….He redeems us..

Titus 2:11–12 NIV

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

Titus 2:13–14 NIV

13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Isaiah 43:1 NIV

1 But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

He calls us by name. We are his….there is something about names. Throughout scripture…. God often changes people’s names Abram- Abraham Jacob – Israel Sarai – Sarah Simon – Peter One of my favorite stories is when Mary went to the tomb after Jesus had resurrected.

John 20:11–13 NIV

11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”

John 20:14–16 NIV

14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

It was one simple word that got Mary’s attention…it was her name. There is something interesting about our names. And there is something even more interesting about when God says our name.

Isaiah 43:1 NIV

1 But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

Names are important…and God knows you by name...you are His! As the challenges come this year. Remember God has created you, he has formed you, redeemed you, and called you by name..

Isaiah 43:2 NIV

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Context - Israelites - can probably take it for us

Struggles we face

We have an active enemy! Who wants to attack us…but guess what, we have a bigger God! When you pass through the water, I will be with you; Maybe, when Isaiah was writing this, it came to mind what God did during the exile - parting the red sea Sometimes we take our focus off of Jesus when times get hard Remember Peter walking on the water. Jesus had power over the wind in and the waves, and Peter was walking on the water! Then he lost focus, and began to sink.

He wasn’t overtaken until he was distracted…

Isaiah 43:2 NIV

I am not sure of a direct refernence, maybe Isaiah recalled

Shad, Mesh, Abend? The were in the fire…literally…and came out unscathed….Someone was hanging out with them in there too…an Angel…could it have been Jesus? Maybe, maybe not, but they kept their focus on God. So, when trials come in 2024, what are you going to do? Are you going to take your focus off of Jesus….or lead on Him, walking next to you?

As we look forward to this year I want to wrap up by looking at

Isaiah 43:18–21 NIV

18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. 20 The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, 21 the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.

How many had struggles this last year? The good news is this is a new year. Maybe a time God wants to do something?

As we look forward to moving forward and seeing what God has in store for us this year, let’s take what God says through Isaiah here to heart. Let’s not focus on the things of the past. Let’s look forward, with great expectation to what God has for us this year!

The Israelites had come out of captivity….there were lessons to be learned, but they were ready to move forward. We can definitely reflect on the things of the past and see what God had done! We can learn lessons from the past, but to move forward, we must look forward. You guys have probably heard or seen the saying: there is a reason why the windshield is bigger than the rear-view mirror…

See what God has done. Learn our lessons. And move forward to what God has for us! I believe God wants to and is preparing to do something new! And it will Spring up!

Will you be aware of it?

Now is a great time to accept the things we failed at. Had them to Jesus and focus on Him in the new year.

The new year is always a good time to reset. Reset your priorities and your focus! Some promises that you can make this year: Remember that God is your creator, that He formed you, He redeemed you, and that He calls you by name Make a promise that when challenges come, that you will remember that He is with you…and you will keep your focus on Him! Lastly, promise to reset, or refocus your thoughts and embrace what God has for you! As we move into communion this morning, I encourage you to think about this last year. Don’t dwell on it, but surrender it! Celebrate the good things!

Deacons/worship team

Let’s let this communion time be a time of refocusing. I am excited we can start this year at the table As the song ends, we will move into communion. As we take communion today I would like to start by reading:

1 Corinthians 11:23–25 NIV

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

1 Corinthians 11:26–28 NIV

26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.

Let us examine ourselves, confess our sins, and promise to walk as Jesus walked this year!

Benediction

Hebrews 13:20–21 NIV

20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

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