With yet another New Year upon us, last we week I spoke from that wonderful bible passage 1 Corinthians 5:17 where Paul writes: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (1 Corinthians 5:17 NIV). We talked about of what becomes new. And what becomes new for those who become followers of Christ is this: 1) We have a new perspective on who Jesus is; 2) We have a new position in Christ; and 3) We have a new understanding of who we are. So when Paul says that the old has gone, he is saying that you should not let the past define who you are today. And what defines you is who you are in Christ. In Christ, you have a new perspective on who Jesus
I like New Years. I like them because I see them as new opportunities. Opportunities to better myself, to set new goals. I’m like this every year, and as I wrote in today’s church paper, even though I usually don’t fulfil some of my stated goals, at least some have been fulfilled. And this new year is no different. On Tuesday, New Year’s Day I went for my walk, gave thanks to God for 2018 but then committed my 2019 goals to the Lord. A new year for me often means hope for a better year to come. There is something about newness. New brings hope, excitement and challenge. And for some, a new season has begun for you and you are excited. In our passage this morning from 2 Corinthians 5:15-17, P
Throughout December in our morning services we have been honouring various people who formed part of the first Christmas story. Honour is one of our values. And so, we’ve honoured Isaiah who 700 years earlier prophesied that a virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and that He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6 NIV). We’ve honoured Mary who fearful but obediently said yes to God (Luke 1:38). We’ve honoured Joseph who stuck by Mary even though everything seems so weird and unnatural. We’ve honoured the shepherds who spread the good news about the coming of the Messiah. And on Christmas morning, we honoured Jesus Christ,