CHRISTMAS
(God of the New Beginning - December 20, 2020)
Series Big Idea: "God has revealed His plans for the consummation of human history"
Sermon Big Idea: "God wants to begin a new work of grace in every human life"
Key Scripture (Isaiah 9:1-7)
(Isaiah 9:1-7)
Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future He will bring honor to the Way of the Sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations. 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people have rejoiced before You as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoice when dividing spoils. 4 For You have shattered their oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor, just as You did on the day of Midian. 5 For the trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.
As I was studying for what passage of Scripture to bring to you today I came across the testimony of a gentleman who knows first hand what beginning new encompasses. You see, several years before writing this commentary he had lost his wife to cancer. His children had all grown up and left home to start their own lives. He was now feeling a real sense of loneliness for the first time in his life. Fast forward several years and now he had married again and was learning what it means to be a remnant and begin new with God. He had learned what it means to lose much of what was dear to him and that gave him such hope, security, and consistency in his life. But now God was beginning to weed out the sins and bad habits in his life to prepare him for a new beginning. God began to bring new people, new ministry, new responsibilities, new love, and new challenges into his life. He began to see with fresh eyes that God is a God of new beginnings.
CONCLUSION
As we have seen in Isaiah, God promised Israel a new beginning. Although suffering and loss would come first, a remnant of His people would come back to the land and return to their God. God would promise and send His Messiah Jesus to start over again the work of salvation among His people. My friends God is still in the starting over business.
Does your life need a new start? Maybe you feel like Israel felt? All the losses and disappointments in your life have you wondering where God is and why He is not doing what you expect from Him. Why not renew your faith and trust in Him today? Ask Him to reveal to you the places He is already at work in your life today. Also, ask Him to give you patience while you wait on His timing as He begins His work of grace in your life. The most important thing you can do is to be ready to change as God begins to start over in your life.
Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideals for this message, are inspired by:
Holman Christian Standard Bible
English Standard Version Bible
King James Version Bible
Christian Standard Bible
The Bible Knowledge Commentary by John F. Walvoord/Roy B. Zuck
The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge by Jerome H. Smith
Water, Mark, ed. Encyclopedia of Bible Facts. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2004. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
Barry, John D. et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016. Print.
NIV, Archaeological Study Bible, eBook: An Illustrated Walk Through Biblical History and Culture
Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Duane Garrett, and Walter C. Kaiser Jr.
NIV, First-Century Study Bible, eBook: Explore Scripture in Its Jewish and Early Christian Context
Zondervan, Kent Dobson, and Ed Dobson
Hughes, Robert B. and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1990. WORDsearch CROSS e-book. Revised edition of New Bible Companion.
Akin, Daniel L. Exalting Jesus in Revelation. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 2016. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
Easley, Kendell. Revelation. Edited by Max Anders. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 1998. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
Keener, Craig. Revelation: From biblical text...to contemporary life. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
Duvall, J. Scott. Revelation. Ed. Mark L. Strauss and John H. Walton. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2014. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.
Morris, Leon. Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 20. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987. Print. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries.
James H. Bolick, Sermon Outlines from the Word, Sermon Outline Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1987), 8.
Carr, Alan. Revelation. Lenoir, NC: Alan Carr, 2012. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
Vincent, Marvin Richardson. Word Studies in the New Testament. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887. Print.
Robertson, A.T. Word Pictures in the New Testament. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933. Print.
Patterson, Paige. Revelation. Ed. E. Ray Clendenen. Vol. 39. Nashville, TN: B&H, 2012. Print. The New American Commentary.
Phillips, John. Exploring Revelation: An Expository Commentary. Kregel; WORDsearch Corp., 2009. Print. The John Phillips Commentary Series.
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