Into New Year with hope, with Christ

In a couple of days we will enter 2013.  I still remember the Y2K scare.  I often hear stories of our older generation how their parents uncared for education or career advancements because they believed that Lord Jesus would soon come.  Among early Adventists no one would think about 2013!   Apostle Paul wrote to Romans 13:11-12 “for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand.”  Do we still believe so?  Notice what the Apostle tells believers to do (verses 10-11) “Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep.”  In light of the coming salvation believers were to do practical love to those around them, acts of care, service, kindness.  In loving people we fulfil God’s Law!  The danger was in becoming self-absorbed, self-caring.

Today I intend to preach an unusual sermon, looking at the Biblical revelation of God Who risks to partner up with people in making the future.  God Who is Faithful and not controlling.  God who has the overarching plan but does not orchestrate minute details, giving humanity the freedom of choice. God who could have walked Israel into the Promise Land in a year, but because of their disbelief, permitted them to wonder another 40 years, maturing them in the process.  God who could have ended the evil long ago, yet because of Love and Freedom, He is suffering long, putting up with pain of seeing his creation groaning.

Let’s not assume the delay, for no one knows the day or the hour.  The parable Jesus left us warns that it is the “evil servant who says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,'” (Matthew 24:48).  

Many, especially older generation, have a feeling that “I should have been home yesterday.”  Poet Maya Angelou says the ache for home lives in all of us.  Biblically speaking, it’s the call of Eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11)  Are you homesick for heaven?  We may sing this world is not my home, but how do you feel?  What are your most sincere prayers about?  Are you wishing for the Lord to come in 2013?  What will you be praying for?  How will your desire to be with Jesus affect your life?  What will change in 2013 that would bring you closer to the Lord Jesus’ Coming?