December 31, 2023 – New Year’s Eve Evening Text: James 1:16-17
Dear Friends in Christ,
As you gaze into the future that will be the year 2024 what do you anticipate? Do you have a milestone anniversary or birthday? How about something big to do with your kids? Some of us at Good Shepherd are looking forward to Germany, the Luther sites, and nine hours on a plane. Oh my! Mostly we look forward to uplifting, positive things. But the opposite could be true. Maybe you have a surgery scheduled or an appointment with a doctor that has you concerned. Your job could be hanging by a thread, or you would rather bury your head than to listen to the political candidates before us. Oh my!
There is a lot of “Oh my!” in our future. That is why our text for tonight is so important, it is that little nudge we need that tells no matter what “oh my” comes our way there is a Lord with His “oh yes, I am here for you.” We put a bow on our Advent/Christmas themed sermons around gifts with this . . .
“THE GIFT OF NEXT YEAR”
We begin the text, “do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.” Deception comes from the world, which has rejected God. We live in a world of people deceiving. They can steal your bank account, they can pilfer your savings, they can pretend they are you as they send out phishing e-mails. One of the worst things is someone can actually be you when your identity gets stolen. Will this stop in 2024? Come on now, with a presidential election on the horizon. Who and what will you believe? Is the voting machine rigged? Who did it the Chinese? A tribe in Papua New Guinea? A guy named Larry from his basement in Merrillville, Indiana? See what I mean, don’t be deceived by the world’s sleight of hand that wants you to question everything. Some things are still true.
Let’s blow a little truth your way, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is a from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” I think I am going to be saying this a lot in 2024, so here it is: God is in charge. God provides everything that we need including wisdom so that we are not deceived. The “Father of Lights” is God our Creator. He will not be deceived. Though the heavenly bodies change and move, God and His Word remain constant and sure. We can trust his promises.
He promised a Savior and He delivered. We worship this greatest gift every day. Herod’s deception that we heard about this morning couldn’t stop the plan that the Father put in place. Jesus and his family escaped to Egypt. They came back to Nazareth. He grew and became a man. He started his ministry, called 12 apostles, performed miracles, preached great sermons, healed and helped those around Him. He was showing the world that their deceptions mean nothing. He was seen and adored by thousands. And even though some would turn their back on Him and take Him to a cross, it was a blessing for every man, woman, and child. A new, forgiven life in Christ Jesus. A plan of salvation that has us leaving this deceiving world and going to a place prepared for us. Solid, unmovable, forever. Oh my! Oh my!
That is why 2024, like every preceding year you have been given breath, is a gift. I pray you see it that way, because you are God’s greatest gift. With Him there is no variation or change. You can count on Him. I’ll say it again: God is in charge. He loves you. Let Him be Him in 2024 and beyond.
Amen.