Beginning A New Year Series

“In the Beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” John 1 v1

Tonight we stand on the edge of a New Year. Many wonder what it will bring; joy or sorrow, increase or decline, grief or happiness, yet a New Year can be a time of a new beginning when we leave the past behind and turn the corner. In some ways we can do little about the past yet many spend their lives living in the past, seeking to relive its joy and sorrows only to realize that physically there is nothing we can do.

We certainly can not return to past glories or grief. I said physically for there is a difference here, for God will hold us accountable for the past. The only way we can adequately deal with it is through the cross of Calvary and to realize the Child of Bethlehem was to become our Redeemer, shedding his blood for our sins, that we could realize a position of being justified by Christ before Almighty God. That means I can sleep at night secure in the knowledge that my past is forgiven, my present secured and my future is certain. So no matter what way the wind blows, I am centred in Christ and in Him I am anchored in life and certain in death which leads to eternal life.

John 1 v1 In the beginning repeats Genesis 1v1. Genesis tells of the old creation order when God created man and women and breathed into man the breath of life.

In John’s gospel it is the story of the new creation needed by a fallen mankind where man is told of God’s great love.

As John 3v16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”

It is far beyond any of our understanding but this is the one way provided. Where a spiritually dead person becomes alive forever, alive to God’s promises and keeping. John reminds us in the wonderful opening verse (John 1v1), exactly who Jesus is, notice the present tense.

He is the eternal Word of God

Psalm 33v6 “By the Word of God the heavens were made”

John is telling us of the eternal pre-existent one the Logos, the Word of God who is the child in the manger.

The Bible does not speak of cheap grace or a special one invented to become a baby. The Bible says “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory full of grace and truth.”

Why we should stress this at the beginning of the year is to realize that God is ahead of our ball game. He simply does not play our silly games, blowing hot or cold, believing and not believing, fearing and not fearing.

He says to us today. Look at my Son, hear him. Remember life is not a game, the reality check is here. We are sinners needing a Saviour.

The Bible says He is the pre-existent one. The one who spoke and creation came into being but He also is the One who plans my future, forgives my past and fortifies my present.

OK. It does not depend on me. All I can do is to trust in God. To hope in Him. To take Him at His word.

To say Lord my life is in your hand not mine.

To say Bless me that I might walk in your way.

To say Lord sometimes I fear for the future, but I realize also, you are the Lord of the future, the First and the Last. The Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and the end. The Eternal Word of God.

God has spoken to us by His Son. The one who was and who is and who is to come. The Almighty. He is the one who at the beginning of the New Year says “Do not be afraid, I am the first and the last, I am the living one. I was dead and behold I am alive forever and ever. And I hold the keys of death and Hell.” Rev 1v17.

I trust that God will bless you during 2006.

Rev Tom McVicar