Looking Ahead To 2021

Looking Ahead to 2021

January 3, 2021 Morning Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: We must cling to God no matter what the future may hold. (Or, “don’t trust a new year; trust God!”)

Focus Passage: Habakkuk 1:2-5

Supplemental Passage: Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. (Psalms 20:7 ESV)

Introduction: Would you have ever believed on the first Sunday of 2020 that the year would unfold like it did? That we would be held ransom to a virus? That we would cancel Falls Creek and KBA and even VBS? That we would all but close our doors because of the fear of dying? Of course, the media hyped it up much worse that it was (is). It’s hard to even watch the news these days as they no longer report the news, they only tell you what they want you to hear. Often, what they want you to hear is not the truth, but only a manipulated version of it. At least we know that when we watch the weather, Travis Meyer (local weatherman) is giving his best estimate and we know that in Oklahoma, it is not an exact science! We often think we want to know exactly what is going on. I’m afraid that if I knew the real unadulterated truth about what is going on in our own country, I would be sorely disappointed and frustrated, if not appalled and disgusted. But would we really believe the truth anyway?

I. Modern America is like Ancient Israel

a. violence, evil deeds, destruction

b. people who love to argue and fight

c. ineffective laws, no justice in courts, perverted justice

II. We are like Habakkuk

a. Frustrated with all of the problems

b. Wonder if God is really listening or even cares

III. God is still God

a. “Truth? You can’t handle the truth!”

i. God Knows that we operate on avoidance, or even denial, of the more difficult truths in life

b. God knows literally everything and has a plan for the future.

i. When God told Noah to build an Ark because of a coming flood, Noah built an ark.

ii. When God told Moses to pick up the serpent that had just been a stick, Moses picked up the serpent.

iii. When Jesus told Peter to get out of the boat, Peter walked on water.

iv. When Jesus told the blind man to wash in the Pool of Siloam, we went and washed.

v. When Jesus told Lazarus to come forth, Lazarus came out of the tomb!

vi. When Jesus told the storm to calm down, the sea became still!

c. "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9 NASB)

d. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. (Psalms 20:7 ESV)

Application/Invitation: Where do you put your hope and trust? I’ve heard so many say that “2021 just HAS to be better than 2020!” Well, not exactly. The Bible says that in the last days things are only going to go from bad to worse. Are you ready for what the Lord may have for you? More importantly, will you be ready when Jesus returns? The Bible says that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. (Romans 10:9-10 NASB) Put your complete trust in HIM today!