Classic TV Christmas
Frosty the Snowman: Making the most of Your New Gift
Ps 90:1
INTRODUCTION
Frosty The Snowman, our final Classic TV Christmas Special has a reminder for us as we start the New Year. It will help us make the most of this gift of a new year which we are receiving
It’s the day before Christmas and the first snowfall of the season has fallen.
After watching a terrible magician attempt to entertain them in school, a group of children build a snowman. They name Frosty.
When the magicians hat is found by the children they place it on his head and Frosty comes to life. Professor Hinkle wants his hat back. When it’s removed from Frosty’s head he ceases to live.
The rabbit Hocus Pocus returns the hat to the children and he comes to life again.
As he comes to life he celebrates in the simplest things. He celebrates life and he knows it is too precious to be wasted.
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Thus begins Frosty’s great adventure.
Frosty realizes the temporary nature of life itself. He understands that as the temperature rises he is in danger of melting. His young friend Karen wants to help him travel to the north pole. So frosty sets off to save himself. He is pursued by the professor Hinkle, who wants the hat back. All seems well until Frosty realizes that Karen is ill prepared for the cold. Sensing it is critical she warm backup he carries her into a green house filled with Christmas poinsettia’s.
Seeing his chance Professor Hinkle locks Frosty in the Green house where he melts away without regrets having saved Karen. She is heart broken and when Santa Claus arrives on the seen he explains that frosty was made a something more than normal snow-Christmas snow and that he will live again.
As the Christmas wind blows across his melted remains he lives again.
FROSTY THE SNOWMAN REMINDS US THAT LIFE IS TOO PRECIOUS TO BE WASTED.
T. S. At the start of 2007 we need to remind our selves how not to waste the opportunities that this New Year brings. This morning I want to remind us how to make the Most of Our New Gift.
Turn with me to Psalm 90
Out of 150 chapters in the book of Psalms, this was the only one written by Moses
Moses led God’s people from Egypt. They were in the wilderness for 40 years. Moses saw a whole generation die. And at the end of his life, he sits down and writes. He has some observations to make.
PS. 90:1
Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. 2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. 3 You turn men back to dust, saying, "Return to dust, O sons of men." 4 For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. 5 You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning-- 6 though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered.
7 We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation. 8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. 9 All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. 10 The length of our days is seventy years-- or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. 11 Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.
12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. 13 Relent, O Lord! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. 14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. 15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. 16 May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. 17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us-- yes, establish the work of our hands.
The verse 17 is key.
It could be translated.
If you want to leave a legacy, listen up. If you want your life to count after you are dead and gone, pay attention.
T. S. Moses has five suggestions for us to help us make the most of this gift of a New Year.
I. Get a God’s eye view. vv. 1-2
Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. 2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Remembering that because he is, how we live matters.
He is. All else finds its meaning and definition in relationship to him. With out him, apart for him ultimately life makes no sense.
SHMILY
See How Much I Love You
Its meaning is defined by my relationship with Cheryl. Apart from me it has no meaning.
Apart from God all we do has no meaning.
Moses would challenge us to get a God’s eye view. It is the first step in making most of the new gift.
II. Do not forget, life is short. vv. 3-6, 10-11
3 You turn men back to dust, saying, "Return to dust, O sons of men." 4 For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. 5 You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning-- 6 though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered.
Nothing is more sobering than the death of a loved one a friend. With each of their passings we are reminded of just how short life can be.
The sands in the hourglass are precious and we all too soon discover that they seem too few.
10 The length of our days is seventy years-- or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
Moses would call each of us to remember that life is short and the truth of that statement should impact our lives. It should impact the choices we make in the coming year.
III. Remember, sin makes you sigh. vv. 7-9
7 We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation. 8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. 9 All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan.
Ultimately when we are caught in sin, and we all ultimately will be caught, it shames us and brings devastation to our lives.
Tara Conner From Miss USA to the ’Walk of Shame’
Conner is under fire with allegations of drug use and excessive partying. New York Daily News reported that she failed a drug test for cocaine.
The report says there will be drug testing. TMZ.Com is reporting it’s rehab for the beauty queen. "She’s agreed to go into rehab. She knows that if she makes even the slightest mistake from here (and) she will be immediately replaced"
Moses would remind us the sin will have consequences in our life. To make the most of our gift we should avoid sin and the shame that it brings.
IV. Develop a plan for personal growth. vv. 12-15
12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. 13 Relent, O Lord! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. 14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. 15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.
Keep me Wise
Keep me on the Grow
Satisfy us
Let us experience joy
Make us Glad
Do you have a plan for growth this next year? It is one of the keys to making the most of your new gift.
V. Join God’s work in the world. vv. 16-17
16 May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. 17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us-- yes, establish the work of our hands.
Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children.
I like the translation that says, ¡§Give permanence to the work of our hands.¡¨ Let us do something that outlasts us. Let us leave a living legacy.¡¨
Want to leave a legacy. See where God is at work and join him there.
As Rick Warren says, "Life’s value is not its duration but its donation"
FROSTY THE SNOWMAN REMINDS US THAT LIFE IS TOO PRECIOUS TO BE WASTED.
SUMMARY
Get a God’s eye view.
Do not forget, life is short.
Remember, sin makes you sigh.
Develop a plan for personal growth.
Join God’s work in the world.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank you for the gift of another year that lies before us. Help each of us to live in such a way that 2007 is a significant year in the legacy our lives are building. We look forward to a year of growth as we join you where you are working in our midst.
Amen
