SERMONIC / WORSHIP THEME
Opening Statement: No matter what the pollsters, pundits, and prognosticators claim, no one can accurately predict all that is going to happen in the next 365 days. I have the latest copy of US News and World Report that tries to do just that. But our best forecasts are just educated guesses. Changes in our society have not only increased in speed and intensity, but also in their unpredictability.
Quotation: Doing business in this environment is what Michael Annison calls "Managing the Whirlwind." Life and change are like a whirlwind. At times, we cannot manage life like a business or a schedule. Life changes just happen and we’re left holding what’s left, wondering what the meaning of it all is really about.
Transition: How can anyone – including Christians - succeed when the future is so uncertain?
Title: Managing the Whirlwind - How to face your future
Quotation: “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” Corrie Ten Boom.
MESSAGE
Opening Statement: At this time of the New Year, many people make goals centering on weight-loss, spending less, earning more, or slowing down, and the list could go on and on. Most of the time people establish some great and noble goals that are admirable and commendable. Today, I am assuming that you have some goals; some things that you would like to see accomplished this year. With your goals fresh in mind and your attention focused on the future, let’s look at…
Text: Jeremiah 29:10-14
Exposition: Jeremiah was called “the weeping prophet.” He faithfully called upon the nation of Judah to repent for 40 years, all the while facing imprisonment, beatings, and opposition. Someone has referred to this book as Judah’s divorce papers (Jeremiah 3:8). If so, it would explain the extreme sadness that one feels when reading this book. The leadership of Judah hated Jeremiah for always being “so negative.” They imprisoned him (ch.37), burned his writings (ch.36), and confined him in a deep, muddy cistern (ch.38).
They would not heed his words and the book ended when Jerusalem went into captivity in 586 BC. According to many then, Jeremiah was a failure. He never succeeded in his task. But, he was faithful at a great personal cost and therein lays his success. His faithfulness positioned Him to write about God’s promise of a better tomorrow. At times, we’re called to be faithful, not successful. Jeremiah was faithful. He consistently did what God asked him to do even though it did not always translate into blessings or victories for himself. After many of them had gone into captivity into Babylon, losing their homes and fortunes and all that was familiar, faithful Jeremiah wrote them a letter of hope. Our theme passage is an excerpt from this letter.
Recitation: "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans … to give you a future and a hope … You will find me when you seek me, if you look for me in earnest." Jer. 29:11,13 (LB)
Key Word: This passage does THREE THINGS for us at the start of this New Year and with our goals in mind.
OUTLINE
First, this passage tells us who knows the Plans – God Does.
Explanation: If God knows the game plan for my life, I had better include Him in my Goal-setting. Frankly, I have tried making my plans without consulting God first and I have ended up in some pretty messy situations. God is the only one who DOES know the future - and he’s eager to guide us through it. The Bible says "We may make our plans, but God has the last word." (Pr. 16:1) In other words, planning without consulting God is presumption. Start by praying, "God, what do YOU want me to do in 2003?" What he shows you may not be convenient or easy, but it will be right.
Application: There’s one goal that I think would honor Christ and bless this fellowship of believers in 2003. If you will make it a priority to be here every week and plug into new community, I believe God will honor that goal with new skills to do life biblically and build stronger relationships with others.
Illustration: NEW YEAR’S LETTER TO THE PASTOR
Dear Pastor:
You often stress attendance at worship as being very important for a Christian, but I think a person has a right to miss now and then. I think every person ought to be excused for the following reasons and the number of times indicated.
Christmas Holidays (the Sunday before & after) 2
New Years (the party lasted too long) 1
Easter (get away for the holidays) 2
July 4th (national holidays) 1
Labor Day (need to get away) 2
Memorial Day (visit hometown folk) 1
School closing (kids need a break) 1
School reopens (one last fling) 1
Family reunions (mine & wife’s) 3
Sleep late (stayed up too long Saturday night) 9
Deaths in family 2
Anniversary (second honeymoon) 1
Sickness (one per family member) 5
Business trip (a must) 1
Vacation (three to four weeks) 6
Bad weather (ice, snow, rain, clouds) 2
Ball games 2
Races 2
Unexpected company (can’t walk out) 2
Time changes (spring & fall) 2
Special on TV (Superbowl, etc) 3
Pastor, that leaves two Sundays per year. So, you can count on us to be in church on the 4th Sunday in February and the 3rd Sunday in August unless we are providentially hindered.
Sincerely,
A Faithful Member
Second, this passage reminds us that God’s plans are in the future and we should adjust our life accordingly.
Explanation: On a first read, I see encouragement in this passage. But there’s also a note of caution here. Admittedly, hoping for a better tomorrow keeps us going sometimes, but our anticipation for this better tomorrow must not render us useless today. While we all look forward to a better life, a stronger family, better health, and the achievement of some major life goals in the future, we must not forget to live one day at a time. Jesus said, "Don’t be anxious about tomorrow - God will take care of your tomorrows. Live one day at a time." (Matt. 6:34) I take this slant on the passage because the Jewish captives were going to be in captivity for at least 70 years (Jeremiah 29:10). What if someone told you that you couldn’t go home for 70 years? Their temptation would be to scheme and plan their escape. But God said, “No.” Not only is this passage an encouragement; it is also a check to live one day at a time where they were. While you can plan for tomorrow, you can’t live it until it arrives. Most people spend so much time regretting the past and worrying about the future, they have no time to enjoy today! Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans for down the road. We know that God has a future and a hope for us. Now, let’s begin to prepare ourselves today in a balanced way.
Illustration: I’m working through Bobby Knights book, “My Story.” He states that when it comes to basketball, it takes more than a will to win to have a successful outcome in a game or for a season. He said it takes a will to prepare to win.
Application: There are some spiritual victories out there for you this year or as you think about your goals, there are some potential achievements, but you will have to prepare yourself and work your game plan one day at a time. Decide to make the most of each moment this year.
Quotation: I have this quote hanging on my office bulletin board. I have read it often. It is entitled, “Life – But No Living.”
First, I was dying to finish high school and start college.
And then I was dying to finish college and start working.
And then I was dying to marry and have children.
And then I was dying for my children to grow old enough for school so I could return to work.
And then I was dying to retire.
And now, I am dying…and suddenly I realize I forgot to live.
Observation: These Jewish captives to whom Jeremiah wrote could have just given up. But we have evidence that they picked up the broken pieces of their lives again, and rather than regret their past and worrying about the future, they began to live one day at a time until people like Daniel began to emerge out of the woodwork. He knew that God had called him to live each day in a way that would honor Him. Through a series of daily victories, Daniel, the captive, became Daniel the ruler in Babylon…one day at a time.
Third, and finally, this passage teaches us that we need to seek our God today.
Explanation: Don’t procrastinate – begin seeking God today! The Jewish captives were going to be in captivity for at least 70 years (Jeremiah 29:10). The tendency would have been to be apathetic and lethargic. But God said to seek after Him.
Observation: Procrastination bleeds over into many areas of life in addition to the spiritual. The Proverb writer wrote: "Don’t boast about what you’re going to do tomorrow, for you don’t know what a day may bring forth." (Pr. 27:1) Procrastinating is a subtle trap. It wastes today by postponing things until tomorrow. You promise yourself that you’ll do it "one of these days". But "one of these days" is usually "none of these days." What did you plan to get done last year that you didn’t do? When do you intend to start working on it? Seize the day!
Application: Some of you I know have some great intentions for yourself, for your church, for your family. Now, start today! Do you want to be the spiritual leader of your family, then pray with them tonight. Do you want to lose weight, then start today. Do you want to develop intimacy with God, then get into the Book. Do you want church on Sunday morning to be a priority, then get in bed at a decent hour on Saturday night. Do you want to start this year with a meaning and purpose that you’ve never had before, then how about surrendering your life and plans to Jesus Christ.
CONCLUSION
Recapitualation: My New Years message to you then is simple: include God on your plans; live one day at a time; and begin today.
Quotation: F.E. Marsh has enumerated some of God’s blessings:
an acceptance that can never be questioned (Ephesians 1:6); an inheritance that can never be lost (I Peter 1:3-5); a deliverance that can never be excelled (2 Corinthians 1:10); a grace that can never be limited (2 Corinthians 12:9); a hope that can never be disappointed. (Hebrews 6:18, 19); a bounty that can never be withdrawn (Colossians 3:21-23); a joy that need never be diminished (John 15:11); a nearness to God that can never be reversed (Ephesians 2:13); a peace that can never be disturbed (John 14:27); a righteousness that can never be tarnished (2 Corinthians 5:21); a salvation that can never be canceled (Hebrews 5:9). God has a plan for your life. Are you ready and willing to go God’s way?
