Introduction

Greetings, beloved family of God. As we gather here today, let us embrace the promise of a fresh start that the New Year brings. We stand at the threshold of a new beginning, the dawn of a new season, and the commencement of a fresh chapter in the story of our lives. The past year may have been filled with challenges, trials, and tribulations. Yet, here we stand, by the grace of God, ready to turn the page.

Harnessing Hope for the New Year

As we stand at the dawn of a new year, we are presented with an opportunity. An opportunity to look forward with anticipation, to dream big, and to embrace the promise of what lies ahead. This is a time to harness the power of hope. Hope, in its purest form, is not just wishful thinking. It's a firm assurance about things that are unclear and unknown. It's a steadfast confidence in the goodness and faithfulness of God, even when circumstances suggest otherwise.

Hope beautifully illustrated in the book of Ecclesiastes: The author, Solomon, paints a picture of life's seasons, each with its own purpose and rhythm. He reminds us that there's a time for everything under heaven. This includes times of joy and times of sorrow, times of abundance and times of lack, times of peace and times of conflict. But through it all, there's a constant thread of hope. This hope is not based on our circumstances, but on the unchanging character of God.

We can hold onto this hope: We can trust that God is at work, even when we can't see it. We can believe that He is weaving together a beautiful tapestry of our lives, even when all we see are loose threads and knots. This is the kind of hope that fuels our faith, propels us forward, and gives us the strength to face whatever comes our way.

Now, let's consider four aspects of this hope.

First: Hope is a gift from God. It's not something we can manufacture on our own. It's a divine endowment, a heavenly treasure, a sacred trust. It's like a seed planted in our hearts by the hand of God. And like any seed, it needs to be nurtured and cared for. It needs the right conditions to grow and flourish. This includes a healthy diet of God's Word, a regular rhythm of prayer, and a supportive community of fellow believers.

Second: Hope is a powerful motivator. It's the fuel that keeps us going when the road is long and the journey is hard. It's the light that shines in the darkness, guiding us towards our destination. It's the anchor that holds us steady in the storm, preventing us from being tossed to and fro by the waves of life. When we harness the power of hope, we find the strength to persevere, the courage to press on, and the determination to never give up.

Third: Hope is a reflection of our faith. It's a tangible expression of our trust in God. It's a visible demonstration of our confidence in His promises. When we hope, we are essentially saying, "I believe in God. I trust in His goodness. I rely on His faithfulness. I am confident in His promises." This kind of hope is not a passive waiting, but an active anticipation. It's not a timid wishing, but a bold believing.

Fourth: Hope is a catalyst for change. It's a force that propels us into action. It's a spark that ignites a fire of transformation. When we hope, we are not just dreaming about a better future, we are working towards it. We are not just wishing for change, we are initiating it. We are not just praying for miracles, we are partnering with God to bring them about.

Handling Historical Baggage

As we continue, we find ourselves at the doorstep of our past ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO