Introduction

Good morning, church. It's a joy to stand before you today, as we gather in this place of worship, united in our love for the Lord and our desire to draw nearer to Him. As we gather today, we find ourselves in the early days of a new year. A time of hope and expectation, a time when many of us are looking forward with a sense of promise and potential.

But let's be honest. It's also a time when many of us are grappling with the weight of resolutions made and, perhaps, already broken. We've promised ourselves that this year will be different. This year, we'll be more faithful, more diligent, more committed. And yet, we've already stumbled, already fallen short. We're wrestling with disappointment, with the feeling that we've let ourselves down, let God down.

But my friends, I want to remind you today of the words of the great preacher Charles Spurgeon, who once said, "By perseverance, the snail reached the ark." You see, it's not about the speed at which we reach our destination, but the determination with which we pursue our journey. We will stumble, we will fall. But we must also rise, dust ourselves off, and continue to move forward.

Dedication of the Divine

As we consider the narrative of Luke, we find ourselves in the midst of a story of profound dedication. We see Joseph and Mary, obedient to the Law of Moses, bringing their newborn son to the temple. They are there to present Jesus to the Lord, to consecrate Him according to the customs of their faith. This is a moment of deep commitment, a moment that speaks to the heart of what it means to be dedicated to the divine.

A reflection of God's own commitment to us: For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. The birth of Jesus was not a random event, but a deliberate act of divine love. It was a commitment made in eternity, fulfilled in time. It was God's promise, kept.

The dedication of Simeon and Anna: These were individuals who had devoted their lives to the service of God. They were not just passing time in the temple. They were waiting, anticipating, longing for the coming of the Messiah. Their dedication was not a passive act, but an active pursuit. They were seeking God with all their hearts, and in their seeking, they found Him.

Dismantling New Year's Resolution Failures

Resolutions: When we think about New Year's Eve, we often think about resolutions ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO