Monday, January 16, 2006
New Years Sermon preached on January 1, 2006
ON THE THRESHOLD OF A NEW YEAR
Numbers 14:1-19
INTRO: The children of Israel have been brought out of Egypt and now stood at the border of the Promised Land. Spies have been sent in and brought back a negative report. True, the land is one of abundance, but there are giants there. But there was another report. The people were faced with a choice. As we stand on the brink of a new year, we could be said to be facing the same choice. Consider:
I. WE CAN BE FRIGHTENED BY THE FUTURE (2-4)
The majority report scared the leaders.
They began to let their imaginations get the best of them.
In their fear they thought of going back to Egypt.
The good old days sometimes beckon us!
Usually they are not what we remember.
It has been said, “You can’t go back home!”
II. WE CAN EMBRACE THE FUTURE (5-10)
There was a minority report.
The land was good and would be good to them.
The risks were worth the rewards.
God would be with them. The battle was not theirs.
Moving ahead would be an act of obedience.
III. WE NEED TO REMEMBER who owns the future.
God threatened to destroy the people.
He suggested starting over with Moses.
Moses called God to defend His reputation.
If He destroyed the people,
the Egyptians would say He was not able to protect the people.
Moses called on God to forgive the people.
As we face the New Year, will we fear the unknown, or will we move ahead with the assurance of God’s provision? Will we try to find all the answers ahead of time, or will we move ahead with trust In God?
ON THE THRESHOLD OF A NEW YEAR
Numbers 14:1-19
INTRO: The children of Israel have been brought out of Egypt and now stood at the border of the Promised Land. Spies have been sent in and brought back a negative report. True, the land is one of abundance, but there are giants there. But there was another report. The people were faced with a choice. As we stand on the brink of a new year, we could be said to be facing the same choice. Consider:
I. WE CAN BE FRIGHTENED BY THE FUTURE (2-4)
The majority report scared the leaders.
They began to let their imaginations get the best of them.
In their fear they thought of going back to Egypt.
The good old days sometimes beckon us!
Usually they are not what we remember.
It has been said, “You can’t go back home!”
II. WE CAN EMBRACE THE FUTURE (5-10)
There was a minority report.
The land was good and would be good to them.
The risks were worth the rewards.
God would be with them. The battle was not theirs.
Moving ahead would be an act of obedience.
III. WE NEED TO REMEMBER who owns the future.
God threatened to destroy the people.
He suggested starting over with Moses.
Moses called God to defend His reputation.
If He destroyed the people,
the Egyptians would say He was not able to protect the people.
Moses called on God to forgive the people.
As we face the New Year, will we fear the unknown, or will we move ahead with the assurance of God’s provision? Will we try to find all the answers ahead of time, or will we move ahead with trust In God?
// posted by Pastor Fred @ 11:47 PM 
