New Year's Eve

When our children read in history books concerning the year of our Lord 2009 what shall be recounted as significant? On January 20, 2009 Barack Obama was sworn into office as the 44th president of the United States. On that day the Dow closed at 7,943. The Dow fell to 6,594 on March 19th but by mid October had risen to just over 10,000 points. The economy continued to make headlines as the House and Senate soon after Obama’s inauguration signed into law a trillion dollar stimulus bill to help boost the nation’s financial system. Both GM and Chrysler filed for bankruptcy and restructuring in the 2nd quarter. In summer the temperatures were unseasonably cool across the Hoosier heartland. 2009 would be the coolest July on record. Only four days during the month reached average or above-average temperatures, but after the August recess in Washington things began to heat up as debate started over reforming the nation’s health care system. The college freshmen class set to graduate in 2013 had this unique distinction – never in their lives had they not known of a time when Americans were not fighting a war in Iraq.

Tonight we look back on a year gone by. We look bat at this past year and realize triumphs as well as failures. We see both disappointments and blessings; we find pains as well as pleasures. And yet, as we look at time that seems to fly by so quickly we see that our Lord Jesus remains timeless. In fact, what's more He never changes. Jesus remains consistent beyond time.
I. Jesus Christ has been right by our side in the past.
There was never a time in the past year when He didn't know of your situation or circumstance.
1. He's all knowing
2. He's all seeing
3. He's ever present
He has never left you down
1. There have been times when we have left Him down.
2. There have been times when we would not listen to His Word
Transition: But He remains changeless and that is why in the beginning even before time began before this world existed He established an eternal plan to save and redeem you.
II. He is with us right now.
A. To forgive us our sin
1. Establishing us as His own
2. Drawing us to Himself
3. Ever guiding and leading us
B. Where there is the forgiveness of sins there is also life and salvation.
1. Jesus said: "I have come that they might have life and have it abundantly…"
2. Salvation, having peace with God is a byproduct of this forgiveness.
III. As He has never left us down in the past and is actively involved in our lives at the present we can be assured that He will go with us in this New Year.
A. Changes might come our way in the New Year of 2010
1. Our Lord has some things to teach us.
2. All this is to draw us closer to Himself.
B. No matter what comes our way He's mighty enough to handle any problem we might have.
1. This is the only way we'll survive in this often-unpredictable world.
2. We can depend on Jesus our Savior.
CONCLUSION: We live in an ever increasing world of change. But in the midst of change Jesus remains changeless. He will be with us as He has in the past and will continue to be so even in the New Year. In His hands we will rest safe and secure.

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use