Allen Schnell 31 December 2017
Introduction
A comparison of the church in the West and the church in China shows that there is major growth of the church in China while facing major persecution. On the other hand, the church in the west is ‘soft’ and not growing at nearly the same rate.
Looking at new beginnings in the bible, we find many scriptures that speak of new spiritual growth, e.g. Psalm 40:1-3 – the emphasis here being on waiting patiently.
In Lamentations 3 Jeremiah speaks of the importance of earnestly seeking God and waiting on Him.
Then in Isaiah 42:1-7 and Jeremiah 33:31 there is prophecy of a new dispensation, a new covenant.
Ezekiel speaks of the new covenant being written on our heart – Ezekiel 36:26
What does this mean for us in the New Year? We live in the time of the new covenant and are reminded of this each time we share in communion, we are a new creation –
2 Corinthians 5:17
How do we respond to this? Jesus taught in Matthew 9:14-17, that people do not pour new wine into old wineskins because they will burst. We pour new wine into new wineskins. Another scripture that speaks of this is 1 Corinthians 5:7-8
The challenge for us this New Year is, “What kind of wineskins are we? Are we old wineskins trying to put new wine into them or are we going to be new wineskins ready to receive new wine?”
Finally, a challenge from Hebrews 10:19-25 to encourage each other and spur one another on in the coming year.
A Call to Persevere in Faith
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
