Ec 3:1 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:"
Welcome to the New Year! It is 2002! Isn't that exciting? I am looking forward to what this New Year will bring, aren't you? Some might question whether or not I am in my right mind. After all, the economy is not what it used to be; we are in a war with no end in sight; and I am telling you that we should be optimistic about the New Year! Let me give you just a few reasons why I think we should take a positive look toward the future.
I. God is still on the Throne.
Ec 3:14, "I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him."
Re 1:8, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."
Heb 13:8, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."
II. The Blood Hasn't Lost Its Power
Isa 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool".
1Pe 1:18, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;"
III. We Have a Home Awaiting Us in Heaven
Joh 14:1-3 "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
1Co 2:9, "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."
IV. The Word of God is Still True
Isa 55:11, "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."
2Ti 3:16, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"
V. God Has Given Us More Time to Reach the Lost.
2Pe 3:9, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."