Yet Another Year!

New Year’s resolution

So, here we are, yet another new year! Another revolution around the sun and how did you go last year? Did we have any highs, any lows, any middles?

What about last years resolutions? Did you manage to tick off and fulfill them? For myself, it was to lose some weight, spend time with family and read books. I don’t think I have fulfilled any of them though some people have said that I have a lost a bit of weight.

Regarding spending time with family, that I can agree and say I’ve fulfilled but reading books was difficult. So, I’ve partially fulfilled my list.

So, I want you to reflect on your resolutions from your previous years, how did you go? I suspect for some of us here, there are those that have accomplished their resolutions, a show of hands for those that have completed all of their new year’s resolution in 2022, are prepared for this year’s resolutions?

What about those that have struggled? How many would dare to raise their hand for that? I doubt many of you would make any resolutions for this year or maybe limit it — but stick around because I am going to suggest a resolution for you.

Then you’ve got the ‘meh’ type people, people who aren’t bothered, do we have any here today? These are people who take it a day at a time and haven’t really planned a resolution but just wing it.

Self-improvement resolutions

Now, think about the resolutions some people come up with, its always to do with self-improvement. Not that there is nothing wrong with it, it’s always good to be better and live healthier, in fact you don’t really need a resolution to get it going, but I guess it does help for some people.

Which brings me back to the old preacher:

Ecclesiastes 1:2–4 NKJV

2 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” 3 What profit has a man from all his labor In which he toils under the sun? 4 One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever.

Ecclesiastes 1:2–4 NLT

2 “Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!” 3 What do people get for all their hard work under the sun? 4 Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes.

I don’t think we as Christians really fathom this verse, especially amongst young Christians.

All is vain!

The word vanity in Hebrew is הֶבֶל (Habel) which translated means vain, vapour, and breath indicating to the reader that all that is done under the sun is fruitless or pointless.

My message, “Yet another year” is kind of a continuation from last Sabbath’s message on the unfruitful tree. This message is not to be an improvement of last weeks message but an addition to it.

Because I feel as though that when a new year comes about, more stress and problems are added in our lives, especially amongst the younger people of our church and their future prospects. This isn’t necessarily something they can control though but they push through it or they give up.

Downward path of many young people.

There is a term in Japanese ‘hikikomori’ and it means ‘people who haven’t left their homes or interacted with others for at least six months.’

These are people aged between 15-39 who have spent 7 years of their life in isolation or lived 3-5 year in reclusion.

This isn’t a phenomenon that is happening in Japan though, it’s happening nearly everywhere in Western and Eastern cultures because the future to many of them is uncertain to the point it because literally pointless.

In China, according to CNBC it says that:

“Young people in China are growing disillusioned and frustrated with work and life, and some are now turning their backs on a crushing hustle culture as they face challenges ranging from rising unemployment to layoffs and economic uncertainty.”

It continues:

“The competition is so intense that some say they’ve given up on their dreams and aspirations.”

The term they give is 躺平 (Tǎng píng) which means lying flat, and it is understandable that youths in China, especially in the major cities are facing extreme pressure from their families and society that they would rather do nothing or do little and lie flat and not be bothered because all that they desire is unachievable.

The West isn’t any different

In the Western world we see this trend as well, many of the young people of our time are facing high cost of living and mental health issues. But the job market isn’t as packed like in East Asia still the competition is there and it is challenging for some young people.

So what can these young people the generation of tomorrow do to get through these obstacles, some people have suggested they move to the country or cut down on the distraction and conveniences they spend their money on.

Regardless, I am not specialised in this to give an opinion on how these young people can tackle the struggles that they’re facing. But, what I can provide is something that has stood the test of time and conflict and that is the Bible.

So, going back to what the preacher said:

Ecclesiastes 1:2–4 NLT

2 “Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!” 3 What do people get for all their hard work under the sun? 4 Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes.

What hope do our young people even for the more mature people do now as we enter into 2023? What will you do for the remaining 358 days of this year? What plans or resolution have you committed to?

We need to improve on our relationship with Jesus!

Often times we make plans for self-improvement but we don’t realise that in order to improve we need to improve our relationship with Jesus first.

Matthew 6:33 NLT

33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Psalm 37:5 NLT

5 Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.

Sure things are tough, sure things aren’t going your way, and sure you feel like you’re discriminated against and you’re being trodden down how can I get through this!

But if Jesus and all those who have been faithful to him from the past can get through it in faith then I am sure you can as well, I am sure if you put all your plans upon Him, He will guide you through if you trust in Him.

Proverbs 3:5–6 NLT

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

This goes for everyone else, whether young or old, if you put your faith in Him and He will do the rest, because He loves you and cares for you. Don’t believe me?

How God changed me

I was one of those young person who didn’t care much about my future, I was a 躺平, a hikikomori, all I would do after High School to my late 20s was work and hang out with friends. No ambition in life and no goals. It was only when my dad passed away that I started getting serious about life and made commitments and changes, but I wish I would have had done this sooner but if I did then I wouldn’t have met my wife and I wouldn’t have had my son.

But all that was only possible when I started putting my trust and faith in Him and in the end, God did the rest and I am blessed through the good and the bad times in life because God is with me and I believe in Him that He is faithful

Ephesians 3:20 NKJV

20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

Now, I can finish the sermon here but you haven’t really learnt anything yet, this is the sermon to ready us for the new year! So, you might be asking, where are you going with this?

What’s the point of it all?

From new years resolutions, to young people finding no point to life, it all does sound vain, what is the point? Here we are in another year and what is there to look forward to unless it is the Second Coming of Jesus.

Usually and ordinarily this is the case for the majority of people but we’re not ordinary people am I correct?

Extra-ordinary!

We need to be extra-ordinary, and the only way that is achievable is when we do the will of the Father.

Let’s have a look at some people in the Bible, Noah, was he just an ordinary man before God came to him? Then when God came to him was he ordinary or extra-ordinary?

Moses, before God came to him was he an ordinary shepherd for his father-in-law? Then when God came to him was he ordinary or extra-ordinary?

Gideon, was he ordinary or extra-ordinary?

What about Jesus’ disciples?

Fishermen instead of feeding a community give the real food to those who are hungering for

Tax collectors instead of stealing from the poor and needy, they bring something far greater than riches can buy.

Anarchists instead of chaos bring peace through the gospel.

Thieves who return to God what was taken from Him.

Ordinary or extra-ordinary?

Martin Luther and all the other reformers, ordinary or extra-ordinary?

So, what about you? Ordinary or extra-ordinary?

[Come up with excuses]

Hebrews 12:1–2 NKJV

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

What excuse do you have for Jesus?

What excuse do you have that will stop you from being extra-ordinary for Jesus?

Anything that isn’t extra-ordinary for Jesus is vain, all is meaningless says the teacher.

Last Sabbath, Pr Barend shared the message about a tree that was unfruitful, are you that tree? Was time given to that tree so that it can bare fruit? Will you bare fruit for Jesus?

Tell me what is the purpose of fruit? What do fruit contain?

We are the sowers of the Word!

We are the sowers of the Word of the gospel, and do you remember where the sower went? They didn’t sow in one place but they sowed in all places.

Friends, if you want to make something out of your life so that it won’t be in vain, go and feed His lambs.

Every year that passes the priority has always been about me, me, me.

But you heard it from the preacher, it is in vain! If you want to make experience something that will change your life then I wager you to put your life and trust in Jesus.

Put all your plans in Him let Him lead and go serve and sow the seeds of hope in others.

I am sure you will be blessed and find joy in the ministry of the gospel. Which is better to be satisfied with your accomplishments or to see others find hope and joy through you?

Psalm 4:6–8 NLT

6 Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, Lord. 7 You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. 8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.

Opportunities to be extra-ordinary

My friends, as we enter into this new year, with only 358 days left in the year. How about you make some plans to not only to place your faith on Him.

But to go and do for Him. There are many opportunities for your to witness and share your faith to others, many opportunities that our church facilitates for you to share your faith as well.

So, as we enter yet another year!

Will this year be in vain or will this year be purposeful? Will your life be ordinary or will you be extra-ordinary for our Lord Jesus?