You say Goodbye, and I say Hello
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Christmas 1967 Beatles hit, Hello, Goodbye. a study of opposites. and preferring one over the other.
Today is a Sunday that is the last of 2020 and so it seemed appropriate to take a look at 2020. Look back and lament the things that happened and look ahead to 2021 with hope and anticipation.
This message comes in two parts. Part one is built around a lament. A lament is simply an acknowledgement before God of a pain that we are experiencing. In a word, it is saying goodbye to 2020 and all of its craziness.
Ian will lead us into a time of worship that really taps into the lament side of things.
Randy will spend some time helping us to look at 2020. (maybe lament, maybe laugh)
Ian will help us worship with hope and trust instead of lament.
Randy will turn to the Hello side of things in part two of this message. And I will draw out of our text the elements of hope and trust that David experienced.
1. Look Back on 2020.
1. Look Back on 2020.
How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?
As we take a look at 2020, there are some immediate images and feelings that come up. Most of us are glad to see this year come to a close. We can only take so much. The turning of the calendar marks a hopeful restart.
David asks some serious questions about the length of the season.
How long? Did you forget me?
How long? Where are you?
How long? I wrestle with sorrow in my heart
How long? will I be defeated
If David lived through these things, I believe that we might live through similar things too.
The first two questions were directed to God. The next two are directed at himself. Maybe there’s a helpful pattern there.
Taking a long look at 2020. I will probably spend a day or two working through this transition. My New Year’s season isn’t usually a party. It’s a quiet couple of days of reflection, lament, gratitude, longing, planning and more.
What you’re going to need:
Bible
Notebook and Pen(s)
Reminders of last year... calendar, journal, emails, photos
Talk with God
Talk with God
Say a short prayer and invite God into your mind and the moment.
Meditate on his Word
Meditate on his Word
psalm 19
Remember your Relationships
Remember your Relationships
Christmas Cards
Social Media
Emails
Evaluate your Events
Evaluate your Events
Calendar (good and bad…We had a wedding!!!)
Journal
newsfeeds
Identify the Impact
Identify the Impact
spiritually
emotionally
relationally
financially
physically
draw a timeline for 2020
single sheet
draw points along the way for each month
connect them to see trends
2. Look Up to God
2. Look Up to God
Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
The Psalm changes tone when David begins to talk to God differently.
In verse 1, he says “Lord”. Or maybe we should say “Lord?”
Time for me to put on my professor hat.
Lord = the One who knows me
God = the One who is strong
The Point: Things change when we come to God.
Ian - Worship
3. Look Ahead to 2021
3. Look Ahead to 2021
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.
Who are you Becoming?
Do you like who you are Becoming?
dream
invite God to challenge you
make some plans
set some goals
adjust some things that need to be adjusted
What does the Lord want you to say Goodbye to from 2020?
What does the Lord want you to say Hello to in 2021?
“ ‘ “The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ’