Year One!

Part 1

Sermon Notes

January 2, 2011

Rev. Jim O’Neal, Senior Pastor

Sun Lakes United Methodist Church

9248 E. Riggs Road, Sun Lakes, Arizona 85248

(480) 895-8766

John 1:1-14 NRSV

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  2He was in the beginning with God.  3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.  What has come into being 4in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.  5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.  8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.  9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

10He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him.  11He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him.  12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

14And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

 

A.  Introduction

                   1.  Japanese Calendar

                                                a.  The Japanese have great respect for their emperor.  Indeed, I read recently that they keep track of time based on the reign of each emperor.  Each time a new emperor takes the throne, the calendar starts all over again at “Year One!” 

                                                b.  For example, Emperor Akihito became the Emperor of Japan upon the death of his father Hirohito on January 8, 1989.  Come January 8th of this year it is “Year 22” of the current emperor’s reign.

                   2.  “Year One” Sermon

                                                a.  The idea of starting over and having a Year One has appeal to a lot of people!  It would be nice to have a fresh start.  And it is possible for this year of 2011 to be a Year One for us.  Year One of new faith!  Year One of new life!  Year One of a new beginning!  Year One of a new confidence!  Truly a New Year!

                                                b.  So what does our Scripture Lesson for today have to say to us?  I believe three important things.  Today we will look at two of these and next Sunday we will add the third point.

 

B.  Life can be difficult!

                   1.  Boy Stuck In a Mud Puddle!

                                                a.  Little Billy was quite upset.  “Help me, help me, Mr. Jones!” he cried.  Mr. Jones got up from rocking on his front porch and asked, “What’s wrong?”  “It’s my brother,” Billy said.  “He’s stuck in a mud puddle in the old field out back.  I need you to pull him out!”  Mr. Jones inquired, “And how deep is he stuck in the puddle?”  Billy said, “Up to his shoe laces.”  Mr. Jones retorted, “Then you go back there and tell him to walk out himself.”  The boy replied, “He can’t do that.”  A frustrated Mr. Jones asked, “And why not?”  “Because,” Billy responded, “He’s in head first!”

                                                b.  For some of you that describes last year.  There are those who went through and continue to go through difficult health problems, and there seems to be no end or a way out.  Some continue in their battle against cancer and others are still in deep grief over the loss of a loved one.  Others are struggling with personal or relationship problems and the depression is like being stuck head first in a deep dark mud hole.  For others the woes are financial.  Because of the bad economy, people have lost income.  Some lost a lot of money in their retirement fund and some lost their job.  The economy, crime and terrorism mean that too many now live in the dread of fear.  Living is not always easy.

                   2.  Today’s Scripture:  John 1:5

                                                a.  Today’s Scripture in verse five says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5 RSV)

                                                b.  Today’s Scripture lesson reminds us that there is darkness in our world.  Bad and evil things happen to people; even good people.  People do horrible things to others.  Circumstances sometimes smash you flat.  Some would even say that there is a power of evil in our world at war with the Light.  And this evil wishes to hurt humankind and turn us against one another.  Life can be difficult, but today’s Scripture, also, reminds us that there is hope in Jesus who is the Light of the World.

 

C.  Christ Gives Us Hope!

                   1.  Mad Prince

                                                a.  There is an old Jewish fable about a mad prince.  The prince believed himself to be a turkey.  He went around naked, scratching at the floor, making turkey sounds, and picking up food with his mouth.  The court physicians tried in vain to cure the lad.  Finally an old rabbi volunteered to help.  “But you must let me do it my way,” he said.  And the King agreed.  So the rabbi, also, got naked and started acting like a turkey.  Now the prince had a friend.  For quite a few days they just strutted around together eating food off the floor.  Then one day the rabbi spoke to the prince.  He explained, “One can talk and still be a turkey.”  After that the two would talk for hours.  Then one day the rabbi had two pairs of trousers brought out.  He put on one pair.  The prince asked, “Why are you putting on trousers?”  The rabbi replied, “One can quite easily wear trousers and still be a turkey.”  So the prince, also, put on some pants.  Later the rabbi did the same thing with two shirts.  Then he explained that one could be a turkey and sit at the table, and even talk to the people there.  Finally the prince forgot about being a turkey.  He began to think and act like a prince.

                                                b.  Humankind lived for centuries without hope.  God had spoken to us through prophets and in awesome signs and wonders.  Yet we continued in our destructive ways.  We cried out for a God who was not so vengeful or remote.  Humankind in desperation pleaded, “We know we have sinned, but what hope is there for us?”  So God came to us as one of us.  In Jesus, God came as a real human being to show us the right way to live.  And in Jesus, God provides for us the means for our forgiveness from sin and the path for turning from our negative ways.  In Jesus we, also, find hope for life eternal beyond the grave.

                   2.  Today’s Scripture:  John 1:4

                                                a.  Today’s Scripture in verse four gives us hope:  “In him was life, and the life was the light of all people.” (John 1:4 NRSV) 

                                                b.  This past December 25th we celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ.  Now Christmas in America has a lot of distractions.  However, as a people of faith we know that Christmas first and foremost is about the arrival of the Savior.  And more than Christmas gifts, Christmas trees or anything else, we should be excited about the arrival of the Savior!  Jesus has come into the world.  For each individual, He brings to us forgiveness, healing, new life, abundant life and eternal life!  And for humankind collectively, He brings for us the path to a peaceful and just world.  Because of Jesus, there is hope!  And that’s something worth rejoicing in and celebrating!

 

D.  Conclusion:  Recap…  This New Year, we remember these things:

                   1.  Today:

                                      a.  Life can be difficult!

                                      b.  Christ Gives Us Hope!

                      2.  Next Sunday:  We will rejoice that…

                                                         Christ Gives Us The Victory!

Year One!

 

1.  Life can be difficult!

 

2.  Christ Gives Us Hope!

 

3.  Christ Gives Us The Victory!

 

 

John 1:1-14 NRSV

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  2He was in the beginning with God.  3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.  What has come into being 4in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.  5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.  8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.  9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

10He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him.  11He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him.  12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

14And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.