1/1/67

Scripture: Hebrews 2.

We have just rung out the year 1966. And 1967 is already nearly a half-day old! We face into the new year hopefully and soberly. For it seems laden with great possibility for tremendous good or catastrophic ill. What will this year mean when it is over, and we face God in what we have done, or left undone, during the year? Will we have made our lives new in mind and spirit?

One of the problems of our personal living, and of all history as well, is that so much of it is not new. False suspicions, unfounded hatreds, spiritual blindness, old habits (good and bad) persist, many of them from year to year. We did not see this when we were young and eager, when we took it for granted that we were to grow in body mind and spirit; when we supposed that most of our growth would be good, and that God had appeared to promise that we should grow in grace. Experienced people, some of them very wise, have assured us, however, that growing older does not mean growing out of problems. Things do not become new just because we are a year older. A New Year does not necessarily mean much that is new in living, unless we are willing to be made new.

The failure to become new, in the “permanently better” sense, also affects group or social life. A political party comes to power with the determination to make over the life of the state for the better. But it is usually true that the basic problem of relationship with other states, the problem of taxation for what the people believe is needed, the problem of corporate governing of society, and other problems, remain, to a considerable extent, as they were.

Our century continues to be a whirlwind of competition between civilizations. If pioneer fathers faced insecurity, so do we in differing ways. Meanwhile we are challenged to develop family patterns that will make the home more solid and satisfactory. We search for an outlook that will make us, and our society, more sound in mental health and spiritual well-being.

Things really become new when there are moral and spiritual gains. Intellectual gains can be preserved to some degree in books and other records. But moral and spiritual gains are largely a matter of right decision, over and over again. An Abraham Lincoln decides that chattel slavery in this nation must end, and the long, slow road to freedom must be opened for more people. A John Wesley decides that the gospel is to be preached, warmly and persuasively, to miners and prisoners in his country --- to the disconsolate and discouraged; and a hope rises in England that saves that nation from the bloody revolution that disfigured the continent. A Martin Luther took his stand on the scriptures, and the church began a reform that continues to this day. Pilgrims decided to go from Europe to a new land where they could worship God in responsible freedom as a gathered company of believers; and there appeared such liberty to worship God without fear, as the world had not known before.

Nels Ferre says that “Life is like steering.” We arrive pretty much where we want to go. Of course we do not control the conditions of life. Much of that is given to us. One may be born with a body that is crippled or well; with mental capacities that are excellent or limited. One may live at a favored time or in a difficult period. But the meaning of living, and its power, stems not from these circumstances, but from what we do with the circumstances.

The people of Israel learned that they could change their situation. The result was not always what they expected. But they knew the glory of improvement when they gave themselves to fiery vision and submitted themselves to spiritual discipline. It was only when they gave themselves to false idols and immoral practices, and to muttering and complaining, that they deteriorated.

Many of the world’s brightest and most influential personalities have exchanged thorns of difficulty for crowns of spiritual accomplishment. Robert Louis Stevenson was plagued with tuberculosis, but his pen lifted the spirit of much of the world. Helen Keller was nearly helpless without sight or hearing. But she became an inspiration to countless hosts of people by her cheerful, willing, eager spirit. A biographer of the musician, George Frederick Handel writes this about him. His health and fortunes had reached a low ebb. His right side had become paralyzed, and his money was all gone. His creditors seized him and threatened to have him thrown in debtors’ prison. For a brief time, he was tempted to give up the fight --- but he rebounded again to compose the greatest of his inspirations, the “Messiah.” The “Hallelujah Chorus” was born out of great adversity by a soul on fire with vision.

Abraham Lincoln was beset with awkwardness, and disappointments, difficulties and failures and ridicule all of his life. He was finally brought down by an assassin’s hatred. But the cause of human liberty was set a long way ahead by his determination, and by what he did with his capacities.

See how Jesus tried to help the world’s peoples; and the world rewarded him with a cross. But in a great sense, he got what he wanted. For people, ever since, have perceived the salvation of spirit which his unshaken soul brought for all mankind. It was the result of his love that cared even unto death. How amazing is the story of all those saints who endured martyrdom for victory of spirit! When love is the aim, the victim of hate become the victor over hatred. And so, for individual persons, life is open and is a matter of steering. Our hope lies in life’s openness.

Some of history is made by group response to challenge. A quarter century ago, as World War II broke over the earth, British forces faced annihilation at Dunkirk. But a determined and brilliant movement of withdrawal saved them to be regrouped for eventual victory. History is open to those who can and will move out in the spirit. History exists for decisions, for learning freedom and cooperation. We can not escape problems; we can face them in fair encounter, as human beings with dignity. Our freedom to face life’s problems in history is a gift of God’s love. God’s love has been shown to mankind in many ways. But most vividly, it comes in the presence of Christ.

The beginning of the letter to the Hebrews starts this way: “In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son.”-- [Hebrews 1: 1-2]. The generations, many of them, had passed, and God spoke this way, and that, by the prophets. Then a new generation came, and today God speaks by his Son, Jesus Christ, “the same yesterday and today and forever.” A new generation has been added to mankind: that of Jesus Christ.

Many have yet to convince themselves. One who is in close touch with college students of his neighborhood has remarked that, for many college students, religion is on the periphery of life. They may have had little to do with the church. They may have been well reared in the Sunday School, the vacation school, the youth group, and at church worship, and yet not have perceived the relevance of the Bible and its precepts to their living. Some have a hard time “growing up” from childish concepts and early impressions. And, for a time, they may be more impressed with their freedom from compulsion to go to church than they are with their freedom for exploring the great concepts of religious faith. At least, many of them are attending college and university courses in the field of religion --- and that bodes well for their earnest exploration. In one way or another, God has a way of speaking to us by His Son, and in His Word. And he still speaks to us in the church. Listen, then!

Did you come to this place out of habit, or because you were pushed into it? Going to church is a good habit if it is done willingly. It is a duty for some who are church officers, or parents who want to show their children an example, or for those who take parts in the leadership. If it is a duty, let it be performed cheerfully.

But there is a better reason for being in the church at the hour appointed for worship. It is that you come to meet with Jesus Christ. It is he who makes life different. It is he who makes us feel so small over our littleness and waywardness, and who yet lifts us up to the stature of sons and daughters of the most high God! It is he who reminds us that we are created to be but little lower than the angels of perfection, crowned with glory and honor. It is he who reminds us that his shepherding is not for just a few favored ones, but for all the sons and daughters of mankind who can be reached with his redemption. So let us hold up our heads, by his grace, in the new year. More than that, let all others be encouraged to hold up their heads in his grace.

On this first day of a new year, we gather about the Lord’s table to be reminded of him and to seek his blessing. Let him lead us to God with assurance.

Often we hear the expression: “God be with you,” or shortened, “Goodbye.” And God does go with you if you let Him. You can not be a failure in this coming year if you keep that superb company!

Amen.

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Delivered in Wisconsin Rapids, January 1, 1967.

Also at the Wood County Infirmary, February 1, 1967.

Also at Kalahikiola Church, January 5, 1969.

Also at Rudolph Moravian Church, January 3, 1971.

And at Hanalei Plantation Hotel, New Year’s service, January 1, 1972.