The Sermon for New Year’s Eve
Romans 8:31b–39
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Hoopeston, IL
December 31, 2011; Rev. James T. Batchelor
This evening, I am going to deviate from my normal custom of focusing on the Gospel as the basis for my sermon. Instead, we will consider the Epistle for this evening. Anyone who is doing a sermon report for youth catechism should enter an E for epistle as the sermon text.
The changing of the year is one of those times when many in our culture decide to change something about themselves. The end of one year and the beginning of a new year often triggers thoughts of improvements. Many conversations will begin with a question about New Year’s resolutions.
I used to make New Year’s resolutions. At first, it was “This year I resolve to lose fifty pounds.” Then it was, “This year I resolve to lose thirty pounds.” Then it was, “This year I resolve to lose ten pounds.” Then it was, “I am going to lose some weight this year.” Finally it became, “Who needs a stupid New Year’s resolution anyway?”
Every year about this time, millions of people will resolve to change their lives in some significant way. Sadly, most of these resolutions won’t survive the month of January. Many won’t survive until January 2.
Last year, millions of people around the world hoped to spend more time with family and friends. They hoped to get in better shape, lose some weight, quit a bad habit, get out of debt, get organized, or achieve some other worthy goal. Most people fail. Most of the time, New Year’s resolutions are a good way to set yourself up for disappointment.
And frankly, in the grand scheme of the universe these improvements are small things. At least we are talking about things that we have a chance to actually change. There is one big monster of a thing that we all need to change and we can’t.
This year, last year, every year we’re on earth, we’re sinful. By nature, we’re sinful through and though. No matter how hard we try – no matter how many resolutions we make, we can’t do a thing about our own sin. On our own, we’re still thoroughly selfish, completely bent on having things our own way, always happy to care about the other guy if— and only if—it serves me. No resolution of ours is ever going to change our sinful nature.
Our epistle for this evening invites us to take a different approach to New Year’s resolutions. By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul encourages us to consider a resolution that is good at any time of the year – not just at the beginning of a new year. The wonderful thing about this resolution is that it does not depend on us.
Paul’s resolution is not about himself. It’s about his Lord. It’s a resolution of faith. His resolution is that there is no safer place than the love of God. It’s a growing trust in a loving Savior. He is resolved that nothing can surpass, overpower, or destroy the love God has for us, his children. Paul writes, “I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Paul’s resolution is that God is for us! Our enemies don’t stand a chance. He boasts, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” So resolved, he does not even expect an answer. “Who can be against us?” No one is a threat if God is on our side. God has not held back any of his resources and power—he has sent his own Son for us all. He died for us. He was raised for us. The Gospel declares us innocent for his sake.
What if the devil himself accuses us and says: “You are a sinner; therefore you are damned,” then we can say: “It is unfortunately true that I am a sinner and that I have surely deserved death. So far you are right. But still you shall not condemn and slay me. Another, who is named my Lord Christ, has already stopped you.” For the inspired words of Paul say this: If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
The Apostle Paul tells us that we are nikes – no, not the shoe. The Greek word nike means “conquer” or “victory.” In fact Paul states that we are hyper-nikes. The word “hyper” has more or less the same meaning in both Greek and English. We are more than conquerors. We are not conquerors in ourselves, but we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. It is the love of Christ that conquers.
Paul is persuaded, convinced, and therefore resolved that the love of God through Jesus Christ is what the whole world needs. It is the love of God that brought the Son of God to humanity. It has bridged the gap between man and God. It is the love of God that caused his Son to endure death on the cross with joy for our salvation. It is the love of God that caused him to be raised from the dead as a pledge and guarantee of our eternal life.
Paul presents us with a resolution that does not depend on us. He wants to work this resolution into us — a resolution in the love of God that has already defeated our sin and weaknesses. It has already defeated death. It has already claimed eternal victory for us. Can anything we face in this life finally defeat us? Paul’s answer is a resounding no! He boldly proclaims, “No, in all these things we are hyper conquerors through him who loved us”
The Lord knows that we face trials and tribulation. For this reason He gives us something even more awesome, even more powerful than all the forces of hell. He gives us His love in Christ Jesus. It is Jesus, our Savior, who made the greatest resolution in all eternity: his love for us. His love has never failed. His plan to make us his own has never been forgotten. His resolution is to unite us to God and one another forever.
In this evening’s epistle, the Holy Spirit has inspired the Apostle Paul to give us a resolution that does not depend on our ability. Instead, it depends on the actions and promises of God. We regularly break our resolutions, but God keeps one hundred per cent of His promises.
The Father is resolved; he sent his only Son to secure us unto life everlasting. The Son is resolved; he lived, died, rose, and intercedes for us even now. The Holy Spirit is resolved; he creates and strengthens faith in us. He secures us in the Gospel. The triune God’s grip on us is infinitely firm. He is resolved never to let us go. Even though we face a year of challenges ahead, we need not despair. The bonds of love between him and us cannot be broken. It is this, his resolution for us, that really counts. We can all bank on that. And not just for a new year, but for eternity!
We begin this new year confident, convinced, and sure of God’s resolution — “that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Amen
Last printed 12/29/2011 11:20:00 AMPage 1 of 2
C:\Users\James\Documents\Service Resources\2012 Services\2012-02 Christmas\20111231 New Year's Eve\20111231 Manuscript, New Year's Eve B.doc