A NEW BEGINNING FOR A NEW YEAR

TEXT- REVELATION 21:1-8

INTRODUCTION

A 100 YEAR OLD WOMAN AT A NURSING HOME RECEIVED A VISIT FROM A FRIEND AT CHURCH. "HOW ARE YOU FEELING?" THE VISITOR ASKED. "OH," SAID THE LADY, "I'M JUST WORRIED SICK!" "WHAT ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT?" HER FRIEND ASKED. "ARE THEY TAKING CARE OF YOU HERE?" "YES, THEY TAKE GOOD CARE OF ME." "ARE YOU IN PAIN?" ASKED THE FRIEND SYMPATHETICALLY. "NO, I'VE NEVER HAD A PAIN IN MY LIFE." "THEN WHAT ARE YOU SO WORRIED ABOUT?" HER FRIEND INQUIRED. THE 100 YEAR OLD WOMAN REPLIED, "EVERY CLOSE FRIEND I'VE EVER HAD HAS ALREADY DIED AND GONE TO HEAVEN. I'M AFRAID THEY'RE ALL WONDERING WHERE I WENT."

THIS MORNING OUR TEXT IS FOUND IN REVELATION 21:1-8 AND THE TITLE OF MY MESSAGE IS, "A NEW BEGINNING FOR A NEW YEAR."

AS WE END 1989 OUR MINDS ARE FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE AND A NEW DECADE IN THE 90'S.

SOME HAVE PREDICTED A GLOOMY FORECAST WHILE OTHERS LOOK FORWARD TO A FUTURE FILLED WITH PROSPERITY.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE 90'S WILL BE LIKE, BUT I DO KNOW THAT SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE I'M GOING TO BE WITH THE LORD IN HEAVEN.

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHAT IT IS GOING TO BE LIKE IN HEAVEN?

A POSTER ON A CHURCH BULLETIN BOARD WAS ADVERTIZING THE PASTOR'S SERMON ENTITLED, "HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHAT HELL IS LIKE?" UNDERNEATH, SOMEONE HAD SCRIBBLED, "COME AND HEAR OUR ORGANIST!"

HERE IN OUR TEXT GOD GIVES US A GLIMPSE OF WHAT THE FUTURE IS GOING TO BE LIKE.

AS 1989 ENDS AND 1990 BEGINS ALL OF US ARE GIVEN A NEW BEGINNING.

HERE IN OUR TEXT WE FIND THAT IN THE FUTURE EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE NEW.

AS WE EXAMINE THESE VERSES I'D LIKE US TO NOTICE THREE THINGS.