Happy new year sermon

Here's a sample sermon for a Happy New Year service:

Title: "A Fresh Start: Embracing the Promise of a New Year"

Text: Psalm 118:24-25, Isaiah 43:18-19, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Introduction:

As we gather here today, we stand at the threshold of a new year. A time of celebration, reflection, and anticipation. A time to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new. As we look back on the past year, we may be filled with a mix of emotions - joy, gratitude, and perhaps a hint of regret. But as we look ahead to the new year, we are given a fresh opportunity to start anew.

The Promise of a New Year:

In Psalm 118:24-25, we read, "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. The Lord has made it; let us rejoice and be glad in it." This psalm is a declaration of praise and thanksgiving, acknowledging that every day is a gift from God. And as we enter this new year, we are reminded that every day is a fresh start, a new opportunity to rejoice and be glad in the Lord.

In Isaiah 43:18-19, we read, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." God is saying to us, "Don't look back at the past; don't dwell on what could have been. Instead, look to the future, for I am doing a new thing. I am making a way for you, even in the darkest of times."

The Power of Forgiveness:

As we start this new year, we may be carrying around some baggage from the past. We may be holding onto grudges, regrets, or unmet expectations. But the good news is that God is a God of forgiveness. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we read, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we are given a new identity, a new creation. We are freed from the weight of our past mistakes and failures, and we are given a fresh start.

A Call to Action:

As we enter this new year, I want to challenge you to take a step of faith. Let go of the past and look to the future. Don't be held back by regrets or fears. Instead, trust in the promise of God's new creation. Trust that He is doing a new thing in your life, even when you can't see it.

Let us make a commitment to ourselves and to each other to live this year with intentionality and purpose. Let us seek to live out our faith in a way that honors God and brings glory to His name. Let us be a people who are known for their joy, their gratitude, and their generosity.

Conclusion:

As we celebrate the start of this new year, let us remember that it is not just a new calendar year, but a new chapter in our lives. A chapter filled with promise, possibility, and potential. May we seize this opportunity to start anew, to trust in God's goodness and sovereignty, and to live out our faith with courage and confidence. May this be a year of growth, of healing, and of transformation. May we be a people who are transformed by the power of God's love, and may we shine His light to a world that desperately needs it.

Prayer:

Dear God, we come to you today with open hearts and minds, ready to receive your blessing and your guidance. Help us to let go of the past and to look to the future with hope and anticipation. Give us the courage to trust in your goodness and sovereignty, and to live out our faith with intentionality and purpose. May this be a year of transformation and growth for each of us, and may we be a light to the world. Amen.