Images of the Messiah

Happy New Year! This coming week on Friday, our calendar turns from 2020 to 2021. Last year on January 1, 2020, we had no idea what 2020 was going to be like, did we. So, this year, let’s be humble and simply admit that we don’t know what 2021 holds. Yet, we know someone, Jesus, who knows about 2021 and holds us in His hands.

Oftentimes in the New Year, we make New Year’s resolutions. Goals that we set to accomplish in the New Year. Now there’s nothing wrong with making resolutions, provided that they are in keeping with God’s will for our lives. However, we all know from our past experience that most resolutions don’t last very long.

So, what should we focus on in 2021? Let’s watch a short video called “This is a New Year.” I believe that we should choose to focus on Jesus in 2021 more than we ever have before. Jesus knows what the year has in store, so He can guide us through it, no matter what happens.

Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)  Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

This verse likens life or for our application this morning, the New Year to a race. God wants you and me to be winners in the race of this next year. To do that, we must lay aside every sin, every hindrance that keeps us from running with Jesus. Secondly,  must run with endurance. This race is not a sprint, it’s a long distance race. We must keep going with Jesus even though we may feel like quitting. What should motivate us in running the race of 2021?

Hebrews 12:2 (ESV)  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

We are to fix our eyes on Jesus. He is the one that our faith is focused on. Jesus ran the race of life for us and it was the most difficult race of all time. Jesus’ race included death on the cross and bearing the shame and sins of all mankind of all history. And yet Jesus finished the race without sin, rose from the dead and is seated in heaven. God wants us to follow Jesus in our race of life in the New Year and subsequent years. When we fix our eyes on Jesus and follow Him, He will help us be overcomers. One day, we will join Jesus in glory, see Him face to face and celebrate winning the race of life.

Today’s message is entitled “Images of the Messiah.” God often uses picture or images to teach us about Jesus and how He can help us. Today, we’re going to look at three stories which will give us three images of Jesus. These images will help us keep our focus on Jesus in the New Year 2021.

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