Steve's Letter: "Moving Into the New Year!"

I just preached for an Advent service at Willow Creek Church where I'm a member. Pete Alwinson (my pastor) and I are doing an Advent series together where I'm preaching the first and third Sundays in Advent and Pete is preaching the second and fourth Sundays.

(Just so you know, I'm writing this in December and you're getting it in January. That means, as I write this, I'm still in my Scrooge mode and you will receive it in January. By the time you get this letter, I will have reverted to my normal kind, loving, gentle and nice persona.

*&%*&%$&#!!!!!!

Should I inadvertently use strong language, say something that sounds like I need to be saved, or have a Christmas pity-party in this letter, understand that, by the time you receive this, I will have repented and will be a changed person.

Okay?

What was I saying before I interrupted myself? Oh yes, I was telling you about the Advent service at our church and how Pete forces me (I'm under his authority) to preach during the Christmas season.

&*(^*&%*(^&%*!!!

He thinks it's funny.

However, do you know what was so cool about the service?

It was the last service in our old sanctuary. Next Sunday, we move into our new church building. And, not only that, I was the first person to preach in this sanctuary back in 1992. Pete had asked me to come up from Miami and preach at the dedication of the then new building.

We didn't plan it that way. It was kind of a nice serendipity from God.

I've heard about "closing down bars"...but I've never closed down a church before.

Before we started our three morning services on Sunday, I walked over to the new building and into the new sanctuary. I had not done that before. As you may or may not know, I went through one building program when I was a pastor and it almost sent me to the funny farm. So I had put off going into the new building under the general principle that one has to be a fool to go back to hell after one has gotten out.

(By the way, don't ever take advice from a pastor who has been through two of those. One is inexperience...but if he has gone through more than one, he's weird. And don't buy a used car from him either.)

What was I saying? Oh yes.

I walked through our new building and into the new sanctuary which is almost ready for our first worship service next Sunday. And you know what? It was so wonderful that I could hardly stand it. We didn't build an "empire"...but the new building is really nice, comfortable and a whole lot bigger than our present worship facility. We have been using folding chairs so uncomfortable that, even I did want to fall asleep in Pete's sermons (which I don't and, in fact, couldn't), it would be impossible.

Esthetically, the new sanctuary just overwhelmed me with its beauty.

Then I came back into our present sanctuary and told the dear folks in our congregation: "I just saw our new sanctuary for the first time and it's magnificent! Go over and see it before you go home. You'll be amazed."

"Frankly," I said, "it's too good for us. I kind of like this old one...it's small, uncomfortable and not always that organized. In the new one, we're going to have to clean up our act and I'm probably even going to have to stop smoking my pipe."

They laughed.

Well, most of them did.

But you know what I was thinking? This new sanctuary is kind of like moving into the New Year.

I looked at our present sanctuary and thought of the great number of people who had found Christ, whose broken hearts had been healed, and whose prayers had been heard and answered there. I thought of the tears that had been shared in the old place when God didn't answer our prayers the way we wanted him to...so we just hugged one another and cried together. In my mind's eye, I could see the baptisms, the weddings and the funerals/graduation services. I could almost touch the heart commitments that were made in that place. And when I was quiet, I could hear "the soft sound of sandaled feet."

But I could also walk into the new sanctuary and find Jesus there too. The past was a place of praise and the new a place of promise. In both places, you would be able to hear the "laughter of God" as he—in his sufficiency—met the needs of his people. In the old place, I know their names. In the new place, there will be people I never met who will come and "do business with God."

I'm so glad for both.

I've been a Bible teacher so long it's hard to think a thought without a text. In fact, when I'm asked to speak for secular organizations, I have to find a text, write the speech from that text and then, in the speech, exorcise the Biblical references. It's amazing how unbelievers are impressed with "my" wisdom.

So, herewith are some texts.

I'm running out of space here, so you will have to write your own sermon.

"And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you..." (Deuteronomy 8:2).

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23).

And one more.

Jesus lifted his cup of wine at the first/last supper and said: "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom" (Matthew 26:28-29).

Wow!

That almost makes me something less of a Scrooge during this Christmas season (for me) and the New Year (for you). But not quite.

&*%$)(&*(*^%&!

You have a great year (the best ever)...but don't forget about the past.

It's all grace.

And when we get Home and are enjoying the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, we'll praise him for all of it.

He asked me to remind you.