Message:   2006 New Year's Message to the Membership of the Anchorage Moravian Church

Based on Matthew 25: 31-46

            In light of the coming Judgment, as we prepare for Commun-ion today, we celebrate the first day of a new year.  It is my hope that we appreciate what God has done in our lives.  Truly Romans 8:28. 

            As we look at a brand New Year 2006, God's Spirit may be speaking to you.  "Be strong and of a good courage!"   What a special year 2005 has been as together we have impacted lives for Christ.  While I was ministering to soldiers in a combat zone in Iraq you were doing your part to minister to our people.  There were victories; there were defeats. 

            One of my high points as I look back at 2005, I was fortunate to lead a young soldier to the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior as we prepared to enter the combat zone.  It blessed my heart when just before I returned home to America the soldier in combat uniform made a special point of getting ahold of me to let me know that he will take his faith home with him and will attend Church regularly.  So too, I know that you in your own special ways have been as co-laborers, taking action that continues to help change and better lives around us.

            As I begin my pastoral work among you again after a year's absence, I feel the strain of a new type of spiritual warfare.  I know the enemy is the same; his strategies may differ, but He is still a defeated foe.  One thing we need to watch out for is that the Devil as a roaring lion is trying; literally doing everything he can to take away our testimonies.  Now more than ever before, we must be strong in the Lord and we must strive to do something for him!  Action strengthens our convictions.  I'm trusting that our Communion today will give you the grace you need to keep on keeping on in the Lord and doing your part to advance the Kingdom.

            Today in our minds eye, if we look with faith the light of the Incarnation is bright; it is an Epiphany!  The light of God's presence should impact us in such a strong way that we will do something positive for others during 2006.  I wonder if the Lord Jesus is struggling with you to do something to spread love and the gospel.  John 4:35 it says, "Do you not say, There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest?  Behold I say to you, lift up your eyes, and look upon the fields, for they are already white for harvest".  We don't have to wait until we have our own church to begin the harvest.  The harvest is now.  The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few."   A lot of new families are moving into the Anchorage area.  Many people are getting lost in worldliness.  Somehow we need to direct them into the Church by inviting them.  Let's remain excited about our church; this will attract others to attend regularly.

            The laborers are few.  God's Spirit may be challenging you to give of your lives for His service in ways we never thought possible before.  I know that as we give of ourselves that God will give us the bread we need, give us bounty during 2006 as well as a positive spirit of Thanksgiving as we see His work unfold in our midst.

            I think I heard through one of Walter's messages that we must recognize that we are losing young people to the ways of the world.  We should pray for those interested in challenging our youth to accept Christ as Lord and Master of their lives.

            As parents we have a primary responsibility.  It should start with us parents.  As parents let's instruct our children to attend Sunday School.   The Moravians at Herrnhut were a close knit family that worshipped together and served together.   The best example of faithfulness is going to church on a regular basis; it shows the kids that you love God, want to honor him and seek Him to bless your lives.  I know that many are spiritually hungry.  Some do not know they are spiritually hungry.  It is my prayer that those that want something of God will find it through worship and daily intake of God's Word at this Church.

            Our text today is from Matthew 25: 31-46, which was read.   The message is that how we live in the here and now will have an impact on how we will live in eternity.  In the combat zone of Iraq I tried to get soldiers ready for eternity.  There, we did not know when lives would be taken.  But the reality was that they were taken violently, suddenly!  I did many things as a Chaplain as I performed religious and morale support.  I couldn't help plant a new Christian Church in Iraq, but I tried to help a Moslem Mullah to renovate His Mosque.  This was interesting to garner the political support of the religious Moslems, but really the most important task was to assure that soldiers, our soldiers knew that what eternity is, that Christ is our Redeemer, and that through Christ whatever happens we don't have to be afraid.    

            For the American soldier serving in Irag, they face many unknowns.  We never knew when we might be blown up.  I wore a dog tag on my neck and one attached to my boot the entire time I was there so that my remains would be recognizable in case that day came.

            When fear surrounds us and it did often, we can run into the secret place of refuge.  I did this often with our soldiers.  The most powerful weapon against fear is using God's Word and prayer.  I know that this is true.  The greatest thing that we have in the New Year is God in our hearts, His blessed Word, the power of prayer, and each other as a Christian Church.  Our Church is a powerful organism of community, of help.  We receive many comforts from each other.  Praise God!

            Let us in this new year of 2006 adopt an attitude of kindness and compassion toward others.  Let us strive to strengthen our families spiritual lives and follow in the footsteps of Jesus.  Happy 2006 everybody!

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