The new year is here and it is a time when people make lots of new resolutions. Well, what is God’s new year resolution concerning us? This is the pertinent question that we should be asking concerning the new year. Mark Redfern, pastor of Heritage Baptist Church, Owensboro, Kentucky, seeks to answer this question in his sermon, “God’s New Year’s Resolution”. The text under consideration for the sermon is Jeremiah 32:40-41. Redfern’s exposition basically asks three questions to the text. First he asks, what is God’s resolution in this text. Secondly, he asks for whom is this resolution made by God and finally how can a resolution like that be even possible.
Redfern clearly expounds from the text that God’s resolution concerning His people this year is to rejoice in doing good to them, with all of His heart and His soul. God is determined to rejoice in doing His people good, with all of His heart and all of His soul, for all the days of their life. That is God’s resolution and He is certain to accomplish it.
Regarding the second question, Redfern expounds from earlier verses of this chapter and explains that the subjects of this resolution made by God, are not good people but sinners. His answer thus for whom is the resolution made by God is, every sinner who is in covenant relationship with God through covenant blood.
The third question deals with the justice of God in being so gracious to wrath-deserving sinners. The answer is found in Jeremiah 33:14-16, where God speaks of the righteous Branch which He shall bring to save His people and which would also be called “The Lord is our righteousness”. Redfern expounds the truth of imputed righteousness in the gospel of Jesus Christ and how through our Lord, we have a right standing before God. Thus Jesus and He alone is the ground upon which we can enjoy such inexpressible and undeserving gifts of God.
Finally, pastor Mark makes some concluding applications of knowing these truths for our lives in this new year. He makes some very helpful applications to live a God-centered and joyful life in Christ. This message is simply brilliant in its presentation, beautiful in its exposition and pastorally wise in its application.
Very highly recommended for all Christians.
