The year 2016 is likely to be a challenging year for Christians all over the world, and particularly in South Africa. Here in my home country things are heating up politically and cooling down economically, and when fabric, even the fabric of society, is pulled at both ends it tends to tear.
How will we cope with a rip-roaring year? Our ability to surthrive (thrive as we survive) will surely depend largely on the underlying quality of our Christian Faith. If our basic understanding of Christianity is that it is a religion of learning and religious observance, then we will be hard pressed to hold things together in the year that lies ahead. If our understanding of Christianity is that it is a system of morals and good works, then we will most likely experience frustration and disappointment.
Biblical, Jesus-centred Christianity is based on a supernatural relationship with a supernatural God. By ‘supernatural’ I don’t mean wooo-wooo strangeness, but rather that which is beyond and above the natural. If our relationship with Jesus is intimate and consistent, then we will surthrive. If we depend on the supernatural ability of the Holy Spirit, then we will surthrive. If we submit to the sovereignty and authority of God the Father, then we will surthrive.
Just before Christmas I preached a sermon entitled ‘A Season of Miracles’ and although its context is the Christmas story, its message applies to the year that lies ahead of us – I would like to invite you to listen to it.
You can listen to it directly by clicking the ‘play’ button below:
Alternatively, go to My Sermons Page where you can download, or listen to, other sermons I’ve preached.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
4 thoughts on “The Year 2016”
Thankyou for yourGod given messages
Thank you Mary – it is my privilege 🙂
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your posts! and what a joy was it to listen to the sermon again.Thank you, thank you, thank you for the 2016 message, I cannot wait to shine the light of Jesus in 2016
May our Supernatural Lord bless you and your family , may the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you, may the Lord lift His countenance upon you and give you peace in 2016, Amen
Thank you so much for such heart-felt affirmation… I appreciate it very much.