This is the beginning of a NEW YEAR.

1. What does this mean?

2. Why do we look forward to the beginning of a New Year?

3. Why do we stay up till midnight to see the New Year begin?

4. Why do we focus on the bad things of the past year?

5. What if 2006 was a great year and I don’t want it to end?

6. Think about the word “NEW” for a few minutes.

In the NT there are two words translated “new”

NEW IN TIME, RECENT, NOT OLD

<2,,3501,neos> signifies "new" in respect of time, that which is recent; it is used of the young, and so translated, especially the comparative degree "younger;" accordingly what is neos may be a reproduction of the old in quality or character.

NEOS – new in time, brand new, not old, recent

1. Colossians 3:10 – NEW man renewed in knowledge (recently converted)

2. Hebrews 12:24 – Jesus the mediator of the NEW covenant (just started)

3. 1 Corinthians 5:7 – purge out the old leaven and become a NEW lump (start fresh)

4. Matthew 9:17 – NEW wine in NEW wineskins (freshly squeezed grape juice is put in never before used skins)

NEW IN QUALITY, FORM, NATURE

Vine says, New <1,,2537,kainos> denotes "new," of that which is unaccustomed or unused, not "new" in time, recent, but "new" as to form or quality, of different nature from what is contrasted as old.

A product will advertise - “New and improved”

KAINOS – new in quality, form, nature, work, function, ability, power

1. Ephesians 4:24 – NEW man (changed from the old man of sin)

2. Ephesians 2:15 – NEW man, so making peace

3. Hebrews 8:8 – NEW covenant (different from the Law of Moses)

4. Mark 16:16 – NEW tongues – Not at new language – new to the speaker

5. Illustration: I drive a 1993 model car with 275,000 miles on it. I trade it in for a 2003 model car with only 23,000 miles. I now have a “new” car. Not new in time but new in quality.

In the NEW TESTAMENT most things are NEW in quality (kainos)

1. New covenant – Matthew 26:28

2. New commandment – John 13:34

3. New creation – Galatians 6:15

4. New creature in Christ – 2 Corinthians 5:17

5. New name – Revelation 2:17

6. New song to sing – Revelation 5:9

7. New heaven and new earth – Revelation 21:1

8. New Jerusalem – Revelation 3:12

9. ALL thing are NEW – Revelation 21:5

Conclusion:

1. At midnight tonight we will begin a NEW (in time) year.

2. It has never been 2007 AD before. This will be a NEW YEAR.

3. BUT – the real issue for us is:

   1. Will it also be NEW in quality?

   2. Will 2007 be better in quality than the past?

   3. A year from now will we be:

      1. Stronger in our faith?

      2. More active in our worship?

      3. More involved in the work of the church?

      4. Deeper in our knowledge of the Bible?

      5. More firm in our commitment?