Sermon for the New Year

(My Father, D. W. Lacy preached this sermon at the beginning of the New Year, 1979.)

A New Year Promise

Introduction
Whatever the fortunes or misfortunes of life may be, let us remember we are not in life alone.
1. He whose stamp is on eternity itself has said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Heb. 13:6)
2. “He will not fail thee.” Spoken by Moses, Deut. 31:8.
(a) There before you is the land of promise.
(b) Moses called Joshua in the sight of all Israel “Be strong and of good courage.” Lines of Administration.
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First Chronicles, chapter 29. David Assembled Israel and passed the lines of administration to Solomon. In Israel the land of Promise. “He will not fail Thee.”
(a) David assembled all Israel for this occasion.
(b) “Solomon, my son, know the God of thy father, and serve Him with a perfect heart.” Vs. 9
(c) He delivered the lines of administration to Solomon.
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(Heb. 13:15) “Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have, for he hath said: ‘I will never leave.’”
Moses said it, David said it, Jesus said it.
Christ wants a contented and aggressive people, and He wants us to know that the prints of his hands are on everything. Romans 8:35 “Who shall separate us --” I Cor. 3:21-22 “All things are yours.”

Illustration of the artist’s work entitled “Virgin of the Rock” by Leonardo da Vinci in the National Gallery, London. Was this art authentic? Controversy
An almost identical [painting] in the Louvre in Paris [is] a known work of this artist. No questions here! Sir Charles Holmes, an art authority was sent to Paris to study the original. He found that the artist would pinch his paint at a certain stage, LEAVING HIS FINGERPRINTS ON ALL HIS WORK.

Christ: His touch is on His work today.
1. He will not fail thee as Savior.
(a) I John 1:7 “If we walk in the light.”
(b) Heb. 7:27 “He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
(c) Heb. 10:23 “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith, without wavering; for He is faithful that promised.”

2. He will not fail thee as HELPER.
(a) Heb 2:18 “For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succor the tempted.”
(b) Ps. 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength” etc.
(c) John 14:26 Comforter. “But the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance.”

3. He will not fail thee as a refuge.
Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is Good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust Him.”

4. He will not fail thee as a guide.
(a) Deut. 31:8 “And the Lord, He it is that doth go before thee. Into the unknown.
(b) John 16:13 “When the Spirit of truth is come He will guide thee into all truth.” Etc.
(c) Rom. 8:14 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

5. He will not fail thee as LORD.
Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses.” Etc.

Illustration of Desert Pete [As was often the case, the sermon was concluded with an illustration. I do not remember this particular story and I have found no clues to it. --Ed.]
© 2005 David W. Lacy
Note: After posting this, my sister sent me a link to "Desert Pete." I posted the story here: http://vanilla-ststt.blogspot.com/2010/01/desert-pete.html