In the name of Christ Jesus, dear fellow redeemed people of God,

Tonight is the end of another year of God's grace. This reminds us that time passes. Little children think that time passes too slowly. They are eager to grow up and be big! But adults tend to think that time passes too quickly. We want to slow the clock down. At least, that's how it has been for me. Time used to move slowly, but now it passes too quickly. Tonight, before it is too late, let us receive some...

1. REALIZE HOW QUICKLY TIME PASSES.

(10) The length of our days is seventy years - or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. We don't know how long we are going to live, but we know what the average life span is. So did Moses, who was the inspired author of this Psalm. I find it interesting that the average life span hasn't changed much at all in 3400 years! After 34 centuries of medical advancements, the average life span is about the same. (10) The length of our days is seventy years - or eighty, if we have the strength.

I'm surprised that it isn't longer. But, in a way, it is merciful, because it says that: "their span is but trouble and sorrow." Life is full of troubles. This world is just not right. Ever since the fall into sin, people have had to suffer. People suffer aches and pains, colds and flu, cancer and death. And even if you don't have major health problems, maybe your life that is filled with other problems, like problems with your family, or problems at work. Maybe you are struggling with something else. Generally, our lifetime is filled with trouble and sorrow. These are the consequences of sin.

Yet our years "quickly pass, and we fly away." It's strange how people look at birthdays. We act as though they are just for children, probably because we want to deny that our days "quickly pass." Life is like a dream that comes and goes. We are like grass, that is here today and gone tomorrow.

And then what happens? "We fly away." We die. Our soul separates from our body, and we fly away. Unless Christ returns first, we will die too. We try to not think about this. Each year, we read a list of names on New Year's Eve. But it doesn't even enter my mind that the day is coming when somebody might read my name.

Our attempts to escape death are doomed to failure. It can't be done. No matter how much oat bran you eat, no matter how much you exercise, no matter how many vitamins you take, eventually our day will come. We want to ignore it, to not talk about it, but that isn't the answer. The answer is repentance. We all know that we aren't going to be here forever. Christ tells us to be ready.

Either consciously, or subconsciously, I think that many people realize that New Year's Eve is a reminder of all of this. It's a reminder of the passage of time. It's a reminder that our years are passing and that we won't be here forever. And so, people try to drink themselves into forgetting. Ancient people did the same. "Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die." But that could lead to an unprepared death.

As Christians, we shouldn't struggle with this, but we all know that we do. We fear the changes that the future might hold for us. Will I lose a loved one? Will I face death? What will I do if this or that happens? When our faith is weak, we don't look or act all that different from the unbelievers. But, in all honesty, dear friends, we believers do not need to be afraid. We can meet the monster of the uncertain future with the Sword of the Spirit, God's Word. We know that God will make everything work out for our good.

We know that Christ defeated death for us. He lived the perfect life demanded of us and died the death our sins deserved. He rose from death. He defeated death. Whoever believes in Jesus will defeat death too. We believers will go to heaven and live in a perfect world forever. This world will never be perfect, but in heaven, everything will be perfect. We will never, ever suffer again! So, we don't need to fear the future!

2. REALIZE THE PURPOSE OF OUR TIME OF GRACE

Why are we here? Have you ever wondered that? Why are we here on earth? Life can seem so purposeless sometimes, just an endless stream of busy-busy activity until our health fails and then we sit there helpless. Actually, this life is our time of grace. This is the only time people have to be converted to faith in Jesus. This is the only time we have to hear the gospel, believe in Jesus, and be saved from sin. This is also the only time that we have to get the gospel out to others. Once the time of grace ends for someone, it is too late. Then, no prayers will do any good. Once a person dies, or once Christ returns on Judgment Day, that's it. The time of grace is over. So, the main purpose of our lives is to receive the gospel in Word and Sacrament, to follow our Savior, Jesus Christ, by faith, and to be ready for him to take us to heaven at any time. And, we want to reach out to others, so that they also believe in Jesus, and go to heaven.

Time passes quickly. Time is running out. Psalm 90{12} says, "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." From now on, let us "number our days aright." Let us look at life the right way. Some people live for money. Some for fame. Some live to succeed in their career. But, our Lord told us about the rich fool who lived for wealth and ended up in hell. On the Last Day, Jesus will say to all of those people who wanted to live without him here, "Fine! Be without me forever!" Don't be like them. Don't be like so many former church members who at one time believed, but then fell away.

Look at life as an opportunity to "gain a heart of wisdom." Maybe that would be a good resolution to make tonight. New Year's resolutions have a bad reputation, because so many people make promises and fail to keep them. But, let us pray that God would help us in a few "resolutions."

1. Lord, help us to hear your saving Word more eagerly and faithfully. Increase our faith!
2. Lord, help us to receive Holy Communion often. Strengthen our faith.
3. Lord, help us to do more mission work in the new year. Bring many more to faith!
4. Let us encourage one another. Keep us united in your pure Word!
5. Lord, bless our loved ones. Keep them in faith, or give them faith.
6. Help us to be faithful in our station in life, whether parent or child, teacher or student, employer or employee.
7. Help us to raise our children in the training and instruction of the Lord.

At the end of this year, we repent of our sins of the past. Pause tonight to think of some of your sins, whether it be selfishness, laziness, or arrogance, whether it be failing to hear God's Word regularly or failing to be a faithful steward, or whatever other sins you can think of. We repent of all of these sins, and say, "Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner." Hear the word of the Lord, "Your sins are all forgiven, in Jesus Christ. He also died for your sins. They are gone. Go in peace."

Let us pray: Lord, bless us with a heart of wisdom. Increase our faith. And bless us as we serve you in the new year. Help us to walk, day by day with Jesus. Amen.