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The Main IdeaJanuary 6, 2009John 1:1-5, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it...The Word became flesh and make his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. A new year has arrived! A new semester has begun! It is time to put the past behind us and move forward with renewed purpose. The new year always seems to bring with it a chance to start over, an opportunity to make a change. As consumers most of us regard change as a good thing. We are always more apt to buy the products with "New and Improved" written on the label. In the past 100 years, we've experienced new and improved cooking with the microwave (at least faster cooking). We have improved our telephone communications with the cell phone. We've improved overall communication and access of information with the world wide web. In another 100 years, I can only imagine how our new and improved items of today will be reworked to be even better. New ideas keep us moving progressively forward as they seek to improve our lives. Just a few weeks ago on Christmas morning, a new idea was born to us. His name is Jesus. Clarence Jordan, author of the Cotton Patch Gospels, rephrases the familiar scripture above. He replaces Jesus as the "Word" with Jesus the "Idea." When time began, the Idea already was. The Idea was at home with God, and the Idea and God were one. The same idea was at home with God when time began. Through him the universe was made, and apart from him not one thing came to be. In him was life, and the life was humanity's light. And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness never quenched it...Well, The Idea became a man and moved in with us. We looked him in the face- the face of an only son whose father is full of kindness and integrity. It's interesting to think of Jesus as the ultimate Idea. Day to day most of us don't think about Jesus/ God being our main idea. Instead, we depend upon the little ideas to get us through. If we forget our cell phone at home, we would feel lost and so might turn around to go home and get it. If the internet server crashes, our work comes to a halt. What are we supposed to do now? My fear is that we allow the little inventions to have a greater impact on our lives than Jesus Christ, the main Idea. Unlike other inventions that claim to be new and improved, Jesus the Christ is an Idea that doesn't need to be remodeled or reinvented. This Idea existed at the beginning of the world and will continue to the end. Although we might fail to see God in the everyday, the Main Idea hasn't left us. It waits patiently for us to recognize it's value and impact in our lives. This new year, don't depend upon little ideas that promise to make your life new and improved, but turn your focus on God, the Main Idea. This is the only Idea that will truly improve your life in 2009. Prayer: Creator God, you have given me the greatest Idea of all. This year, I want to put my trust in you and follow where you lead me. I know that you are the only one that can truly make my life new and improved. Amen. For more informationRev. Leigh Martin |
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