The Past is Forgotten and Everything Is New

Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person.  The past is forgotten, and everything is new.  2 Corinthians 5:17 (CEV)

 Props: used calendar and new calendar

             Why do people use a calendar?  (Allow for response).  Calendars are used to write down things that are going to happen and to record things you’ve done.  (Display used calendar).  This is a calendar of this past year.  You can see how many different things are written down here.  These are all things that have already happened, things in the past.  In just a few days I’m going to throw away this calendar and begin the New Year with a fresh calendar that hasn’t been written on, because nothing has happened in the New Year.  It hasn’t started yet. 

            Now let’s imagine that this is a giant calendar and on it is written everything you’ve done this year.  Every word you’ve spoken, everything you’ve looked at and listened to, everything you’ve done is all written here.  Hmmm…January 12^th: talked back to Mom, February 14^th: stole Valentine’s Day candy from classmate, March 1^st: obeyed Dad and cleaned house, April 20^th: helped a friend with homework, June 9^th: got into a fight…  The truth is, God does have a list like that of every good and bad thing you’ve done.  He wants to give you a chance to start that list over again.  (Display new calendar).  Just like I’m going to throw away this old calendar and start with a brand new one, if you ask Jesus to forgive your sins, that old list of wrong things you’ve done will be thrown out and you can start all over.  I’m looking forward to beginning a new year with a new calendar.  You can begin again today with a fresh list with God by inviting Him into your life.