Same Word; Different Day
Introduction: from the time I was given this appointment, I was searching for the perfect passage
to present to God’s people on another Sabbath day. But somehow, that was somewhat of a difficult
task for me. For me, I don’t want to give you a message that you would have already heard. But that
seems to be highly unlikely nowadays. You see, for those of us who would have been Christians and
more so SDA’s for most/if not all of our lives, we would have heard every possible sermon topic,
idea and theme to be wrought from the Bible. Therefore, my challenge for bringing a Word from
God to you was very great. So I decided to go with something simpler. I have decided to give you a
Word that we are all familiar with; a Word that we have all grown to know and love. In fact, all of us
would have heard this Word at one point in time or the other.
This word was written by John the beloved disciple. And what is interesting about what he wrote is
that his purpose was that we might believe in God. He did not write to cause any theological debate,
or to bring up confusion during lesson study. He wrote so that we might believe. So, let’s turn to
this Word right now so that we might believe: John 1:1.
Point 1a: now if you haven’t figured it out right now, the key word in this Word from God is “Word”.
Now you need to follow me with because we are going to define the word “word”. Now when the
word “word” is used in the New Testament, it can refer to two main ideas. The first idea is that of
the mind. Therefore, the “word” can refer to thought, calculation, reason, reckoning and
consideration; as well as the reason or grounds of an action. The second idea which connotes to the
word “word” is that of the expression of thought. This refers to speech, written material, doctrine
or teaching, and anything along the lines of communication. Are you with me so far?
Point 1b: if so, then this leads me to my first point: from the beginning of time, somewhere in some
unspecified dimension of reality, Someone has been trying to get a message across to the earth.
From the commencement of the ages, Someone has had this world in their thoughts. Our universe
isn’t the result of an impersonal explosion, or a slimy evolution. And neither are we an afterthought
or a contingency plan. Before anyone else was around, the Word was. Before any email or MSN, or
letter or speech, the Word was. Before time began, the Word was. And today, I would like to
suggest that the One with the Word was God. You see, we believe that when John wrote this verse,
he based it on Genesis 1:1, which claims God as being from the beginning of time. Therefore, the
only One capable of speaking a Word from then was God. Then I must restate my initial statement
by saying that God has been speaking from since time began.
With this, I must also state that whenever God speaks, it is to our benefit. Now you need to follow
me with this. Whenever God says anything, it is not meant for our demise, but for our good. When
God spoke the universe into existence, it was to benefit man. He created light for us to see;
firmament for us to breathe; land, sea and plants for us to walk, swim and eat; sun, moon and stars
for us to tell time; birds, fish, and land animals for us to name and rule over; and he made us man
and woman to enjoy each other’s company. But God doesn’t stop there. He spoke to Moses and the
children of Israel were delivered. He spoke and the Ten Commandments were given, not to enslave
us, but for our religious liberty. He uttered his voice and the earth melted. He said, “It is finished”,
Same Word; Different Day
and man was redeemed. And one day, He will shout, and the dead will arise. He will shout and the
mortal will gain immortality. He will speak, and death itself shall die. My God has spoken, will speak,
and is speaking right now; and it is all for our good.
Point 2: but more so, brothers and sisters, this Word was with God. This leads me back to my
Communication Skills class. In this class, I was taught that words do not necessarily mean the
thoughts they express. In other words, the receiver of the message cannot fully capture the
essence of what the sender is saying through words alone. Because if I say chair, I could be
thinking of the leather chairs that reside behind me, while you might be thinking of the metal
folding chairs that you sit upon. While I may say “look out” indicating that you should move your
body from where you are, you might be thinking to look out of your window to see what is going on.
Words in themselves do not have meaning; rather, the mind of the sender and the receiver give
them meaning. Therefore, one word can mean differently to two persons. One can also conclude that
one may not necessarily mean what they say. There are some persons who are gifted with a lying
tongue. You can’t trust most people these days. While someone may say “You look good”, they may
really mean “I hate that dress.” Is someone with me today? When persons wish you God’s blessings,
they may really be cursing you behind your back. But today, I can say with confidence that the
Word is not like those people. In fact, John is saying in this passage that the Word is literally near
God, or in regard to God. Therefore, even though the Word and God are described as separate
entities, they are still together and within each other’s presence. Thus, it would be hard for the
Word to be anything apart from what God wants it to be. In fact, if God speaks the Word, then
they cannot be separated in meaning.
Therefore brothers and sisters, this tells me that you can trust the Word because it comes
directly from God. Numbers 23:19 tells me, “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of
man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not
make it good?” Malachi 3:6 says “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are
not consumed.” But more so, Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of
our God shall stand for ever.” If God and His Word existed from the beginning, then it is worthy of
our trust. We are confident with whatever God says, because God’s word brings life (Gen. 1), hope
(Psalm 119:114), and salvation (Psalm 119:41). We can fulfill John’s purpose for this passage and
believe in God, for His Word is trustworthy.
Point 3: but the last section of the verse is most relevant in this sermon. This is the area which
makes our lives more beautiful and precious in the sight of God. Brothers and sisters, ladies and
gentlemen, the Word was God. This may not tickle your fancy at first, but it needs to grab your
attention. You see, it is one thing when God speaks something apart from Himself; it is another
thing when God speaks Himself to you. Isaiah 9:6 says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isa 44:6 “Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel And his
Same Word; Different Day
Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: 'I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me.”
When God gave His Word, He gave Himself in the form of Jesus.
Now you may say that God’s Word is the Bible; but let me declare that the Bible is all about Jesus.
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In the Pentateuch, He is Creator, Deliverer and Law-giver.
In the books of History, He is Israel’s Judge, King, and Deliverer.
In the books of Poetry, He is our Refuge, King of Glory, Lord and God.
In the books of prophecy, He is our Man of Sorrows, the Reviver of dry bones, and our Sun
of Righteousness.
The Gospels show Jesus as our Savior, Healer and Lord.
Acts portrays Him as the Reason for the Christian’s joy and the Message of the Saints.
The letters show Jesus as the Giver of grace, the Hope of our salvation, our High Priest,
and Michael the Archangel.
And finally, Revelation reveals Jesus as our soon coming King.
But even more so, Jesus is the fullest representation we have of God. John 14:9 says “Jesus saith
unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath
seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?” Colossians defines
Jesus as the One “who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:” Hebrews
1:1-3 says “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in
various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all
things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the
exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided
purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Jesus is The Word:
God in essence.
Now I have spoken a lot about the Word today. But like the topic said, it’s the same Word on a
different day. Why should I have to tell you about Him? We read about Him. We do lesson studies
about Him. We have debates about Him. We sing about Him. We testify about Him. We preach
about Him. We essentially live and revolve around Him. Why tell me about Him for the New Year?
Why bother use up an entire sermon about Him?
Well, I did it for this simple reason: we don’t know Him. Even though we claim exclusive rights to
the Word, our actions reflect differently.
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The Word was meant to bring light to men (John 1:4). Yet we live dark lives, giving false
impressions of who we really are.
The Word was meant to give man power to become God’s sons (vs. 12). Yet we try to bring
down each other. Instead of helping each other face to face, we fight down one another
behind our backs.
The Word was meant to save us from sin (vs. 29). Yet we live in doubt, wondering if we are
really forgiven. We question God’s love for us. We try to make New Year’s resolutions but
fail after the first day. And we feel that God cannot save us.
Same Word; Different Day
But today, brothers and sisters, I need to tell you that the Word hasn’t changed. The Word still
loves, heals and saves. It is the same Word that spoke in the beginning. It is the same Word who
created the universe with “Let there be…” It is the same Word who has been thinking about us, and
expressing Himself to us from since time began. This Word is Jesus, who saves His people from
their sins. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
But what is even more good news is this: today is a different day. 2007 has come and gone. January
4th has spiraled into oblivion. Today is a different day. We can start over. We don’t have to live in
the past. We can live knowing that the Word can bring light to our dark lives, and make us
transparent so that others can see the Word in us; He can make us sons of God, holy and pleasing in
His sight; and the Word can forgive us. He can take away the stain of sin and make us whole. Today
is a different day, and the Word is still the same.
So if you want to make the Word a more meaningful part of your life; if you want to really know the
Word, Jesus Christ for this year, here are four simple tips:
 Don’t just ask the Word for stuff; take time to listen to Him. When you are through talking
to God, let Him talk to you. You would be surprised with what He has to say.
 Don’t just read about the Word in the Bible; read Him into your life. Find out what He is
saying to you, and try to make it a part of your life for the day. You would be surprised as to
the difference it can make.
 Don’t just tell others about the Word; live Him. Persons don’t need to inquire about your
Christianity if you live it. Let others see the Word that lives inside you. And let the Word
make you kinder, more loving, and considerate to others.
 And finally, don’t just ask for forgiveness; live like you’re forgiven. Don’t look like a sad or
bad-ventist. Look like a glad-ventist in Jesus name! The Word came so that we might have
life, and have it more abundantly.
Church, I don’t know about you, but I’m happy that the Word is still the same. It gives me hope for
another day. And it can give you hope for today as well.
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So if you felt dark and dreary, lonely and weary yesterday; today is a different day, and the
Word is still the same.
If you felt that your brother or sister was no good, and should be left alone; remember
today is a different day, and the Word is still the same.
And if you felt that God can’t forgive you of your sins and your life is in too great of a mess
to be cured; today is a different day, and the Word is still the same.
Conclusion: a new year has begun. Many have made resolutions for the year. But daily, I want to
make everyday a different day, with the Word as my only constant. So from today, if you want to
make today, and every day from henceforth a different day, but keep the same Word in your lives,
join me in a special moment of prayer.