Start the Year Right: Worship with God’s People

Matthew 2:1-2

St. John’s United Church of Christ
Pastor Juvenal Cervantes
January 4, 2026

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1-2)

Introduction:
How many of you enjoy, I mean, really get a thrill about putting gas in your car? Let me see a raise of hands. Okay, none of you. Another question, “How many of you like to brush your teeth?” Okay, just one person. The point is that at times we don’t like doing certain things, but we do them anyway because we focus on the outcome.

A car without gas will not run (unless it is an electric car). Last week, I had my biannual dental visit. The dental hygienist emphasized the importance of maintaining good dental health. She continued, “Emerging research indicates that bacteria that accumulate in our teeth can result in diabetes, high blood pressure, Alzheimer's, and other complications.

As we begin a new year, I invite you to reflect on a few practices or disciplines that will help us in our lives, virtually in every area or our lives. Consider the following spiritual habits this year:

1)    Worship with God’s people.

2)    Pray always.

3)    Give generously.

4)    Share the good news.

Today: Worship with God’s people.

I. Worshipping with God’s people reminds us that we were created for God’s pleasure.

A. God made us. Revelation 4:11; Acts 17:28
B. Through faith in Christ, we become members of the family of God. John 1:12

II. Worshipping with God’s people reminds us that we need a helper.

A. Life includes hardships. John 16:33
B. Our help comes from above. Psalm 121:1

Last week, former Nebraska senator Ben Sasse announced: I was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer, and I am going to die. Sasse was a university president with multiple master's degrees and a doctor’s degree in philosophy from Harvard. A devout Christian, Sasse’s mother was a teacher, and his dad was a coach. He said, “I have hope. It is not an abstract hope in fanciful human goodness; not hope in vague hallmark-sappy spirituality; not a bootstrapped hope in our own strength (what foolishness is the evaporating muscle I once prided myself in). Nope—often we lazily say “hope” when what we mean is “optimism.”

To be clear, optimism is great, and it’s absolutely necessary, but it’s insufficient. It’s not the kinda thing that holds up when you tell your daughters you’re not going to walk them down the aisle. Nor telling your mom and pops they’re gonna bury their son.

A well-lived life demands more reality—stiffer stuff. That’s why, during Advent, even while still walking in darkness, we shout our hope—often properly with a gravelly voice soldiering through tears.”

Such is the calling of the pilgrim.

Pastor Rick Warren, whose wife was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago and whose son committed suicide in recent years reflected: “Your most profound and intimate experiences of worship will likely be in your darkest days—when your heart is broken, when you feel abandoned, when you're out of options, when the pain is great—and you turn to God alone.” —Rick Warren

III. Worshipping with God’s people reminds us to live for eternity.

A. God has made us for eternity. Ecclesiastes 3:11
B. We can live for eternity. 2 Corinthians 4:18

Prayer: Lord, I pray for hope beyond this life. I pray that you will give me a glimpse of your eternal kingdom. Help me to focus on the things that are eternal, and not on the things that are temporal.