In Pastor Keith Turcotte’s enlightening New Year’s Eve sermon titled “A Whole Lotta SHAKING,” he delved into the theme of shaking that pervades various aspects of our lives—politics, relationships, and religion. Anchored in Isaiah 52:1-10 and Hebrews 12:18-29, Pastor Keith emphasized the unshakable nature of the kingdom of God, offering a foundation that endures amidst the turbulence.
As we transitioned from 2023 to 2024, Pastor Keith drew inspiration from Isaiah, urging us to wake up and clothe ourselves with strength. The sermon encouraged a symbolic shedding of the old—sickness, financial burdens, and family issues—and adorning ourselves with the virtues of joy, strength, and peace, akin to putting on a beautiful garment.
Drawing a parallel with the parable of the 10 virgins, Pastor Keith highlighted the importance of being prepared, keeping our lamps filled with oil to welcome the bridegroom, symbolizing our readiness for the Lord. The message resonated with the call to stay fueled up for the Lord, not just to survive but to thrive in the new year.
While acknowledging the shaking that may come to the world, Pastor Keith reassured that God and His foundations remain unshaken. The sermon concluded with an inspiring call to step into the new year, embracing a deeper relationship with God. As we pray for our lamps to be filled and strive to be lights in the world, the sermon left a powerful imprint on our journey into 2024.
Bible Verses:
Isaiah 52
52 Awake, awake, Zion,
clothe yourself with strength!
Put on your garments of splendor,
Jerusalem, the holy city.
The uncircumcised and defiled
will not enter you again.
2 Shake off your dust;
rise up, sit enthroned, Jerusalem.
Free yourself from the chains on your neck,
Daughter Zion, now a captive.
3 For this is what the Lord says:
“You were sold for nothing,
and without money you will be redeemed.”
4 For this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“At first my people went down to Egypt to live;
lately, Assyria has oppressed them.
5 “And now what do I have here?” declares the Lord.
“For my people have been taken away for nothing,
and those who rule them mock,[a]”
declares the Lord.}
“And all day long
my name is constantly blasphemed.
6 Therefore my people will know my name;
therefore in that day they will know
that it is I who foretold it.
Yes, it is I.”
7 How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”
8 Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices;
together they shout for joy.
When the Lord returns to Zion,
they will see it with their own eyes.
9 Burst into songs of joy together,
you ruins of Jerusalem,
for the Lord has comforted his people,
he has redeemed Jerusalem.
10 The Lord will lay bare his holy arm
in the sight of all the nations,
and all the ends of the earth will see
the salvation of our God.
Hebrews 12:18-29
The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy
18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”[b]
22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”