Embracing God's Faithfulness: A Journey into 2025
Summary
Reflecting on the past year, we have witnessed God's incredible work across all our campuses, including our online community. The stories of transformation, salvation, and growth are a testament to His faithfulness. As we look back at 2024, we celebrate the lives changed and the communities strengthened. From Ogallala to North Platte, Kearney, and Holdridge, each campus has experienced record attendance, baptisms, and salvations. This journey of faith has been remarkable, and we welcome all new members who joined us in 2024 into the New Life family.
As we transition into 2025, we anticipate even greater things. This year holds the potential for healing, restoration, and new beginnings. We are called to trust God not only for today but also for tomorrow, believing that He has plans to prosper us and give us hope. Our upcoming teaching series, "30 Days to Live," will challenge us to consider the legacy we leave behind and focus on forgiveness, love, and gratitude. Following this, we will delve into the book of Romans, exploring its profound teachings over nine weeks.
Easter will mark the beginning of our "Following Jesus" series, designed to empower us as disciple-makers and deepen our understanding of walking in Jesus' footsteps. The summer will bring the "Gathered" series, focusing on our core values and encouraging participation in life groups. Later, "Get Used to It" will address the realities of Christian living, including prayer, Bible engagement, and facing persecution.
In October, we will celebrate "Family Month," exploring God's blueprint for thriving families. November will feature Kingdom Builders, and December will conclude with "You Asked For It," a series shaped by your input. Throughout the year, we remain open to God's guidance, acknowledging that while we make plans, He determines our steps. As we embark on this spiritual journey, we trust in His goodness and look forward to the blessings of 2025.
Key Takeaways:
1. Dual Citizenship in Faith: Embrace the concept of dual citizenship, where physical and online church communities coexist, allowing us to stay connected and grow spiritually regardless of our circumstances. This duality reflects the adaptability and inclusivity of God's kingdom. [00:00]
2. God's Faithfulness in Storms: Reflect on 2024 as a year where God was present in both triumphs and trials. Just as Jesus was with the disciples in the storm, He is with us in our life's challenges, providing strength and guidance. [34:27]
3. Anticipating Greater Things: As we look to 2025, we are encouraged to believe in God's plans for healing and restoration. Trusting in His promises, we can expect breakthroughs in our personal lives and communities. [37:09]
4. Empowered Discipleship: The "Following Jesus" series aims to equip us as disciple-makers, emphasizing the importance of guiding others in their spiritual journey. This empowerment fosters a culture of mentorship and growth within the church. [41:44]
5. Open to Divine Direction: While we plan for the future, we remain open to God's leading, understanding that He may redirect our paths for His greater purpose. This openness ensures that our steps align with His will. [49:46]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Celebrating 2024's Achievements
- [05:00] - Ogallala Campus Highlights
- [10:00] - North Platte Campus Growth
- [15:00] - Kearney Campus Insights
- [20:00] - Holdridge Campus Launch
- [25:31] - Reflecting on God's Faithfulness
- [30:31] - Welcoming New Members
- [34:27] - Looking Forward to 2025
- [37:09] - Upcoming Series: 30 Days to Live
- [41:44] - Following Jesus Series
- [44:45] - Family Month in October
- [49:46] - Trusting God's Guidance
- [51:01] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Proverbs 16:9 - "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps."
2. Matthew 8:23-27 - The story of Jesus calming the storm.
3. Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
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Observation Questions:
1. What were some of the key achievements and transformations mentioned in the sermon that occurred across the church campuses in 2024? [25:31]
2. How does the concept of "dual citizenship" apply to the church's physical and online communities, and what benefits does it offer? [00:00]
3. What are the main themes of the upcoming teaching series "30 Days to Live," and how do they relate to the idea of leaving a legacy? [37:09]
4. How does the sermon describe God's presence during the storms of life, and what biblical story is used to illustrate this? [34:27]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the idea of dual citizenship in faith challenge traditional views of church participation and community? [00:00]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's faithfulness was evident in both the triumphs and trials of 2024? How does this relate to the story of Jesus calming the storm? [34:27]
3. What does the sermon imply about the importance of being open to divine direction, even when we have our own plans? How does Proverbs 16:9 support this idea? [49:46]
4. How does the sermon encourage believers to anticipate greater things in 2025, and what role does trust in God's promises play in this anticipation? [37:09]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own experiences in 2024. Can you identify a time when you felt God's presence during a personal storm? How did that experience shape your faith? [34:27]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of leaving a legacy focused on forgiveness, love, and gratitude. What specific steps can you take this week to embody these values in your daily life? [37:09]
3. How can you actively participate in both physical and online church communities to enhance your spiritual growth and connection with others? [00:00]
4. As we look forward to 2025, what are some areas in your life where you need to trust God's plans for healing and restoration? How can you cultivate that trust? [37:09]
5. The sermon mentions the importance of being open to God's guidance. Are there any plans or decisions in your life where you need to seek divine direction? How can you remain open to God's leading? [49:46]
6. Consider the upcoming "Following Jesus" series. How can you prepare yourself to be a disciple-maker and guide others in their spiritual journey? [41:44]
7. How can you incorporate the church's core values into your life, especially during the "Gathered" series? What steps can you take to engage more deeply with these values? [41:44]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Dual Citizenship in Faith
In today's world, the concept of dual citizenship extends beyond national borders to our spiritual lives. We are called to be part of both physical and online church communities, reflecting the adaptability and inclusivity of God's kingdom. This duality allows us to stay connected and grow spiritually, regardless of our circumstances. It is a reminder that God's kingdom is not confined to a single location but is present wherever His people gather, whether in person or virtually. Embracing this dual citizenship means recognizing the value of each community and the unique ways they contribute to our spiritual growth. [00:00]
"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." (Matthew 18:20, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively participate in both your physical and online church communities this week to enhance your spiritual growth?
Day 2: Trusting God's Faithfulness in Storms
Reflecting on the past year, we see God's presence in both triumphs and trials. Just as Jesus was with the disciples in the storm, He is with us in our life's challenges, providing strength and guidance. This assurance of His faithfulness encourages us to trust Him, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. By remembering His past faithfulness, we can face future storms with confidence, knowing that He will never leave us nor forsake us. [34:27]
"And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!' And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." (Mark 4:39, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How did you experience God's presence and faithfulness during that time?
Day 3: Anticipating Greater Things in 2025
As we look forward to 2025, we are encouraged to believe in God's plans for healing and restoration. Trusting in His promises, we can expect breakthroughs in our personal lives and communities. This anticipation is not just wishful thinking but a confident expectation rooted in God's character and His past actions. By aligning our hopes with His promises, we open ourselves to the possibility of transformation and renewal in the coming year. [37:09]
"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:19, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are seeking God's healing and restoration in 2025? How can you actively trust Him in this process?
Day 4: Empowered Discipleship
The "Following Jesus" series aims to equip us as disciple-makers, emphasizing the importance of guiding others in their spiritual journey. This empowerment fosters a culture of mentorship and growth within the church. By investing in others, we not only help them grow but also deepen our own faith. Discipleship is a mutual journey where both the mentor and mentee are transformed as they walk together in faith. [41:44]
"And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also." (2 Timothy 2:2, ESV)
Reflection: Who is someone in your life you can mentor or guide in their spiritual journey? What steps can you take this week to begin this discipleship relationship?
Day 5: Open to Divine Direction
While we plan for the future, we remain open to God's leading, understanding that He may redirect our paths for His greater purpose. This openness ensures that our steps align with His will, allowing us to experience His best for our lives. By surrendering our plans to Him, we acknowledge that His ways are higher than ours and trust that He will guide us in the right direction. [49:46]
"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." (Proverbs 16:9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one plan or decision you need to surrender to God today? How can you remain open to His guidance in this area?
Quotes
"For others of you, it was a challenging year. It was a difficult year. But as you look back on it, it could have been even worse. It could have blown up. And you have to back and say, God, you're in the middle of the storm with me. You are in the middle of the fire with me. Just like Jesus was in the boat with the disciples in the middle of the storm, can you look back in 2024 and see that Jesus was in the boat with you? He's in your life. He's walking you through even the storms of life. So God's been faithful in 2024." [00:34:27] (31 seconds)
"Next week, we're kicking off a brand new teaching series called 30 Days to Live. Really what we're going to do is we're going to answer the question, what would it be like if you were told tomorrow you had 30 days to live? Like, what would be your main focus? I just happen to believe that many of you, you would go to the legacy you're going to leave. I want to make sure that the legacy I'm leaving, Jeff, is going to be one that both honors God and it lays down the pavement stones for my children, my grandchildren, my great-grandchildren, to follow." [00:36:27] (29 seconds)
"I think many people call themselves Christians, but they don't really know what it means to be a Christian. So in this teaching series, I'm going to help you understand what it means to get used to a few things that every Christian has to get used to. Right? So as an example, you got to get used to being on the opposite side of most people's opinions. Just think about it. Like, this world and probably where you work, they have certain opinions about things that don't line up with God's Word. If you're going to be a Christian, you got to line your life up with God's Word, which means you got to get used to being on the opposite side of God's Word." [00:43:08] (36 seconds)
"And I love the verse that you find in Proverbs chapter 16, verse 9, where it says this, that you can make, like, we make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. We make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. I don't know about, about you and your personal life, but I know for me, man, I've made plans, only to find out the Lord was like, well, you're about 90% right. But I need you to do this." [00:49:46] (24 seconds)
"And guys, as we go through this year, I just want to let you know as your leader, as your spiritual leader, as your pastor, that we're going to be going through this year with our hands open like this. And we're going to say, God, we believe we heard you, or we wouldn't have gone to all this effort to write all these sermon series and create all these graphics and have this special Sunday. But every single series before we start it, we're holding it before the Lord and we're like, God, is this what you want for us?" [00:50:21] (27 seconds)
"So for your life in 2025, we make our plans, but I don't know about you, I'm thankful that the Lord determines my steps and I want the Lord to determine our steps. So we have a plan and we're going to go there. I hope that you get excited about one or two of those series. And you're like, man, I want to be a part of that. I want to be a part of that. I want to be here for that. And so be watching your newsletters because your newsletters will tell you when the next series are starting." [00:51:01] (26 seconds)
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