Embracing New Beginnings: A Year-End Reflection
Summary
As we gather on this last Sunday of the year, we reflect on the journey we've traveled and the challenges we've faced. It's a time to remember the blessings and lessons God has bestowed upon us, even amidst the trials. We are reminded not to discard the entire year as we prepare for the new one. Instead, we should hold onto the victories and insights that God has given us, carrying them forward into the future. The Apostle Paul's words in Philippians 3:13-14 guide us in this reflection, urging us to forget what lies behind and press on toward what is ahead. This is a call to make necessary adjustments in our lives—resetting, realigning, and restarting as we step into the new year.
Resetting involves letting go of past mistakes and regrets, allowing God to renew our hearts and minds. It's about embracing the new beginnings that God offers, much like the biblical figures who experienced divine resets in their lives. Realigning requires us to adjust our focus and priorities, ensuring that our lives are in sync with God's will. Just as a car needs alignment to function properly, our lives need God's guidance to stay on course. Finally, restarting is about pressing forward with renewed determination, aiming for the heavenly prize that God has set before us. It's about choosing to let go of what hinders us and embracing the new things God wants to do in our lives.
As we partake in communion, we remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who shed His blood for our redemption. This sacred act reminds us of the servanthood and humility that Christ exemplified, calling us to serve others in love. As we enter the new year, let us trust in God's faithfulness and lean on His strength. May we move forward in faith, love, and peace, knowing that God is with us every step of the way.
Key Takeaways:
1. Embrace the Reset: Just as Paul encourages us to forget what is behind, we must allow God to reset our lives, letting go of past mistakes and embracing new beginnings. This reset is a divine opportunity to start afresh, trusting in God's ability to renew our hearts and minds. [21:26]
2. Realign with God's Will: Life's challenges can cause us to drift, but realignment with God's will ensures that our priorities and focus are in sync with His purpose. This realignment brings clarity and direction, allowing us to navigate life's journey with confidence. [25:55]
3. Press On with Determination: Paul's exhortation to press on toward the goal reminds us of the importance of perseverance. Despite setbacks and false starts, we are called to pursue the heavenly prize with unwavering determination, trusting in God's strength to carry us through. [28:36]
4. Let Go and Let God: As we prepare for the new year, we must discern what to carry forward and what to leave behind. Allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in this process ensures that we hold onto what is beneficial and release what hinders our growth. [31:14]
5. Serve with Humility: The act of communion and Christ's example of servanthood call us to serve others with humility and love. This service is a reflection of our gratitude for God's grace and a commitment to living out our faith in tangible ways. [39:44]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:52] - The Power of Praise
- [06:41] - Reflecting on God's Goodness
- [10:20] - The Blessing of Family
- [15:04] - Making the Adjustment
- [18:09] - Lessons from 2024
- [19:24] - Don't Throw Out the Baby
- [21:26] - Embracing the Reset
- [25:55] - Realigning with God's Will
- [28:36] - Pressing On with Determination
- [31:14] - Letting Go and Letting God
- [34:41] - A New Year with God
- [36:01] - Moving Ahead in Faith
- [37:43] - Invitation to Trust
- [39:44] - Communion and Servanthood
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Philippians 3:13-14: "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he says he is "forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead"? How does this relate to the concept of resetting? [21:26]
2. How does the sermon describe the process of realignment in our lives, and what analogy is used to explain it? [25:55]
3. What examples from the Bible were given in the sermon to illustrate the idea of a divine reset? [21:26]
4. How does the act of communion relate to the themes of servanthood and humility discussed in the sermon? [39:44]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that resetting our lives can lead to spiritual renewal? How does this align with Paul's message in Philippians 3:13-14? [21:26]
2. How might realigning our priorities with God's will help us navigate life's challenges more effectively? What does this look like in practical terms? [25:55]
3. The sermon mentions letting go of past mistakes and regrets. How does this concept of letting go relate to the idea of pressing on with determination? [28:36]
4. How does the sermon connect the act of communion with the call to serve others in love and humility? What does this imply about our daily interactions with others? [39:44]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the past year. What are some specific victories or insights you want to carry forward into the new year? How can you ensure these remain a focus? [19:24]
2. Identify an area in your life where you feel out of alignment with God's will. What steps can you take this week to begin realigning your priorities? [25:55]
3. Consider a past mistake or regret that you have been holding onto. What practical steps can you take to let go of it and embrace a fresh start? [21:26]
4. How can you incorporate the practice of servanthood and humility into your daily routine? Identify one specific action you can take this week to serve someone in love. [39:44]
5. As you prepare for the new year, what is one thing you feel God is calling you to let go of? How can you discern what to carry forward and what to leave behind? [31:14]
6. Think about a time when you felt the need for a reset in your life. What did you learn from that experience, and how can it inform your approach to the coming year? [21:26]
7. How can you actively trust in God's faithfulness and strength as you move forward in faith, love, and peace? What specific scripture or prayer can support you in this journey? [36:01]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace New Beginnings with Courage
In life, we often carry the weight of past mistakes and regrets, which can hinder our progress and growth. Embracing a reset means allowing God to renew our hearts and minds, letting go of what holds us back, and stepping into the new beginnings He offers. This is not merely about forgetting the past but about trusting in God's ability to transform us and guide us into a future filled with hope and purpose. Just as biblical figures experienced divine resets, we too are invited to start afresh, confident in God's grace and mercy. [21:26]
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 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."
Reflection: What past mistake or regret are you holding onto that you need to release to God today? How can you embrace the new beginning He offers you?
Day 2: Align Your Life with Divine Purpose
Life's challenges can cause us to drift away from our intended path, leading to confusion and lack of direction. Realigning with God's will involves adjusting our focus and priorities to ensure they are in sync with His purpose for our lives. This realignment brings clarity and direction, much like a car that needs alignment to function properly. By seeking God's guidance and wisdom, we can navigate life's journey with confidence, knowing that our steps are ordered by Him. [25:55]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel out of alignment with God's will? What practical steps can you take today to realign your priorities with His purpose?
Day 3: Persevere with Unwavering Determination
The journey of faith is not without its setbacks and challenges. However, the Apostle Paul's exhortation to press on toward the goal reminds us of the importance of perseverance. Despite the obstacles we face, we are called to pursue the heavenly prize with unwavering determination, trusting in God's strength to carry us through. This determination is not about relying on our own abilities but about leaning on God's power and grace to overcome the hurdles in our path. [28:36]
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith."
Reflection: What is one challenge or setback you are currently facing? How can you rely on God's strength to persevere and press on toward your goal?
Day 4: Release What Hinders Your Growth
As we prepare for a new year, it is essential to discern what to carry forward and what to leave behind. Allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in this process ensures that we hold onto what is beneficial and release what hinders our growth. This act of letting go is not about ignoring the past but about trusting God to help us move forward unencumbered by unnecessary burdens. By doing so, we create space for the new things God wants to do in our lives. [31:14]
Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: What is one thing you need to let go of to grow spiritually? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to help you release this burden today?
Day 5: Serve Others with Humility and Love
The act of communion and Christ's example of servanthood call us to serve others with humility and love. This service is a reflection of our gratitude for God's grace and a commitment to living out our faith in tangible ways. By following Christ's example, we demonstrate His love to those around us, becoming vessels of His peace and compassion. As we enter the new year, let us commit to serving others selflessly, knowing that in doing so, we honor God and fulfill His command to love one another. [39:44]
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can serve with humility and love this week? What specific action can you take to demonstrate Christ's love to them?
Quotes
As this current year comes to an end and we're counting the days down, some of us have already completed our resolution list for 2025 right next to the one from last year. And in doing so, we may have ridden off all of 2024. And here's my thinking. Maybe it's your thinking. That perhaps this has been a year full of challenges. [00:17:36] (29 seconds)
So we must be careful that we don't throw out 2024 successes with the so-called bathwater. I believe that there are some blessings and some lessons that God has given us this year, which are worth keeping, worth holding onto, worth carrying over into the new year. I know, I know. Oh, just, I need a fresh start. [00:19:33] (29 seconds)
And we've got to be willing to reset and to realign and to restart. And I'm convinced that these steps will make a difference. Let's unpack this. So the background is that Paul is writing a letter to the church at Philippi. I'm always amazed that this is one of the prison epistles that it was written from a prison in Rome. [00:20:22] (24 seconds)
Not just resetting in 25, but then realigning, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. Paul writes, straining, I strain my knee. In case you're wondering why am I in a seat, I may as well use this illustration. I strain them. And so God's allowing me to rebuild the muscle. [00:26:58] (33 seconds)
And in life, we have to allow the Lord to re-align. Align us. Sometimes we drift. Anybody here? Sometimes we veer off the road. Sometimes we run in the ditch of life. And we struggle. And we waste energy. But it's time to go to God's repair shop. [00:28:31] (24 seconds)
And Paul has watched enough of the Olympic-type games. Paul has watched enough of the Olympic-type games to know what it means to get the prize. If you watch the Olympics, I mean, you know, yeah, if you got a medal, you've done something, but there is an effort to finish the race. [00:28:47] (19 seconds)
And in the Christian life, a restart is about choosing when to let go. Oh, I know. It's some things that, you know, he said, Reverend, you said keep some things and let some things go. But allow the Holy Spirit to lead you to identify. You know what you need to let go. Oh, yes, you do. [00:30:46] (26 seconds)
When life knocks you down, don't retire, reset. When the road gets rough, don't resist, realign. When the journey feels long, take time to reflect. When I think of the goodness of Jesus and all that he's done for me, my soul shouts out, hallelujah, I thank God for saving me. [00:32:45] (28 seconds)
That when you begin to think about your life and where God has brought you from, the moments you didn't think you were going to make it, the moments you want to lose it all, the moments you want to lose it all, the moments you want to lose it all, the moments you want to to cash it in, but in that moment, you felt the spirit of God reminding you that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me [00:33:25] (22 seconds)
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