Embracing New Beginnings: Faith, Forgiveness, and Growth

 

Summary

Happy New Year to everyone! As we step into this new year, it's a time for reflection, renewal, and recommitment to our spiritual journey. We begin with a call to prayer and fasting, a practice that helps us consecrate ourselves and focus on hearing and discerning God's will for our lives. This year, let's aim to hear God's voice more clearly and discern His will with greater precision. Faith is not passive; it requires action and decision. As Smith Wigglesworth famously said, "Faith is an act." This year, let's step out in obedience and engage with God's plans for us.

Philippians 3 reminds us to forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead. This is a call to press on toward the goal, the heavenly prize in Christ Jesus. The reward is not just in the future but in the presence of God we can access now. Even in trials and tribulations, God's presence is our reward. We must not dwell on the past, whether it's past successes or failures. Dwelling on the past can cause us to miss the opportunities God has for us now. Instead, let's embrace the new mercies God provides every morning.

Forgiveness is a powerful tool for releasing us from the vice of unforgiveness. It begins in the heart but is strengthened by the words we speak. Our confession can shape our attitudes and actions. As we forgive, we release ourselves from the grip of past hurts and open ourselves to God's healing and freedom. Trusting God's plan for the future is essential, even when it doesn't align with our expectations. God's plans are always for our good, to give us hope and a future.

This year, let's commit to our spiritual growth. True growth requires intentionality and discipline. Whether it's through prayer, fasting, worship, or studying God's Word, let's position ourselves to hear from God. Like an athlete in training, we must be disciplined in our spiritual walk. Finally, let's step out in faith. Faith requires action, and sometimes God's miracles are waiting for our first step of faith. Let's embrace the new things God is doing in our lives and commit to daily devotion, bold faith, and a kingdom focus.

Key Takeaways:

1. Consecrate Yourself for the New Year: Begin the year with prayer and fasting to focus on hearing and discerning God's will. This practice helps us align our hearts with God's plans and prepares us for the challenges and opportunities ahead. [01:13]

2. Forget the Past and Press On: Philippians 3 teaches us to forget what is behind and press toward the heavenly prize. Dwelling on past successes or failures can hinder us from embracing the new opportunities God has for us. [05:50]

3. The Power of Forgiveness: Forgiveness releases us from the vice of unforgiveness. It begins in the heart but is strengthened by our confession. As we forgive, we open ourselves to God's healing and freedom. [13:29]

4. Trust God's Plan for the Future: Even when God's plans don't align with our expectations, they are always for our good. Trusting God's timing and surrendering control allows us to experience His greater purpose. [25:54]

5. Step Out in Faith: Faith requires action. Sometimes God's miracles are waiting for our first step of faith. By stepping out, we position ourselves to experience God's promises and see beyond our circumstances. [39:31]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:13] - Consecration Through Prayer and Fasting
- [04:10] - Faith as Action
- [05:50] - Forgetting the Past
- [06:53] - The Reward of God's Presence
- [08:08] - Letting Go of Past Hurts
- [09:00] - Apostle Paul's Transformation
- [10:26] - Saul's Persecution of Christians
- [12:48] - The Power of Forgiveness
- [13:29] - Confession and Forgiveness
- [16:45] - Releasing the Vice of Unforgiveness
- [20:18] - Personal Testimony of Forgiveness
- [22:56] - Confession as a Foundation for Transformation
- [25:54] - Trusting God's Plan
- [27:38] - Hope and Surrender
- [29:00] - Commitment to Spiritual Growth
- [31:22] - Spiritual Disciplines
- [32:29] - Encouragement for Young People
- [34:23] - Discipline and Training
- [35:57] - Stepping Out in Faith
- [39:31] - God's Miracles and Our Faith
- [40:58] - Embracing the New Thing
- [42:30] - Daily Devotion and Bold Faith
- [43:23] - Invitation to New Beginnings

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Philippians 3:13-14
2. Jeremiah 29:11
3. Matthew 6:33

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Philippians 3:13-14, what is the Apostle Paul encouraging believers to do with their past? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on not dwelling on past successes or failures? [05:50]

2. In the sermon, how is the concept of faith described, and what does Smith Wigglesworth mean by saying "faith is an act"? [04:10]

3. What role does forgiveness play in releasing us from the vice of unforgiveness, according to the sermon? How is this connected to the power of confession? [13:29]

4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between God's presence and our reward, even in the midst of trials and tribulations? [06:53]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the call to "forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead" in Philippians 3:13-14 challenge believers to change their perspective on past experiences? [05:50]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that faith requires action, and how might this understanding of faith influence a believer's daily decisions? [04:10]

3. How does the sermon illustrate the transformative power of forgiveness through personal stories, and what does this suggest about the process of healing from past hurts? [13:29]

4. How does Jeremiah 29:11 provide hope and assurance for believers when God's plans do not align with their expectations, as discussed in the sermon? [25:54]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a past success or failure that you find difficult to let go of. How can you apply Philippians 3:13-14 to move forward and embrace new opportunities this year? [05:50]

2. Identify an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith. What practical steps can you take to act on this calling, despite any fears you may have? [35:57]

3. Consider a relationship where forgiveness is needed. What specific words or actions can you take to begin the process of forgiveness and release yourself from the grip of past hurts? [13:29]

4. How can you intentionally position yourself to hear God's voice more clearly this year? What spiritual disciplines, such as prayer or fasting, can you commit to practicing regularly? [29:00]

5. Reflect on a time when God's plans did not align with your expectations. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Jeremiah 29:11 about trusting God's greater purpose? [25:54]

6. What is one new spiritual discipline you can incorporate into your daily routine to foster spiritual growth? How will you hold yourself accountable to this commitment? [29:00]

7. Think of a specific area where you need to embrace the new things God is doing in your life. What steps can you take to let go of the past and fully engage with God's transformative work? [40:58]

Devotional

Day 1: Consecration Through Prayer and Fasting
As we enter a new year, it's essential to consecrate ourselves through prayer and fasting. This practice is not merely a ritual but a profound way to align our hearts with God's will. By setting aside time for prayer and fasting, we create space to hear God's voice more clearly and discern His plans for our lives. This intentional focus helps us prepare for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, allowing us to step into the new year with a renewed sense of purpose and direction. [01:13]

Isaiah 58:6-7 (ESV): "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?"

Reflection: What specific time can you set aside this week for prayer and fasting to seek God's guidance for the year ahead?


Day 2: Pressing Forward with Purpose
Philippians 3 encourages us to forget what is behind and press on toward the heavenly prize. This call to action reminds us that dwelling on past successes or failures can hinder our ability to embrace the new opportunities God has for us. By letting go of the past, we open ourselves to the new mercies God provides each day. This forward-focused mindset allows us to experience the presence of God as our reward, even amidst trials and tribulations. [05:50]

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 success or failure do you need to release to fully embrace the new opportunities God has for you this year?


Day 3: The Transformative Power of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a powerful tool that releases us from the grip of unforgiveness. It begins in the heart but is strengthened by the words we speak. As we forgive, we open ourselves to God's healing and freedom, allowing His love to transform our lives. This act of forgiveness not only frees us from past hurts but also aligns us with God's greater purpose for our lives. Trusting in God's plan, even when it doesn't align with our expectations, is essential for experiencing His peace and joy. [13:29]

Colossians 3:13 (ESV): "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."

Reflection: Who is someone you need to forgive today, and how can you begin to extend forgiveness to them in your heart and through your words?


Day 4: Trusting in God's Sovereign Plan
Trusting God's plan for the future is crucial, even when it doesn't align with our expectations. God's plans are always for our good, to give us hope and a future. By surrendering control and trusting in His timing, we allow ourselves to experience His greater purpose. This trust requires faith and a willingness to let go of our own desires, knowing that God's ways are higher than ours. As we trust in His plan, we find peace and assurance in His unfailing love. [25:54]

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV): "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's plan, and how can you surrender it to Him today?


Day 5: Stepping Out in Bold Faith
Faith requires action, and sometimes God's miracles are waiting for our first step of faith. By stepping out, we position ourselves to experience God's promises and see beyond our circumstances. This bold faith challenges us to move beyond our comfort zones and trust in God's provision and guidance. As we embrace the new things God is doing in our lives, we commit to daily devotion, bold faith, and a kingdom focus, allowing His light to shine through us. [39:31]

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV): "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."

Reflection: What is one step of faith you can take today to align yourself with God's promises and experience His miracles in your life?

Quotes



Every year, the beginning of the year, we do a time of prayer and fasting. And that shouldn't alarm you. That shouldn't send you over the edge. It's just the time where we consecrate ourselves. Three days, we really target and focus. I mean, some churches do a week or 21 days. And I think, you know, I don't know who's really doing what during that time. We rather just. Hit it hard. Hit it good for three days. And trust the Lord with that. [00:00:35] (28 seconds)


And then on Wednesday, I know I think the youth will be joining us. They'll be coming back. And we have a great time where we have a time of worship. And then I asked the church. A family. And if God has given you a word, when trusting he is for the year that you can hang on to. And I think a few years back, we had a book called the one word where, you know, how you can seek the Lord. We may have a few of those books left that I remember, but it just helps focus you for the year. So you can trust and believe God for greater things. [00:01:13] (38 seconds)


There is a prize God has for you pressing on toward the goal. The prize is the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. It's our heavenly reward. Okay, when I get to heaven, it's our eternal glory that believers are called to pursue. But really, what is the reward? The reward is the presence. God. That's the reward. You see, what makes hell, hell is the absence of the presence of God. [00:06:21] (33 seconds)


Dwelling in the past can cause us to miss the opportunities God has for us now. Whether it may be a past success that makes us maybe complacent, or a failure that fills us with blame, we have to leave all of that at the foot of the cross. Can you say amen? Let's leave that with the Lord. Jesus has already dealt with our sin and brokenness, and the Scripture tells us that His mercies are new every morning. Can you say amen? [00:08:32] (28 seconds)


Jeremiah 29 .11 says this, For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord plans to prosper you, not harm you, plans to give you a hope in the future. Israel was heading into 70 years of captivity to the nation of Babylon when God said that. He said, regardless. Regardless, you've got to trust me, trust my timing. Yes, you're going into captivity, but this is my plan for you even there. [00:25:54] (25 seconds)


Make a commitment to your spiritual growth. Yes, sounds simple, but it's amazing how we say things. Think of last January. I'm going to do this. Well, it doesn't happen. I'm not talking about making a new year's resolution, but I'm saying I'm challenging all this morning this year to make a commitment to your spiritual growth. Okay. It's one thing you say, well, I want to lose weight. All right. I get in shape. All right. I want to lose weight. All right. I want to lose weight. I want to stop doing this. I want to break this habit. That's fine. But make a commitment spiritually. [00:28:00] (37 seconds)


And then very quickly, the next one is, whoops, you just had that. Step out in faith. I'm sorry, I jumped ahead. But step out in faith. Hebrews 11, six. And without faith, it's impossible to please. Because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Once again, faith requires action. Somebody shout action. [00:35:57] (23 seconds)


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Transcript
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