Embracing New Beginnings: Focus and Spiritual Growth for 2025
Summary
As we step into 2025, it's a time to reflect on the past and set our sights on the future with renewed focus and determination. Drawing inspiration from the Apostle Paul, who, even from a Roman jail cell, was setting goals and planning for the future, we are reminded of the importance of having a singular focus. Paul emphasized the need to forget what lies behind and strain toward what is ahead, pressing on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.
This year, we are encouraged to set meaningful goals and make important decisions that align with God's purpose for our lives. It's crucial to remember that we serve a God of second chances, who continually offers us opportunities to start anew. Whatever mistakes or unfulfilled goals linger from 2024, we can leave them behind and embrace the new things God is doing in our lives.
The key to making 2025 the best year yet is to focus on "one thing" that can transform our lives. This could be breaking a habit, mending a relationship, or pursuing a long-held dream. By narrowing our focus and dedicating ourselves to this one thing, we can experience significant growth and change. It's also essential to eliminate distractions that keep us from our goals and prioritize our relationship with Christ, making Him the center of our lives.
As we embark on this journey, let's commit to a period of prayer and fasting, setting aside distractions to draw closer to God. By doing so, we open ourselves to His guidance and empowerment, enabling us to live not just a natural life, but a supernatural one. This year, let's strive to make it our most spiritually fulfilling year yet, drawing closer to Jesus and allowing His presence to transform every aspect of our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. Embrace New Beginnings: As we enter 2025, it's vital to leave behind the past and focus on the new opportunities God is creating for us. Embrace the God of second chances and trust that He is doing a new thing in your life. [34:57]
2. Focus on One Thing: Like the Apostle Paul, identify one key area in your life that, if changed, would make the most significant difference. Dedicate yourself to this focus, and let it guide your decisions and actions throughout the year. [39:35]
3. Eliminate Distractions: Distractions can prevent us from achieving our goals. Identify and remove anything that hinders your progress, whether it's social media, unhealthy habits, or negative relationships. Prioritize what truly matters. [57:55]
4. Prioritize Your Relationship with Christ: Make Jesus the center of your life, not just on Sundays but every day. Engage in prayer, fasting, and seeking God's presence to deepen your spiritual journey and empower your daily life. [01:13:05]
5. Commit to Spiritual Growth: Use this year to grow closer to God than ever before. Engage in practices like prayer and fasting to eliminate distractions and focus on your spiritual health, making 2025 your most spiritually fulfilling year. [01:14:57]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [29:45] - Paul's Singular Focus
- [32:30] - Setting Goals for 2025
- [33:40] - God of Second Chances
- [34:57] - Embrace New Beginnings
- [36:02] - Importance of Decisions
- [38:41] - Identifying Your One Thing
- [39:35] - Focus on One Thing
- [41:03] - Addressing Habits
- [45:01] - Restoring Relationships
- [47:20] - Tackling Debt
- [48:54] - Pursuing Dreams
- [49:32] - Support from the Church
- [50:34] - Pressing Toward the Goal
- [51:35] - Spiritual Empowerment
- [52:35] - Drawing Closer to God
- [54:47] - Launching 21 Days of Focus
- [56:14] - Martha's Distraction
- [57:55] - Eliminating Distractions
- [01:02:44] - Seizing Opportunities
- [01:05:10] - Understanding Fasting
- [01:09:20] - Types of Fasting
- [01:14:04] - Prioritizing Christ
- [01:16:10] - Making Jesus Lord of Your Life
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 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."
2. Isaiah 43:18-19 - "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?"
3. Luke 10:38-42 - The story of Martha and Mary, focusing on the importance of prioritizing time with Jesus over distractions.
Observation Questions:
1. What was the Apostle Paul's attitude towards his past and future as described in Philippians 3:13-14? How does this reflect his focus on a singular goal? [29:45]
2. In Isaiah 43:18-19, what does God promise to do, and how does this relate to the idea of new beginnings?
3. How does the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42 illustrate the concept of distractions versus focusing on what truly matters? [56:14]
4. According to the sermon, what are some examples of distractions that can prevent us from achieving our goals? [57:55]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Paul's focus on "one thing" in Philippians 3:13-14 challenge the way we set goals and priorities in our lives? [39:35]
2. What does the promise of God doing a "new thing" in Isaiah 43:18-19 suggest about His nature and our potential for change?
3. In the story of Martha and Mary, what does Jesus' response to Martha reveal about the importance of prioritizing our relationship with Him? [57:55]
4. How can the concept of God being a "God of second chances" influence our approach to past failures and future opportunities? [33:40]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on one area of your life where you need to "forget what is behind" and "press on toward the goal." What steps can you take this week to focus on this goal? [29:45]
2. Identify a distraction in your life that prevents you from focusing on your relationship with Christ. What practical steps can you take to minimize this distraction? [57:55]
3. Consider a past mistake or unfulfilled goal from 2024. How can you embrace the idea of God offering you a second chance in 2025? [33:40]
4. What is the "one thing" you want to focus on this year that could transform your life? How can you ensure this focus remains a priority throughout the year? [39:35]
5. How can you incorporate prayer and fasting into your routine to draw closer to God and seek His guidance for 2025? [54:47]
6. In what ways can you make Jesus the center of your life, not just on Sundays but every day? What changes might this require in your daily habits? [01:13:05]
7. How can you use the support of your church community to help you achieve your goals and grow spiritually this year? [49:32]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace the New Beginnings God Offers
As we step into 2025, it's crucial to leave behind the past and focus on the new opportunities God is creating for us. The Apostle Paul reminds us of the importance of forgetting what lies behind and straining toward what is ahead. This year, we are encouraged to embrace the God of second chances, trusting that He is doing a new thing in our lives. Whatever mistakes or unfulfilled goals linger from 2024, we can leave them behind and embrace the new things God is doing in our lives. By focusing on the present and future, we open ourselves to the transformative work God wants to accomplish in us. [34:57]
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 is one past mistake or regret you need to let go of to fully embrace the new opportunities God is offering you this year?
Day 2: Focus on One Transformative Thing
The key to making 2025 the best year yet is to focus on "one thing" that can transform our lives. Like the Apostle Paul, identify one key area in your life that, if changed, would make the most significant difference. This could be breaking a habit, mending a relationship, or pursuing a long-held dream. By narrowing our focus and dedicating ourselves to this one thing, we can experience significant growth and change. Let this focus guide your decisions and actions throughout the year, allowing God to work through you in powerful ways. [39:35]
Luke 10:41-42 (ESV): "But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.'"
Reflection: What is the one area in your life that, if transformed, would make the most significant impact? How can you begin to focus on this area today?
Day 3: Eliminate Distractions to Achieve Your Goals
Distractions can prevent us from achieving our goals. It's essential to identify and remove anything that hinders our progress, whether it's social media, unhealthy habits, or negative relationships. By eliminating distractions, we can prioritize what truly matters and focus on the goals that align with God's purpose for our lives. This year, make a conscious effort to remove these obstacles and create an environment that fosters growth and spiritual development. [57:55]
Hebrews 12:1 (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."
Reflection: What is one distraction in your life that you can eliminate today to better focus on your goals and spiritual growth?
Day 4: Prioritize Your Relationship with Christ
Make Jesus the center of your life, not just on Sundays but every day. Engage in prayer, fasting, and seeking God's presence to deepen your spiritual journey and empower your daily life. By prioritizing your relationship with Christ, you open yourself to His guidance and empowerment, enabling you to live not just a natural life, but a supernatural one. This year, strive to make it your most spiritually fulfilling year yet, drawing closer to Jesus and allowing His presence to transform every aspect of your life. [01:13:05]
Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Reflection: How can you make Jesus the center of your daily life this week? What specific practices can you incorporate to deepen your relationship with Him?
Day 5: Commit to Spiritual Growth
Use this year to grow closer to God than ever before. Engage in practices like prayer and fasting to eliminate distractions and focus on your spiritual health. By committing to spiritual growth, you can make 2025 your most spiritually fulfilling year. Allow God's presence to transform every aspect of your life, empowering you to live a life that reflects His love and grace. As you embark on this journey, remember that God is with you every step of the way, guiding and strengthening you. [01:14:57]
2 Peter 3:18 (ESV): "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to commit to your spiritual growth? How can you ensure that these practices become a regular part of your life?
Quotes
"Whatever happened yesterday, whatever should have happened that didn't, whatever didn't happen that should have, for the mistakes that you have made, maybe they're still on the list for this year. Maybe they didn't even come to pass. Maybe they're not even close to coming to pass. I want you to know that you serve a God of the second chance." [00:33:02] (24 seconds)
"Decisions, decisions, decisions. You are a sum total of your decisions, and they make you who you are. So now a lot of y 'all are probably going to be shocked by this, but I personally have actually made a bad decision before. I did, and I can prove it. I can prove it with a question. How many of you have ever heard of a Kirby vacuum cleaner?" [00:37:41] (29 seconds)
"What one thing, if changed today, would make your life better? What one thing would make your life different? What's that one thing for you? What is that? Like if one thing got better, one thing got worse. What if one thing changed? One thing was added. One thing went away. What is your thing? What one thing would make the biggest difference in your life?" [00:39:06] (35 seconds)
"I want 2025 to be the absolute best year of your life. And I feel like it's our role as a church, as pastors, that we be in your corner. We're like, yeah, yeah, yeah. You know, we cheer you on. We pray for you. We're just equipping you. We're always trying to equip you. So you can have the tools to make that a reality. That best year of your life." [00:39:44] (28 seconds)
"Let this be the year right now. Everything. I'm about to change. This is fixing to change in my life. I can't live this way no more. I got to make a change. You know? Maybe it's prescription medication. Whatever it is. I don't care. Maybe it's tobacco. Whatever. Whatever you want to change. It's time. I have decided I'm going all in. All in. And I'm going to focus on this one thing." [00:43:11] (30 seconds)
"Maybe you were in a marriage that was like super close. You first got married, it was close, and then one year, and then the next year, and then the next year, and then the next year, and then here you are. You're just way out here, and you're basically roommates. You're basically just roommates. You're not even close anymore. But what if you say, this is the year we're moving back together, okay?" [00:45:27] (30 seconds)
"That's what he would say. If I could just dwell in his house, just gaze upon his beauty and seek him in his temple, I'm telling you, guys, I figured it out. The closer I get to Jesus, the closer I get to God, what happens is I'm empowered to do all the things on my list. That's how you do the list. You just got to get closer. I'm telling you." [00:54:25] (23 seconds)
"Be careful, I love that, I love the way it phrases it, because it's like it's trying to say, be very careful, because you're going to mess it up, and it's okay, we've all done that, you know, but that's why he tells us to be very careful, be careful how you live, not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, the word opportunity in the Greek is actually the word kairos, kairos, it's where we get the word time, it literally means, it's a window, there's a window of opportunity, it'll open, and it'll close, that's opportunity, it'll open, and it'll close, it'll shut, now listen to me, you've got an opportunity right in front of you, you've got the opportunity of a new day, a new year, a great church, great country, all these things, we're going to put opportunities in front of you, as a church, as this house, opportunities that you should honestly take, advantage of, and actually, I want to encourage you in this, if you're new to this church, especially those that are new, give us one year, give us" [01:01:05] (74 seconds)
"I have decided I'm going all in and I'm going to do what Martha should have done. I want to get rid of every distraction. I want to get rid of every distraction. Anything, anything that's in the way. Distractions, distractions. Man, we all have them. Think about your distractions. Martha was distracted. In other words, Martha missed her opportunity because she was distracted." [01:05:03] (25 seconds)
"Fasting is setting aside a period of time, like 21 days. So let's just say for 21 days, I'm not going to go to the movies. I'm not going to watch the news, which may kill some of y 'all, but I'm not going to watch the news for 21 days. I'm not going to do social media for 21 days. I'm going to get rid of distractions. I'm not going to watch the movies. I'm not going to do social media for 21 days. Getting rid of distractions." [01:08:08] (19 seconds)
"Salvation is when you just reorder your list and you put Jesus at the top. If Jesus is not at the top of my list, I feel like I have to question my salvation. And I don't want to do that. So just put him at the top. Put him on the top of your list and all these other things will take care of themselves. They'll take care of themselves. I have decided to follow Jesus and I'm all in. No turning back." [01:16:20] (31 seconds)
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