Embracing New Beginnings: Letting Go of Burdens

 

Summary

As we step into a new year, I am filled with excitement about the possibilities that lie ahead. This is a time to leave behind burdens that weigh us down and embrace the new opportunities God has for us. I want to share four specific burdens I am choosing to leave behind as we move into 2025.

First, I am letting go of my mistakes. Inspired by the Apostle Paul’s words to the Philippians, I am reminded that while I am not yet the person I aspire to be, dwelling on past failures only leads to unproductive shame and guilt. Instead, I am choosing to develop a stronger "forgetter," focusing on the grace and forgiveness that God offers. This means acknowledging my shortcomings but not allowing them to define me or hinder my progress.

Second, I am leaving behind the turmoil of the election. While it is important to be informed and engaged as a responsible citizen, I found myself caught in a cycle of negativity and polarization. This year, I am choosing to step away from the constant churn of opinions and anger, seeking instead to engage with my community in a more positive and constructive manner.

Third, I am releasing the tyranny of the clock. The feeling of never having enough time can be overwhelming, but I am reminded that God, who created time, has given me enough to accomplish what He has called me to do. I am choosing to cherish the moments I have, focusing on the freedom and space to live life fully and intentionally.

Finally, I am letting go of the need to appear bigger or more important than I am. Jesus’ words about welcoming children remind me that the kingdom of God is about humility and grace, not status or achievement. I want to embrace life with the simplicity and joy of a child, free from the pressure to prove myself.

As we enter this new year, I invite you to consider what burdens you might leave behind. Together, let us forget what is behind and press on toward the remarkable life God has for us in His kingdom.

Key Takeaways:

- Letting go of past mistakes is essential for spiritual growth. By focusing on God's grace and forgiveness, we can move forward without being weighed down by unproductive shame and guilt. This allows us to embrace the new opportunities God has for us. [02:00]

- Engaging with the world responsibly does not mean immersing ourselves in negativity. By stepping away from the constant churn of opinions and anger, we can find more constructive ways to contribute to our communities and live out our faith. [04:22]

- Time is a gift from God, and we have enough to accomplish what He has called us to do. By releasing the pressure of the clock, we can live more intentionally, cherishing the moments we have and focusing on what truly matters. [06:11]

- Embracing humility and simplicity allows us to experience the kingdom of God more fully. By letting go of the need to appear bigger or more important, we can live with the joy and freedom of a child, trusting in God's grace. [08:13]

- Reflect on what burdens you need to leave behind as you enter the new year. By forgetting what is behind and pressing on toward the life God has for us, we can embrace the remarkable journey ahead with our friend Jesus. [10:10]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Embracing New Beginnings
[00:28] - Leaving Burdens Behind
[00:54] - Letting Go of Mistakes
[02:33] - The Futility of Self-Flagellation
[03:30] - Moving Past Election Turmoil
[04:40] - Avoiding Negative Churn
[05:02] - Releasing the Tyranny of the Clock
[06:26] - Cherishing Time and Space
[07:11] - Embracing Humility
[08:31] - The Kingdom of God as a Gift
[09:03] - Rejecting the Need to Appear Bigger
[09:40] - Summary of Burdens to Leave Behind
[10:10] - Invitation to Reflect and Forget
[10:29] - Embracing the Future with Jesus

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Philippians 3:12-14 - "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 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. Mark 10:13-16 - "People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.' And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them."

Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he talks about "forgetting what is behind" in Philippians 3:13? How does this relate to the idea of letting go of past mistakes? [01:25]
2. In Mark 10:13-16, how does Jesus' reaction to the disciples' rebuke of the children illustrate the values of the kingdom of God? [07:54]
3. According to the sermon, what are the four burdens the speaker is choosing to leave behind as they enter the new year? [00:28]
4. How does the speaker describe the impact of the "tyranny of the clock" on their life, and what is their plan to address it? [05:02]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How might Paul's encouragement to "press on toward the goal" in Philippians 3:14 inspire someone to overcome feelings of inadequacy and shame? [02:00]
2. What does Jesus' welcoming of children in Mark 10:13-16 teach about humility and simplicity in the context of faith? How can this perspective challenge societal norms about status and importance? [08:13]
3. The sermon mentions the negative impact of being caught in the "churn of opinions and anger" during the election. How can stepping away from this negativity lead to more constructive community engagement? [04:22]
4. Reflecting on the speaker's decision to let go of the need to appear bigger or more important, how does this align with the biblical call to humility? [09:03]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a past mistake that you find difficult to let go of. How can you apply Paul's teaching in Philippians 3:13 to move forward with grace and forgiveness? [01:25]
2. Consider your current engagement with news and social media. Are there steps you can take to reduce exposure to negativity and focus on positive community involvement? [04:22]
3. How do you currently manage your time? Identify one practical change you can make to cherish the moments you have and live more intentionally. [06:11]
4. In what ways do you feel pressured to appear more important or successful than you are? How can embracing humility, as Jesus taught, bring more joy and freedom into your life? [08:13]
5. As you enter the new year, what specific burdens do you feel called to leave behind? How can you actively work towards forgetting what is behind and pressing on toward the life God has for you? [10:10]
6. Think of a situation where you might need to approach life with the simplicity and joy of a child. How can you practice this mindset in your daily interactions? [08:31]
7. Identify one area in your life where you feel the "tyranny of the clock." What is one step you can take this week to release that pressure and trust in God's timing? [06:11]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Grace Over Guilt
Letting go of past mistakes is essential for spiritual growth. By focusing on God's grace and forgiveness, we can move forward without being weighed down by unproductive shame and guilt. This allows us to embrace the new opportunities God has for us. [02:00]

"For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more." (Hebrews 8:12, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a past mistake that still burdens you. How can you actively choose to accept God's grace and move forward today?


Day 2: Constructive Engagement Over Negativity
Engaging with the world responsibly does not mean immersing ourselves in negativity. By stepping away from the constant churn of opinions and anger, we can find more constructive ways to contribute to our communities and live out our faith. [04:22]

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice." (Ephesians 4:31, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a recent conversation or media interaction that left you feeling negative. How can you approach similar situations with a mindset of peace and constructive engagement?


Day 3: Cherishing Time as a Divine Gift
Time is a gift from God, and we have enough to accomplish what He has called us to do. By releasing the pressure of the clock, we can live more intentionally, cherishing the moments we have and focusing on what truly matters. [06:11]

"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12, ESV)

Reflection: What is one activity you can prioritize today to ensure you are using your time in a way that aligns with God's purpose for you?


Day 4: Humility as the Path to True Joy
Embracing humility and simplicity allows us to experience the kingdom of God more fully. By letting go of the need to appear bigger or more important, we can live with the joy and freedom of a child, trusting in God's grace. [08:13]

"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 14:11, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on an area where you feel the need to prove yourself. How can you practice humility and find joy in simplicity today?


Day 5: Pressing On Toward God's Remarkable Journey
Reflect on what burdens you need to leave behind as you enter the new year. By forgetting what is behind and pressing on toward the life God has for us, we can embrace the remarkable journey ahead with our friend Jesus. [10:10]

"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead." (Philippians 3:13, ESV)

Reflection: What is one burden you can consciously choose to leave behind as you step into this new year? How will this decision impact your journey with God?

Quotes


I love Beginnings I love new starts I love the beginning of a calendar year I love the start of a school year back in the day there's something about that notion of thinking I can leave this behind and I can Embrace what's coming ahead that is kind of thrilling to me. [00:00:00]

I make lots of them and uh the idea for this really comes from the Apostle Paul when he's running to the church at Philippi and he says this not that I've already obtained all this already arrived to my goal but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus Took hold of me. [00:01:04]

I want to develop a stronger forgetter as I go forward where I'm aware of yep God I'm not yet the man I'm not the Dad I'm not the grandfather I'm not the communicator I'm not the pastor I'm not the volunteer I'm not the person that I want to be yet but I will not Rin over ways that I have messed up in the past. [00:02:14]

I want to be aware of what's going on in our government and in the economy I want to be a good citizen I want to be active and engaged in that way but I found there was so much tumult and so much churn and so much polarization over the election this last year that really for a period of seven years it was just very easy for me to kind of turn to Googling certain names or topics. [00:03:41]

I'm not going to I've already begun to not Google those items go to those sites and so on and finding other ways to deal with boredom I am leaving the negative aspects of that election in 201 24 back in 2024 and then I'm going to leave the tyranny of the clock. [00:04:40]

I do not have enough time to do what God is calling me to do uh can easily become kind of crippling for me and of course the reality is that the same God who created time is is the god who created me and God gives me the time to do all the thing that God expects me to do. [00:05:47]

I was remembering years ago when I first went to uh Chicago we were at a church well of Creek Church and there was another guy on staff named John Wallace and he came into my office early on that time I had a real clear portfolio I would just teach at what we called new community services. [00:06:19]

Jesus has this very remarkable statement in the gospel of Mark where people are trying to bring little children to him for him to touch them and the disciples responds no no no he's too busy he needs to be doing important things around important people and this actually makes Jesus angry and he says let them come to me and don't prevent it. [00:07:31]

Mark 10 he Embraces them and he places his hands on them and He blesses them and he actually says uh the kingdom of God belongs to or is made up of ones like these and if you don't injure it like them humble lowly no entitlement no earning no comparing just walk right on in. [00:08:00]

I always wrestle with that tempation to try to look bigger smarter stronger more important more successful and I want to move up by moving down I want to move forward by moving backwards and embrace life more and more and more like a little child in that sense where I can just simply be who I am and I don't have to look any bigger. [00:09:06]

My question for you today take a moment what do you want to leave behind and and these are our words yours and mine as we go into this year this one thing I do forgetting what is behind what is the Sanctified holy call to forget that Jesus is inviting you to letting go of that so that I can push on. [00:09:58]

Strain strain towards strive towards with God's help eagerly Embrace whatever remarkable life that God has for me together with my friend Jesus in his kingdom in 2025 so I'll see you there keep forgetting develop your forgetter. [00:10:17]

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Transcript
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