Embracing New Beginnings: Our Purpose in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Chosen for a Purpose

Our existence in this era is not by chance; it is a divine appointment. As Seventh-day Adventists, we are uniquely equipped to face the challenges and opportunities of our time. Our spiritual DNA is crafted for this moment, and our mission is clear: to win souls and disciple believers for eternity. This calling is both intentional and significant, reminding us that we have a unique message to share with the world. Embracing this purpose requires faith and determination, as we navigate the complexities of modern life with the assurance that we are part of God's grand design. [00:55]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: What specific talents or opportunities has God given you to fulfill your purpose in this era? How can you use them to impact those around you today?

Day 2: Embracing New Beginnings

The New Year is a time of renewal, offering a fresh start and a chance to leave behind past disappointments and failures. Like the Apostle Paul, who chose to forget what lay behind and reach forward to what lay ahead, we too must not let past experiences embitter or incapacitate us. Instead, we are called to move forward with hope and confidence, trusting that God has great opportunities and moments awaiting us. This mindset of embracing new beginnings allows us to grow and thrive, unburdened by the weight of past mistakes. [01:44]

"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?" (Isaiah 43:18-19, ESV)

Reflection: What past failure or disappointment do you need to let go of to embrace the new opportunities God has for you this year?

Day 3: Renewal Through the Holy Spirit

This is a time for new vision, consecration, and communion with Christ, empowered by the regeneration of the Holy Spirit. As we deepen our relationship with God, the Holy Spirit enables us to cultivate new love and faith, essential for our spiritual growth and mission. This renewal is not a one-time event but a continuous process of transformation, allowing us to align our lives with God's will and purpose. By embracing this renewal, we become more effective in our mission to win souls and disciple believers. [02:33]

"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need the Holy Spirit's renewal? How can you invite Him to transform your heart and mind today?

Day 4: Faithfulness to Our Mission

As Seventh-day Adventists, our mission is to win souls and disciple believers for eternity. This calling requires faithfulness and dedication, recognizing the unique message we have for the world at this time. Our mission is not just a task but a way of life, shaping our actions and decisions as we seek to fulfill God's purpose for us. By remaining faithful to this mission, we contribute to the advancement of God's kingdom and the transformation of lives. [00:55]

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)

Reflection: How can you remain steadfast in your mission to win souls and disciple believers, even when faced with challenges or discouragement?

Day 5: Hope in a New Creation

The promise of a new heaven and a new earth, as seen by the Apostle John, inspires us to remain faithful. This vision of righteousness encourages us to be part of God's new beginning, living with hope and anticipation. As we hold onto this promise, we are reminded that our present struggles are temporary, and a glorious future awaits us. This hope fuels our faith and motivates us to live in a way that reflects God's kingdom, anticipating the day when righteousness will dwell in the new creation. [02:33]

"But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." (2 Peter 3:13, ESV)

Reflection: How does the promise of a new creation influence your daily life and decisions? What steps can you take to live with hope and anticipation of God's future kingdom?

Sermon Summary

As we step into this New Year, we are reminded of the unique purpose and mission that God has entrusted to us as Seventh-day Adventists. We are living in a time that many of our ancestors longed to see, and we have been chosen to be here for a specific reason. Our DNA is crafted for this era, and our mission is clear: to win souls and disciple both long-term and new members for eternity. This is a time of new challenges, opportunities, and possibilities, and we must embrace them with faith and determination.

Reflecting on the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:13, we are encouraged to forget what lies behind and reach forward to what lies ahead. Paul acknowledged his imperfections and the disappointments of the past, yet he chose not to let them hinder his progress. Similarly, we must not allow our past failures and mistakes to burden us. Instead, we should look forward with hope and confidence, knowing that great opportunities and moments await us.

This New Year is a chance for us to renew our vision, consecrate ourselves anew, and deepen our communion with Christ. It is a time to cultivate new love and faith, empowered by the regeneration of the Holy Spirit. As we move forward, let us hold onto the promise of a new heaven and a new earth, as seen by the Apostle John. Let us remain faithful so that we can be part of this new beginning, where righteousness dwells.

Key Takeaways

1. day Adventists, our mission is to win souls and disciple believers for eternity. We must remain faithful to this calling, recognizing the unique message we have for the world at this time. [00:55]
5. Hope in a New Creation: The promise of a new heaven and a new earth, as seen by the Apostle John, inspires us to remain faithful. This vision of righteousness encourages us to be part of God's new beginning, living with hope and anticipation.

** [00:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:55] - Purpose in Our Time
[01:44] - Embracing New Beginnings
[02:33] - Renewal Through the Holy Spirit
[02:33] - Hope in a New Creation

Sermon Clips

"We are moving further forward with new challenges, new opportunities, and new possibilities. We are in exciting times. It is a time that many of our ancestors wished they could experience. We are alive at this time for a particular purpose. I believe when God looked down the annals of time, he chose us to be born at this time. Hence, our DNA is for this time." [00:00:40]

"I believe our purpose as Seventh-day Adventists is to fulfill the mission of winning individuals and discipling both the long-term members and the new ones for eternity. I'm convinced that God has given us the message that this nation needs at this time in our history." [00:01:09]

"If the truth were told, we have not always been faithful in carrying out this message. As we are in the new year, I will refer to the Apostle Paul who states in Philippians 3:13, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead." [00:01:28]

"The apostle humbly recognized that he had not yet reached perfection. As a result, the past had been disappointing, so he wants to forget, he was not going to allow the frustrating experiences he had to condition, embitter, frustrate or incapacitate him from going forward." [00:01:47]

"Indeed, the sad stories, failures and mistakes of the past should not be a burden. We need to reach out to what is ahead and in an act of hope and confidence in the future. Ahead of us are great opportunities, great moments, and great circumstances." [00:02:15]

"This new year is a time to begin with new vision, new consecration, new communion with Christ, new love and new faith, all thanks to the regeneration of the Holy Spirit." [00:02:33]

"But long before Ellen White, the Bible delineated a positive end. The Apostle John says, saw a new heaven and a new earth where dwells righteousness. Let us be faithful so that we can be a part of this new beginning." [00:02:56]

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