Embracing New Beginnings: Our Purpose in Christ
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. Purpose in Our Time: We are alive in this era for a specific purpose, chosen by God to fulfill His mission. Our unique DNA equips us to face the challenges and opportunities of today, reminding us that our calling is both intentional and significant. [00:55]
2. Embracing New Beginnings: The New Year offers a fresh start, a chance to leave behind past disappointments and failures. Like the Apostle Paul, we must not let past experiences embitter or incapacitate us but instead reach forward with hope and confidence. [01:44]
3. Renewal Through the Holy Spirit: This is a time for new vision, consecration, and communion with Christ. The Holy Spirit regenerates us, enabling us to cultivate new love and faith, essential for our spiritual growth and mission. [02:33]
4. Faithfulness to Our Mission: As Seventh-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. [02:33]
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
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Philippians 3:13 - "Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead."
2. Revelation 21:1 - "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the Apostle Paul mean when he talks about "forgetting those things which are behind" in Philippians 3:13? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about leaving past disappointments behind? [01:44]
2. How does the sermon describe the unique purpose and mission of Seventh-day Adventists in today's world? [00:55]
3. What role does the Holy Spirit play in renewing our vision and faith according to the sermon? [02:33]
4. How does the vision of a new heaven and a new earth, as seen by the Apostle John, inspire us to remain faithful? [02:33]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways might past failures and mistakes hinder a person's spiritual progress, and how can they overcome these obstacles according to the sermon? [01:44]
2. How does the concept of being chosen for a specific purpose in this era influence the way Seventh-day Adventists approach their mission? [00:55]
3. What does it mean to have a "new vision, new consecration, and new communion with Christ" as mentioned in the sermon? How can this be practically achieved in one's life? [02:33]
4. How does the promise of a new creation in Revelation 21:1 provide hope and motivation for believers to remain faithful to their mission?
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a past failure or disappointment that you need to let go of. How can you actively work on forgetting it and moving forward with hope and confidence? [01:44]
2. Identify a specific way you can contribute to the mission of winning souls and discipling others in your community. What steps will you take to fulfill this purpose? [00:55]
3. How can you cultivate a deeper communion with Christ in this New Year? What specific practices or habits will you implement to achieve this? [02:33]
4. Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to regenerate your love and faith this year? [02:33]
5. What does the vision of a new heaven and a new earth mean to you personally? How does it shape your daily life and decisions? [02:33]
6. Think of a new beginning you want to embrace this year. What practical steps will you take to ensure it aligns with your faith and mission? [01:44]
7. How can you remain faithful to the unique message and mission of Seventh-day Adventists in your daily interactions and decisions? [00:55]
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?
Quotes
"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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