Embracing Renewal: A Christ-Centered New Year

 

Summary

As we step into a new year, it's a time to refocus and renew our commitment to Jesus Christ. Reflecting on Jeremiah 32:40, we are reminded of God's unwavering promise to do good for His people, regardless of what the year may hold. This assurance should embolden us as we embrace the opportunities and responsibilities ahead. As a church, we are transitioning to the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible, which we believe is the best translation available today. This change aims to enhance our confidence in the Word of God and deepen our engagement with Scripture.

In Philippians 3, we find six exhortations that guide us into the new year. First, we must acknowledge that we have not yet lived as we desire, much like the Apostle Paul, who despite his deep commitment to Christ, recognized his own shortcomings. This realization is a mark of spiritual health, urging us to strive for more in our walk with Christ. Second, we are encouraged not to give up on becoming the person God calls us to be. Paul exemplifies this by pressing on towards a life of fuller devotion, driven by the redeeming work of Jesus Christ.

Third, our passion should be energized by Christ's work in our lives. The fact that Jesus has claimed us as His own should fuel our pursuit of a godly life. Fourth, we must not let our past hinder our pursuit of a Christ-exalting life. Instead, we should allow God to use our past experiences for His glory and the benefit of others. Fifth, we are called to exert maximum effort in light of the ultimate prize—the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. This perspective helps us live with purpose and urgency, knowing that our time is limited.

Finally, we should anticipate the future with hope and joy, understanding that living for Christ transforms our perspective on life and death. As we consider these exhortations, we are challenged to make resolutions that align with God's purposes. Personally, I resolve to advance world missions, encourage and equip others, and live intentionally in light of eternity. These resolutions invite us to dream big, invest our days wisely, and steward our resources for the rapid advance of the Gospel.

Key Takeaways:

1. Acknowledge Your Spiritual Journey: Recognizing that we have not yet lived as we desire is a sign of spiritual health. Like Paul, we should strive for more in our walk with Christ, understanding that this realization propels us toward deeper devotion. [07:25]

2. Persevere in Your Calling: Despite not having reached our spiritual goals, we must press on, driven by the redeeming work of Jesus. Our passion for a godly life should be fueled by Christ's claim on us, motivating us to pursue a life of fuller devotion. [09:12]

3. Release the Past: Letting go of past regrets and pains is crucial for pursuing a Christ-exalting life. By allowing God to use our past for His glory, we can move forward with purpose and avoid being defined by what lies behind. [12:48]

4. Strive for the Ultimate Prize: Living with the end in mind, we should exert maximum effort in our spiritual race, knowing that the ultimate prize is the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. This perspective helps us live with urgency and purpose. [18:36]

5. Live with Hope and Joy: Anticipating the future with hope and joy transforms our perspective on life and death. Living for Christ ensures that our future is bright, as we draw closer to the prize of the upward call of God. [21:56]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:17] - New Year Reflections
- [00:49] - Transition to ESV Bible
- [02:32] - Importance of Bringing Your Bible
- [04:22] - Six Exhortations from Philippians 3
- [05:28] - Acknowledge Your Spiritual Journey
- [08:09] - Persevere in Your Calling
- [09:12] - Energize Your Passion
- [11:30] - Release the Past
- [15:46] - Strive for the Ultimate Prize
- [18:36] - Live with Hope and Joy
- [24:20] - Personal Resolutions for the New Year
- [25:10] - Advance World Missions
- [30:37] - Encourage and Equip Others
- [38:21] - Live Intentionally in Light of Eternity

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Jeremiah 32:40
- Philippians 3:12-14

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Observation Questions:

1. What promise does God make to His people in Jeremiah 32:40, and how does this promise provide comfort as we enter a new year? [00:33]

2. In Philippians 3:12-14, what does Paul admit about his spiritual journey, and how does this reflect a healthy spiritual mindset? [05:50]

3. How does the sermon describe the transition to the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible, and what reasons are given for this change? [01:05]

4. What are the six exhortations from Philippians 3 mentioned in the sermon, and how do they guide us into the new year? [04:22]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does acknowledging our spiritual shortcomings, as Paul does, serve as a catalyst for deeper devotion to Christ? [07:25]

2. What does it mean to "press on" in our spiritual journey, and how can Christ's claim on us energize our passion for a godly life? [09:12]

3. How can releasing past regrets and pains enable us to pursue a Christ-exalting life, and what role does God play in transforming our past for His glory? [12:48]

4. What is the "ultimate prize" Paul refers to, and how does living with this perspective influence our daily actions and decisions? [18:36]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your spiritual journey. In what areas do you feel you have not yet lived as you desire, and how can you strive for more in your walk with Christ this year? [07:25]

2. Consider a past regret or pain that may be hindering your spiritual growth. How can you release it to God and allow Him to use it for His glory? [12:48]

3. What specific steps can you take to exert maximum effort in your spiritual race, keeping the ultimate prize in mind? How can this perspective bring urgency and purpose to your life? [18:36]

4. How can you live with hope and joy, anticipating the future with a Christ-centered perspective? What changes might you need to make in your daily routine to align with this mindset? [21:56]

5. The sermon encourages making resolutions that align with God's purposes. What are some specific resolutions you can make to advance world missions, encourage others, or live intentionally in light of eternity? [24:20]

6. How can you actively participate in the church's transition to the ESV Bible, and how might this enhance your engagement with Scripture? [02:32]

7. Identify one person in your life who you can encourage or equip in their spiritual journey. What practical steps can you take to support them this week? [30:57]

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace Your Spiritual Journey
Recognizing that we have not yet lived as we desire is a sign of spiritual health. Like the Apostle Paul, who despite his deep commitment to Christ, acknowledged his own shortcomings, we too should strive for more in our walk with Christ. This realization propels us toward deeper devotion and encourages us to pursue a life that aligns more closely with God's will. It is important to understand that acknowledging our spiritual journey is not about dwelling on our failures but about using them as a catalyst for growth and transformation. [07:25]

"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." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your spiritual life where you feel you have not yet lived as you desire? How can you take a step today to grow in that area?


Day 2: Persevere in Your Calling
Despite not having reached our spiritual goals, we must press on, driven by the redeeming work of Jesus. Our passion for a godly life should be fueled by Christ's claim on us, motivating us to pursue a life of fuller devotion. This perseverance is not about striving in our own strength but about relying on the power of Christ within us. As we press on, we are reminded that our journey is not a sprint but a marathon, requiring endurance and faithfulness. [09:12]

"Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific way you can persevere in your calling today, even if you feel weary or discouraged?


Day 3: Release the Past
Letting go of past regrets and pains is crucial for pursuing a Christ-exalting life. By allowing God to use our past for His glory, we can move forward with purpose and avoid being defined by what lies behind. This release is not about forgetting our past but about surrendering it to God and trusting Him to redeem it for His purposes. As we release the past, we open ourselves to the new things God wants to do in and through us. [12:48]

"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: Is there a specific regret or pain from your past that you need to release to God today? How can you begin to trust Him to use it for His glory?


Day 4: Strive for the Ultimate Prize
Living with the end in mind, we should exert maximum effort in our spiritual race, knowing that the ultimate prize is the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. This perspective helps us live with urgency and purpose, understanding that our time is limited and that our lives have eternal significance. Striving for the ultimate prize is about aligning our daily actions with our eternal goals, ensuring that we are investing our time and resources in what truly matters. [18:36]

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it." (1 Corinthians 9:24, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to align your daily actions with your eternal goals?


Day 5: Live with Hope and Joy
Anticipating the future with hope and joy transforms our perspective on life and death. Living for Christ ensures that our future is bright, as we draw closer to the prize of the upward call of God. This hope and joy are not dependent on our circumstances but are rooted in the unchanging promises of God. As we live with hope and joy, we become a testimony to the world of the transformative power of the Gospel. [21:56]

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:13, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a sense of hope and joy in your life today, regardless of your current circumstances?

Quotes


"Face the fact as we move into this new year, that you have not yet lived as you want to face the fact that you have not yet lived as you want to. Now it's so striking to me to see the Apostle Paul saying this so clearly verse 12 not that I have already obtained all this and verse 13 the same thing Brothers I do not consider that I have have yet made it my own." [00:54:12]

"Don't give up on becoming the person God calls you to be. Now you notice how he goes on here to say I press on to make it my own verse 12 see it would be very easy to become discouraged and to reason like this hey I've been a Christian for years and I've still not reached the point of living the Christian Life as I want to live it." [00:57:36]

"Energize your passion from the redeeming work of Jesus Christ. Now I just love the way the ESV puts this here and it's a marvelous translation I press on to make it my own because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Isn't that beautiful? I'm pressing on to make a more Godly life my own for this reason because Jesus Christ has made me his own." [00:59:16]

"Don't let your past hinder your pursuit of a Christ-exalting life. Whatever you do this year don't let your past hinder your pursuit of a Christ-exalting life. Now notice what he says in verse 13 one thing I do forgetting what is behind. Now let me put this as plainly as I can the easiest way for you to waste your life is to get hung up on stuff that happened in the past." [01:03:30]

"Extend the maximum effort in the light of the Ultimate Prize. Now I'm just looking at what Paul's saying in these couple of marvelous verses do you see there in verse 13 He says forgetting what lies behind and straining forward there's exertion in that word straining forward for what is ahead so it's not only that I have to draw a line from the past I have to go for what lies ahead." [01:06:14]

"Anticipate the future with hope and with joy. Now look at this and Savor this verse 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize what is the prize the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus again a brilliant translation the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus he says now I think of myself as being like in a short race I'm going for the tape." [01:09:06]

"If you live for anything in this world as your main consuming passion then to die is all loss it's all loss for this reason think about it if you're consuming passion is golf or reading or travel or technology or food or music or movies or family, if your consuming passion is anything in this world then to die is all loss because it puts your consuming passion beyond your reach." [01:13:19]

"But if you live for Jesus Christ your future will be bright as your remaining years get less and you become aware of the limitations of time you are getting closer to the prize for which you've been living which is the upward call of God in Christ Jesus this is how to become old with joy and with hope how to endure illness with with hope and with vibrancy." [01:16:32]

"Do more to advance the cause of World Mission. The mission statement of the orchard you know well say it with me to glorify God by multiplying god-centered Christ exalting World transforming Believers through the gospel where in the greater Chicago area and around the world world around the world about n months ago someone in the congregation said to me, Colin I get the strategy for our mission in the greater Chicago area we're doing multi-site that's good." [01:24:54]

"Do more to encourage and equip others. You I have many Heroes of the faith one one is a great Bible teacher and Pastor by the name of Warren weby many of you know and love the ministry of Warren weby I sat in a meeting one time years ago um when Warren WBY was asked this question if you could have all your years of ministry over again what would you do differently and you know what he said he said if I could have all these years over again I would do more to encourage God's people." [01:28:48]

"Live more intentionally in the light of Eternity. The prize of the upward call next week we're going to begin the final stage in our three-part Journey called The Inside Story I'm going to look at the inside story of your future life death and what lies Beyond in the presence of Jesus Christ and what will happen in the days of his return every one of us wants if we love the Lord to hear his voice say to us well done good and faithful servant." [01:35:01]

"Living more intentionally the light of Eternity it means choosing your dream it means investing your days it means releasing your dollars not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect but I press on to make it my own because Christ Jesus made me his own and for that I shall spend and I hope you will spend all eternity lost in Wonder and love and praise." [01:48:09]

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Transcript
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