Embracing Transformation: Moving Forward in Faith

 

Summary

As we gather at the threshold of a new year, we are reminded of the importance of respecting the past without relying on it. Like an old quilt made from scraps of fabric, our past experiences—both joyful and challenging—are woven into the tapestry of our lives. These pieces, though they carry stories and memories, are transformed into something new and beautiful by God's hand. This transformation is a reminder that while our past shapes us, it does not define us. We are called to press forward, embracing the new things God is doing in our lives.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, exemplifies this mindset. He reflects on his past accomplishments and religious zeal, recognizing them as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. Paul urges us to forget what lies behind and strain toward what is ahead, focusing on the heavenly prize that God has set before us. This active choice to release the past allows us to embrace God's new plans and purposes.

As we step into this new year, we are in a time of transition, both individually and as a community of believers. It is a time to reflect on God's past works, which build our faith for the future. We are encouraged to engage in 24 hours of prayer, seeking God's direction and preparing our hearts for the year ahead. This time of prayer is not just a ritual but an opportunity to focus on God's presence and align ourselves with His will.

In practical terms, we are called to reflect with gratitude, release what hinders us, and resolve to pursue Christ above all else. By doing so, we can see the light and be the light, shining forth God's love and truth in new ways. As we partake in Holy Communion, we are reminded of Christ's sacrifice and our commitment to walk with Him into the future He has prepared for us.

Key Takeaways:

1. Transformation Through God's Hand: Like a quilt made from old fabric, our past experiences are transformed by God into something new and beautiful. This transformation reminds us that while our past shapes us, it does not define us. We are called to embrace the new things God is doing in our lives. [42:40]

2. Forgetting the Past: The Apostle Paul teaches us to forget what lies behind and strain toward what is ahead. This active choice to release the past allows us to embrace God's new plans and purposes, focusing on the heavenly prize that God has set before us. [58:31]

3. Reflecting on God's Past Works: Reflecting on God's past works builds our faith for the future. It is important to remember how God has been at work in our lives, using those reflections to inspire us to move forward rather than paralyze us with nostalgia. [55:06]

4. Releasing What Hinders Us: We are encouraged to identify areas in our lives where we may be relying too much on past successes or dwelling on regrets. By releasing these hindrances, we can trust in God's grace and move forward into the future He has prepared for us. [01:05:22]

5. Pursuing Christ Above All Else: Like Paul, we are called to make knowing Christ our ultimate goal. By focusing on Christ and His calling, we can navigate the uncertainties of the future with confidence and purpose, shining forth God's light in new ways. [01:06:41]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [20:33] - Children's Message: The Calendar
- [24:05] - Offering and Gratitude
- [31:02] - Appreciation for Connie
- [33:32] - Year in Review Video
- [37:26] - Cross Awards and Fellowship
- [42:40] - Respecting the Past Without Relying on It
- [51:29] - Paul's Reflection on Past Accomplishments
- [55:06] - Reflecting on God's Past Works
- [58:31] - Forgetting the Past
- [59:39] - Actively Choosing to Forget
- [01:01:43] - Straining Toward What is Ahead
- [01:05:22] - Releasing What Hinders Us
- [01:06:41] - Pursuing Christ Above All Else
- [01:09:06] - Holy Communion and Commitment

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Philippians 3:7-14
- Isaiah 43:18-19
- Psalm 77:11-12

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Observation Questions:

1. In Philippians 3:7-14, what does Paul consider as "loss" and why does he view it this way?
2. How does the sermon describe the transformation of past experiences, using the quilt analogy? [42:40]
3. What is the significance of the 24 hours of prayer mentioned in the sermon, and how does it relate to the theme of transition? [01:06:41]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Paul's perspective on his past accomplishments challenge the way individuals might view their own achievements? [51:29]
2. What does it mean to "forget the former things" as mentioned in Isaiah 43:18-19, and how can this be applied to personal life transitions? [58:31]
3. Reflecting on Psalm 77:11-12, how can remembering God's past works build faith for the future, and what might be the dangers of nostalgia? [55:06]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a past experience that you have been holding onto. How can you actively choose to release it and focus on what lies ahead? [59:39]
2. The sermon encourages us to "see the light and be the light." What practical steps can you take this week to shine God's love and truth in your community? [01:05:22]
3. How can you incorporate the practice of gratitude into your daily routine to acknowledge God's constant presence in your life? [01:01:43]
4. Identify an area in your life where you might be relying too much on past successes. What steps can you take to trust in God's grace and move forward? [01:05:22]
5. The sermon mentions the importance of pursuing Christ above all else. What specific actions can you take to make knowing Christ your ultimate goal this year? [01:06:41]
6. How can you prepare your heart for the upcoming year through prayer and reflection, as suggested in the sermon? [01:07:18]
7. During Holy Communion, we are reminded of Christ's sacrifice. How can this reminder influence your commitment to walk with Him into the future He has prepared for you? [01:09:06]

Devotional

Day 1: Transformation Through God's Hand
Our past experiences, like an old quilt, are transformed by God into something new and beautiful. This transformation is a reminder that while our past shapes us, it does not define us. We are called to embrace the new things God is doing in our lives. Just as a quilt is made from various pieces of fabric, our lives are composed of diverse experiences—some joyful, others challenging. These experiences, when surrendered to God, are woven together into a tapestry that reflects His grace and purpose. This process of transformation is ongoing, inviting us to trust in God's ability to create beauty from the fragments of our past. [42:40]

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 past experience do you need to surrender to God today, trusting Him to transform it into something beautiful?


Day 2: Forgetting the Past
The Apostle Paul teaches us to forget what lies behind and strain toward what is ahead. This active choice to release the past allows us to embrace God's new plans and purposes, focusing on the heavenly prize that God has set before us. Paul recognized that his past accomplishments and religious zeal were insignificant compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. By choosing to let go of what is behind, we open ourselves to the new opportunities and directions God has for us. This requires intentionality and faith, as we trust in God's guidance for our future. [58:31]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (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, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith."

Reflection: What is one thing from your past that you need to actively choose to forget in order to move forward with God’s plans for you?


Day 3: Reflecting on God's Past Works
Reflecting on God's past works builds our faith for the future. It is important to remember how God has been at work in our lives, using those reflections to inspire us to move forward rather than paralyze us with nostalgia. By looking back at God's faithfulness, we gain confidence in His continued presence and provision. This reflection is not about dwelling on the past but about recognizing God's hand in our journey and allowing it to fuel our faith as we step into the future. [55:06]

Psalm 77:11-12 (ESV): "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds."

Reflection: How has God shown His faithfulness in your life in the past year, and how can this reflection strengthen your faith for the future?


Day 4: Releasing What Hinders Us
We are encouraged to identify areas in our lives where we may be relying too much on past successes or dwelling on regrets. By releasing these hindrances, we can trust in God's grace and move forward into the future He has prepared for us. This involves a conscious decision to let go of anything that holds us back, whether it be pride in past achievements or guilt over past mistakes. By releasing these burdens, we make room for God's grace to work in our lives, enabling us to pursue His purposes with freedom and joy. [01:05:22]

Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV): "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, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: What is one specific hindrance you need to release today to fully embrace the future God has for you?


Day 5: Pursuing Christ Above All Else
Like Paul, we are called to make knowing Christ our ultimate goal. By focusing on Christ and His calling, we can navigate the uncertainties of the future with confidence and purpose, shining forth God's light in new ways. This pursuit requires a commitment to prioritize our relationship with Christ above all else, allowing His love and truth to guide our actions and decisions. As we seek to know Him more deeply, we become vessels of His light, reflecting His love to those around us. [01:06:41]

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: In what ways can you prioritize your relationship with Christ today, ensuring that He remains your ultimate focus and guide?

Quotes


"there it is maybe you've seen one that's passed down through generations or perhaps you've even made one yourself quilts are remarkable because they're made from scraps of fabric and they're often pieces of clothing that once served a purpose but they're no longer useful as garments that shirt that your grandfather wore to work a dress that you wore as a baby a skirt that your mother loved a child's blanket they all get stitched together into something new now modern quilting is a little bit different and Ken chides me all the time about how his grandma would have totally freaked out if she watched me cutting apart new material to sew back up into something different just for the hobby of it wouldn't seem to have much purposefulness to her but the beauty of a traditional quilt lies in how it honors the past and each piece of that quilt carries a story a memory a connection to what came before but here's the thing those pieces don't remain what they once were they're no longer shirts or dresses they've been transformed into something brand new something different something larger than themselves a quilt that serves a new purpose often for a new generation of people and as we step into a new year the quilt story can remind us of a really important truth we can respect the past" [00:44:29]

"without relying on it like the scraps of a quilt our past experiences both the joys and the struggles are part of god's story in our lives and sometimes what those pieces came from have stains on them in other parts but just because they have stains doesn't mean that they're not salvageable the story behind each of those garments shape us but they're not meant to define us or to hold us back instead god takes those pieces and he weaves them into something new something beautiful and this is exactly what paul is talking about in philippians 3 7 through 14 you can see that the story behind each of those garments shape us but they're not meant to define us he comes from a people who are rememberers and in this season of hanukkah we know that our jewish friends and neighbors we know that they're people of remembrance but paul reflects on his his past his accomplishments his identity his zeal and he recognizes that they are not they are not what he's now called to do let's read that passage together paul recalls where he's coming from but he presses forward trusting that god is doing something new in his life you know let me take a break back let me go back for a minute today i'd like to acknowledge that we are in a time of transition every new year is a time of transition and we are in a time of transition but it's even more so for us this year and we stand at a crossroads as a community of believers and it's not always comfortable is it some of us may even be pondering if if this new era includes us we're irritated at this and we question that we just aren't feeling it and the this and the that and the it may it sometimes become more pressing and more important than moving on and working through and the truth is brothers and sisters nobody can do that work for you that's work that can only be done on your knees and that's why we're beginning this new year with 24 hours of prayer and we're going to do that work for you 24 hours of prayer not because it's magic but because it's a time when we can really focus and that's why you're going home today with some questions and reflections for guidelines for reflections to prepare your heart for january 1st 2025 so today as we look at the scripture we're going to try to learn from the apostle paul's testimony and we're going to try to learn from the apostle paul's testimony and we're going to explore how we can honor the past while embracing god's future for us and like that quilt stitched together from old fabric our lives are being transformed by god's hand into something greater than we could have ever imagined so let's reflect together on how we can respect the past without relying on it as we press on toward the prize that god has set before us let's stand together i'm reading today out of the new international version and you can find it in your pew if it's easier than the screen for you but this is what he what it says but whatever were gains to me i now consider loss for the sake of christ and what is more i consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing christ jesus my lord for whose sake i have lost all things i consider them garbage that i may gain christ and be found in him" [00:46:42]

"not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law but that which is through faith in christ the righteousness that comes from god on the basis of faith and he says i want to know christ yes to experience the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings and becoming like him in his death and so somehow attaining to the resurrection of the dead and i'm going to switch over to this i don't mean to say that i've already achieved these things or that i have already reached perfection but i'm going to switch over to this and i'm going to i'm going to switch over to this i'm going to talk about perfection but i press on to possess that perfection for which christ jesus first possessed me no dear brothers and sisters i have not achieved it but i focus on this one thing forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead i press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which god through christ jesus is calling us let's pray heavenly father teach us today how to reflect on our past without clinging to it show us from the words of your servant how you would have us to move forward into this new year trusting you and your plan for this community as we strive to walk worthy of the calling you have given to us letting go of reliance on past achievements or past failures and embracing god's new work in our lives help us to hear you today in jesus name amen you may be seated so paul begins this chapter of the book ofians by reflecting on his past accomplishments included his religious zeal and his accomplishment in following the law all good things his works though his service to god as he understood it at the time i like to call this paul's resume he's trying to put his best foot forward and let folks know why this is so meaningful." [00:51:29]

"By the time he is writing this letter, he considers these accomplishments loss compared to knowing Christ. Paul's example shows us that while we can remember our past, well, we can remember those things that we have done or been. We can't let it define us or limit us. Now, remember, Paul's Bible was not ours. Paul relied on the traditions of his people, and he relied on the Old Testament books, including the Psalms. In Psalm 77, we are encouraged to remember the deeds of the Lord. Yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work and meditate on your mighty deeds. And it's good and it's right to reflect of the work of the Lord in the past. And reflecting on God's past works builds faith for the future. Now, for those of you who are taking notes, I'm going to say that's worth writing down. Reflecting on God's past works, God's past works builds our faith for the future. Let me ask you this. Is your reflection for the future working to build your faith? I'm sorry, your reflection on God's past work working to build your faith for the future? Or is it paralyzing you with nostalgia? Let's go back to the quilt analogy. The pieces of that quilt, might fill you with some powerful memories. But you don't live your life hiding under a blanket, right? Remembering the past should be an inspiration for our future and not an invitation to curl up and quit. We offer God respect by learning from our past, whether the past holds successes or failures, we can acknowledge how God has been at work through our past life. We have faith that the God who worked and brought us through our past is present now." [00:55:06]

"And he will pull us through whatever the future holds. So reminding us, reflecting on God's past works builds faith for the future. For the future. Idolizing achievements or dwelling on regrets keeps us stuck. And it keeps us from moving forward into the future that he's prepared for us. It keeps us from responding to the call of the new. Paul uses really strong language calling his former accomplishments garbage in the new. NIV translation. But that's a really tame translation. The King James Version uses the word dung. The TikTok version may use other four -letter words you're not very comfortable with. But Paul was intending shock value to represent the complete shift in his priorities. Valuing Christ, above anything else. And to that extent of being dung under his feet from the past. And he urges believers to focus not on their own righteousness, but on that which comes through faith in Christ. Now to you, this may be the old, old story. But to Paul, it was not. To Paul, following Christ was an entirely new and different thing. He was living and breathing. Isaiah 43. Forget the former things. Do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing, says the Lord. And God calls us to release our grip on the past so we can embrace the new. So we can embrace his new plans. Dwelling too much on what is behind prevents us from even being able to see what lies ahead." [00:58:31]

"And the word that's translated forget here is not just this passive slipping away of memory. It's not like forgetting where you put your car keys. It's not like forgetting the name and the face together. Here's the word. Forgiving or forgetting is not... Oh, let me try that again. Here, forgetting is an active choice to stop calling the past to mind. Stop dwelling on who did what to whom. Stop chewing on your offenses. Stop sipping your cup of annoyances. Stop hashing over those decisions you don't agree with. Stop draining others' time to add their opinions to your offenses. Here's a way to put that stuff to rest in your conversations when they start happening. Are you ready for this? Okay, turn to your neighbor and say, I'm ready for this. In fact, I'm going to give you two ways to put that... conversation to rest. Ready? What did you learn from that? And the second one is, where are you finding the Lord in that? It's not all that uncomfortable. Let's practice together. Read them with me. What did you learn from that? Where are you finding the Lord in that? See, it didn't hurt. These conversations that come to us that we realize are not redemptive or not restorative, turn them around for good. What did you learn from that? What are you finding the Lord in that? Don't use them in a snarky way. That's not what I'm saying. You're not. Use them with discernment and integrity because they are powerful tools that will set the captives free. I believe that." [00:59:39]

"The Lord says, forget the former things. Do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing. Shift your focus from what you've done before. From what's been done to you in the past. From what's been done around you in the past. So that you can see the new thing that God wants to do in your life. Paul calls that straining. Because it's hard. Straining toward what is ahead. The idea of straining lets us know, that ridding ourself of the hindrances of the past, it's not easy. The past plays tug of war with us. With our minds and our hearts. And the fight against our habits and our patterns of thinking requires full force spiritual battle. It's not natural. And we're not natural. do we fight spiritual battles it's not on our phones it's not on facebook it's on our knees and maybe flat on our faces in humility that's another reason for starting the year with 24 hours of prayer together back to philippians verse 14 reminds us that our goal is not only actively forgetting the past but refusing to dwell on it but it's also straining actively forward to move into the future we fix our eyes on christ who is the ultimately dependable human representation of the gospel and the gospel of the church and the gospel of the church and the gospel of the of a creative god who is doing a new thing every morning and a new thing in a new year a new time religion for a new time in layton and we will not compromise on the callings of christ followers but we will find new ways to live it out this year so here are our practical steps for moving forward first one is on your knees but the first word is reflect reflect with gratitude for god's constant presence in your life for his preparation for exactly this moment in history exactly this place in geography exactly this time on this day in history exactly this time on this day in history around the calendar and exactly the people you're doing it with thank god for how he's worked in your life up until now and respect the past for its faith forming function not for its ability to keep you stuck second one is to release release what hinders you identify areas in your life where you may be relying too much on the successes you've had, we've had in the past." [01:01:43]

"Or by letting go of the things that weigh you down with regret or shame. Pray for strength to let go and to trust in God's grace. And finally, resolve above all to pursue Christ. Like Paul, make knowing Christ your ultimate goal in every activity that you're involved in. This year our theme is on the front of your bulletin. See the light, be the light. Together we're going to dive deeply into understanding God as revealed in three persons. And we'll set our goals to shine forth that light to others in new ways as God opens opportunities with our eyes fixed on him. We're not going to be derailed by the pull of the past or by the circumstances surrounding us or by the uncertainties facing us, but we will focus on a future that fulfills the mission and purpose that God has called us to. I'm doing a new thing, says the Lord. And I hope that you'll all join in that 24 hours of prayer. Please prepare your hearts today. Monday, and Tuesday, so that on Wednesday, we can pray together for a fresh start to a new year. Come any time from midnight on January 1st to midnight on January 2nd. We'll have some prayer stations set up, but mostly, like I said before, it's just time around the altar. Of course, you can pray at home. But the challenge is that we get out of an opportunity about what we put into it. And so we demonstrate our own commitment to ourselves and to others by sacrificial participation, and not necessarily by convenience. Because there's something powerful that happens when God's people come together in his presence. And sense God's presence. And search for God's direction together. So at the top of each hour, that means at 1 o 'clock, 2 o 'clock, 3 o 'clock, 4 o 'clock, top of each hour, we will report, we'll share what we've heard from the Lord as we've spoken to him, as we listen to him, as we reflect on him. And from our time together, it's my hope that we're going to form, a firm foundation for our future in 2025." [01:05:22]

"Turn to the back of your bulletin. See that space that says, mark your calendar, or think ahead, or whatever it says? It's pending. It's pending prayer. One other way that we can come together here. Is by ending our time together this morning. Ending our 2024 in Holy Communion. And we always, we always open the altar for communion to all. But we also always invite you to reflect on what you need from God during this communion time. This is our verse for. reflection during communion this morning but one thing i do forgetting what is behind and straining forward toward what is ahead i press on toward the goal to win the prize for which god has called me heavenward in christ jesus as i prepare communion close your eyes and think about his love his mercy his grace that's brought you through he gathered around his friends gathered with his friends and he invited them to communion them to participate in a brand new thing he said to them this is my body that is broken for you and this is my blood that is shed for your sins come with me he said maybe not using those words come with me walk with me live with me" [01:09:06]

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Transcript
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