Letting Go: Embracing Growth in Christ

 

Summary

In the exploration of personal growth and spiritual development, the focus is placed on the importance of knowing Christ and the transformative power of His resurrection. The journey towards spiritual maturity is acknowledged as ongoing, with the recognition that perfection has not yet been attained. This journey is characterized by a conscious effort to forget past shortcomings and to strive towards future goals, as inspired by the teachings of the Apostle Paul in Philippians chapter 3.

The message emphasizes the significance of letting go of the past, including both failures and successes, to fully embrace the potential of the new year. It is suggested that holding onto past experiences can act as spiritual and emotional baggage, hindering one's ability to live fully in the present and to pursue God's plan for their life. The encouragement is to release these burdens and to move forward with renewed focus and determination.

The discussion includes a list of six specific things that individuals may need to let go of as they enter the new year. The first is the sin and harmful habits that are contrary to God's will and are destructive to one's life and relationships. The second is the guilt and shame of past sins, which, once confessed and forgiven, should no longer hold power over an individual. The third is bitterness and grudges, which can poison the heart and prevent one from experiencing freedom and peace.

The fourth point addresses the need to let go of unmet expectations, which can lead to frustration and disappointment when one's plans do not align with God's purpose. The fifth point is the importance of releasing past failures, understanding that failure is not final and that perseverance is key to achieving greatness in God's kingdom. The sixth and final point is the need to let go of past successes, which can lead to complacency and hinder one's ability to take bold steps of faith in the future.

The message concludes with a call to reflection, inviting individuals to consider what is holding them back and what they need to leave behind in order to run the race that God has set before them with passion and purpose. The ultimate goal is to enter the new year with a heart ready to embrace God's plan, free from the weights of the past.

Key Takeaways:

- Knowing Christ intimately and experiencing the power of His resurrection is the most significant pursuit in life. This relationship is not just about intellectual knowledge but involves sharing in His sufferings and becoming like Him in His death, with the hope of resurrection. This transformative journey requires continuous growth and a commitment to spiritual maturity. [41:02]

- Letting go of the past is essential for spiritual progress. Whether it's past sins, guilt, or even past successes, clinging to these memories can impede one's ability to live in the present and to embrace what God has in store for the future. The act of forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead is a powerful step towards spiritual freedom. [42:24]

- Bitterness and unforgiveness can be a heavy burden that poisons the soul. Forgiving others as Christ forgave us is the key to releasing this burden. It is a decision that can lead to personal liberation and the restoration of joy and peace in one's life. The act of forgiveness is not just a gift to the one who wronged us but a profound step towards our own healing. [53:41]

- Unmet expectations can lead to a life of discontent and frustration. Recognizing that God's purpose prevails over our own plans invites a posture of trust and submission to His will. This surrender is not a sign of weakness but a courageous acceptance of God's sovereignty and a willingness to follow His lead, even when it diverges from our own desires. [56:04]

- Failure is an inevitable part of the human experience, but it does not define us. The response to failure is what shapes character and faith. Rising after a fall, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is a testament to the resilience and determination that marks a life lived in pursuit of God's kingdom. This perspective on failure can transform it from a stumbling block into a stepping stone for growth. [01:00:02]

Study Guide

### Bible Reading

1. Philippians 3:10-14 (NIV)
> "I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 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. Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
> "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

3. Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
> "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

4. Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV)
> "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

### Observation Questions

1. According to Philippians 3:10-14, what is Paul's primary goal in his spiritual journey?
2. In Philippians 3:13-14, what does Paul say he does with the past, and what is his focus for the future?
3. What does Hebrews 12:1 instruct believers to do with the things that hinder and the sin that entangles?
4. According to Isaiah 43:18-19, what does God encourage His people to do with the former things, and what new thing is He doing?

### Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul emphasize the importance of "forgetting what is behind" in Philippians 3:13? How might this apply to personal spiritual growth?
2. How does the concept of "pressing on toward the goal" in Philippians 3:14 relate to the idea of a heavenly calling in Christ Jesus?
3. In Hebrews 12:1, what might be some examples of "everything that hinders" and "the sin that so easily entangles" in a believer's life?
4. How does Isaiah 43:18-19's message of forgetting the past and perceiving the new thing God is doing provide hope and direction for believers?

### Application Questions

1. Reflecting on Philippians 3:13-14, what is one past mistake or success you need to let go of to focus on your future growth in Christ? How will you take steps to do this?
2. Considering Hebrews 12:1, identify one specific sin or harmful habit that is entangling you. What practical steps can you take this week to throw it off and run your spiritual race more effectively?
3. Based on Isaiah 43:18-19, what is one area of your life where you need to stop dwelling on the past and start perceiving the new thing God is doing? How can you actively participate in this new thing?
4. Reflecting on Ephesians 4:31-32, think of a person you need to forgive. What is one specific action you can take this week to extend kindness and compassion to them, following Christ's example of forgiveness?
5. What is one unmet expectation or past failure that you need to release to trust in God's plan for your life? How will you surrender this to God and seek His guidance for your future?

Devotional

Day 1: Intimacy with Christ Transforms Life
To know Christ intimately is to experience a transformation that goes beyond mere intellectual assent. It is a deep, personal sharing in His sufferings and a hope-filled embrace of His resurrection. This relationship is the cornerstone of spiritual maturity, inviting continuous growth and a commitment to becoming more like Him in every aspect of life. [41:02]

Colossians 3:1-3 - "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with Christ today, and in what ways might this transform your approach to life's challenges?

Day 2: Embracing the Present by Releasing the Past
Letting go of the past, whether it involves sins, guilt, or successes, is crucial for spiritual progress. It frees one to live fully in the present and to embrace God's plans for the future. Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead is a liberating step towards spiritual freedom. [42:24]

Isaiah 43:18-19 - "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
Reflection: What past experiences are you holding onto that may be hindering your spiritual growth, and how can you begin to let them go?

Day 3: The Healing Power of Forgiveness
Bitterness and unforgiveness are burdens that poison the soul. Choosing to forgive, as Christ forgave us, is a decision that leads to personal liberation and the restoration of joy and peace. Forgiveness is not only a gift to the offender but a profound step towards our own healing. [53:41]

Ephesians 4:31-32 - "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Reflection: Who do you need to forgive in your life, and what steps can you take today to begin the process of forgiveness and healing?

Day 4: Trusting God's Purpose Over Personal Plans
Unmet expectations can lead to frustration and discontent. Recognizing that God's purpose prevails invites a posture of trust and submission to His will. Surrendering to God's sovereignty is a courageous acceptance that His plans are greater than our own. [56:04]

Proverbs 19:21 - "Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails."
Reflection: What unmet expectations have you been holding onto, and how can you surrender these to trust in God's greater purpose for your life?

Day 5: Perseverance Through Failure
Failure is an inevitable part of life, but it does not define us. Our response to failure shapes our character and faith. Rising after a fall, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is a testament to the resilience that marks a life lived in pursuit of God's kingdom. [01:00:02]

Psalm 37:23-24 - "The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent failure. How can you view this experience as a stepping stone for growth, and what practical steps can you take to move forward with God's guidance?

Quotes

1) "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." [42:24] (Download)

2) "Imagine how far you could go for Jesus Christ without that weight. Friends, this could be the year. It is time, by the power of His Spirit, to let them go, to move on." [45:34] (Download)

3) "It is time to stop cuddling your sin and tolerating your sin and making excuses for your sin and secretly running to your sin again and again whenever you need comfort." [46:14] (Download)

4) "I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I remember your sin no more. I remember your sin no more." [48:20] (Download)

5) "Resentment is like drinking poison every day expecting the other person to die. But the person you're holding a grudge against, they're fine, they've moved on." [52:19] (Download)

6) "The greatest threat to your future success is your current success. The greatest threat to your future success is your current success." [01:03:24] (Download)

7) "We can reach this point when we think we're done. We did it all... But now that we've achieved so much, it is a lot scarier to get out of the boat when you got a lot to lose." [01:04:30] (Download)

8) "What has been the baggage you've been dragging around? What is it that's holding you back? What is it that's weighing you down in your life?" [01:05:51] (Download)

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Transcript
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