Pressing Forward in Faith: Embracing New Beginnings

 

Summary

In the message delivered by Pastor Dave Rajoon, he explores the concept of moving forward in faith, drawing from biblical texts and personal reflections. He begins by referencing 2 Corinthians 5:17, which speaks of becoming a new creation in Christ, and Philippians 3:13-14, where Paul emphasizes pressing on towards the future that Christ has prepared. Pastor Rajoon likens this to Jesus reserving a seat for us, suggesting that we must actively press on to claim what has been secured for us.

The message then delves into the intersection of spirituality and reality, acknowledging that while faith is lived through spiritual eyes, reality presents tangible challenges. Pastor Rajoon points to the divine nature given to believers, a concept rooted in the incarnation of Jesus. He explains that Jesus' birth through a human vessel, rather than a miraculous appearance, was intentional to demonstrate that the divine nature can fill human frailty.

Pastor Rajoon recounts the biblical story of Moses and Joshua, highlighting the transition of leadership and the importance of embracing new seasons. He draws parallels between the biblical narrative and the contemporary experience of the church, emphasizing the significance of times of refocusing and reevaluation. He encourages listeners not to waste crises but to seek God's guidance and make the most of challenging situations.

The message further explores the theme of looking forward by examining the Book of Joshua. Pastor Rajoon emphasizes the importance of strength, courage, and adherence to God's word for prosperity and success. He warns against the dangers of complacency and the necessity of utilizing spiritual armor in the face of adversity.

Pastor Rajoon shares a personal testimony of his recent health challenges, expressing gratitude for the support he received and reaffirming his trust in God's faithfulness. He reflects on the importance of transparency in leadership and the power of testimony to encourage others.

As the message concludes, Pastor Rajoon calls for a leap of faith into the new year, trusting in God's guidance and promises. He encourages listeners to lay their plans before God and to partner with Him in realizing their hopes and dreams. The message ends with a time of worship and a reaffirmation of faith in God's presence and promises.

Key Takeaways:

- Embracing the new creation in Christ involves actively pressing forward to claim the future prepared for us, just as Paul did. This requires a conscious effort to move beyond past achievements and failures, focusing on the potential and promises that lie ahead. [01:29:22]

- The divine nature within believers, exemplified by the incarnation of Jesus, empowers them to transcend their human limitations. This divine nature is not just about God being with us but also about God living within us, transforming us from the inside out. [01:32:38]

- The transition from Moses to Joshua represents the importance of recognizing and stepping into new seasons of leadership and opportunity. It is crucial to learn from the past but not to remain tethered to it, as God continually calls us to move forward and claim the promises He has set before us. [47:15]

- Strength and courage are essential for walking in faith, especially when facing the unknown. Believers are called to be bold in their pursuit of God's will, even when it defies logic or understanding, trusting that God's plans are greater than any visible obstacles. [01:13:07]

- Personal testimonies of overcoming challenges through faith are powerful tools for encouragement and ministry. Sharing one's journey can inspire others to trust in God's faithfulness and to seek His guidance in their own lives. [39:26]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
2. Philippians 3:13-14 - "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."
3. Joshua 1:1-9 - "After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 'Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.'"

#### Observation Questions
1. What does 2 Corinthians 5:17 say about the transformation that occurs in Christ?
2. According to Philippians 3:13-14, what is Paul's approach to his past and future?
3. In Joshua 1:1-9, what specific instructions and promises does God give to Joshua? [47:15]
4. How does Pastor Rajoon describe the significance of Jesus' incarnation in relation to our divine nature? [01:32:38]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of being a "new creation" in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) influence a believer's daily life and decisions?
2. What might Paul mean by "pressing on toward the goal" in Philippians 3:13-14, and how can this be applied to personal spiritual growth?
3. Why is it important for Joshua to be "strong and courageous" according to Joshua 1:1-9, and how does this relate to the challenges believers face today? [47:15]
4. How does Pastor Rajoon's personal testimony of overcoming health challenges through faith illustrate the power of transparency and testimony in leadership? [39:26]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on 2 Corinthians 5:17, what are some old habits or mindsets you need to leave behind to fully embrace your new identity in Christ?
2. In what areas of your life do you need to "press on" as Paul describes in Philippians 3:13-14? What practical steps can you take to focus on the future God has prepared for you?
3. How can you cultivate strength and courage in your faith journey, especially when facing unknown or challenging situations? [47:15]
4. Pastor Rajoon emphasizes the importance of not wasting crises but seeking God's guidance during challenging times. Can you identify a recent crisis in your life, and how can you use it as an opportunity for growth and refocusing? [51:40]
5. How can you actively claim the promises God has set before you, as Joshua was instructed to do? What specific promises from God's word are you holding onto this year? [47:15]
6. Pastor Rajoon shared his health struggles and the support he received from the church community. How can you be more transparent about your own struggles and seek support from your faith community? [39:26]
7. As you look forward to the new year, what plans and dreams do you need to lay before God, trusting in His guidance and promises? How can you partner with God to realize these hopes and dreams? [01:29:22]

Devotional

Day 1: Claiming Our Future in Christ
Embracing our identity as new creations in Christ means actively pursuing the divine future laid out for us. It's about shedding the old self, with its past successes and failures, and stepping into the fullness of what we are meant to be. This pursuit is a conscious effort to align with God's promises and potential for our lives. [01:29:22]

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 achievements or failures are you holding onto that might be preventing you from embracing the new things God is doing in your life?

Day 2: Divine Nature Within Us
The divine nature bestowed upon us through Christ empowers us to overcome our human frailties. This divine indwelling is transformative, enabling us to live out our faith with the strength that comes from God Himself. It's not merely about God's presence around us but His life within us, shaping our very being. [01:32:38]

2 Peter 1:3-4 - "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate an awareness of God's divine nature within you, and how might this change your approach to daily challenges?

Day 3: Embracing New Seasons of Leadership
The transition from Moses to Joshua teaches us the importance of recognizing and stepping into new seasons with courage and faith. It's about learning from the past but not being anchored to it, as we heed God's call to move forward. Each new season is an opportunity to claim the promises and leadership roles God has prepared for us. [47:15]

Joshua 1:5-6 - "No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them."
Reflection: What new season or role might God be calling you into, and how can you prepare yourself to step into it with faith and courage?

Day 4: Strength and Courage in Faith
Walking in faith requires strength and courage, particularly when facing the unknown or when God's will seems to defy human logic. Believers are called to be bold and steadfast, trusting that God's plans are greater than any obstacles we can see. This boldness is rooted in a deep adherence to God's word and promises. [01:13:07]

Deuteronomy 31:6 - "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Reflection: Can you identify an area in your life where you need to demonstrate greater strength and courage in faith, and what practical steps can you take to do so?

Day 5: The Power of Testimony
Sharing personal testimonies of overcoming challenges through faith is not only a form of ministry but also a source of encouragement for others. It's a powerful way to witness God's faithfulness and to inspire trust in His guidance. Transparency in our journey allows others to see the reality of God's work in our lives. [39:26]

Revelation 12:11 - "They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death."
Reflection: What is a recent challenge you've overcome where you saw God's faithfulness? How can you share this testimony to encourage someone today?

Quotes

1) "We are shaped by the future, not defined by the past. Your past is there, but you can't let that define you because there are some things in your past that a lot of us might be a little embarrassed to talk about." [01:19:33] (Download)

2) "The future is always for you. It may not look bright, it may not look good, but the future is ahead of you because time always runs in a linear fashion, time doesn't go backwards or sideways, it moves constantly forward." [01:01:24] (Download)

3) "God says to Joshua, 'Arise, go over this Jordan, you and all the people, to the land which I am giving to them.' There's still a promised land that I said I'm going to give to you." [47:15] (Download)

4) "The future belongs to those who are bold enough to claim it. If you're bold enough to go forward and take hold of it, it belongs to you." [01:21:53] (Download)

5) "God says, 'I have plans for you.' I say, 'I have plans for myself as well.' Many of the plans of a man's heart, but it's God who establishes them." [01:28:42] (Download)

6) "God's divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by glory and virtue." [01:32:38] (Download)

7) "God says to Joshua again, 'I will never leave you nor will I forsake you.' How many of you remember when Jesus told the disciples that? 'I will be with you always.'" [01:10:12] (Download)

8) "God is always doing new things. The trick is to say, 'God, what are you doing new in my life?' and not just to say, 'God, what are you doing?' but to see what God is doing." [55:59] (Download)

9) "God says, 'I have a plan for you.' Jeremiah 29:11, 'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord, 'plans to give you hope, plans to give you a future.'" [01:27:01] (Download)

10) "I understand who I am, I understand what God has placed me here for, and also I understand how we can encourage. That's what a testimony is all about." [01:23:04] (Download)

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?