Pressing Into Community and New Beginnings in Christ

 

Summary

In this gathering, we took a moment to pause and pray for our church family, especially those dealing with sickness and hardship. We lifted them up, asking for God's healing and encouragement, recognizing that when one of us hurts, we all hurt, and when one rejoices, we all celebrate. This sense of community and shared experience is central to our faith journey.

As we transition into a new year, I shared a prophetic word for 2025, which is another year of pressing. Reflecting on 2024, many of us felt pressed on every side, much like the apostle Paul described in 2 Corinthians 4:8. This pressing, though challenging, is producing something valuable within us, akin to the oil extracted from olives or the new wine symbolizing God's presence. The pressing is not just about enduring hardships but about breaking cycles that have held us back, allowing us to step into the new year with a renewed focus and determination.

The theme for this year is "New Year, New Me." It's not about making resolutions to be a better version of ourselves but about becoming a new creation in Christ. This involves pressing into God through worship, prayer, and community. We are called to live in circles, not rows, emphasizing the importance of discipleship and connection with one another. Our faith grows through these connections, and we must take our spiritual growth seriously.

Moreover, we are called to press on to our "more," which is the potential God has placed within each of us. This involves breaking free from the cycles of the past and setting up systems that support our growth. Our individual "more" is connected to the community and God's bigger picture for our church and city. As we embark on a 21-day fast, we will focus on God's presence, purpose, and provision, believing that 2025 will be a year of incredible growth and fulfillment for our church.

Key Takeaways:

1. Community in Prayer and Healing: We are reminded of the power of community in prayer, where we share in each other's joys and burdens. This collective support is vital for spiritual growth and healing, as we lift each other up in times of need. [27:58]

2. The Year of Pressing: 2024 was a year of pressing, producing valuable spiritual growth within us. This pressing is akin to the extraction of oil from olives, symbolizing the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Understanding this process helps us embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. [42:04]

3. Breaking Cycles for a New Beginning: The new year is an opportunity to break free from past cycles and step into a new identity in Christ. This involves setting up systems that support our growth and refusing to be locked in negative patterns. [47:32]

4. Pressing into God through Worship and Community: We are called to press into God through worship, prayer, and community. This involves taking our discipleship seriously and fostering connections that build our faith and spiritual growth. [51:45]

5. Pursuing Our "More": Each of us has a grace potential, a "more" that God has called us to pursue. This involves breaking free from limitations and stepping into the fullness of what God has for us, both individually and as a community. [56:11]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [27:58] - Community Prayer and Healing
- [29:21] - Offering and Generosity
- [30:36] - Legacy Lanes and Next Gen Ministry
- [35:44] - Gathering Together Post-Christmas
- [37:25] - Urgency and Preparation
- [39:15] - Prophetic Word for 2025
- [42:04] - Year of Pressing Reflection
- [45:05] - Understanding Cycles and Seasons
- [47:32] - Breaking Negative Cycles
- [50:22] - New Year, New Me
- [51:45] - Pressing into God
- [54:05] - Worship and Prayer Commitment
- [56:11] - Pursuing Our More
- [01:09:08] - 21-Day Fast and Focus
- [01:13:13] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 2 Corinthians 4:8 - "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair."
2. Hosea 6:3 - "Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord."
3. Ephesians 4:7 - "But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift."

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Observation Questions:

1. What does the sermon suggest is the significance of the "pressing" mentioned in 2 Corinthians 4:8? How does this relate to the experiences of 2024? [42:04]

2. According to the sermon, what is the symbolic meaning of olive oil and new wine in the context of spiritual growth? [42:04]

3. How does the sermon describe the difference between cycles and seasons, and why is this distinction important for spiritual growth? [47:32]

4. What role does community play in the process of pressing into God, as discussed in the sermon? [51:45]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might the concept of "pressing" in 2 Corinthians 4:8 be understood as a necessary part of spiritual growth rather than just a hardship? [42:04]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that breaking negative cycles can lead to a "New Year, New Me"? How does this align with the idea of becoming a new creation in Christ? [47:32]

3. How does the sermon interpret Hosea 6:3 in the context of pressing into God through worship and prayer? What does it mean to "press in"? [51:45]

4. How does the sermon connect the idea of grace potential in Ephesians 4:7 to the concept of pursuing one's "more"? [56:11]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt "pressed" in your life. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? How might you approach similar situations differently in the future? [42:04]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of breaking negative cycles. Identify a cycle in your life that you feel needs breaking. What steps can you take to begin this process? [47:32]

3. Consider your current approach to worship and prayer. How can you "press in" more intentionally in these areas to deepen your relationship with God? [51:45]

4. The sermon highlights the importance of community in spiritual growth. How can you actively engage with your church community to foster deeper connections and support mutual growth? [51:45]

5. Reflect on the concept of grace potential. What is one area of your life where you feel you have untapped potential? What practical steps can you take to pursue this "more"? [56:11]

6. As the church embarks on a 21-day fast, what is one thing you can fast from that would help you draw closer to God? How will you ensure that this fast is meaningful and transformative? [01:14:29]

7. How can you contribute to the collective "more" of your church community? What role do you see yourself playing in God's bigger picture for your church and city? [01:06:44]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

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Day 1: The Power of Community in Prayer

Description: In times of sickness and hardship, the strength of a community is revealed through collective prayer and support. When one member of the community suffers, the entire body feels the pain, and when one rejoices, all celebrate together. This interconnectedness is a vital aspect of spiritual growth and healing. By lifting each other up in prayer, we not only seek God's intervention but also reinforce the bonds that hold us together as a faith family. This shared experience of joys and burdens is a testament to the power of community in our spiritual journey. [27:58]

Bible passage: "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your community is currently in need of prayer and support? How can you actively participate in bearing their burdens today?


Day 2: Embracing the Year of Pressing

Description: The year 2024 was marked by a sense of pressing, much like the apostle Paul described being pressed on every side. This pressing, though challenging, is a process that produces valuable spiritual growth, akin to the extraction of oil from olives. It symbolizes the anointing of the Holy Spirit and the transformation that occurs through trials. Embracing this process allows us to see challenges as opportunities for growth, understanding that God is at work within us, refining and preparing us for greater things. [42:04]

Bible passage: "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair." (2 Corinthians 4:8, ESV)

Reflection: What current challenge in your life can you view as an opportunity for spiritual growth? How might God be using this situation to refine you?


Day 3: Breaking Cycles for a New Beginning

Description: As we step into a new year, we are given the opportunity to break free from past cycles and embrace a new identity in Christ. This involves setting up systems that support our growth and refusing to be locked in negative patterns. By doing so, we can step into the new year with a renewed focus and determination, ready to become a new creation in Christ. This transformation is not about self-improvement but about allowing God to reshape us into His image, breaking free from the limitations of the past. [47:32]

Bible passage: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

Reflection: What is one negative cycle or pattern in your life that you need to break? What practical steps can you take today to begin this process?


Day 4: Pressing into God through Worship and Community

Description: We are called to press into God through worship, prayer, and community, emphasizing the importance of discipleship and connection with one another. Living in circles, not rows, highlights the need for genuine relationships that foster spiritual growth. Our faith is strengthened through these connections, and we must take our spiritual growth seriously by engaging in practices that draw us closer to God and each other. This commitment to community and worship is essential for a vibrant and growing faith. [51:45]

Bible passage: "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: How can you deepen your connection with your faith community this week? What specific actions can you take to encourage and support others in their spiritual journey?


Day 5: Pursuing Our "More"

Description: Each of us has a unique potential, a "more" that God has called us to pursue. This involves breaking free from limitations and stepping into the fullness of what God has for us, both individually and as a community. Our individual growth is connected to the larger picture of God's purpose for our church and city. As we embark on a 21-day fast, we focus on God's presence, purpose, and provision, believing that this year will be one of incredible growth and fulfillment. [56:11]

Bible passage: "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us." (Ephesians 3:20, ESV)

Reflection: What is the "more" that God is calling you to pursue in this season? How can you align your daily actions with this calling to step into the fullness of His purpose for your life?

Quotes

"We're going to pray for encouragement for those who are going through a difficult time. And we're going to pray for healing for those who are dealing with sickness. And so, would you just pause? And right where you are, would you join me in prayer as we lift up those families? Father, I thank you." [00:27:25] (25 seconds)


"Father, I pray for those of us who are dealing with sickness in the midst of this holiday season. I just pray, God, that you would touch them, that you would let the healing virtue of Christ flow through their bodies even now. I declare the blood of Jesus cover and protect." [00:28:17] (20 seconds)


"Now, for many of us. 2024 was a year of pressing. We felt like. What the apostle Paul described. In 2nd Corinthians chapter 4 verse 8. When he said. We are hard pressed on every side. But not crushed. Perplexed. But not in despair. Can anybody attest to that?" [00:41:04] (17 seconds)


"Now I need you to understand this. Because there is a difference. Between cycles. And seasons. And for many. We like to talk about. Well this was just a difficult. Season. The issue is. Is seasons change. Over time. When time changes. No. No matter how. Much. I. Want it. To be. Spring." [00:46:04] (33 seconds)


"If you get locked in a negative cycle, that cycle is going to continue until Jesus comes unless you change. If I get locked in a cycle of debt and spending more than I make, and if I get locked in that cycle, that cycle will continue until Jesus comes unless I break the cycle." [00:47:32] (31 seconds)


"I'm not gonna get stuck in the cycle of my past but I'm gonna break those cycles I'm gonna move on to my more what is my more I need to teach this because I know that we have had questions in recent days and the last time I've talked about our more was at the beginning of this year in January." [00:56:11] (24 seconds)


"Our individual more is connected to a big picture. God's picture for our church. And our church's more is ultimately connected to a community. To a city. And for God's big picture. For Sand Springs. So, what am I asking you to do? Number one, in response to the new me, we'll press on to my more." [01:06:44] (37 seconds)


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Transcript
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