Walking in Vision: Letting Go (Worship 1/25/26)

Jan 25, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: Releasing the Weight of Past Guilt and Shame

Many of us carry the heavy weight of past choices, replaying old sins like a recurring loop in our minds. This burden of guilt and shame often acts as a barrier, preventing us from fully experiencing a personal relationship with God. Just as a runner cannot perform well while carrying extra weight, we are invited to lay down these burdens at the feet of Jesus. By acknowledging these past hurts and poor choices, we allow God to set us free to move forward. True faith involves letting go of the "bad stuff" that the enemy uses to distract us from God's vision. [33:43]

"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." Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific memory or past failure that you find yourself confessing over and over again, and how might God be inviting you to finally leave it at the altar today?

Day 2: Living Fully as a New Creation in Christ

When we choose to follow Jesus, a spiritual transformation occurs where the old life is wiped away and a new one begins. It can take time for our hearts to catch up to the reality that the slate has been wiped clean in God's eyes. We are no longer defined by our old reputations, status, or the distractions that once seemed so important. Instead, we are shaped and formed by the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. Embracing this identity allows us to walk confidently as sons and daughters of the one true King. [41:34]

"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: In what ways do you still struggle to see yourself as a "new creation," and what is one truth about your identity in Christ that you can remind yourself of when old labels resurface?

Day 3: Training for the Marathon of Faith with Perseverance

The journey of faith is rarely a short sprint; it is a lifelong marathon that requires intentional training and stamina. To run this race well, we must utilize the spiritual tools God has provided, such as prayer, worship, and the study of His Word. Just as an athlete must stay hydrated and wear the right equipment, we need to nourish our souls to avoid becoming entangled by sin. Standing firm on the foundation of God's promises ensures that our labor is never in vain. By persisting through challenges, we move closer to the vision God has uniquely marked out for us. [45:03]

"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..." Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)

Reflection: Looking at your current daily rhythm, which spiritual "training habit"—like prayer, scripture reading, or fasting—feels most neglected, and how could you reintroduce it this week?

Day 4: Blocking Out Distractions by Fixing Eyes on Jesus

In a world filled with material possessions, busy schedules, and constant noise, it is easy to lose sight of our spiritual direction. We are called to fix our eyes on Jesus so intently that everything else around us begins to fade into the background. This level of focus requires us to intentionally block out the distractions that pull us away from God's kingdom. When we prioritize our vertical relationship with Him, we find the clarity needed to navigate the chaos of life. By keeping our gaze on the Author of our faith, we can pick up our cross daily and follow Him. [47:46]

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)

Reflection: What is the primary "distraction" in your life right now that competes for your attention toward God, and what practical boundary could you set to help you refocus on Him?

Day 5: Pressing Forward to Carry the Torch of Love

Like a soldier moving forward or an athlete carrying a torch, we are called to advance the kingdom through acts of love and mercy. True freedom is found when we allow God to replace our anger and hate with His divine compassion. This vision of love empowers us to forgive those who have hurt us and to serve those in need within our community. Whether it is writing a card, feeding the hungry, or offering a kind word, every act of service reflects the light of Christ. We press on toward the finish line, eager to receive the victor's crown that awaits those who keep the faith. [01:03:38]

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7 (ESV)

Reflection: Is there someone in your life who has caused you pain or "stabbed you in the back," and what would it look like to take one small step toward forgiving them this week?

Sermon Summary

Asbury’s message calls believers to move from a life anchored in past failure and status to one shaped by the gospel’s forward-moving vision. The argument begins with honest confession: guilt, shame, and reputational chains can tether a person to yesterday and keep them from the work God intends. Drawing on Paul’s declaration in Philippians 3:12–14, the case is made that letting go of what once defined a life — privilege, reputation, and sin — is the necessary first act for walking into God’s calling. That release is not merely moral exhortation but an identity shift: in Christ believers are new creations, their slate washed clean, and therefore freed to take deliberate steps toward God’s goal.

Faith is framed as a disciplined race requiring training, habits, and community. Practical spiritual practices — regular worship, prayer rhythms, scripture immersion, journaling, even fasting — are offered as the “equipment” that builds stamina for the long haul. The imagery of a runner and the Roman soldier presses the point: protection and forward motion depend on keeping eyes fixed ahead, not on looking back. Stories bolster the teaching: Paul’s own transformation from persecutor to missionary and the tale of Louis Zamperini illustrate the gospel’s power to replace bitterness with purpose and to turn status or trauma into a platform for mercy.

The end goal is described with clarity: finish the race, not merely participate. The promised victor’s crown is less about personal glory and more about a life poured out for the kingdom — labor that bears fruit beyond visible results. Practical next steps anchor the theological claim: identify a guiding word or scripture, establish one habit this week to refocus on Jesus, and choose a single act of Kingdom service. The invitation is not to performance but to reoriented identity and steady obedience — a weekly discipline of letting go, pressing on, and trusting that God shapes the trajectory. The tone is urgent yet pastoral: the Christian life is a marathon requiring commitment, community, and the relentless fixing of the eyes on Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. Let go of the past Letting go is not forgetting but reassigning the weight where it belongs — to God’s forgiveness and restorative work. Releasing status, shame, and old reputations opens the hands to receive new calling and to move without the anchors that once determined identity. This act is both theological (new identity in Christ) and practical (making room for new rhythms and relationships). [34:40]
2. Live as a new creation New creation language reframes failure as a point of departure, not a permanent address. Embracing this identity changes behavior because actions flow from a transformed self-understanding rather than guilt-driven performance. The community plays a central role in forming and sustaining that identity through discipleship and service. [40:56]
3. Press forward with perseverance Spiritual progress is modeled as athletic training: intentional habits, proper equipment (prayer, Word, worship), and consistent practice build endurance. Perseverance refuses episodic zeal; it chooses steady obedience and prepares believers for long-distance ministry amid setbacks. The race metaphor honors struggle while insisting on purposeful motion toward Christ. [44:22]
4. Fix eyes on Jesus Fixing the eyes means discriminating focus — so intense it screens out idols, distractions, and old narratives that derail the journey. This disciplined gaze fosters sacrificial living, aligning daily choices with the Kingdom’s aim rather than fleeting cultural rewards. It is both a spiritual posture and a corrective practice for distracted souls. [47:46]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[04:59] - Series & Winter Worship
[05:33] - How to Connect with Asbury
[06:31] - Alpha Course Overview
[07:26] - Acts Bible Study Info
[09:03] - Online Giving Instructions
[26:06] - Walking in Vision Series Recap
[27:56] - Scripture Reading: Philippians 3:12–14
[34:40] - Let Go of the Past
[43:39] - Press Forward in Faith
[52:10] - Finish the Race: The Goal
[64:36] - Practical Steps to Apply

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading

Philippians 3:12–14 (ESV)
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 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.

Observation questions

In Philippians 3:13-14, what is the “one thing” Paul does? What two actions does this involve?
According to the passage, what is the “goal” and the “prize” that Paul is pressing on toward?
What were some of the things from Paul’s past that he had to let go of, such as his status and reputation? ([36:16])
The Christian life is compared to a marathon. What kind of “equipment” or training is needed to run this race with perseverance? ([45:44])

Interpretation questions

Paul talks about “forgetting what is behind.” Does this mean we should have no memory of our past sins or accomplishments? What does it mean to let go of the weight of the past so we can move forward in God’s vision? ([34:40])
The idea of “fixing our eyes on Jesus” is described as a focus so intense that it blocks out everything else. ([47:46]) What are some of the modern-day distractions (possessions, activities, worries) that this kind of focus helps us to screen out?
The image of the Roman soldier with a breastplate but no backplate was used to illustrate the need to always move forward. ([50:56]) In what ways does turning back or running away from challenges in our spiritual life leave us more vulnerable?
Louis Zamperini’s story shows how God can transform a life from being a prisoner of hate to a messenger of forgiveness. ([01:00:17]) How does his experience demonstrate the truth that in Christ, “the old has gone, the new is here”? ([40:56])

Application questions

We all carry the weight of past hurts, failures, or even successes that can hold us back. What is one thing from your past—a failure, a reputation, or a source of shame—that you feel God is asking you to let go of so you can walk in His vision for you? ([38:09])
Living as a “new creation” means our old life is gone. In what area of your life do you sometimes still feel defined by your “old self”? How can this group help you live more fully into your new identity in Christ this week?
Perseverance in the faith requires training. What is one spiritual habit you can establish or re-commit to this week to help you “train” for the race ahead and fix your eyes on Jesus? ([01:05:32])
We are called to press forward by serving others and working for the kingdom. What is one specific act of service—a phone call to a friend, a card to someone in need, or helping someone in a practical way—that you can do this week to live out your faith tangibly? ([01:07:10])
Faith is not about living into our own dreams, but into God’s vision for our lives. ([33:43]) Where might your personal dreams and God’s vision for you be in conflict? How can you begin to align your desires with His?
Standing firm means we don’t let the chaos of the world move us. ([48:43]) What current challenge or worry is tempting you to take your eyes off Jesus? What helps you to stand firm and trust Him in those moments?

Sermon Clips

49s

#SpiritFilledHeart

“``in a very personal way. The power of the Holy Spirit came upon me and filled me full and overflowing. It was at that moment that the head knowledge of the faith, the head knowledge of a a preacher's kid growing up in a preacher's home and going to church every Sunday and Sunday school every Sunday, the head knowledge of someone who had gone to divinity school and and learned whatever they had to give us, It was when that head knowledge dropped from what I knew to the heart. And the words of Jeremiah chapter 31 verse 33 that God is gonna write his words on your heart. That came to fruition in my life and my life was never the same after that.”

62s

#FixEyesOnJesus

“The Greek for fixing your eyes upon Jesus has this connotation that you fix your eyes on something so intently that you block out everything else around you. And so as it's caused us to fix our eyes on Jesus as we run the race of faith, that's to fix our eyes in such a way that we block out the distractions. We block out the world. We block out the material possessions. We we block out all the things that take us away from walking in God's vision. We block out our past, our sin, our our reputation, our status, and we claim our new status as a new creation, as a son or daughter of the one true king, as someone who is following Jesus and daily picking up our cross and following him no matter the cost.”

66s

#ForgivenessTransforms

“It was about being a new creation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And that night, hearing Billy Graham preach, Louis gave his life to Jesus, and his life would never be the same. He was a new creation. He let go of the past. He God gave him strength to let go of the anger, to let go of the hate. He said after that, he said that night, God took away the hate and replaced it with a love. Love was his vision. He was called to walk in love from that day forward, God's love. He made several trips to Japan and would go around speaking and would forgive the soldiers who fall so hard against the allied forces. And he he even was able to write letters to the soldier who was so brutal to him, who beat him, who humiliated him, And he let that soldier know, hey, I love you, God loves you, and I forgive you.”

78s

#PressForwardInFaith

“You know, the Roman I love the image of the Roman soldiers back in Jesus' time. They wore a breastplate on the front, and it was strapped on by leather straps in the back, and that was intentional. Why didn't they have a a backplate to go along with the breastplate? And that was because they wanted the soldiers to keep moving forward. If the soldiers turned to run away from the enemy, they were more susceptible. But as long as they kept going forward, they had the best chance of being protected because of the armor that they wore. And that's how it is for us. We are, to move onward, to to press forward in our faith, at all cost to do all we can to live our lives as a holy and living sacrifice, not turning away from the challenge of the kingdom of God, not turning away from the the chaos in this world, but to take it head on, to stand firm in the Lord, to bathe ourselves in prayer and in God's word and in Christian community so that we can be all that we can be and so we can walk in the vision God has for our lives and so press forward.”

57s

#LetGoToMoveForward

“The first thing that is Paul frames these two verses with is is let go. He says, I I had to let go of my past so that I could move forward. Right? And so it is with us. We've got to learn to let go of the heavy weight. When Andy said remember last week, he was talking about remember what God's done for us, what God did in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord, what God did in the covenant that led up to that, and what God's doing in the new covenant that even we celebrated last week with, the sacrament of baptism. But today, God is telling us, hey, as we remember, we need to let go of the bad stuff, the stuff that Satan wants to use to create a barrier between us and our personal relationship with God.”

48s

#SpiritualDisciplineDaily

“We've got to stay in God's word to to read it, to digest it, to put it into practice in our lives. We may wanna journal and and reflect and write down ideas that we feel God speaking to us as he guides our steps, as he gives us his vision for our life. We've got to make sure that that maybe it's fasting. And so he gives us these tools and gives us the equipment to to walk forward, to be able to walk into his vision. We too have to take care of the physical temple that, that he's given us so that we can be all we can be for him, be all that we can be for our families, be all that we can be for the church.”

43s

#ChooseYourGuidingWord

“And today we're gonna kinda continue that theme of remembering and reflection, but we're gonna take it to another level. We're gonna see how God continues to guide us to discerning his vision and so we can choose a word, maybe it's a word like love, faith, mercy, forgiveness that will guide you over the course of the next few weeks. Maybe it's organized, maybe it's comfort, maybe it's peace. It could be a scripture that God gives you to cling to either in this season or the year ahead or even give you a life verse.”

40s

#SpiritualTrainingMatters

“But runners also, they have to eat right, they have to stay hydrated, different things can affect them from what they wear to the right tennis shoes. If you've got the wrong tennis shoes as a runner, you're gonna know it and it's gonna get in the way. So you've got to have the right equipment so that you can persevere as you run the race. And for Christians, it's no different. We've got to be in training in in worship. That's one way we can train. Spending time in prayer with Jesus is another way we can train. That intentionality we talked about the first two weeks of this series.”

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Walking in Vision: Letting Go (Worship 1/25/26)

Devotional

Day 1: Releasing the Weight of Past Guilt and Shame

Day 2: Living Fully as a New Creation in Christ

Day 3: Training for the Marathon of Faith with Perseverance

Day 4: Blocking Out Distractions by Fixing Eyes on Jesus

Day 5: Pressing Forward to Carry the Torch of Love

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Walking in Vision: Letting Go (Worship 1/25/26)

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