As we stand on the brink of a new year, it's a time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future with hope and faith. The transition from 2024 to 2025 is not just a change in the calendar but an opportunity for a fresh start, a new season filled with God's promises and plans for our lives. The Bible assures us that God has a bright future for us, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28, and Philippians 1:6. These scriptures remind us that God is working all things together for our good and that He will complete the good work He has begun in us.

However, we often find ourselves caught between the potential of what God can do and the reality of our past experiences. Whether the past year was filled with regrets or triumphs, we have the power to decide how we will end this season and enter the next. Paul, in Philippians 3:12, encourages us to forget what lies behind and press on toward the future. This involves two critical questions: What do we need to let go of, and what do we need to hold on to?

Letting go of past mistakes, regrets, and hurts is essential for stepping into the new season God has for us. This release is not merely a mental decision but a spiritual act of going to the cross, where we find freedom and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. At the cross, we are no longer defined by our past but are seen as new creations in Christ.

Equally important is holding on to the truth, which is Jesus Himself. Staying close to Jesus is the key to experiencing the promises of God. A practical way to maintain this closeness is by cultivating a heart of gratitude. Gratitude acts as a tow rope, pulling us closer to Jesus and opening the gates to His presence, as described in Psalm 100:4.

As we prepare to enter 2025, let's focus on what we need to let go of and what we need to hold on to. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's will and step into the new season with faith and expectation. Communion serves as a powerful reminder of this transition, symbolizing the letting go of the past and embracing the new life in Christ.

**Key Takeaways:**

1. **Letting Go of the Past:** To step into the new season God has for us, we must let go of past mistakes, regrets, and hurts. This release is found at the cross, where Jesus offers us freedom and forgiveness, transforming us into new creations. [18:45]

2. **Holding On to the Truth:** Staying close to Jesus is essential for experiencing God's promises. Jesus is the truth, and by holding on to Him, we find strength and assurance, even when life doesn't go as planned. [21:10]

3. **The Power of Gratitude:** Gratitude is a spiritual practice that draws us closer to Jesus. By acknowledging and thanking God for His blessings, we enter His presence and align ourselves with His will. [23:48]

4. **Communion as a Transition:** Communion symbolizes the transition from the old to the new, reminding us of Jesus' sacrifice and the new life we have in Him. It is a moment to let go of the past and embrace the future with gratitude. [31:42]

5. **Embracing a New Season:** As we enter 2025, we are invited to embrace a new season filled with God's promises. By letting go of the past and holding on to Jesus, we step into a future filled with hope and purpose. [33:31]

**Youtube Chapters:**

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:15] - New Year, New Season
- [03:30] - God's Promises for the Future
- [06:45] - Living Between Potential and Reality
- [09:00] - Ending and Entering Seasons
- [12:15] - Letting Go of the Past
- [15:30] - Finding Freedom at the Cross
- [18:45] - Holding On to the Truth
- [21:10] - Staying Close to Jesus
- [23:48] - The Power of Gratitude
- [26:00] - Reflecting on 2024
- [28:15] - Preparing for Communion
- [31:42] - Communion: Letting Go and Embracing the New
- [33:31] - Prayer and Blessing for the New Year

**Bible Study Discussion Guide**

**Bible Reading:**
- Jeremiah 29:11
- Romans 8:28
- Philippians 1:6

**Observation Questions:**
1. According to the sermon, what are the two critical questions we should ask ourselves as we transition into a new year? [18:45]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of the cross in letting go of past mistakes and regrets? [21:10]
3. What practical example does the pastor use to illustrate the power of gratitude in drawing us closer to Jesus? [23:48]
4. How is communion described as a symbol of transition in the sermon? [31:42]

**Interpretation Questions:**
1. What does it mean to "forget what lies behind" as mentioned in Philippians 3:12, and how can this be applied to personal experiences from 2024? [18:45]
2. How does the sermon suggest that staying close to Jesus helps us experience God's promises, even when life doesn't go as planned? [21:10]
3. In what ways does gratitude act as a "tow rope" to bring us closer to Jesus, according to the sermon? [23:48]
4. How does the act of taking communion help believers let go of the past and embrace a new future in Christ? [31:42]

**Application Questions:**
1. Reflect on 2024. What specific past mistakes or regrets do you need to let go of as you enter 2025? How can you bring these to the cross for freedom and forgiveness? [18:45]
2. Identify one truth about Jesus that you need to hold on to as you step into the new year. How can you stay close to Jesus daily to experience His promises? [21:10]
3. Consider the role of gratitude in your life. What are three specific things you are thankful for from the past year, and how can expressing gratitude draw you closer to Jesus? [23:48]
4. How can you incorporate the practice of gratitude into your daily routine to maintain a close relationship with Jesus throughout 2025? [23:48]
5. As you prepare to take communion, what past hurts or burdens do you need to release to fully embrace the new life Jesus offers? [31:42]
6. How can the act of communion serve as a reminder for you to let go of the past and step into the new season with hope and expectation? [31:42]
7. What specific steps can you take to align yourself with God's will and embrace the new season filled with His promises as you enter 2025? [33:31]

Day 1: Embracing Freedom Through Release
Letting go of past mistakes, regrets, and hurts is essential for stepping into the new season God has for us. This release is not merely a mental decision but a spiritual act of going to the cross, where we find freedom and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. At the cross, we are no longer defined by our past but are seen as new creations in Christ. By releasing the burdens of the past, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's grace, allowing us to move forward with renewed purpose and hope. [18:45]

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 mistake or regret are you holding onto that you need to release at the cross today? How can you invite God's transformative grace into this area of your life?


Day 2: Anchoring in the Truth of Christ
Staying close to Jesus is essential for experiencing God's promises. Jesus is the truth, and by holding on to Him, we find strength and assurance, even when life doesn't go as planned. In a world filled with uncertainty and shifting values, anchoring ourselves in the truth of Christ provides stability and direction. By immersing ourselves in His teachings and presence, we align our lives with His will, allowing His truth to guide our decisions and actions. [21:10]

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your relationship with Jesus this week to ensure His truth is the foundation of your life? What specific steps will you take to immerse yourself in His teachings?


Day 3: Cultivating a Heart of Gratitude
Gratitude is a spiritual practice that draws us closer to Jesus. By acknowledging and thanking God for His blessings, we enter His presence and align ourselves with His will. Gratitude acts as a tow rope, pulling us closer to Jesus and opening the gates to His presence, as described in Psalm 100:4. This practice not only shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have but also strengthens our faith and trust in God's provision and goodness. [23:48]

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Reflection: What are three specific things you are grateful for today? How can you incorporate a daily practice of gratitude into your routine to draw closer to Jesus?


Day 4: Communion as a Symbol of Renewal
Communion symbolizes the transition from the old to the new, reminding us of Jesus' sacrifice and the new life we have in Him. It is a moment to let go of the past and embrace the future with gratitude. Through communion, we are reminded of the profound love and grace of Christ, which empowers us to live as new creations. This sacred act serves as a powerful reminder of our identity in Christ and the hope we have in His promises. [31:42]

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

Reflection: As you prepare to take communion, what old habits or mindsets do you need to let go of to fully embrace the new life Christ offers? How can this act of remembrance deepen your gratitude for His sacrifice?


Day 5: Stepping into a Future of Hope
As we enter 2025, we are invited to embrace a new season filled with God's promises. By letting go of the past and holding on to Jesus, we step into a future filled with hope and purpose. This transition is not just a change in the calendar but an opportunity for a fresh start, a new season filled with God's promises and plans for our lives. Embracing this new season requires faith and expectation, trusting that God is working all things together for our good. [33:31]

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV): "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Reflection: What specific hopes and dreams do you have for the coming year? How can you actively trust God with these plans and align your actions with His promises for your life?

What do you need to surrender? What do you need to lay down? Because maybe there's mistakes, maybe there's regrets, maybe there's moments you're not too proud of, maybe there's things you did or maybe things you didn't do that you're holding onto. Shame, regret, hurt, pain, unforgiveness, bitterness. There are things you're holding onto and because you're holding onto them, it is limiting how you step into the next season. Here's what I found. Whatever we hold onto will keep us where we are at. [00:18:45] (33 seconds)


The way we find freedom from the things that we're holding onto, but ultimately are holding onto us is by going to the cross, going to the work of Jesus on the cross. Here's the reality. Jesus loves you so much that He died on the cross for your sins. He rose again. He defeated death, hell, and the grave. And when we come to the cross, we receive freedom from our shame. No longer are we seen as sinful. No longer are we seen as our past mistakes. We are seen as the righteousness of Jesus. [00:19:50] (31 seconds)


When we come to the cross, we're able to let some things go. For a lot of people, it's super difficult to let go of things. And you find that year after year, people don't progress into the best that God has for them. They don't step into the will of God for their life because they're not willing to let go. I wanna let you know at the cross, you can find freedom. [00:21:05] (23 seconds)


When you go to the cross, when you experience the love and forgiveness of Jesus, it allows you to forget and let go of some things. So first, what do you need to let go of? Second question I wanna ask you is what do you need to hold on to? What do you need to hold on to? I love at the end of this verse, how he says that we hold onto the truth. Who is the truth? The truth is Jesus. It's a person. [00:21:16] (28 seconds)


When we look at all the promises that I read at the beginning, God's plan, his hope, his future, the great things God has for you, it's not about just everything working out. It's about being close to Jesus because all of the promises that come from God are connected to Jesus. If you wanna experience the promises of scripture, you have to be connected to Jesus. And Paul talks about letting go of things, but he's talking about holding on to the truth. [00:21:44] (26 seconds)


Experiencing the best that God has for your life is living out the will of God for your life. How do we do that? By staying close to Jesus. Staying as close as possible. If you could do one thing in 2025, it'd be this. Stay close. Stay close to Jesus. And I wanna give you one very practical thing that keeps us close to Jesus. And that is developing a heart of gratitude. [00:22:25] (26 seconds)


So when we look at 2024, there might be ups, there might be downs. But I guarantee it, there are a lot of reasons to be thankful and grateful for what Jesus has done in our life. One of the greatest things you can do into stepping into the new season, the great things that God has for you is developing a heart of gratitude. When you look back at this last year, what are some things in your life that you can thank Jesus for? [00:24:20] (28 seconds)


Hey, so let me pray over us before we conclude our time. Jesus, I just thank you for every person who's watching. God, every household who's together right now. God, I just pray that they would know beyond a shadow of a doubt, God, that your plans and your future for them is bright. God, I thank you that this is a new season. God, a new season for their marriage, new season for their family, a new season for their walk with Jesus. [00:33:31] (22 seconds)

Hey everyone, welcome to Church at Home. My name is Jude, I'm the youth pastor here at the Father's House.

And wherever you're watching from today, whether you're in your living room with your family, whether you're watching on your phone during your lunch break, wherever you are, I'm so glad that you joined us today.

I'm really excited to get to share with you because today's an exciting day—this is our last service of the year. This is the end of 2024, and we're about to enter into 2025. I love New Year's because it represents a new season starting. This represents a fresh start.

I believe for the future of what God has for your life this next year, it is going to be your best year yet. I believe that God has His best for you. His plans for you are bright. His future is bright.

I just want to challenge you today: Do you believe that God has His best for you? If not, if you're like, "Man, I don't know, I've walked through some difficult things," let me share with you what the Bible says about your future.

Jeremiah 29:11—so many people know this. It says, "God has a plan to give you a future and a hope." Romans 8:28 says this: "God will work all things together for your good." All things—He's gonna work them together for your good.

Philippians 1:6 says, "He who began a good work, He's gonna complete it." Proverbs 3 says, "He will make your paths straight." And Isaiah 41 says, "God is with you. He will strengthen you and help you and uphold you."

I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that God's best lies ahead of you, that He has a bright plan and a future for you, and that 2025 is gonna be your best year yet. That's what I'm believing in faith.

But here's the reality: We are living in between the potential and possibility of what God could do in our life and the reality of what has happened in our life. We're living in between—maybe, you know, last year didn't go the way you thought. Maybe there are some regrets. Maybe there are some mistakes.

Maybe you did some things you wish you didn't do. Or maybe there were amazing things—it went perfect, miracles. I don't know what last year looked like, but last year happened. And now we're living in a moment in between last year and the potential and future of what God has for us.

I believe, because my dad always used to tell me this as a kid, how we end one season will determine how we enter into the next season. So I think right now, whether you have relationship regrets in the past, or last year was amazing, you have uncertainties about the future. Right now, we have the power to decide how we're gonna end this season and how we're gonna enter into the next season.

In Philippians 3, in verse 12, it says this. This is Paul talking. He says, "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."

So I think Paul's laying out pretty well, "Here's where I've been, here's where I am, and here's where I'm going." From this scripture, we can get two things that I believe can help us end this season well and step into the best that God has for us.

Two questions. The first question is this: What in 2024 or what in your past do you need to let go of? What do you need to surrender? What do you need to lay down? Because maybe there are mistakes, maybe there are regrets, maybe there are moments you're not too proud of.

Maybe there are things you did or maybe things you didn't do that you're holding onto—shame, regret, hurt, pain, unforgiveness, bitterness. There are things you're holding onto, and because you're holding onto them, it is limiting how you step into the next season.

Here's what I found: Whatever we hold onto will keep us where we are at. That's why I love when Paul says, "Forgetting what lies behind." He said, "I'm letting go of my past." And he had a rap sheet of things he did in his past. He said, "Letting go of what's in the past, I press on towards the future."

So as we transition from 2024 to 2025, very simply, wherever you're watching, I want to ask you this: What are some things you need to leave in 2024? What are some things you need to let go of?

And how we let go of them is not a mental decision. The way we find freedom from the things that we're holding onto, but ultimately are holding onto us, is by going to the cross, going to the work of Jesus on the cross.

Here's the reality: Jesus loves you so much that He died on the cross for your sins. He rose again. He defeated death, hell, and the grave. And when we come to the cross, we receive freedom from our shame. No longer are we seen as sinful. No longer are we seen as our past mistakes. We are seen as the righteousness of Jesus.

When we come to the cross, we experience a forgiveness so great that we don't have to worry about it, and we are now able to forgive freely and greatly. And now we can forgive those who've hurt us. At the cross, we find righteousness, which is God's holiness in action in our life.

We experience the righteousness of Jesus, and it frees us from who we used to be, the things we used to do. No, I am now a new creation. When we come to the cross, we're able to let some things go.

For a lot of people, it's super difficult to let go of things. You find that year after year, people don't progress into the best that God has for them. They don't step into the will of God for their life because they're not willing to let go.

I want to let you know that at the cross, you can find freedom. We can forget what lies behind and press on toward the upward call, which is Christ Jesus. When you go to the cross, when you experience the love and forgiveness of Jesus, it allows you to forget and let go of some things.

So first, what do you need to let go of?

The second question I want to ask you is: What do you need to hold on to? What do you need to hold on to? I love at the end of this verse how he says that we hold onto the truth. Who is the truth? The truth is Jesus. It's a person.

When we look at all the promises that I read at the beginning—God's plan, His hope, His future, the great things God has for you—it's not about just everything working out. It's about being close to Jesus because all of the promises that come from God are connected to Jesus.

If you want to experience the promises of scripture, you have to be connected to Jesus. Paul talks about letting go of things, but he's talking about holding on to the truth. Jesus, I'm not gonna let go. I'm gonna stay as close to Him as possible because when I'm close to Jesus, even when things don't work out in my life, I know it's gonna be okay. Why? Because I have victory in Jesus.

What do you need to hold on to? Experiencing the best that God has for your life is living out the will of God for your life. How do we do that? By staying close to Jesus—staying as close as possible.

If you could do one thing in 2025, it would be this: Stay close. Stay close to Jesus.

I want to give you one very practical thing that keeps us close to Jesus, and that is developing a heart of gratitude. If you can hold on to thankfulness and gratitude, it will always take you to Jesus.

Kind of reminds me of this: When I was young, we would go skiing with my family in the winter. We lived in Washington. I remember learning to ski before I was big enough to go on the chairlift. They had a tow rope, and you would wait for this tow rope.

On the tow rope, there were handles. I was there, a little kid with skis, and you would wait until you'd see a handle. Then you'd grab ahold of that handle, and all of a sudden, the tow rope would pull you up the hill and pull you to the top.

I want to let you know that gratitude is like that tow rope. When you grab ahold of the things that God's done for you and you say, "Thank you," it's a tow rope that brings you right into proximity with Jesus.

I love what it says in Psalms 100, verse 4. It says, "We enter His gates with thanksgiving." We go through the gates, get closer to God by simply being grateful and thankful.

In Luke 17, it tells a story of 10 lepers. From a distance, they were crying out to Jesus, "Jesus, heal us." He said, "You're healed. Go check with the rabbi at the temple. Make sure that you're clean." They all did that.

But it says, just one returned to Jesus, came to His feet and said, "Thank you." You have to get this picture: 10 were healed, but only one ever got close to Jesus. And what brought him close to Jesus? A pathway of gratitude, thanksgiving.

So when we look at 2024, there might be ups, there might be downs. But I guarantee it, there are a lot of reasons to be thankful and grateful for what Jesus has done in our life.

One of the greatest things you can do in stepping into the new season, the great things that God has for you, is developing a heart of gratitude. When you look back at this last year, what are some things in your life that you can thank Jesus for?

Start off with the fact that He saved us and He set us free. Maybe it's the fact that you are alive and you have oxygen in your lungs. Maybe it's your family. Maybe it's miracles that He's done.

I want to encourage you, even as you're in your living room, wherever you're at, tell somebody, "Here are some things I'm grateful that Jesus did in my life." Because what that does is it brings us close to Jesus and propels us into the future He has for us.

Even if you're alone, write it down. Begin to write down, "Man, God did this in my life." You'd be surprised as you remember the miracles of what Jesus did in your life.

So as we go from one season to the next, two questions: What do you need to let go of? What do you need to grab ahold of? What do you need to forget? And what do you need to remember in gratitude?

Because I believe that as we do this, God’s going to take us into a new season in your life, in your family, in your life.

So right where you're at, with your family, or maybe you're by yourself, I think right now is an amazing time to begin to talk about and remember the amazing things that God has done in your life.

Maybe starting off with something small, all the way up to something big—the fact that Jesus saved us, He set us free. Beginning to rehearse and remember, talk about even writing down the miracles God has done in your life and saying, "God, thank you."

That gratitude will bring you in close proximity with Jesus and help you step into this next season well.

So what we're going to do today, wherever you're at, I think embodies all of this so well. We're going to go to the Lord's table and we're going to take communion.

When we take communion, here's what we're doing: We're finding freedom from our past and we're remembering with gratitude what Jesus has done for us. And we're stepping into the new season of what God has for us.

Communion was at an amazing time—the night before Jesus passed. It is a demarcation between the old covenant and the new covenant, one season to the next.

Right now, as we take communion, we get the bread, we get the wine—there will be forgiveness for your sins. Who you used to be is not who you are anymore. You are a new creation.

And also, it's a moment to remember with gratitude, "Jesus, thank you that you saved me." When we take communion, we're letting go of what's behind us and we're grabbing ahold of the best that God has for us.

So wherever you're at, here's what I want you to do. I want you to grab the bread or whatever you have. I want you to grab the juice, wine, cup—whatever you have. I want you to get together with your family, or maybe it's just a moment between you and Jesus.

And I want us to get ready to take communion. I believe what's gonna happen today is not just a natural thing, but it's something supernatural. I believe there's gonna be restoration and healing over marriages, healing in your body.

There's gonna be a fresh start, freedom from past hurt, pain, trauma, shame, guilt. I believe it starts right now. A new season starts right now.

So before we take communion, here's what we're gonna do. We're gonna worship together. So let's sing this song and let's get ready to take communion.

Hey, so right now, grab your bread, grab a cracker, whatever you're using to take communion. Pass it around to your family members or get it in your hand.

When Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper, He was sitting with His disciples around the dinner table, and He grabbed the bread. It says that He broke it. He said, "This represents my body. Do this in remembrance of me."

So today, as we eat the bread—and I even broke it in my finger right there—I want to remember Jesus' broken body. And what does that represent for me? Because He was broken, I can now be made whole.

So that spiritually, mentally, and physically—maybe you need a miracle in your body today. I believe as we take communion, God is still in the business of healing. He wants to heal you. He wants to make you whole.

So grab this bread. Let me pray over it.

God, we thank you for your broken body. God, that you gave everything on the cross for us so that we could be made whole.

So God, I pray for everyone taking communion right now. God, I pray that you would show up and God, you would restore, you would heal, and God, you would make whole.

So God, we say thank you. Thank you for your broken body. Let's eat together.

Now grab the cup or the juice and pass it around or however you're going to do it. When Jesus grabbed the cup of wine, He said, "This represents my blood, which was shed for you."

And really, this blood gives us forgiveness from our sins. Yeah, we've all made mistakes. We deserve shame, guilt, condemnation, but because of the blood of Jesus, you are washed free.

I want to let you know today that the blood of Jesus is the most powerful thing in the universe. It cleanses you from sin. It washes you white as snow. It takes you from death to life.

And so as you drink today, I want you to think: Is there anything in your life that needs to be covered by the blood of Jesus? Any part of your life where you say, "God, would you forgive me? I want to let go of this. I want to leave this in 2024."

As you drink today, I believe God is going to give you freedom from your past and you're going to step into a new future.

So let's pray before we drink.

God, we thank you for your blood. God, that perfect blood that was shed for our sins. God, if there's any area in our life, God, throughout this last year, God, in our hearts, God, that needs to be laid down, God, I pray that you would cover it with your blood.

God, would you forgive us? God, would you help us forgive people? And God, I thank you that your blood represents a brand new start and new life in you.

So today we say thank you for your blood. In Jesus' name, let's drink together.

Hey, so let me pray over us before we conclude our time.

Jesus, I just thank you for every person who's watching. God, every household who's together right now. God, I just pray that they would know beyond a shadow of a doubt that your plans and your future for them is bright.

God, I thank you that this is a new season—a new season for their marriage, a new season for their family, a new season for their walk with Jesus.

So God, I pray that in this new year, you would bless them, you would guard them, you would watch over them, and you would help them step into all that you have called them to do.

God, we just want to be near you. So God, I pray your presence would be made known wherever anyone's watching today.

So God, we love you, we honor you, and we say thank you for all you're doing in our life. In Jesus' name, amen.