January 5, 2025
Key to New Year
Phil 3:13-14
Introduction
Paul, one of the greatest christians of all times, gives us a very important key for the christian life. We are going to make application of it for the New Year. At New Years time it is always good to re-evaluate where you are in your life, and where you are going. Many people make New Year's resolution. As a christian, we should set some spiritual goals as well.
I. Disclosure (13) "count not myself to have apprehended"
A. Admission "either were already perfect"
1. Paul, outside of the Lord Jesus Christ is a great example!
B. Improvement -
1. Paul understood his faults and failures!
C. Understand our need!
1. If Paul needed improvement, we all need improvement!
II. Disregard (13) "forgetting those things which are behind"
A. Accomplishments (Phil 3:4-5)
1. Confidence in discipline (4)
2. Following the law (5)
3. You cannot attain in your own strength
Romans 3:20 “^20\ ^Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”
John 15:4–5 “^4\ ^Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. ^5\ ^I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
B. Abominations or Sins (Acts 7:58-8:3)
1. Paul had to forget about his past Sins!
Psalm 103:12 “^12\ ^As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
C. Accidents (good or bad) (2 Cor 11:23-27)
III. Direction (13) "unto those things which are before"
A. Seeing things that are before!
1. Read Your Bible through, or finish!
2. Pray more
3. Be more faithful in church
4. Witness more! - As a church, I would like to see more people saved in 2025... more witnessing, more baptized
5. Be more involved in ministry!
B. Setting a goal!
1. I read through my Bible this year, but I like to read through it twice in a year!
2. Set a goal to personally lead someone to the Lord this year!
3. Set a goal to be more faithful in your walk with the LORD!
4. Set a goal to spend time in prayer!
IV. Devotion (14) "press toward the mark"
A. Fervent
Romans 12:11 “^11\ ^Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;”
1. Fervent - zealous, exhibiting or marked by great intensity of feeling
2. Self Motivated
Galatians 2:20 “^20\ ^I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
B. Faithful
1. In the face of adversity, Paul pressed on
2 Timothy 4:5–7 “^5\ ^But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. ^6\ ^For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. ^7\ ^I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”