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:”