Introduction

Good morning, dear family of faith. It's a blessing to gather in the house of the Lord once more, as we stand on the precipice of a new year, filled with the promise of fresh beginnings and renewed commitments. We are here, not by coincidence, but by divine appointment. Our Father desires to speak to us, to shape us, and to guide us into His perfect will.

So, what sermon is your life preaching? Is it one of faith, hope, and love? Or is it one of despair, doubt, and indifference? These are questions we must ask ourselves as we prepare to step into the new year.

Our Scripture for today comes from Romans 12:2, where the Apostle Paul writes, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

And so, we stand on the cusp of a new year, a blank canvas waiting to be filled. What will your canvas look like? Will it be a masterpiece reflecting the glory of God? Or will it be a haphazard collection of worldly desires and ambitions?

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank You for bringing us together today. We ask that You would open our hearts and our minds to Your Word. We pray that You would guide us into Your perfect will, that we may live lives that are pleasing to You. Help us to not be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. May our lives be a reflection of Your love, Your grace, and Your mercy. In Jesus' name, we pray, amen.

Molding a Mindset for God's Mission

As we consider our text we see the transformative power of the Gospel. The world around us is filled with messages and ideas that can easily shape our thinking and behavior. Yet, as followers of Christ, we are called to resist conforming to these worldly patterns. Instead, we are to allow the Holy Spirit to renew our minds, molding us into the image of Christ.

This molding process requires active participation on our part. We must immerse ourselves in God's Word, allowing it to shape our thoughts and attitudes. We must spend time in prayer, seeking God's guidance and wisdom. We must also surround ourselves with fellow believers who can encourage us and hold us accountable in our spiritual journey.

The first aspect of this molding process is the cultivation of a heart that is receptive to God's Word. This involves meditating on its truths, allowing them to sink deep into our hearts. It's about applying these truths to our daily lives, allowing them to guide our decisions and actions.

Next, we are molded in prayer. Prayer is our lifeline to God. It's how we communicate with Him, expressing our needs, our fears, our hopes, and our desires. But prayer is also about listening to God, allowing Him to speak to us and guide us. As we cultivate a spirit of prayer, we become more attuned to God's voice and His leading in our lives.

Then, consider how important is the cultivation of a community of faith. We were not meant to walk this Christian journey alone. We need the support and encouragement of fellow believers. We need their wisdom and their counsel. As we cultivate a community of faith, we become more grounded in our faith and more effective in our mission.

The fourth and final aspect of this molding process is the cultivation of a life of service. As followers of Christ, we are called to serve others, just as Christ served us. This requires sacrifice and selflessness. But as we cultivate a life of service, we become more like Christ, reflecting His love and compassion to the world around us.

Manifesting God's Will in the New Year

We now consider our second main point: manifesting God’s will in the New Year ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO