New Year, Old Life Series

INTRODUCTION:

A. I’m sure you’ve noticed that each year almost all the major news magazines put out an issue with special pictorial sections recalling people & events that made news during the previous year.

Many magazines also include articles by experts predicting what they expect to see happening in the years ahead. Some even go so far as to make predictions covering 10, 20, or more years in the future. In the past, a few of these predictions have proven amazingly accurate, while others couldn’t have been more wrong.

How do you picture life diary?

Sometimes we say, Bagong Taon bagong buhay, subalit sabi ng isang kaibigan ko sa 700 Club

,

“Kahit nagbago na ang panahon...luma pa rin ang ating buhay. Luma pa rin ang ating problema, tulad ng utang, sakit, etc.

Pero dapat Bagong Taon, bagong Buhay kasi binago na tayo ng Panginoon...the old has gone the new has come. Lets go to our text today. This is a very good reminder to us, as Christian.

12 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.13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

I. PAST LIFE

What shall we do with our OLD or PAST LIFE?

A. Don’t think you have done it all, or you have reach your goal. The truth is many people are waiting for your service.

B. The things that you have invested in the past whether good or bad, God has a divine purpose.

C. Where are the fruits of your labor in the past? Remember the verse;

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.2 Cointhian. 9:6

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,

II. PRESENT LIFE

“but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

A. “PRESS ON” means continues. If you stop, means you want to stop the blessings.

B. God doesn’t stop blessings his people. Serving the Lord is not a burden, it is an opportunity to serve our King Jesus.

C. Don’t stop your commitment to God’s vineyard. Paul said “I take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

D. If the farmer will stop planting the seeds, what will happened?

So therefore, never think or saying I will stop doing things what I am doing in today for God. PRESS ON. P-ray, R-reach Out, E – Exhort/ Encourage others, S- support, S- Spirit filled

III. FUTURE LIFE

13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

A. Go Forward – means “ level up”

B. Let us level up this coming year 2015, Level up you Prayer life, Fellowship, Your system of Giving and serving. Don’t be late in the church.

C. Keep up the good work, in the church, school, family, in the community, ect.

D. Continue investing your service to God. Jesus is coming very soon, be ready to His appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the clouds “

The passage is Ephesians 5:15 17, & here is what it says, "Be very careful, then, how you live not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.