Fresh start 2016
Philippians 3:12-16
Introduction-
Christmas is behind us, and the New Year is in front of us.
We will try to get back to normal, whatever normal is.
Lights will come down, tree gets put away.
Diets start the New Year.
I think everyone of us is in some fashion looks at the year we come out of and hope that the New Year will be better. Even if you had a good year, you think… what can I do to keep this going and what do I need to change.
You heard the phrase- “You cannot do the same old thing, the same old way, and expect a different outcome.”
Some say that I have to “get back in the groove”- no, you have to get out of that groove, that rut we never seem to get out of.
Certain aspects of your life are not working-
running from God is a big one but not many will admit that is what they are doing.
Most know what God wants them to do, but they choose not to listen.
How is that working out for you?
Until you are honest with yourself and with God, you will continue to live less than at God’s best for you.
Others may look at you and think that you just need a break, but you know what it will take to change some things.
Jesus said, “I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly.”
Jesus never said, I have come so that you may have everything you want.
He never said that we were the exception, to have the abundant life He talks about, it is in Him, and without Him it won’t happen.
He promises us life! That life works best when we are obedient and living in the framework of God’s will for our lives. There are many things that I could do, but there is only one thing I will be totally happy doing.
To live “more abundantly” is to live in obedience and will of God. Outside of that , there will be bumps in the road to bring us back to him.
What can you expect of 2016?
You can expect that you will have to make decisions, some tough ones. There are some things that you will have to give up, that won’t be easy.
You can expect that you will have loss, some setbacks, run up against people who have hurt you in some way. These things are unavoidable because there is sin in the world.
You can do that willingly, or complaining, the choice is yours. Willingly will be less painful.
Philippians 3:12-3:16 Read from Bible
Some of us
I am going to grow my relationship with the Lord.
I am going to get more involved in the church.
I will spend more Quality time with the family.
I will Pray more, give more, and correct my mistakes with God’s help.
The list is endless. God is the God of 2nd, 3rd, 4th chances. He is the God of fresh starts and new beginnings!
Whatever you want to add
Diet
Exercise
Quit drinking, smoking, gambling
Get out of debt
Be more organized
Stop swearing, stop gossiping.
You will have to be honest with God and you will have to be determined that you will not fall back in the rut you are trying to get out of….or let anyone take you back there!
Paul tells us
Press on
Forget what is behind you (those things that hinder you)
Strain toward what is ahead (goals we want to reach) STRAIN IS A GOOD INTREPETATION.
Zig Ziglar talks about losers limp- it is you starting a race with enthusiasm and believing that you will win the race. After the race starts and you get ahead, you experience bumps in the road, you realize that you are getting tired and you come up with a limp, and you want everyone to think it happened because of the race, but you just plain gave up.
Stop the losers limp and finish what you started and accomplish what God wants you to do.
Thought-
You don’t drown because you fall in the water, you drown because you don’t swim out.
You are not out because you get knocked down, your out because you don’t get up.
Isaiah 43:18-
“Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing, now it springs up, do you not perceive it?”
Former things- new things!
Forget the bad things that happened in the past, move on with God’s help.
God is more interested in your future than He is in your past.
Deciding to do something and doing something is different.
Each has a different outcome.
God’s abundantly means –If God is in this, let’s do this!
Some of us say we want change, but when God tries to put us in a position of change, we fight Him.
Let’s make this more than a pep rally.
You want change?
You will have to change the things that you know are keeping you from accomplishing your goal.
You have no goal, you will reach no goal.
Live intentional- what I mean by that is that God has a plan for your lives, contrary to some, man did not evolve, we were created, so you want to see things happen, it won’t happen by chance, it must be intentional.
Nothing tried, nothing gained!
You need to be honest about where you are, some may think everything about you is perfect, you know the truth.
Some need to just examine where they are, and whether you want to stay there.
You do nothing and you only have yourself to blame.
Most resolutions are broken by January 15th.
Look at your strengths and be honest about your weaknesses.
Your wisdom, and get around people that can help you get to where you need to be.
It is not being critical of others, and honestly look at yourself through the lens of God’s word and God’s will.
After you do that- you will have to decide and act on what you see.
2015 was challenging for me this year- personally and as pastor as this church.
You want to see God work in new ways, you must be willing to do new things. (Repeat)
Closing thought, next time we get together, we will be in the New Year.
What is your attitude toward the New Year?
Do you go into it with no hope?
Do you believe with God’s help and determination that not only be better, but productive.
Most go into the New Year with little hope, and no plan.
They are not willing to include God in the process.
Some of you have been beaten up this year.
Some have caused it themselves and some things are unavoidable.
Change the things that you can change, and allow God to change the things that are out of your control.
Trust him to give you the strength in the things unavoidable.
Do you think God wants you to worry about everything?
Saturate your mind with negative thoughts?
So busy that you forget about God- some things are good things but they pull you away from God.
Happy New Year!
Pray that it is a good one!
