INTRODUCTION:
“Forget the past and start anew!” How many times have you heard this phrase in your life? Maybe you heard it a countless times already. Is this the same with what Apostle Paul said to the Philippians? Let us study how…
12 Not that I have already attained this – that is, I have not already been perfected – but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead,
I. Leave Yesterday Behind, 12-13
A. Admit imperfection, 12
B. Account shortcomings, 13
C. Amend for the future, 13
Symbol/Ceremony : Burn-offering
14 with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let those of us who are “perfect” embrace this point of view. If you think otherwise, God will reveal to you the error of your ways. 16 Nevertheless, let us live up to the standard that we have already attained.
II. Live Today Looking Forward, 14-16
A. Regard Jesus’ purpose, 12
B. Response to God’s call, 14
C. Remain in God’s standard, 16
Symbol/Ceremony: Laying of Memorial Stones (Vision and Goals)
17 Be imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and watch carefully those who are living this way, just as you have us as an example. 18 For many live, about whom I have often told you, and now, with tears, I tell you that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, they exult in their shame, and they think about earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven – and we also await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform these humble bodies of ours into the likeness of his glorious body by means of that power by which he is able to subject all things to himself.
III. Lead a Transformed Lives
A. Remember the Models of Faith, 17-18
B. Remember the Citizenship, 20
C. Remember the Return of Christ, 21
Symbol/Ceremony: Candle Lighting
CONCLUSION:
Forgetting the past is cannot be done without analyzing what were right and wrong. Mistakes can be a great teacher. It helps you to become better by not doing it again. Keeping and improving the right things you did in the past leads you to greatness. After making amends with God, it is time to start a transformed life in Christ.
Remember, God is with us!
We start with God because vision begins with God.
Let's start the new year with anew life.
Let us operate by trusting the Lord and obeying His word.
Let us keep our ourselves in the presence of Lord!
Live for Jesus!
