2023.12.31. SERMON FOR A NEW YEAR - NEW BEGINNINGS
William Akehurst, HSWC
BIG IDEA: As we come to the New Year, we must put off the old and put on the New. Put off the former and take on CHRIST.
Guidance and Instruction from GOD's WORD for a New Year, a New Start, and New Beginnings, IN CHRIST.
KEY SCRIPTURE: Philippians 3:12—4:1
Scriptures: Philippians 3:12-4:1, Colossians 2:6-7, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Mark 8:36, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Hebrews 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Isaiah 43:18-19, Jeremiah 29:11-13, Matthew 6:33, Proverbs 3:5-8, Ephesians 4:21-24, 1 Peter 1:13-16, 1 Peter 3:15, 1 Peter 1:3-5, John 14:1-6, Hebrews 10:24-25, Matthew 5:16, 2 Peter 1:3-11, Romans 12:1-2, 1 Chronicles 16:11-12, Psalms 34:8, Lamentations 3:40-41, Psalms 90:12, Acts 3:19, Galatians 2:20, Colossians 3:1-4, Joshua 1:8-9, Philippians 1:3-6, Philippians 1:7-11
PRESSING ON TOWARD THE GOAL
Philippians 3:12 - 4:1 (NKJV)
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
GOD IS NOT DONE WITH YOU YET, THERE IS MORE…
13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
PUT THE PAST BEHIND, AND MOVE ONWARD
FORGETTING THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEHIND.
• The Bad
• The Failures
• The Hurts
• Sin – Confess it, forget it, and move on
• Disappointments
• Stupid decisions
We also leave behind blessings and achievements. I’m not suggesting we forget them.
• Our Time Together as Believers in CHRIST
• Birthdays
• Other blessings (testimonies)
• Personally, some firsts: my son’s wedding, my first grandbaby, a new home, my daughter’s engagement and numerous other blessings.
14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
PRESS ON TO THE GOAL AND PRIZE IN CHRIST AS GOD HAS CALLED YOU.
REACHING FOR THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE AHEAD OF US
• Pressing toward the mark, the goal, the finish line
• The end of the race
• The upward calling of GOD (Including the hope for the Rapture).
15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.
LET THE SPIRITUALLY MATURE BE IN AGREEMENT, AND IF NOT, GOD WILL REVEAL IT TO YOU.
16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.
HOLD ON TO THE PROGRESS WE’VE MADE AND CONTINUE FORWARD
OUR CITIZENSHIP IN HEAVEN
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.
PATTERN YOUR LIFE AFTER CHRIST, AND BE A PATTERN FOR OTHERS
• Following together
• Walk by the same rule
• Walk close to GOD
Colossians 2:6-7 6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
TO GLORIFY HIM IN GODLY LIVING.
1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
LET US MIND THE SAME THING.
• We should all be going in one direction, HIS WAY
• Following the LORD
• Honoring the Great Commission.
18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.
IT SADDENS ME THAT SO MANY ARE SATISFIED IN THEIR LIVES, AND ARE HEADED TO HELL. CHURCH BUILDINGS ARE FILLED WITH TRUE BELIEVERS, AND THOSE WHO CALL THEMSELVES CHRISTIANS, BUT ARE HEADED FOR DESTRUCTION, WITH LUSTFUL APPETITES AND MINDS SET ON EARTHLY THINGS.
Mark 8:36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
AS BELIEVERS IN CHRIST, WE ARE CITIZENS OF HEAVEN AND LIVE BY A HIGHER CALLING. WAITING FOR HIS RETURN
• We live by a HIGHER CALLING
• Our citizenship is in heaven
• Not in this world.
21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
HE WILL TAKE OUR WEAK, MORTAL BODIES AND CHANGE THEM INTO GLORIOUS BODIES LIKE HIS OWN USING THAT SAME POWER WITH WHICH HE WILL BRING EVERYTHING UNDER HIS CONTROL.
4:1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.
THEREFORE, STAY TRUE TO THE LORD.
• Stand fast in the LORD
• Stand your ground (fixed)
• Stand for the LORD
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
STEADFAST AND IMMOVABLE, ALWAYS ABOUNDING
• Don’t waver to the left or to the right.
• Stay focused.
Hebrews 12:1-2
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS, THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH
• Don’t get distracted.
• Don’t get discouraged.
• Don’t quit.
SHARE THE HOPE IN YOU
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
CONCLUSION:
LET US COMMIT TOGETHER TO
• CONFESS, TURN FROM AND FORGET SIN, AND BE REFRESHED BY GOD’S SPIRIT IN US
• HAVE A CLOSER WALK WITH GOD. STUDYING HIS WORD AND LISTENING FOR HIS VOICE.
• REMAIN FAITHFUL, NO MATTER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES COME OUR WAY
• KEEP ON TRACK WITH THE LORD, PURSUING HIS KINGDOM AND RIGHTEOUSNESS.
• SHARE CHRIST WITH OTHERS. FOR WE HAVE BEEN CALLED TO SHARE THE HOPE WITHIN US TO A WORLD THAT KNOWS NO HOPE.
***SCRIPTURES FOR THE NEW YEAR AND NEW BEGINNINGS***
ALL THINGS BECOME NEW IN CHRIST
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
GOD WILL DO A NEW THING
Isaiah 43:18-19
18 “Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.
PRAY, SEEK AND SEARCH OUT GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART
Jeremiah 29:11-13
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
SEEK OUT GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS AND KINGDOM FIRST
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
TRUST IN THE LORD, DEPART FROM EVIL. THIS COMES WITH THE PROMISE OF HEALTH AND STRENGTH
Proverbs 3:5-8
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.
PUT AWAY FORMER SINFUL CONDUCT. BE RENEWED IN MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT, TO TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOLINESS
Ephesians 4:21-24
21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
BE HOLY AS GOD WHO IS HOLY COMMANDS US
1 Peter 1:13-16
13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
A LIVING HOPE TO AN INHERITANCE WAITING IN HEAVEN
1 Peter 1:3-5
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
A PLACE PREPARED, OUR DIRECTION – THE WAY, TRUTH AND LIFE TO THE FATHER
John 14:1-4, 6
1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
STIR UP LOVE AND GOOD WORKS. CONTINUE TO GATHER AS WE SEE THE DAY OF THE LORD COMING, AS THE BIBLE COMES TO LIFE
Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
SHINE FORTH GOD’S GLORY
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
LIFE AND GODLINESS, GIVEN BY GOD’S DIVINE POWER. ADD TO YOUR FAITH, BE DILIGENT OF YOUR CALLING IN CHRIST TO BE FOUND FAITHFUL FOR THE PROMISE OF ENTRANCE INTO HIS KINGDOM.
2 Peter 1:3-11
3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
PRESENT OURSELVES BEFORE GOD WHILE LIVING IN THE WORLD, BUT NOT OF THIS WORLD.
Romans 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
SEEK HIS STRENGTH AND FACE – REMEMBER HIS WORKS IN YOUR LIFE
1 Chronicles 16:11-12
11 Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore!
12 Remember His marvelous works which He has done…
TASTE AND SEE GOD’S GOODNESS
Psalms 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
EXAMINE YOUR WAYS, REPENT AND TURN BACK TO GOD
Lamentations 3:40-41
40 Let us search out and examine our ways, And turn back to the LORD; 41 Let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven.
REMEMBER OUR DAYS ARE NUMBERED. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
Psalms 90:12 So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
REPENT AND BE FORGIVEN FOR GOD’S REFRESHING IN YOU
Acts 3:19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
DEAD TO SELF, NEW LIFE IN CHRIST
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
SEEKING JESUS, AND THE THINGS OF HEAVEN AND HIS GLORY
Colossians 3:1-4
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
MEDITATE ON GOD’S WORD, DO WHAT IT SAYS, AND BE PROSPEROUS AND SUCCESSFUL
Joshua 1:8-9
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
AND FINALLY, REMEMBER, GOD IS WITH YOU IN AND THROUGH EVERYTHING.
BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS AS YOU PUT YOUR TRUST IN HIM.
BENEDICTION
My prayer for you in this New Year.
Philippians 1:3-6, 7-11 (NLT)
3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, 5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
Amen,
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing!
Happy New Year
Pastor Bill
