December 30, 2018

 The Final Word
December 30, 2018
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

 

Open:

Everyone messes up! Mistakes made in the past are very hard to forget, and it takes a strong person to move on after a life-altering choice. We can ruin our lives wishing we could live certain times over again, but to put a bad event behind us is necessary for mental health. Can someone share a memory?

This past year has been a season when we’ve been constantly encouraged to make Christ the priority in our lives, grow daily in Scripture, and live godly lives. Now it’s time to look back to see if those messages bore fruit. At the same time, we have the opportunity to put past failures behind us and start with a clean slate in a new year. We will look at the great apostle Paul and learn life lessons of “keeping on keeping on” past adversity.

 

 

Discuss:

Nobody’s Perfect:

  • Read Philippians 3:12a. Even the great apostle Paul indicated elsewhere that there were periods of his life he would like to do over. Can you share a time when you thought you were right, and wouldn’t listen to advice, only to learn later you were wrong? What did you learn from this?
  • Think of the people you know, whom you feel are “practically perfect in every way” and discuss why you think of them like this. God knows no one is perfect. Read Psa. 103:13-14. Why do you compare yourselves to others?
  • Read Romans 7:15-25. How did Paul say he struggled? How can you relate to the spiritual battles he fought? What can you learn from him?

Keep Trying:

  • Read verse 12b. How does this verse inspire us, when the going gets tough?
  • Read 2 Cor. 11:23-28. Have you suffered as Paul did? How was he able to keep going, through the perils he endured? How do yours compare with his?
  • What is the biggest reason you believe may be a factor in people giving up? How can you help them?

Let Go of What’s Behind:

  • Read verse 13a. Who is the great accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10)? Does he accuse you of your past?
  • No matter how much we agonize over past choices, most can’t be undone. What are some ways we can leave that baggage in the past and move on?
  • Can you think of scriptures that would help break the chains that bind us?

Look Forward to What’s Ahead:

  • Read verse 13b. How do we keep our focus on the years ahead, when we are able to serve Christ through whatever gifts He has given us?
  • The beginning of 2019 is upon us; what are some ways we can increase our joy in this new season of our lives?

Do What’s Needed:

  • Read verse 14. Have you ever run a race? Where do you keep your focus as you move ahead? How can you get there if you get sidetracked? What causes you to keep moving forward? Read Prov. 24:16. Does this help?
  • Share verses to memorize that will furnish strength when you are overcome by the weights you carry in this world? Read Matt. 11:28-30.Does Christ want to help you shoulder these burdens?

Take Away:

  • Stay in God’s word daily! Learn more of scripture each day this year.
  • Talk to God daily! How would your relationships be if limited to 30 sec. daily?
  • Keep a journal for your thoughts, lessons, prayers and growth.
  • Read books by people who have had victory in battles that you are facing.
  • Connect with others who can encourage you. Isolation kills spiritual growth!
  • Don’t quit! Don’t allow challenges to make you throw in the towel—victory is probably just around the corner.

 

 

Close:

Another year! It seems we just put last year’s Christmas decorations away, made our resolutions, and suddenly the stores begin putting up the tinsel again—and you realize a new year is coming fast. How does time pass so quickly? More importantly, has your spiritual growth shown an upward trend this past year? When you made those resolutions last year to be more faithful in church, Bible reading, and prayer, did it happen? If not, start again! There will always be challenges that Satan puts in our way, or hindrances to carrying out our mission, but it is with a new lease on life that we realize whatever is past is PAST. Let it go—it can’t be redone. If you need to ask forgiveness from someone, restore something to someone, do so, but don’t carry the baggage that causes your spirit to suffer and your joy to be suffocated. Christ has forgiven you—what better news could you have to start 2019? Go out, find a friend, and tell them your story. It may change the new year for someone you love!

KEY VERSE: “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.” Philippians 3:12.

 

/by