Aligning Our Hearts for the New Year

A Christmas Reflection

Title: A Christmas Reflection Bible Passages: Colossians 3:2 “2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

2 Corinthians 13:5 “5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.”

Summary

This sermon emphasizes the importance of reflecting on our spiritual condition and priorities as we approach the new year during the Christmas season. By focusing our minds on heavenly things and conducting a self-examination, we prepare ourselves for growth and renewal into the new year.

Big Idea

In preparation for the new year during this Christmas season, we are called to reflect, reassess, and realign (put in order) our priorities to focus on Christ and the eternal hope He brings.

Teaching

Reflecting and realigning in light of Christ should lead to tangible change and alignment with God’s purpose.

Be encouraged to turn gaze from worldly distractions to eternal values.

The transformative work of Christ begins when we Invite and allow Him to examine us…

How This Passage Points to Christ

Christ is the ultimate model for our focus and self-examination. His life exemplifies living in accordance with God’s will, showing how true alignment with our Creator brings peace and purpose. The call to set our minds on things above inherently points us to Jesus as the source of our hope and direction.

Outline

1. Where Are We? (Reflection)

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5 “5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.”

Call the congregation to pause and examine their faith.

Ask: Are we distracted by busyness, consumerism, or worldly concerns?

Application: Take inventory of your life—where has your focus been?

· Self-Examination and Apostolic Authority (2 Cor. 13:5)

Paul’s Call to Self-Examination

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith.”

Paul was encountering forces wanting to discredit his ministry.

They were criticizing Paul of being simple and not as eloquent as other so-called apostles

If Christ is truly in those who Paul sowed the seed of the gospel, it validates Paul’s ministry and apostleship.

Their growth in Christ is living proof that God is with them.

Application to Mature Christians in Service

Question: Are you growing in Christ here, in this church?

If yes, it proves God is present and working among us

Warning: Service can become a substitute for intimacy with Christ.

We can be busy in ministry yet drift away from Him.

True growth requires continual alignment with God’s will.

Biblical Echoes of Self-Examination

David’s prayer:  Psalm 139:23–24 “23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; 24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”

Job’s plea: Job 13:23 “23 How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin.”

Both show that

self-examination is not just personal discipline

it is inviting God to reveal and realign our hearts.

Pastoral Challenge

Self-examination is not about doubt but about assurance.

It protects us from drifting, keeps us humble, and ensures our service flows from Christ’s presence.

Realignment with God’s will is the mark of maturity and the safeguard of ministry.

“Paul’s defense of his apostleship rests on the evidence of Christ in the Corinthians.

In the same way, the evidence of Christ in us—our growth, our obedience, our humility—proves that God is here.

Let us not only serve, but continually examine ourselves, inviting God to search our hearts and realign us with His will.”

2. Where Do We Need to Be? (Vision)

Scripture: Colossians 3:2 “2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Encourage believers to set their minds on things above

Application: Realign priorities with Christ-like values—worship, reconciliation, generosity.

Teaching: This mirrors Christ’s life, constantly fulfilling the Father’s will.

Set your mind on the things above, V1-4

We have New Life

The Realities of Heaven

Think of Heaven not just earth

We have died to self, we live for Christ

Jesus will be revealed

Your mind should not be in the world

Abstain from sinfulness, V5-9

5 So put to death sinfulness.

sexual immorality,

impurity, lust, and evil desires.

Don’t be greedy,

8 get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.

9 Don’t lie to each other

Become like Jesus V10

10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11 In this new life, it[1]

NEW NATURE

LEARN TO KNOW YOUR CREATOR

BECOME LIKE HIM, IN NEW LIFE

Be a people of God V12-15

Clothe yourselves with:

tenderhearted mercy,

kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 1

3 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.

Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

14 Above all:

clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.

For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. [2]

3. The Decision Must Be Made Now (Urgency)

Romans 13:11 “11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.”

John 9:4 “4 I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.”

Revelation 3:11 “11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.”

Spiritusl realignment is not optional or delayed—it’s a choice for today.

Application: Next 31 days as a spiritual countdown to reassess, realign, and prepare.

The writer writes to a people with “Hardened Hearts” Jewish people who were not accepting Jesus as the messiah…

Jesus is the greatest thing to ever happen in Israel

He is greater than the Levite Priests

He is greater than Moses

Greater than the law

Urgency, you must believe in Jesus and align your life in Him…

“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts

REALIGN YOURSELF – ITS URGENT

4. How Do We Prepare? (Application Framework)

1. Mind — Renew through Scripture and Meditation

Romans 12:2 “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.”

Philippians 4:8 “8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

2. Soul — Reconnect through Prayer and Worship

· Psalm 42:1–2 “1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?”

· John 4:24 “24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.””

3. Heart — Forgive, Reconcile, and Love Deeply

· Ephesians 4:32 “32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

· Colossians 3:14 “14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.”

4. Strength — Serve Others with Joy

1 Peter 4:10–11 “10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Galatians 6:9–10 “9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

5. Determination — Commit to Entering the New Year with Faith-Driven Resolve

Joshua 24:15 “15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.””

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.”

Summary

Preparation for the new year is not just about discipline but about aligning every part of our being—mind, soul, heart, strength, and determination—with Christ.

5. Christmas as a Launchpad for the New Year

Christmas is not the end—it’s the beginning of a renewed journey.

The birth of Christ is God’s invitation to new life, new hope, and new direction.

Application: See December not as winding down, but as gearing up for God’s purposes in the year ahead.

Closing

Repeatable phrase: “31 days to reassess, 31 days to realign, 31 days to be ready.”

[2]Tyndale House Publishers. Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2015. Print.