Unwrapped

Revealing Jesus as the Ultimate Gift

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2025

"Celebrating Spiritual Milestones"

Moment Of Tithing And Offerings

"Before we give our offerings, I want to connect our giving to what we've been talking about today. You know, growth isn't just something that happens in our hearts—it also happens in our wallets and our generosity.

Let me read you a verse that changed how I think about money:

Proverbs 3:9 (NLT) — "Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce."

See, when you give—whether it's a dollar or a hundred dollars—you're saying something powerful: 'God, I've grown. I'm not the same person I was last year. And I'm grateful enough to give back.' Your offering today isn't just support for our church. It's a declaration of your spiritual growth. It's you saying, 'I trust God more than I did before.'

So as the ushers come around, whether you give or you don't, know this: we're celebrating a year of growth. And that's beautiful."

WELCOME TO NEW VISITORS

"Before we dive into today's message, I want to take a moment to welcome our new friends who are here with us for the first time. Can we give them a round of applause?"

"Welcome to The Way. We're so glad you're here. I know showing up to a new church can feel a little awkward—you don't know where the bathroom is, you're not sure if you should shake hands or hug, and you're wondering if anyone will notice if you sneak an extra donut from the back."

"But here's what I want you to know: You belong here. Not because we're perfect—we're not. But because we're a community of people who are all on a journey, all trying to grow closer to Jesus, and all looking for genuine connection.

Here's How We Want to Connect With You:

During the week, we have some amazing ways to go deeper:

Conversation Clubs — Small groups where we talk about real life, real faith, and real questions

Small Groups spread all across the city — wherever you live, there's probably a group meeting near you

Social Media — Follow us @TheWayPIB for updates, encouragement, and community news

I really encourage you: Don't just come on Sunday. Come back. Bring a friend. Join a group. Get connected. Because church isn't just about one hour on Sunday morning—it's about being part of a family.

If you need more information, just ask anyone here. We'd love to help you find your place.

And before you leave today, I want to give you this verse. It's my prayer for each of you:

You're here because God invited you. Welcome home."

LAST WEEK'S SUMMARY

[Duration: 2-3 minutes]

"For those who were here last week, or for our new friends who want to understand where we're coming from, let me catch you up.

Last week wasn't actually a sermon—it was the kickoff to a series we're calling 'Reflecting on Growth and Looking Forward.' We introduced you to Philippians 3:13-14, which is the heartbeat of everything we're exploring this month:

Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT) — "No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."

Think about it this way: Paul is saying that spiritual maturity isn't about perfection—it's about progress. It's not about being proud of where you've been; it's about being excited about where you're going.

And that's what this whole month is about. Four Sundays. Four powerful ideas:

Today — Celebrating spiritual milestones (what you've accomplished this year)

Next week — Overcoming setbacks and failures (what you've learned from struggles)

Christmas — Preparing your heart for the greatest gift (Jesus and what He means)

If you weren't here last week, don't worry. You're exactly where you need to be. Every message stands on its own, but together, they build something powerful. Let's dive in."

INTRODUCTION:

"THE STAR MOMENT."

[Duration: 1-2 minutes]

"Let me ask you something, and I want you to really think about it:

If someone asked you, 'What's one thing you're proud of spiritually in the last year?'—could you answer it?

Could you point to something and say, 'Yeah, I grew there. I'm different now. I'm closer to Jesus because of what happened.'

Or would you stare at your shoes and think, 'Well... I didn't mess up that badly?"

"Here's the truth that might blow your mind: Most of us spend our entire lives looking in the rearview mirror.

We're haunted by what we did wrong.

We're angry at who we used to be.

We're replaying failures like a broken record player on repeat.

But what if—just what if—there's another way?

What if spiritual maturity isn't about being perfect?

What if it's about learning to celebrate how far you've come while running hard toward where you're going?

That's what we're exploring today."

THE MAIN BIBLE VERSE & CONTEXT

[Duration: 2-3 minutes]

Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT) "No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."

CONTEXT:

Who Wrote This, and Why It Matters

This letter was written by Paul the Apostle around 62 AD from a Roman prison. Paul is writing to the church in Philippi—a church he loved dearly.

These weren't strangers; they were people he'd poured his life into.

Here's what's important: Paul is in prison. He's beaten, bruised, and facing possible execution.

And yet, this letter—Philippians—is sometimes called "the epistle of joy" because Paul is celebrating what God has done and looking forward with hope.

The purpose of this book is to encourage the Philippian church to stay unified, to keep growing, and to find joy in Jesus—not in circumstances.

It's Paul saying, "Yes, life is hard. Yes, I'm in prison. But that's not the point. The point is that we're moving forward with Jesus."

This isn't theoretical for Paul. He's lived it. He's suffered for it. And he's writing to say: You can do this too.

1) "THE POWER OF FORGETTING."

[Duration: 7-8 minutes]

Main Bible Verse:

Philippians 3:13a (NLT) — "Forgetting the past..."

ORIGINAL TERMS

The word "forgetting" here is the Greek word "epilanthano" (ἐπιλανθάνω), which means "to forget, to overlook, to let go of."

But here's the nuance: it's not about losing memory—it's about intentionally releasing emotional attachment.

It's the difference between knowing something happened and still carrying the weight of it.

Matthew Henry's commentary notes something powerful: Paul isn't saying we should forget our spiritual history entirely. Rather, we should stop letting yesterday's pain become today's identity.

Warren W. Wiersbe adds that this kind of forgetting requires active choice—it's a discipline we practice, not something that naturally happens.

SUPPORTING THE THEME WITH SCRIPTURE & BIBLICAL CHARACTERS

The character of Paul himself is the living example here.

Before he became the Apostle Paul, he was Saul of Tarsus—a man who murdered Christians. He held the coats of those who stoned Stephen to death. He was a spiritual terrorist.

Look at what Paul says about this:

1 Corinthians 15:9-10 (NLT) — "For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me."

Notice how Paul doesn't deny his past.

He acknowledges it, owns it, and then moves forward.

He doesn't say, "Yeah, I murdered people, but whatever." He says, "Yeah, I murdered people. And then God changed me. And now I'm running hard toward Jesus."

That's the power of forgetting.

Another example: King David.

This man committed adultery, arranged a murder, and hid his sin for an entire year. But look at his prayer in Psalm 32:

Psalm 32:1-2 (NLT) — "Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!"

David didn't forget his sin, but he forgave himself because God had forgiven him. And then he wrote an entire psalm about it to help other people do the same.

QUOTE

C.S. Lewis

"Her past itself, that eight or nine years of recoil and humiliation, was already beginning to lose its sting. Already, before the end, she was almost forgetting it."

See, Lewis understood something about human nature: We don't heal by forgetting the facts. We heal by releasing the feelings attached to those facts.

ILLUSTRATION: THE WARMTH MOMENT

You know what's funny?

I talk to people all the time who can't let go of their past. And I'll ask them, "What was the worst thing you did in high school?"

And they'll tell me—sometimes in excruciating detail. They remember what they wore, what the weather was like, what song was playing.

Then I'll ask, "Okay, now tell me about something amazing you did in high school."

Silence. They look confused. "I don't know... I got good grades?"

It's like we have a photographic memory for our failures but amnesia for our victories.

We're fantastic at holding onto the bad stuff.

But the good stuff? We're like, "Eh, it was just one test."

But here's what I've learned:

Spiritual maturity isn't about having a perfect past. It's about being willing to accept that your past is just that—past."

Reflective Questions

What is one failure or mistake from your past that you're still carrying emotionally?

Is it possible that God has already forgiven you, but you haven't forgiven yourself?

Practical Applications

Here's What I Want You To Do This Week:

Write it down. On a piece of paper, write down one past failure or sin that's still weighing on you. The thing you replay in your head. The thing that makes you feel small.

Pray over it. Not to confess it again—you've already done that. Pray to release it. Say something like: "God, I'm choosing to stop carrying this. I accept Your forgiveness, and I forgive myself."

Do something with that paper. Burn it. Tear it up. Bury it. Make it symbolic. Because your past doesn't get to write your future.

2) "The Courage To Look Ahead"

[Duration: 7-8 minutes]

Main Bible Verse:

Philippians 3:13b-14a (NLT) — "..and looking forward to what lies ahead,.."

ORIGINAL TERMS

The phrase "looking forward" comes from the Greek word "epekteino" (ἐπεκτείνω), which literally means "to stretch forward, to extend oneself toward something."

It's an athletic metaphor—like a runner leaning into the finish line, muscles straining, eyes fixed on what's ahead.

And then there's "press on," which is "dioko" (διώκω)—"to pursue, to chase, to run after."

It's not a casual walk. It's not a stroll. It's a sprint. It's intentional. It's powered.

Matthew Henry noted that Paul uses athletic language because the Christian life is a race. And in a race, you cannot look back and move forward simultaneously.

Your body goes where your eyes go.

Scripture & Biblical Characters

Look at Hebrews 12:1-2, which is the most athletic description of faith in the Bible:

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT) — "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."

Notice: "fixing our eyes on Jesus." Not on your past. Not on your obstacles. On Jesus.

Then think about Abraham.

This man was told to leave everything—his home, his family, his entire life—and go to a place he'd never been. And here's the crazy part:

Hebrews 11:8-10 (NLT) — "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."

Abraham didn't know where he was going. But he looked ahead, and he went.

That's courage.

And Caleb—

oh, Caleb is amazing. He was one of the Israelite spies who went into Canaan and came back saying, "Yes, there are giants. Yes, it's scary. And we should absolutely go forward anyway."

Joshua 14:11-12 (NLT) — "I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day."

Caleb is 85 years old, and he's saying, "Give me the hard stuff. I'm ready. I'm looking ahead."

That's the courage of looking forward.

QUOTE

John C. Maxwell says: "Vision is not about what you see with your eyes. It's about what you see with your heart."

Because here's the thing: Your future isn't created by your past. It's created by your vision. Where you look is, where you go.

ILLUSTRATION: THE COMPETENCE MOMENT

Let me hit you with some neuroscience. Researchers at Stanford University found something interesting about focus and performance:

When you try to move forward while mentally focused on your past, your brain experiences what's called "cognitive conflict."

Essentially, you're firing neurons in two opposite directions simultaneously.

It's like trying to drive forward with one foot on the gas and one foot on the brake.

The result?

Your performance decreases by up to 30%.

Your decision-making suffers.

Your stress hormones spike.

You're literally working against yourself.

But when you clearly identify a future goal and focus your attention there, your brain enters what researchers call "flow state."

Your neurons fire in alignment.

Your focus sharpens.

You become more efficient, more creative, more resilient.

In other words, science confirms what Paul has been saying for 2,000 years: looking ahead isn't just spiritually mature—it's neurologically smart.

REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS

What does your "next year" look like in your head? Not what you hope for—what can you actually see?

What is one thing God is calling you toward that scares you a little?

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Here's what I want you to do:

Vision casting. Get quiet. Maybe grab a journal. Ask yourself: "In one year, what do I want to be true spiritually?" Not "I'll be perfect." Real goals. "I want to read my Bible daily." "I want to serve in the community." "I want to know Jesus better." Write it down.

Tell someone. Don't keep it to yourself. Tell a friend, a small group, or a pastor: "Here's where I'm headed." Because shared vision becomes accountability, and accountability becomes reality.

This week, one action. Don't wait until January 1st. Take one small step toward that vision this week. If you want to read your Bible daily, read it today. If you want to serve, volunteer somewhere. Make your future real, not theoretical.

3) The Joy In The Journey

[Duration: 7-8 minutes]

Main Bible Verse:

Philippians 3:14b (NLT) — "...and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us

ORIGINAL TERMS

The word "prize" is the Greek "brabeion" (βραβεῖον)—"a reward given to a victor in a competition." It's what you get for finishing the race.

But here's what's brilliant: Paul doesn't call the prize "heaven." He calls it "the heavenly prize for which God is calling us." In other words, the prize isn't just a destination—it's the relationship itself.

It's Jesus. It's being called by God.

Warren W. Wiersbe points out that when Paul says God is "calling us," he's using the picture of a race where the host or judge stands at the finish line calling the runners forward. The prize isn't just winning—it's the personal invitation from God Himself.

SUPPORTING THE THEME WITH SCRIPTURE & BIBLICAL CHARACTERS

Look at 2 Timothy 4:7-8, where Paul is near the end of his life:

2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NLT) — "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing."

See what Paul does? He celebrates the journey—"I have fought," "I have finished"—and then points to the prize. He's not running from something. He's running toward someone.

And then think about Nehemiah, the cupbearer who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. This wasn't a quick job. It took months. People mocked him. People opposed him. He had every reason to quit.

But look at what he says:

Nehemiah 4:6 (NLT) — "So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart."

"With all their heart." Not because it was easy. Because they knew why they were doing it. They were building something that mattered.

That's the joy in the journey—knowing that what you're building has meaning.

QUOTE FROM A RENOWNED FIGURE

Charles H. Spurgeon, the great Victorian preacher, said something that changed my life:

"Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us."

But then he also said:

"The greatest heritage a child can have is to be born into a family where they can see examples of joy in righteousness."

Because here's the thing: The joy isn't in perfection. The joy is in the pursuit. The joy is in knowing that you're running toward something—someone—who loves you unconditionally.

ILLUSTRATION:

THE AWE MOMENT

I want to tell you about Eric Liddell. You might know the movie "Chariots of Fire."

Eric was a Scottish runner in the 1924 Olympics. But here's what most people don't know:

Eric was a Christian, and he refused to run on Sunday because he kept the Sabbath holy. So he gave up his best event—the 100 meters—because the heats were on Sunday.

Instead, he ran the 400 meters, an event he'd never trained for seriously.

And he won. Gold medal. Olympic record.

But that's not the awesome part.

After the Olympics, Eric gave up his athletic career entirely. He went to China as a missionary. When the Japanese invaded China during World War II, Eric was captured and put in an internment camp. He was sick, weak, and suffering.

One day, a fellow prisoner asked him,

"Eric, why are you so joyful? You're dying. You're away from everything you love. Why are you still smiling?"

And Eric said something like,

"Because I know Jesus. And knowing Jesus is worth more than any gold medal, any victory, or any earthly achievement."

Eric Liddell died in that camp at age 43. By worldly standards, his life was a tragedy. He had Olympic glory and gave it up. He died young and far from home.

But everyone who knew him said the same thing: They had never seen a man more genuinely joyful. More at peace. More alive.

Because Eric understood something:

The prize isn't the destination. The prize is the journey with Jesus. And that prize is available whether you're running in the Olympics or suffering in a prison camp.

REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS

When is the last time you felt genuinely joyful in your faith? Not happy because something good happened, but joyful because you knew you were right with God?

Are you running toward Jesus, or are you running away from your past? Because those are two different races with two different destinations.

What would change if you decided that the journey itself—following Jesus—is the prize, not just the destination?

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Here's what I want you to do this week:

Name your "why." Why are you following Jesus? Not because you're supposed to. Not because your parents did. Why do you choose Him? Write it down. Get specific.

Celebrate small wins. You prayed today? That's a win. You chose kindness over anger? That's a win. You served someone? That's a win. Don't wait for the big victories to celebrate.

Share your joy. This is important. Tell someone this week: "You know, I'm really grateful to be on this journey with Jesus." Let them see your joy. Because joy is contagious, and people are desperate to see it.

CONCLUSION:

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER

Here's what we've talked about today:

First, we learned the power of forgetting —

not denying our past, but releasing the emotional weight of it. Your past is real. But it doesn't get to define your future.

Second, we discovered the courage to look ahead—

to clearly see where God is calling you, and to step toward it with intention. Your future isn't created by your yesterday. It's created by your vision and your choices.

And third, we explored the joy in the journey—

understanding that the real prize isn't some distant finish line. The real prize is Jesus. The real prize is knowing Him. The real prize is this moment, right now, with Him.

Listen to me:

You are not too broken for this.

You are not too late for this.

You are not too far gone for this.

Paul said it from a prison cell. Caleb said it at 85 years old. Eric Liddell said it in an internment camp.

And I'm saying it to you today: It's never too late to start running toward Jesus.

The question isn't, "Can I do this?" The question is, "Will I do this?"

APPEAL: THE CALL TO DECISION

I'm going to pray in just a moment. And while I pray, I'm going to invite some of you to make a decision. Not a big dramatic moment. Just an honest choice.

Maybe you're here today and you've been a Christian for years, but you've been looking backward. You've been haunted. You've been stuck.

And today, you're realizing: It's time to let go. It's time to look ahead. It's time to run toward Jesus with everything you've got.

Or maybe you're here and you've never surrendered your life to Jesus. And today, something in your spirit is saying, "I want what Paul had. I want what Caleb had. I want what Eric had. I want to know Jesus like that."

Here's what I'm asking:

If you want to let go of your past and run toward Jesus, I'm asking you to stand up during this prayer. Not to be seen. But so God knows, and you know, that you're making a choice. You're making a commitment.

And if you're already standing with Jesus but you want to rededicate yourself—you want to say, "I'm done looking backward. I'm running hard toward you"—then stand as well.

When we pray, if you're standing, we're going to pray together. We're going to speak to God about this decision. And afterward, we're going to connect you with someone who can help you take the next steps.

Let me pray:

THE PRAYER

"Father, thank You for what You've done in our lives. Thank You for the growth we've experienced. Thank You for the grace that's met us in our failures and kept us moving forward.

For those of us standing right now, we want to make a choice. We want to say, with everything in us: We're done looking backward. We're looking forward. We're running toward You with all our hearts.

Some of us are here and we're making this choice for the first time. Jesus, we're saying yes to You. We're acknowledging that we need You. We're surrendering our lives to You. We're asking You to forgive our sins, to come into our hearts, to make us new.

And some of us are recommitting. We're saying, 'I've wandered. I've doubted. I've looked back. But today, I'm turning around. I'm looking at You. I'm running toward You.'

Father, help us mean this. Help us follow through. Help us not just feel this emotion on Sunday, but carry this conviction into Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and beyond.

And we thank You that the prize isn't someplace else. The prize is here. The prize is You. The prize is knowing You and being known by You.

In Jesus' name, amen."

AFTER THE PRAYER

"If you're standing, I want you to know: You just made the most important decision of your life. I'm serious. And we're not going to leave you alone in this.

As we transition to the next part of our service, I'm going to ask some of our church leaders to come stand near the front. If you're standing, I want you to come talk to one of them. They're going to pray with you, answer your questions, and help you take your next steps.

If you're sitting, you can stay seated. There's no pressure. But if you change your mind—if your spirit is saying, 'I want this, I want to stand'—you can still come. God doesn't have a deadline. But I'll tell you: the longer you wait, the easier it is to talk yourself out of it.

So if you're feeling that tug, that's the Holy Spirit. Listen to Him.

And to everyone here—whether you stood or didn't—I want you to hear this: You are loved. You are valued. You are part of this family. And we're in this together.

Let's go forward, together, toward Jesus."