What are you looking at?

The year of the Word of the Lord

We had an amazing year. We started the year a bit rocky. We weren’t certain if the finances of the church would hold. God has provided and continues to provide.

We saw many new visitors and a handful of those have become a regular part of our church community.

We saw a handful of baptisms and a few people giving their lives to Jesus.

We can look back and be very thankful for how the Lord has blessed us and used us.

As we wrap up 2025, I wanted to take this morning and jog our memories about our focus this year and ask the simple question, “What are you looking at?” as this year ends.

Remembering our series in Psalm 119:

Psalm 119:11 ESV

11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:71 ESV

71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.

Psalm 119:89 ESV

89 Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.

Psalm 119:97 ESV

97 Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.

Psalm 119:105 ESV

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:136 ESV

136 My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.

Psalm 119:147 ESV

147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words.

Remembering our series in Hebrews:

Key Verses

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

At the end of 2025, What are our eyes fixed on?

Looking longingly at our old ways of life?

Reluctance to let go

Genesis 19:15–17 ESV

15 As morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city.” 16 But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. 17 And as they brought them out, one said, “Escape for your life. Do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Escape to the hills, lest you be swept away.”

Consequence for turning back

Genesis 19:23–26 ESV

23 The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar. 24 Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven. 25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. 26 But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

Looking to the wealth of this world

Acts 4:36–5:11 ESV

36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. 7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

Looking to the Savior

Singular Focus

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Intentional Devotion

Mark 8:34–38 ESV

34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Wrapping up 2025

If you are hoping 2026 goes better than 2025, are you focused on better circumstances, or are your eyes focused on walking more closely with Jesus?

If there are smooth waters coming out of 2025 and you are hoping for more of the same, are you pausing to seek the Lord for His will for 2026, or are you coasting?

What are you looking at?