A New Year’s Challenge: Living with Purpose and Perspective

Turn with me to Philippians 3:17-21

As we face another year, these words of Paul are a good reminder for us to follow.

Our Challenge for the New Year

- Vs. 17

Paul encourages us to live lives that reflect the love and teachings of Christ

While Paul himself wasn’t perfect,

his life demonstrated a commitment to following Christ,

and he urged others to do the same.

We can look to Paul’s actions, humility, and devotion to God as a model

for how we can live out our faith.

This year, we can

make a conscious effort to seek out and learn from those who are also striving to live in accordance with God’s will, even if none of us are perfect.

Strive to be the one others look to for an example of living a life in accordance with God’s will, even though you are not perfect.

1 Corinthians 11:1 NASB95

1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

1 Thessalonians 1:6 NASB95

6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

Nearness to God brings likeness to God. The more you see God the more of God will be seen in you. Imitators Of God, Volume 29, Sermon #1725 - Ephesians 5:1

Charles Spurgeon

Our Caution for the New Year

Vss. 18-19

The world often promotes values and behaviors

that don’t align with the teachings of Christ

Galatians 6:14 NASB95

14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Paul warns us to be mindful of those whose lives are focused on

selfish desires and

worldly pursuits

Their focus is often on fleeting pleasures, and

they do not seek the eternal rewards of following Christ.

As we navigate through this year, it’s important to recognize

unhealthy influences and

not follow paths that lead us away from God's will.

Keeping our hearts focused on God's values

helps us avoid getting lost in the distractions of the world.

Among the enemies to devotion none is so harmful as distractions. Whatever excites the curiosity, scatters the thoughts, disquiets the heart, absorbs the interests or shifts our life focus from the kingdom of God within us to the world around us—that is a distraction; and the world is full of them.

A. W. Tozer

Ephesians 4:17–19 NASB95

17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.

2 Corinthians 6:14–18 ESV

14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

Romans 16:17–18 NASB95

17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. 18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

Our Citizenship for Eternity

- Vss. 20-21

Our citizenship (conversation) is in Heaven right now

As believers, we are reminded that our true home is in heaven, and

this earth is just a temporary stop on our journey.

While we live here and interact with the world,

we are called to keep our eyes fixed on the eternal life God has promised us.

Paul reminds us to live in anticipation of Christ’s return,

when He will make all things new.

The transformation that awaits us is far beyond what we can imagine, and

it’s something we should actively look forward to,

remembering that our lives here should reflect our heavenly citizenship.

We should be looking for the coming of our Savior,

who will transform our bodies to be like His.

This year, we can focus on living in a way that aligns with our future hope.

Christians live in the future tense; their present actions and decisions are governed by this future hope.

Warren W. Wiersbe

John 14:2–3 KJV 1900

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 unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Colossians 3:1–4 NASB95

1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

1 John 3:2 NASB95

2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.

2 Corinthians 5:1–5 NLT

1 For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 3 For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. 4 While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. 5 God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.

Conclusion: Make the Commitment

As we step into the new year, let’s commit to

Having Character: Following Paul’s example of godliness

Philippians 4:8 NASB95

8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

Having Action: Avoid the distractions of the world

James 1:22 NIV

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Having Hope: Keep our eyes focused on the eternal promises we have in Christ

Titus 2:13 NASB95

13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,

Each of these reminders can help us navigate the year with a heart and

mind set on what truly matters:

Living out our faith

Looking forward to Christ’s return

Growing in our relationship with God.