Vision 2020

Introduction

You know the things we often say around or on New Years is really cliche. Were all guilty of it to one degree or another, don't deny it i see your Facebook posts! Some examples are

“New Year New Me”

"I'm leaving my bad relationships in the past!"

“This year ill be serious about __________”

"I will be serious about working out"

Or you could just post the same memes and pictures every year. . .

But the one I want to abuse today is one that many business and Churches have used for the last decade or so to promote their goals and plans is Vision 2020. . .

And yes today i will shamelessly use this as our theme today, because even though It is cliche by now and cheesy with its allusion to perfect eyesight, because there is still so much truth to this idea of striving to achieve spiritual goals through a Spirit lead vision. Jarvisburg and many of our sister churches have vision and goals for our local ministries but so should every christian.

So for the New Year 2020 we we should challenge ourselves to be an even better follower of Jesus, because when it comes to committing and re-committing to Christ there are no cliches, its all discipleship and sanctification. Here are some biblical examples we can start with,

Make 2020 a Year of living God’s Truth

- when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.

Truth is essential to the Christian life because the Gospel is truth and God is truth. The importance of truth is shown in how often its used in conjunction with the message of Jesus Christ (the word is used 25 times in the gospel of John alone).

– “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”

- “I am the way and the truth and the life”

How you and I perceive truth is what sets the course for every step of our daily lives. We know the world rejects truth, don't worry about them, get your mind right first. Because if you don't how are you ever going to lead others to Christ?

For many years now, truth and facts are disregarded because they might not fit our personal taste or line up with our political philosophy. The world wants us to hold everyones opinions as truth or disregard biblical facts as truth because it might be perceived as bigotry. But in 2020 and beyond we need to live our life in accordance to what the word of God tells us and commands us.

So no more “fake news”, no more “my truth vs your truth” and no "I’ll do it my way” God’s word is God’s truth! 2020 is a year we reclaim God’s truth in our lives!

Make 2020 your present and 2019 your past

Ephesians 4:22 - You were taught, regarding your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

You say obviously 2020 is the present and 2019 is the past - it may be obvious to some of us, but they way some of us act we might as well be stuck in the past!

The month of January is named after the Roman god Janus, who was pictured as a man with two faces, one looking backward and the other forward. Likewise, in January in our culture we look back at the year behind us and should evaluate, was that the old me or the new me? Did I live the life lead by the flesh or the life lead by the Spirit?

We need to understand that our new birth through Christ begins by letting go of the past. You know why 92% of people can’t fulfill their resolutions… because they can’t fully let it go.= what was holding them back the year(s) before.

We need to be grounded by the truth of God’s word and recognize the old ways of our life, the sinful selfish ways are supposed to be done away with. If not, then it is time to . . . commit to the new year as a new person

That’s why a constant refreshing and renewal of our spiritual life is necessary. which leads us to the final verses. Rededicate yourself every year!

Make 2020 and beyond a life of Holiness

- to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Right of the bat he says “To be made new” the language here is present tense, it is a continuing action.

Our rebirth is accompanied by sanctification. Sanctification is just a fancy word that means the Holy Spirit is at work in us to make us more Holy or more like Christ.

This change or renewal we call sanctification takes place in three stages of out Christian life. Conversion…life…. glorification at the second coming. In other words, we always have room to improve, to learn, to be a better Christian.

We should always want to commit ourselves to being better with the Holy Spirit’s guidance and empowerment.

Paul continues to define what this new life needs and that’s a new attitude!

Our attitude determines our actions, don’t they?

This attitude is to be motivate by the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. This attitude is reflective of who we put on at our baptism…Jesus Christ.

Atheist Billboard – “Skip Church, be good for Goodness Sake!” Goodness is not motived by itself, it’s not motivated by philosophy or legality or holiday tradition. Goodness comes from God and it is motivated by the goodness, grace, and mercy that God gave us even though we were sinners.

We are good because of God, we commit to improvement because of God.

Conclusion

Matthew Henry is a famous bible commentator from the 1700’s. In his journal on January 1st, 1705 he wrote:

“Not renouncing, but repeating, and ratifying all my former Covenants with God, and lamenting it, that I have not lived up more closely to them; I do in the beginning of this New Year solemnly make a fresh surrender of myself, my whole self, body, soul, and spirit, to God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, my Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, covenanting and promising not in my straight of my own, for I am very weak, but in the strength of the grace of Jesus Christ, that I will endeavor this year to stand complete in all of the Will of God.”

Now that’s a Resolution that tops all resolutions and that a vision for more than just 2020, its a vision for life.

If you’re going to have a New Year’s Resolution, and I think you should. Let it be motivated by your New Birth in Christ.

Don’t stop at diets or balancing your check books, make a commitment to the truth of God’s word, its teachings and its meaning in your life.

2020 is a year where visions and goals have been set by many, it can be the year you recommit to God’s truth, leave the past in the past and let the spirit guide you to walk in holiness.

Don’t be superficial with the change and commitment you made with God. It’s not a resolution to take lightly and drop after only a couple months. It’s a life of time change grounded in scripture and motivated by a Godly attitude

Remember ever year and every day given to us by God is another day to grow in Christ and serve him better! I pray we strive for this in 2020