What is Your 2020 Going to Look Like?
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INTRO:
New Year Resolutions
New Year New You
What is the most popular New Years Resolution?
Getting in shape
Transformation that is wanted - see something wrong we want to change that
You are a New Creation
You are a New Creation
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
What does it mean to be new?
Already existing but seen, experienced, or acquired recently or now for the first time
New Creation in Christ
No longer who you used to be
Galatians “I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives within me”
Characteristics of New:
New is for the first time
back to the definition
New is exciting
New is exciting
Joy of a new gift
Shark Robot, Dishes
Excitement in being a new creation in Christ
Excitement in being a new creation in Christ
New is awkward
New toy takes a minute to really get to know it (Phone, Device, TV, Car, etc.)
As you walk out your new life in Christ, you are gonna fail, stumble, feel awkward, feel dirty
The Cross of Christ sanctifies you
like all new things the initial excitement of the newness wears off
Newness Wears Off
Newness Wears Off
New thing, New game, New movie, etc. loses it’s allure
See it in our Christian walk, drive or fire dims down
Camp high, new song, verse,
Where do we turn to when the newness wears off?
Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
1 Corinthians
When newness wears off, DISCIPLINE is needed
Paul compares this to an athlete training
Training is hard:
Many people quit New Year Resolutions because they lack the discipline to continue
when it no longer feels good or exciting people give up
Same with the Christian walk
When following Jesus becomes unpopular or difficult people throw in the towel and become religious
Discipline is needed even in the Christian walk
you’re not always going to feel like doing it
you’re not always going to feel like praying
you’re not always going to feel like reading the Bible
Reference verse - Paul exercises discipline like an athlete
Athletes pursue a reward that literally will crumble and fade
Paul disciplines himself for an eternal reward that is everlasting
“Michael, that sounds great and I wish I was that strong, but I have too much baggage, I’m too dirty or messed up, I don’t fit the mold of a normal Christian, there is just too much of me that needs fixing”
God does not demand a full cleaning in 5 seconds, it is one degree at a time
One Degree at a Time
One Degree at a Time
Israel’s History - Moses gets the 10 commandments, face shines, Moses covers with a veil because the people are afraid
say this to set up the text
14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians
Veil covers them because the glory of God exposes our sinfulness and it makes us squirm
God removes the veil revealing Himself and there is freedom
that guilt you wrestle with
the doubt
the fear
your insecurities
your anxiety
your worthlessness
all are chains that are SHATTERED when you are a new creation in Christ
veil is gone and all you see is God
From this we are transformed from one degree of glory to another
it’s small changes
over time
through discipline
What lie or sin have you been believing/wrestling with, that you need to lay at the foot of the cross and let go to God?
What step of discipline will you do in 2020 to grow in your walk with Christ?