Title Toward the Mark / Philippians 3:12-14
Title: Towards the goal
Main text: Philippians 3:12-14
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Life is fleeting. It is also infinitely free. So let's take a look back at life. Again, I look back on the old me. Just as a slug peels off its skin and becomes a cicada, we want to be renewed like this. What is life? It is a high-end reed. It's a dying wick. Is life really clean? One philosopher called it a gutter. The Bible speaks of a dead body in trespasses and sins. Now we have a new 2004 year. New wine must be placed in a new bottle. Everything is old. So we must be born again. must change. There must be a spiritual revolution. This year, let's make a new decision with absolute dedication. Let's set goals that meet God's standards. So, I wish you God's blessings in the new year.
2004 does not come back to human history. It's the first week of 2004. May God's blessing be with you, your family, your business, your health and your future this year. Each person has their own hope. When it comes to the new year, I always wish for good luck. The setting of the moon and the setting of the sun are common in the past and today. Years are always passing by. By cutting the time of such a steady flow, it is said that yesterday is the old year, and from today it is the new year. A new year is not a new year just because a new calendar is hung on the wall. Just because the month is New Year's Day doesn't mean it's a new year. When the world and life have new meanings and values, new meanings and values approach me with dynamic power, and when such new mental and personal changes occur, a new time begins only for that person.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away; behold, the new has come.” We wish your wishes and dreams come true in the new year.
I. Let's Forget the Past
Go to the bookstore today. The titles of books are like a mirror that reflects us. Kiehlkegol's "Sickness to Death" Paul Tillich's "A Shaking Ground" Hwang Soon-Won's Works "On the Slope of a Tree" by Heo Geun-Wook "Where Will I Stand?" The “Worried World,” written by a philosopher who visited every corner of the world, is telling us about our world. Some have called today the “lost age”. Some have referred to the age as “the age of crisis”. Losing something. It's about forgetting something.
As the new year approaches, everyone wants to make a fresh start. The same is true of spiritual life. Let's get rid of everything that has broken my heart and harmed my soul, and let's have a new heart. I have to let go of my old self. You have to get rid of the old humanity that follows the old life. Soon, we must leave the old humanity that is being deceived by lust and decaying. We are totally corrupt humanity. There is no view. The writer of Ephesians said, “Put off your old self, according to the decaying old customs.” It should be thrown away without regret. I need to get rid of my old self. kill me Ezekiel 18:31 “Put away all iniquity that you have committed and renew your heart and spirit.”
What do we live on? I need to take off my old clothes. Take off my rags. It's ugly and dirty to look at. Odor elements must be removed. We easily fall for the candy canes of the sweet world. But there is poison in it. Let's break free from the old habits that are corrupted by the lust of temptation. Let's conquer the Cape of Good Hope in the new year. Let's climb into the garden of God's blessing. Then you will have a successful life. We must win the spiritual battle. The prophet Zechariah, who was hoping for a new spiritual revival in Israel, saw Joshua the high priest wearing filthy clothes and standing before the angel, and he saw the Lord commanded the angel to remove the dirty clothes, put on beautiful clothes, and put on a clean crown.
I wish you new blessings. I am hoping that hope will be renewed. First, we must take off our dirty clothes before God. And we must put on new clothes that are pleasing to God. Romans 13:12 says, “Let us put off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Anyone can make mistakes. King David of ancient Israel also sinned. When the prophet Nathan gave advice, he sat down from the throne, confessed his sin, was contrite with tears, and continued to shed tears of repentance. In the Psalms, it is said that he fed with tears. He wet the bed with tears and repented to the point of decay.
Once upon a time, Herod was advised by John the Baptist when he sinned. But instead of repenting, he left behind thousands of thousands of stains by beheading Sere John. Look at David. A single command from the king would have decapitated the prophet Nathan who gave him advice. He had descended from the king's throne and repented. This is what touched the heart of God. He made no excuses. He made no excuses. He was truthful. He was a good king who cleared the past. Such a person is valued by God. God wants us to be like Him. People have the potential to make mistakes. But repentance is even more important.
II. towards the target
People need forward-looking eyes. It is difficult for people to think only about the future and not look forward. If you only yearn for past failures or past successes, you will not be able to move forward. We need fantasy. Therefore, when Israel was far, tired and exhausted and was struggling in the wilderness, he showed Moses and Joshua the vision of Canaan. Noah clearly saw through God the sorrow and joy that would come 120 years later. So he endured 120 years and built a ship for the rain that would fall after 120 years. We have a goal. He is the Lord of faith. Let's run towards the target.
We are right now at the starting point. Let's all reach our goal on New Year's Eve. Don't get discouraged in the middle. Of course, there will be Satan's interference. So there will be temptations like this and that. Let's just look ahead and run. You know the way to heaven by John Bunyan. In this way, let's run only looking at the Lord. If the people of Israel did not have Canaan, they would have been the most pitiful nation in history. God must have been the number one deceiver. Their labor would have been in vain. But they saw welfare on the other side of the tumbling Jordan. They found new joy and courage. They did their best.
Our goal is to be like Christ. There is a new joy that is not satisfied with gold or silver. There is a satisfaction that cannot be obtained from philosophy or morality. Why did Paul have to give up everything in the world for the sake of the voice? This is because we have seen a better world. Let's live better this year. May it be a year of powerful blessings. The Israelites complained a lot in the wilderness. I was annoyed. Why did they do that? I missed Egypt. However, one of the major reasons is the reason that we did not see the welfare of Canaan, where milk and honey flowed. So they complained and complained. We know what they were saying. Let's live with gratitude, joy and love.
Ⅲ. Let's make a new resolution
Big things require great determination and determination. When trying to accomplish a great work, there will always be obstacles that stand in the way. To catch a tiger, you need to go to a dense forest. If you are craving for pearls, you have to go into the sea dozens of ways. We may also have unforeseen hardships and storms this year. When Moses led the people to his dream hometown of Canaan, there was the Red Sea in front of him, and there was an endless desert for 40 years to go along the road.
Joshua 1:14 says, “Your wives and your livestock will stay in the land on this side of the Jordan that Moses gave you, but your warriors will go over armed before your brethren to help them.” There is dignity and conviction in that solemn determination. Joshua and Caleb, the leaders of that nation, took the lead and drew their swords and faced death, advancing the army and gaining victory. We must have that determination as well. “I will be with you. I will never leave you nor forsake you.” There was nothing to fear because the God of power was with us.
We have a lot of work to do this year as well. As I have already announced, let's practice love this year. Sharing a small amount of love makes a big miracle. Our church is praying to become an international missionary church. The church that evangelizes the most and has the most power Let's become the church that prays the most, loves and serves. We are the world, whether we know it or not. Whether we admit it or not, let's live only according to the word of God. This is our target. Let's forget everything of the past. don't look at people Disappointed. The peace and courage of the saints does not consist in the comfortable environment and the clear path. God is on your side and is always with you. Don't be discouraged. Be brave. Let's get strength. God is on my side.
closing words
I would like to close my message today. Already we have a brilliant plan for 2004. I also have personal goals. Health, housekeeping, marriage, employment, hobbies, etc. are all good. We forget the past. Don't get caught up in the past. Let's just look ahead. So, you set a spiritual goal. Let's attend all the public worship services this year. Let's live a full tithing blessed life. Let's read the Bible diligently. Let's evangelize Let's always be thankful. Let's always be happy Do not think negatively about your home, work, society, family, neighbors, or your religious life. Praise is a medicine. Let us pray that we will not reveal the weaknesses of others. Let's live a life of service and love. I'm an angel like this, but let's not give up on how I am one. If you are struggling and struggling, ask for help. We thank God for always loving us. In 2004, be victorious in the Lord because your soul prospers, everything goes well, and you are healthy.