A New Year Sermon

Introduction – Paul is his life lived as one with a mission and objective in mind. Despite being beaten and bruised, ship wrecked and taken prisoner he encourages us in Philippians 3:13 to “press on towards the goal, the high calling we have in Jesus...” Whilst many of us at this time are busy breaking the New Year’s resolutions we made earlier, Paul was a man that would deny all things to serve in the Kingdom of our Lord.

As we examine Pauls life, whilst at first glance this statement may not sound so profound, however it really is amazing after experiencing beatings, stoning, shipwrecks and even now whilst writing to the church in Philippi, being imprisoned for his faith.

But this is no longer the man who at one time stood by and held the cloaks of those who stoned Stephen. See Acts 6

Paul makes this amazing statement in 2 Cor 4:7-12, where he says “7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.”

What gave Paul this incredible fervour to carry on, to go the extra mile despite all that he experienced?

Not only did he experience hardship, but he had also given up so much of what many of us might call being comfortable. That is, his family, his position amongst leading Pharisees, his citizenship as a Roman...

What inspired Paul to Keep on Going?

Lovers of all things Jesus – the love of God compels us, but more so being in love with God should compels us.  Not because we should or have to, but because we are so in love that we can do no less.

Colossians 3:3 says Setting our hearts and eyes on him above rather than on things below. Having the mind of Christ...

Not just a lover of the written word, but of the Spoken word. Being one who was praying in the Spirit on all occasions. See Ephesians 6:18

Not Religious as we know it culturally today, rather as described in the bible.

Seekers of His Kingdom – His kingdom is the opposite of the worldly kingdom in which we live. Knowing his kingdom is within us, that we are His body and everything and everyone that we engage in this life we are able to bring His kingdom.

Matthew 6:33; Matt 5:10

When speaking to the disciples who wanted to know if they would be seated with him in heaven, Jesus says in Luke 11 that those who wish to be “first must be last” and again in Luke 9 Jesus says if anyone would come after me, “must deny himself, take up the cross and follow him.”

Led of the Holy Spirit –Romans 8 says being lead by his Spirit is what makes us into sons rather than staying us slaves.

Christ has bought us with the price of His blood.

The prodigal son came to realise that returning as a servant with a heart that was humbled, broken and repentant brought opportunity to live as a son in His father’s kingdom.

There is much symbolism in the story of the prodigal son, eg ring to trade in the fathers name; cloak is the authority the son has in different regions; shoes represent the ability to go much like Ephesians speaks about the shoes of readiness; the fatten calf speaks of the blessing.

The most power part however, of this story is the part that says “and the father saw him from afar off, ran to him and embraced him” speaking of the intimacy the father longs for between us and himself.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says???

As we move forward in the new year, one of the most powerful things we can possible do, is to obey the voice and leadings of the Holy Spirit.

Our old founding pastor, used to say “find out what Holy Spirit is doing and do that” because He will always make you look good.

The Lord commands Joshua in chapter three to “meditate on this word day and night” resulting in the Lord making him very successful. Joshua 3

I believe it is this closeness to the Spirit and obedience to him that brings genuine success in all that we do.