Clean Slate 2020

1. The apostle Paul uses an example of an athlete running a race to encourage the believer
2. Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it YET but ONE THING I do FORGETTING what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead I PRESS ON toward the GOAL for the PRIZE of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus
    1. YET = we have not arrived spiritually yet BUT
    2. Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus
    3. ONE THING = specialize in and be single minded about running the race
    4. FORGETTING what lies behind = no longer be affected by or influenced by the past
    5. 2020 represents a clean slate:  Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west so far has He removed our transgressions from us
    6. Don’t be a victim take responsibility for you
      1. Galatians 6:5 Each person must be responsible for himself
    7. We should not live in the past even if it was good
    8. PRESS ON =  Like a runner leaning in toward the finish line of a race
    9. Jeremiah 29:11 for I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord plans to prosper you and not to harm you plans to give you a hope and a future
    10. GOAL and PRIZE of the Christian = the finish line is the goal and heaven is our prize
    11. God has good things for you here and now.  Without Jesus life is empty
      3. 2nd Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are CALLED by my name will HUMBLE THEMSELVES and PRAY and SEEK MY FACE and TURN from their wicked ways then WILL I HEAR from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land
    1. Four things that will propel you forward in 2020
    2. Realize you are CALLED to: salvation & to fulfill His purpose for your life To Fulfill His purpose for your life you must start to serve.  If you are not serving start 1-1-18
    3. Ecclesiastes 11:4 If you wait for perfect conditions you will never get anything done: The most important thing is to START
    4. HUMBLE YOURSELF = admit you need a savior and make Him Lord  & yield
    5. SEEK HIS FACE AND PRAY = James 4:8 draw near to God and he will draw near to you
    6. TURN = repent from self-centeredness and live a lifestyle of holiness

 

  1. Four things that can keep us from moving forward in our lives
    1. LACK OF FAITH. A lack of faith comes from a lack of serving it is the result of loose association with God
    2. A loose association with God leads to being consumed with the things of this world
    3. Worldly things only bring temporary satisfaction
    4. NOT FORGIVING YOURSELF for past failures. God brings conviction not condemnation
    5. Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus
    6. NOT FORGIVING OTHERS. Forgive friends & family that may have wronged you
    7. Forgive church people that may have wronged you
    8. Forgiveness releases you from your responsibility before God and allows healing to take place within you and enables you to move on
    9. The opposite of forgiveness is hatred and bitterness. You can get better or you can get bitter
    10. A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE in God’s word
    11. We need to be open to what God is doing in our lives allowing Him to bring teaching correction and healing in our lives
    12. Jesus will often use a person to teach us our weaknesses