God Has A Plan week 1

First Message of the Year
Commit 2025 to G
Psalm 10:14
But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless
Provers 16:3
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Matthew 6:33
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well
Psalm 10:14
But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless
Provers 16:3
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Matthew 6:33
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well
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.
13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit-fruit that will last-and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart
8 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose
What do these statements mean?
• All I want for 2025 is for God to take over.
• I surrender 2025 to God.
• I want to trust God in 2025.
• I will do God’s will in 2025.
2 Goals for 2025 that puts our life in God’s hands
1. Draw Close to Jesus
2. Give God Glory and Honor
Draw Close to Jesus (“get rid of…”)
Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God
Luke 7:30
30 But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John
• Get Rid of Sin
 Acknowledge what needs to be repented of (confession)
 Replace sin with holiness (set aside for holy purpose)
• Accept Purpose
 Believe that your relationship with Jesus involves specific service to Him (Ephesians 2:1-10)
 Believe that you have been gifted to serve in your calling (Romans 12:3-8)
Give God Glory and Honor
Colossians 3:17
7 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
John 7:16-18
16 Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me. 17 Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18 Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.
• Get Rid Self-Centered Goals
 Goal: things to be as you prefer
 Goal: greater personal reputation, wealth, status
 Live With God-Centered Goals (Seek His Glory)
 Goal: Jesus to be made known
 Goal: Jesus to get credit for your success
 Goal: Represent Jesus (Humility, Faith, Love, Kindness, self-Control, gentleness, patience, joy and peace)