Bulletins - Living Way Church

Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me
His Mercy Is More
All I Have Is Christ
In Christ Alone
Good morning. I’m so glad you could join us today.Today is our last Sunday of 2025, and for many of us, this moment brings a mix of feelings. Some look back with gratitude for the blessings of the year. Others feel the pain of loss, whether from missing someone or a missed chance. For some, uncertainty has been a steady presence, so reaching the end of the year feels like a relief. Most of us probably feel a bit of each, and these experiences are part of what we share together.
What I appreciate about God's Word is how it meets us in whatever place we find ourselves. It doesn’t ask us to pretend things were better than they were, and it doesn’t let us be overwhelmed by disappointment. Instead, it grounds us in grace and gives us hope for what’s ahead. Philippians 3:12-14 shows this well, as Paul talks about pressing on toward the goal. This passage reminds us that our faith is a journey, and it encourages us to keep moving forward, even when things are hard.
This morning, we’ll hear from the apostle Paul as he shares about his own walk with Christ. He doesn’t speak as someone who has it all figured out, but as someone still moving forward. As we listen, my simple prayer is that God will lift what still weighs us down and gently remind us why we keep going.
Because Christ has taken hold of us, we press on.
Let’s pray together.
Father,
As we come before You this morning, we thank You for Your faithfulness. This past year, you have shown your goodness in countless ways. We recall the joy of coming together for the community service day, where we united to support those in need and witnessed Your love in action. We remember the evening of the Christmas concert, where our hearts were lifted in praise and fellowship, a testament to Your presence among us. You have carried us through another year, not because we were strong, but because You are good.
You know every heart in this room.
You know the joys we celebrate and the burdens we still carry.
You know the regrets we’d rather forget and the fears we hesitate to name.
So we ask You now to quiet our hearts.
Free us from pride and from shame.
Help us not to be defined by what lies behind us, but by the grace we have in Christ. Remind us daily of Your forgiveness, nurturing hope, and a sense of renewal each day.
As we open Your Word, fix our eyes on Jesus—the One who has taken hold of us and who calls us forward.
Give us ears to hear, hearts to trust, and lives ready to follow.
We ask all of this in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Reflecting on the closing of another year reminds us not merely of the moments we've lived, but of the profound redemptive work of Christ that frames every experience. As we peer into the past, let us be drawn not into mere nostalgia, but into a renewed hope, anchored in the promises of the gospel.Sometimes we do that intentionally—thinking through what went well, what didn’t, what changed. Other times it just happens. A memory surfaces. A regret lingers. A moment of joy flashes through our minds.For some of us, 2025 was a good year. There were answered prayers, growth, and moments where we could clearly see the hand of God at work.For others, this year brought loss, disappointment, or struggles that never really let up. And if we’re honest, even in good years, there are usually things we wish we could redo—or things we’re quietly proud of.That’s where the danger comes in. At times, we might find ourselves spiritually stuck. When we dwell too much on past regrets, we may feel trapped by our failures, preventing growth and progress. Alternatively, when we excessively admire our achievements, we risk becoming complacent in our spiritual journey. Both of these states can quietly slow our walk with Christ.At moments like this, we're tempted to dwell in one of two places:
We might spiral into regret, replaying our failures and feeling stuck.
Or we might sink into pride, admiring our progress and feeling settled.
And both can quietly slow our walk with Christ.So the question before us this morning is not, How was your year? The better question is, how do we move forward faithfully when the past is still very present?The apostle Paul helps us with that. And what’s striking is that he writes these words not as a new believer, and not as someone who has it all figured out—but as a mature Christian who still sees himself in process. As we open to Philippians chapter 3, Paul gives us a gospel-shaped way to look back without being trapped—and to move forward without fear.Because Christ has taken hold of us, we press on.
Grace Before Progress
Paul starts with an admission that might surprise us:
Philippians 3:12 ESV
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect…”
This is the apostle Paul talking.
By this point, he’s been walking with Christ for years. He’s suffered. He’s preached. He’s planted churches. He’s written Scripture. And yet he looks at his life and says, I haven’t arrived.
That’s not false humility. Paul isn’t putting himself down. He’s just being honest.
One of the clearest marks of Christian maturity is not pretending we’re finished. It’s knowing we’re still in process. And that’s important to hear—especially at the end of a year—because it frees us from two quiet traps: pretending we did better than we did, or feeling crushed because we didn’t do as well as we hoped.
Paul stands in the middle and says, I’m still moving.
Then he adds this:
“But I press on…”
That phrase tells us something important. The Christian life is not passive. Paul doesn’t drift forward. He presses forward. There’s effort here. There’s intention.
But here’s where we have to be careful.
Paul is not saying, I press on so that Christ will accept me. He’s saying something much better than that.
“I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”
That word “because” matters.
Paul's effort is not about earning something that’s uncertain. It’s a response to something that’s already settled. Christ has already taken hold of him. Already claimed him. Already made him His own. There's no scoreboard, only belonging. So Paul presses on—not out of fear, but out of belonging.That’s the gospel logic of the Christian life:We don’t pursue Christ in order to gain Him.
We pursue Christ because He has already taken hold of us.Grace doesn’t wait for us at the finish line. It meets us at the starting line, like a runner handed a medal even before the race begins. From that place of grace, we move forward, inspired and assured.
That means our effort is real—but it’s not anxious.
Our growth matters—but it’s not what defines us.
Our progress is important—but it’s never the basis of our acceptance.
Christian maturity doesn’t look like perfection. It looks like faithful movement, rooted in grace. Consider Peter, who stumbled mightily after denying Jesus three times. Despite his failure, Peter didn't give up. Instead, he found forgiveness and strength in faith, continuing to lead and inspire others with renewed commitment. This illustrates that maturity encompasses the ups and downs of our journey, guided by resilience and grace.
And that’s why we can say with confidence—Because Christ has taken hold of us, we press on.
One Controlling Focus
Paul continues:
Philippians 3:13 ESV
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do…”
I love how simple that sounds.
Paul could have given us a long list.
Disciplines. Strategies. Spiritual habits.
But instead, he says, “One thing.”
That’s intentional.
Because one of the greatest dangers in the Christian life—especially at the end of a year—is divided focus. Our minds are pulled in a dozen directions at once. We’re replaying what happened, worrying about what’s coming, comparing ourselves to others, and wondering what we should have done differently.Paul cuts through all of that and says, “One thing I do.”
And then he explains what that one thing involves:
“Forgetting what lies behind…”
Now, we need to be very clear about what Paul means here because this verse is often misunderstood. In the first-century context, "forgetting" often carried the connotation of choosing not to hold something to account. It's important to understand that in Greco-Roman honor culture, where lineage and past deeds were highly prized, Paul's claim to forget is a radical one. He is advocating for a focus that liberates believers from being defined by their past, suggesting that their identity is now rooted in Christ rather than past accomplishments or failures.
“Forgetting” does not mean denial.
Paul isn’t pretending the past didn’t happen.
It doesn’t mean erasing memory. Paul remembers his sins. He remembers his failures. He also remembers his successes.
What Paul is talking about is refusing to let the past define him.
That’s the key.
Some of us are still being shaped by things that happened years ago:
A sin that Christ has already forgiven
A wound that still echoes
A season of success that quietly feeds pride
A failure that keeps whispering, “This is who you are.”
Paul says, That doesn’t get to control me anymore.
The past may inform us, but it no longer identifies us.
Why?
Because Paul’s identity is no longer rooted in his history—it’s rooted in Christ.
And that’s true for us as well.
In Christ:
Our worst moment doesn’t define us.
Our best season doesn’t sustain us.
Our story is not anchored in the past.
Our identity is anchored in the One who has taken hold of us.
So Paul simplifies the Christian life—not by making it shallow, but by making it focused.
One thing:
Letting go of what no longer gets to name us, so we can move forward in who we are in Christ.
And that’s part of what it means to press on.
Because Christ has taken hold of us, we press on.
Forward-Leaning Perseverance
Paul goes on to say,
“…and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal…”
That phrase—“straining forward”—is vivid. Paul borrows language from the world of athletics. You can picture it: a runner leaning forward, eyes fixed ahead, reaching for the finish line.
This tells us something important.
The Christian life is not passive. We don't drift into faithfulness. We don't accidentally grow. There is real effort involved. But from where will the power for this effort come? This effort is fueled by grace, flowing from the finished work of Christ. His grace enables us to strive forward, not with anxious performance, but with confident reliance on His strength.
But we need to be clear about the kind of effort Paul is talking about.
This is not self-powered striving.
This is not an anxious performance.
This is not trying to prove something to God.
Paul’s effort flows from a relationship, not insecurity.
He presses on because he knows where he’s going—and more importantly, who is calling him forward.
“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
That phrase, "the upward call," reminds us that the Christian life is directional. God is not merely correcting us; He is drawing us. He is calling His people forward, upward, toward Himself. This has been evident throughout the Bible, from the exodus of the Israelites moving towards the Promised Land to their return from exile, where God continually pulled His people forward into His promises.
And the future Paul is running toward is not uncertain.
Christ reigns.
The outcome is secure.
The finish line is not in doubt.
Which means Paul doesn’t press on in fear. He presses on in hope.
That’s a critical distinction.
Fear-driven effort exhausts us.
Hope-driven perseverance strengthens us.
Paul is not chasing self-improvement. He’s not trying to become a better version of himself for his own sake. His goal is faithfulness—faithfulness to Christ, faithfulness to the call, faithfulness to the grace that has already claimed him.
And that changes how we hear this at the end of a year.
Pressing on doesn’t mean doing everything differently. It doesn’t mean dramatic reinvention. Yet, it's worth reflecting on what might hold us back. What small comfort are you afraid to surrender? Asking ourselves such questions can illuminate the reasons we hesitate to press on and invite honest reflection. Often, pressing on simply means taking the next faithful step, trusting that God is at work and that Christ is leading the way.
.So as we look ahead, we do so with steady confidence, not because we know what’s coming, but because we know who reigns. In this shared journey of faith, let us support and encourage one another, fostering a community that presses on together. By leaning on and lifting one another, we are reminded that we do not walk this path alone but as a congregation united in purpose and hope.
And once again, Paul brings us back to the heart of it all:
Because Christ has taken hold of us, we press on.
How do I live this out?
Let’s slow this down and make it real.
First—what am I still letting define me?
For some of us, the past still has too much say.It might be a sin you’ve already confessed and been forgiven for—but you keep carrying it anyway.
It might be a failure that still shapes how you see yourself.
It might even be a season where things went really well, and you’re quietly living off of that.
Paul would say, "That doesn’t get to name you anymore." As the Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 3:13-14, we are encouraged to "forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead." This biblical guidance provides a foundation for moving beyond past burdens.
Pressing on might start right here—by finally letting go of something Christ has already dealt with.
Second, where am I tempted toward pride or discouragement?
This time of year is especially good at pulling us into one of those two places. Pride trusts in our own achievements or status, whispering that we have no need for divine assistance. Discouragement, on the other hand, relies on our fears and insecurities, convincing us that change is impossible. Ask yourself: What am I relying on besides Christ that fuels my pride or deepens my discouragement? Identify these false refuges and bring them into the light.
Pride says, “I’ve done enough. I’m good where I am.”
Discouragement says, “What’s the point? I’ll never really change.”
And the gospel gently pushes back on both.
We don’t stop because we think we’ve arrived.
And we don’t quit because we feel behind.
We press on—not because of how well we think we’ve done, and not because of how badly we think we’ve failed—but because Christ has taken hold of us.
Third, what's the next faithful step?
Not the whole plan for next year.
Not five resolutions.
Just the next step.
For most of us, faithfulness doesn't look dramatic. It looks ordinary. This might mean reaching out to a neighbor for a genuine conversation, taking the first step to forgive someone who has wronged you, or volunteering at a local community center. It's about showing kindness in small, everyday ways—checking in on a friend, or giving a compliment. Faithfulness might also involve committing to a regular time of reflection and gratitude each day, or simply dedicating a few minutes listening intently to someone you care about.
Sometimes pressing on doesn’t mean doing more.
Sometimes it just means not giving up.
And here’s the encouragement in all of this:
You’re not starting over.
You’re not trying to earn something new.
You’re moving forward from a place of grace.
So wherever you find yourself this morning, whether you are tired, hopeful, uncertain, or thankful, know that you are not alone in this journey. We are all in this together, supporting and uplifting each other every step of the way. Hear this clearly:
You belong to Christ.
And because Christ has taken hold of us, we press on. Grace propels us forward.
So Paul hasn’t given us a checklist.
He hasn’t handed us a plan for self-improvement.
He’s given us a way to walk—a posture for the Christian life.
Grace comes first.
The past no longer defines us. And the direction is always forward.
Which brings us to the real question—not what did Paul say? But so what does all of this mean for us, right now, at the end of this year?
So What?
It means I don’t have to carry 2025 into 2026 like a weight on my back. Imagine this: I'm standing by the curb with a box full of old journals from the past year. Each journal represents the burdens and memories I've been holding on to. But now, as I set the box down and step away, I feel the physical weight lift off my shoulders. It's a simple act, yet it symbolizes letting go of the past, making space for the grace and freedom that lie ahead.
I don’t have to pretend this year was better than it was.
And I don’t have to be crushed by what didn’t go the way I hoped.
Because my standing with God is not based on how this year went.
It’s based on Christ.
It means the past can inform me—but it no longer gets to define me.
My sins don’t get the final word.
My failures don’t get the final word.
Even my successes don’t get the final word.
Jesus does.
And it means pressing on isn’t about trying harder—it’s about trusting deeper.
Trusting that Christ has already taken hold of me.
Trusting that He’s still at work.
Trusting that the same grace that carried me through this year will carry me into the next.
So I can step forward—not with fear, not with pressure—but with quiet confidence.
Because Christ has taken hold of us, we press on.
Forgetting What Lies Behind, Pressing On
As we stand on the edge of a new year, we don’t step forward empty-handed.
We step forward having been carried.
Carried by grace when we were weak.
Carried by mercy when we fell short.
Carried by faithfulness we did not earn and could not sustain on our own.
And that means we don't walk into the days ahead trying to prove something to God or anyone else. We walk forward as people who belong to Christ, people He has already taken hold of. As Philippians 3:12 says, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." We are held in the very hand of the creator of all things.
The past no longer gets to name us.
The future no longer has to frighten us.
And the present is held securely in the hands of a faithful Savior.
Whatever this next year brings—joy or sorrow, clarity or uncertainty—we do not face it alone. The same Jesus who saved us is the Jesus who sustains us. The same grace that met us at the beginning will meet us every step of the way.
So we move forward—not with pressure, not with fear, and not with regret—but with hope.
Because Christ has taken hold of us, we press on.
And we do so with confidence, knowing that He who began a good work in us will be faithful to carry it through to completion.
Amen.
Let us pray.
Gracious Father,
We thank You for Your steadfast love and for the grace You have shown us in Christ Jesus. You have held us, kept us, and carried us through another year—often in ways we didn’t see until now.
As we step into the days ahead, we ask that You would help us walk in the freedom of the gospel.
Free us from regret over what lies behind us.
Guard us from fear about what lies ahead.
Teach us to live each day trusting not in our strength, but in Your faithfulness.
Help us to press on with steady hearts—not striving to earn Your love, but resting in the grace we have already received.
May our lives reflect gratitude, humility, and hope, as we follow Christ wherever He leads.
We pray this in the strong and saving name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
And now May the God of peace, who has taken hold of you through Christ Jesus, strengthen your hearts and steady your steps.
May His grace go before you, His presence walk with you, and His faithfulness follow you all the days ahead.
And as you go, remember this— Because Christ has taken hold of us, we press on.
Be blessed to be a blessing.
- - Philippians 3:12ESV
- - Philippians 3:13ESV
- - Philippians 3:13–14ESV

Grace Before Progress

One Controlling Focus

Forward-Leaning Perseverance

How do I live this out?

So What?

Forgetting What Lies Behind, Pressing On

Philippians 3:12ESV

Philippians 3:13ESV

Philippians 3:13–14ESV