New Year’s Message: Manuel Family Church

December 29th, 2024 | Still Home

Intro: Vision is the Spark; Discipline is the Flame

Question: Who here has already thought about the changes they want to make in 2025? New Year’s resolutions, anyone?

Now, how many of you crushed every single goal for 2024? That’s right—no hands. We’re a room full of “almost-finishers.” Or maybe you didn’t set any goals at all—because, hey, “Why bother? Life is just going to throw us curveballs anyway!”

Here’s the problem: Goals without guidance are just wishes. I want to challenge you with a thought this morning: Maybe you didn’t fall short because you weren’t motivated. Maybe it’s because you didn’t have a theme—a guiding light to help you stay the course.

Story: Every year, I set a theme for my life. It’s not a *to-do list,* it’s a *to-be list.* Last year, my theme was “Resolve.” I knew God was calling me to be a better communicator—not just to speak better, but to resolve conflicts better, think more clearly, and lead with focus. That one word drove my habits, and my habits shaped my year.

Because here’s the truth: Your patterns become your path. Or as Brad Lomenick says, “The patterns we cultivate shape the person we become.”

Question: What theme could reshape your 2025?

Main Passage: Proverbs 29:18 (MSG)

“If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; but when they attend to what He reveals, they are most blessed.”

Pray

Big Idea: "Your theme for the year is the lens through which you see what God is doing—because without clear vision from Him, we stumble, but with His guidance, we step into the blessing He’s already prepared."

Main Points: Questions to Consider for 2025

1. How do I finish this year well?

Scripture:
"Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride." - Ecclesiastes 7:8 (NLT)

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful." - 2 Timothy 4:7 (NLT)

"Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize." - 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (NLT)

Illustration:
You don’t win a marathon in the first mile. You can sprint like Usain Bolt, but if you burn out at mile 25, you’re walking to the finish.

Take my Turkey Trot, for example. I thought I was going to crush it. I started out fast, but halfway through, I realized my training—or lack thereof—was showing. I wasn’t disciplined to finish strong.

Biblical Tie-In:
Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9 hit home: “Run to win!” But winning isn’t just about speed—it’s about purpose and discipline. Paul says, “I run with purpose in every step.” Finishing well means living intentionally, not aimlessly.

That’s why Paul also says in 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.” Notice he doesn’t say, “I ran the fastest.” He says, “I finished.”

Sticky Statement:
Winning isn’t about how fast you start; it’s about how faithfully you finish.

Application:
This is where Jesus flips the script. You and I are flawed. We get tired, we quit halfway, and sometimes we stumble. But here’s the hope:

Jesus didn’t just start the mission of salvation—He finished it.
On the cross, among His final words were: “It is finished!” (John 19:30). He completed the mission God gave Him. And then, in ultimate victory, He rose from the grave!

Practical Steps to Finish Well:

1. Refocus on Your Why:
   Why did you start this year’s race? What were the dreams or goals God placed in your heart? Finish with those in mind.
2. Run with Purpose:
   Every step you take matters. Discipline your actions and stay faithful to what God has called you to. Remember Paul’s words: “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.”
3. Trust the Author of Your Story:
   Someone needs to hear this today: Your middle doesn’t define your ending. You might feel stuck, like you’re running out of steam. But God’s not done with you yet!

Encouragement to Finish Strong:
The race isn’t over until God says it’s over. Your role is to stay faithful, trust Him, and keep running. You’re not running to victory—you’re running from victory because Jesus already secured it for you.

So let’s finish this year well, not because we’re perfect runners, but because we follow the One who finished the ultimate race.

2. How do I prepare for a new year?

Sticky Statement: Vision without action is just a daydream.

Scripture:

“The Lord answered me: Write down this vision; clearly inscribe it on tablets so one may easily read it.” - Habakkuk 2:2 (CSB)

God told Habakkuk to write down what He revealed. Jesus used a builder counting the cost to picture following Him. If that’s wise for discipleship, it’s wise for the year ahead.

Example: Jesus said it plainly: “Don’t begin until you count the cost.” (Luke 14:28-30). Whether you’re building a house or building a life, you need a blueprint.

Sticky Statement: A dream without a plan is a dead end.

Practical Application:

1. Write down your vision. If it’s not on paper, it’s just floating in your head.
2. Break it down. Big visions need small steps.
3. Align your vision with God’s Word. Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Vision there means God’s revelation, so start with His Word, not your wish list.

Sticky Statement: Your alignment determines your assignment.

3. How do I create a theme for 2025?

Sticky Statement: Start small, think big, and trust God for the impossible.

Steps to Craft Your Theme:

1. Pray First

   1. Ask God: “What’s one word You want me to focus on this year?”

   2. Write It Down

   3. What’s the one thing you want to see in your life by December 31, 2025? Be specific.

   4. Align Your Relationships

   5. Look around—are the people in your life helping or hindering your theme?

   6. Commit to Habits

   7. Themes are great, but habits bring them to life.

Sticky Statement: Vision gets you inspired, but discipline gets you results.

Closing: Make 2025 Count

Here’s my challenge: Don’t casually stroll into 2025 like it’s just another year. This is your moment.

God’s not asking you for perfection. He’s asking for faithfulness. And when you step into His plan, you can be confident of this: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6, NIV).

Let’s make 2025 the year we run from victory, not to victory!