CENTRAL THOUGHT
Our aspirations should be guided by our focus on Christ.
HYMN: O God, our help in ages past.
TEXT: Philippians 3:10-16.
INTRODUCTION
As humans, we expect that a new year will offer us opportunity to prosper and live happily throughout the year. God also expects us to prosper in every area of life: spiritually, physically, and materially; and He is willing to provide us with all that is necessary to achieve this. It has become customary in every society for people, believers, and unbelievers alike, to make resolutions at the beginning of a new year, for the purpose of doing better in whatever activity they may engage in, during the year. Resolutions are good, if only they came as a result of a review of the previous year’s performances, and with a view to stand by them to do better. For the unbelievers, it is an opportunity to resolve to become a new creation, with entirely a new life-style, by accepting and receiving Jesus Christ as his/her personal Lord and Savior. For the believer, it is an opportunity to resolve to commit oneself to a new service relationship to God and humanity, with the hope for the grace to please God and realize the accompanying blessings.
BIBLE TRUTH:
Q1(A). EXPLAIN THE PHRASE “NEW ASPIRATION FOR THE YEAR”.
The phrase, “New Aspiration for the year,” is an expression that must have come from an observation, or opinion that the life activities of an individual was not in conformity with his expectations for the previous year. The dawn of a new year therefore, becomes an opportunity to make a change and start a lifestyle that is entirely different from the one the individual was used to. In other words, the beginning of a new year, to him, should also be the beginning of life with a fresh aspiration.
Q1(B). READ EPH 4:17-32; PHIL 3: 10 AND POINT OUT SOME POSSIBLE ASPIRATIONS OF CHRISTIANS.
The given passage above contains ministries and standards of life that should be the aspiration of any serious Christian. They are so many that we are constrained to mention but a few.
(I) To be used by God in any of the ministry gifts, for the perfecting of the saints and edifying of the body of Christ;
(II) Grow in the knowledge of Christ, which will make a Christian to mature to the full and complete standard of Christ;
(III) Grow strong in faith and belief in the true and living God, to avoid
being deceived by Satan and false prophets;
(IV) Always live and walk in the Spirit and be able to resist Satan and his deceits;
(V) Be a faithful and true witness for Christ;
(VI) Be fervent in the service of God, always showing good examples in Christian virtues;
(VII) Develop true love for God and walk in His fear at all times.
Class to mention others.
Q2. EXPLAIN HOW THE FOLLOWING CAN HELP US ACHIEVE OUR ASPIRATIONS:
(A) FORGET THE PAST.
Phil. 3:13; Isa.43:18-19.
If we must achieve our ultimate desire or aspiration, we must as a necessity forget the past failures. When we continue to dwell on the past events, we will have no time to focus on our new aspirations. Let us not forget that what has passed cannot be reversed to the present or future. We must allow the past to remain in the past. If there is any reason to remember the past, it should be for the purpose of discovering where the errors occurred, with a view to avoiding a repeat of same.
(B) MAKE A NEW COMMITMENT TO SERVE GOD AND HUMANITY.
John 12:26.
Christ said “if any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be:…”. This requires a commitment that must come from a willing heart, devoid of eye service and human persuasion. Willing to go wherever He sends, and do whatever He says, out of a personal conviction of who God is, and with a purpose to please Him.
(C) CONSISTENT FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD AND THE BRETHREN.
1 John 1:1-10. Commitment can only be determined by service and consistent fellowship with whom one is committed to. If we say we are committed to God, it behooves us to be in consistent fellowship with Him and His people.
The place of repentance must be emphasized for a consistent daily fellowship with God.
(D) CONSTANT STUDY OF GOD’S WORD.
Joshua.1:8; 2Tim.2:15.
Any believer who aspires to know God in His sovereignty must also aspire to know God’s will concerning his life. The will of God is revealed in His word. The believer therefore, cannot do without the constant, daily study of God’s word. God admonished Joshua on the importance and relevance of the word of God, when He said, “This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it…” (Josh.1:8. NKJV).
(E). LOVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BRETHREN.
1 JOHN 2:8-10.
The issue of love is basic in any relationship that must thrive. Christ, in His parting words to His disciples, told them that their love for one another, is a new commandment that will identify their discipleship of Him, when practically demonstrated among them. The love for one another is also proof of our love for God. “If a man says I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” (1 John 4:20). Love for one another is a subject that must not only be taught but should be practiced in reality. Our aspirations for the year can be realized as we demonstrate love one to another.
Q3. MENTION SOME OF THE THINGS THAT MAKE SOME PERSONS NOT TO ACHIEVE THEIR SET GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS AND SUGGEST SOLUTIONS.
Almost everybody, believers and unbelievers alike, aspire to achieve one set goal or another. However, not all are able to achieve their aspirations. There are many factors that could be responsible for this. Some of them include:
(i) Lack of knowledge or understanding of what the set goal requires.
(ii) Some do not have aspiration for any chosen goal of their own. Their aspirations are based on what they see their friends
doing, or what they were told by those who do not have any idea of the subject of their aspiration; they just want to be like their colleagues.
(iii) Some lack the seriousness or self-discipline needed to achieve their chosen goal.
(iv) Some do not make God the center of their aspirations.
(v) There are others who are not ready to persevere, so at the encounter or any little challenge, they give up.
(vi) For some, their aspirations are based on wrong motives.
Suggested solutions:
(i) The individual should first, carry out a kind of survey to know the requirements of achieving the desired goal.
(ii) Having a strong belief and faith that the goal is achievable.
(iii) Be prepared to exercise the kind of discipline such venture requires.
(iv) Understand that a spiritual venture is not compatible with human wisdom or idea, so absolute dependence on God through Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit will be required.
(v) Seek counsel from brethren who are known to have succeeded in their aspirations.
(vi) Have pure and Godly motive- Something that would enable the individual serve God and humanity in a way that will bring glory to God.
Q4. READ THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES AND IDENTIFY SOME OF GOD’S PROMISES FOR US:
DEUT. 7:12-15; PS.84: 10-11; 91:1-16; JOHN.15:7 & 10; 3 JOHN 2.
God has promised His people lots of blessings which we can appropriate to ourselves as enumerated here under:
(i) That He will love, bless and multiply His people, bless their children, increase their flocks and their offspring.
(ii) That there shall be no barrenness among them and grant them good health.
(iii) He will be their shield and will grant them grace and glory and will not withhold any good thing from them.
(iv) He will give them rest under His shelter and will be their refuge and safety.
(v) He will remove all fears from them. When they call on Him He will answer, and will reward them with long life.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
God has adequately provided for us, great opportunities to make this year the most successful and prosperous, we have ever had; if only we can exercise faith in Him, walk in His fear and live in obedience to His commands, and remain focused on Christ.
MEMORY VERSE:
Phil.3:14
“I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE:
Monday: New covenant relationship.
Heb.8:6-13; Matt.9:16-17.
Tuesday: New life for the year.
Is43:18-19; 42:9; 48:6-7.
Wednesday: New love relationship.
Luke 13:34-35
Thursday: Christ, our standard.
Eph.4:11-15.
Friday: God’s promises are yea and Amen.
Ps 91:14-16; 2 Cor.1:20.
Saturday: Forget the past.
Phil.3:13-14; Luke 9:61-62.