Press On Toward the Goal
Bible passage: Philippians 3:12-16
“12. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Let us give thanks to our Father God for protecting and guiding us with abundant grace and love throughout the year 2024. Let us also extend our thanks to all the workers and members of the congregation who faithfully served and diligently fulfilled their missions in various places.
Thank you, Homecell Leaders and Immanuel Choir, for your special songs tonight! The final day of this year already arrived. Standing at the turning point where we bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one, each person may feel a variety of emotions and have many different thoughts. Particularly, these feelings can vary greatly depending on each individual's circumstances. Those who are healthy and prosperous may look forward to the new year with bright anticipation and gladly let go of the passing year.
However, for those who are sick, have faced failures, or are trapped in despair, the passage of time may feel unbearably sorrowful, and they may be filled with worries about what lies ahead. Yet, regardless of the circumstances we are in, by looking at God's Word, I hope that we can all receive grace together and, as the theme of today's message suggests, advance toward a blessed future in the new year. It is often said that life is like a marathon; It is not a sprint, but a long-distance race. A long-distance race can be compared to our journey of faith. Some people run too fast in the beginning and give up halfway through. Others get tired from running for long, stop, and walk. Still others competitively keep other runners’ pace and get worn out quickly.
They eventually stop and drop off the race. Some runners may not be able to run fast. But, as they constantly practice, they gradually improve and at some point, they can run faster and longer. What about your journey of faith? Having heard the Gospel of Holiness, you were overjoyed and diligently shared the Gospel with your family members, relatives, neighbors, and whomever you met. You would listen to sermons even while walking on the streets or driving and earnestly pray and fast to cast off sins and evil you discovered. But with the passing of time, didn’t you think, “I have run hard enough. Let me take a break”? Didn’t you consider yourself ahead of others and stop running? But, if you take a break or stop in your life of faith, you don’t stay where you are but backslide. The enemy devil doesn’t miss out on that opportunity and attempts to take away your faith completely.
The Book of Philippians is thought to have been written approximately five or six years before Paul's martyrdom. At that time, Paul is believed to have been in his 60s. From the day he first encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus in his youth, Paul tirelessly preached the Gospel, establishing many churches. Now, he had even set foot in Rome to share the Gospel. Unfortunately, however, he found himself imprisoned in a Roman jail. At this point, wouldn’t it be reasonable for someone to think, "I’ve done enough. Let me rest a little. Let me take things slower"? Yet, surprisingly, Paul says the exact opposite. Look at verses 13 and 14: “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Dear beloved congregation, In the same way, you too, I urge you to only press on forward, fixing your eyes on the Lord. I pray that in 2025, you will stand on the rock of faith and only march forward no matter the circumstance, thereby winning God’s love and recognition!
Dear brothers and sisters, Your Christian lives can largely be divided into three types. Some believers press on forward without ceasing. Others stop after running a little and just stay where they are. Still others backslide in faith. People who press on forward diligently keep the commandments out of love for God and keep growing in faith. Believers who just stay where they are have become sluggish or insensitive in heart. Not following the desires of the Spirit, they show no improvement. As for those who are backsliding in faith, the Holy Spirit have been or is being quenched in their heart. They are losing even the faith they have had. God desires for us to become fervent in faith and heart and keep marching forward. If you indeed have faith, you can press on without ceasing, only looking ahead. God would answer whatever such children ask of Him. He will rejoice over them with joy and prepares beautiful heaven for them. Then, what should we do to keep pressing forward in faith without ceasing?
1. First, we must set the right goal and remain unwavering.
Here, a goal represents our vision or hope. People who spend each day without goals and those who set goals face different outcomes. People who have goals improve themselves with perseverance and hard efforts even though they find their current situation bothersome and challenging. But, those without visions or dreams are quick to give up in the face of a trouble. In our journey of faith, we should have the right goal. Some Christians may attend church because they appreciate the favor of those who guided them. Others don’t leave the church because they have met the Lord and experienced the living God.
But they just habitually attend worship services without any desire to carry out God-given duties and build up rewards. But with these kinds of faith, we cannot overcome the enemy devil. We may even have our current faith taken away. Having accepted the Lord, we have to set our goals on heaven, long to meet and experience God always, and desire to achieve growth of faith. If we look at the fathers of faith who were used for precious purposes, God first gave them visions and hope. And then, they accepted the visions with faith, held onto them without ceasing, and obeyed. In other words, they planted visions in God.
One of the biblical figures who set an example of planting visions in God and receiving blessings is Abraham. God promised Abraham in Genesis 15:5, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them. So shall your descendants be.” Believing in the vision and hoping to bearing fruits, Abraham dwelt by the oaks of Mamre. He grew his vision, looking at the stars at night and the fruits of the oaks during the day. Since Abraham grew the God-given vision with all his heart, will, and sincerity, he received not only eternal life but blessings of good health, long life, children, and wealth, becoming the source of all blessings.
What kind of visions has God given to you and what kind of goal have you set? We have gone beyond putting our hope in heaven. We have harbored visions and goal to reach places shining like the sun in heaven. Our ultimate destination, our goal, has been New Jerusalem. We have longed for sanctification, not loving the world. On top of that, we have tried to become men of whole spirit resembling Father God’s image. We have hoped to carry out our duties well and build up many heavenly rewards. This is planting visions in God. But, what would happen if you waver in your goal and stop growing and nurturing your vision?
You won’t be able to attain to your goal. Let’s say you have led a passionate Christian life with a resolve to enter New Jerusalem. But at some point, you find yourself slow to change and your goal for New Jerusalem wavering. Then, this is so foolish. As you had your serious disease healed or your problems resolved and received great grace, you must have made a firm resolution saying, “God, I will keep walking this way. No matter how rough the way is, I’ll run towards the God-given goal without ceasing and give glory to You.” But, have you not had a change of heart at some point and wavered to the right or to the left? If you find yourself having been deceived and wavered by your environments, feelings, or worthless words, then you are not worthy of God’s promises and blessings. James 1:7-8 tells us, “For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” Therefore, once we have set a goal, we should remain steadfast without wavering. To do so, we have to cut off worldly things and what distract us and cast off what have to be cast off.
Then, we can keep our goal from wavering and press on forward. From 2 Corinthians 11:23 onward, we find how Apostle Paul suffered for the Gospel. He overly devoted himself for the sake of God’s kingdom and His righteousness and Jesus Christ and the Gospel. But, knowing that walking his way with a steadfast heart was God’s will, Apostle Paul didn’t spare even his life. Even as he went through a severe crisis numerous times, with the Holy Spirit inspiring him, he didn’t want to avoid it or take a break. Instead, he pressed on with exceeding hope and joy. He was able to confess boldly in 2 Timothy 4:8, “In the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
I challenge you to have faith that no matter the trouble, if you steadfastly press on toward the goal with joy, you can also receive the kind of blessings Paul received. You have to examine whether your goal has wavered or has been replaced. Even after you have set a right goal, it’s important to check whether you’re planting your visions in God. If you’ve indeed planted a vision, your life would be different. Having your life entirely focused on hope for New Jerusalem, you ponder over how you can become sanctified and bear fruits. Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, you do all to the glory of God., and having set a right goal, you never waver in faith.
As said in Hebrews 12:2, may you fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith and only press on forward, holding fast the goal of New Jerusalem!
2. Secondly, to press on toward the goal, we must give our best effort and run tirelessly.
Nowadays, young people easily say to one another, “You don’t need to try that hard” and recommend giving up. Once they feel a little tired, they give up and many of them fail to challenge themselves with determination. But, on our journey to heaven and to New Jerusalem, we are not to take a break because we are exhausted or make half-hearted efforts just because we are not capable enough. Why? It directly relates to your life. Suppose you have a problem with your heart or lung, you would have a hard time breathing.
Would it make sense for someone to say to you, “If it’s difficult, then stop breathing. Do as you like”? If one of your family members has become sick and lost appetite, would you say, “Stop eating. Do whatever you want”? Wouldn’t you get him to eat even if he doesn’t want to? In our life of faith, casting off sins and achieving sanctification is a battle that involves the pain of cutting off chunks of your flesh. How could it be easy to turn away from the ways of sin and love people whom you hate? But, since you have set your goal on beautiful heaven, you tearfully cry out in prayer to cast off hatred and beat your chest in mourning. Since you can’t be sanctified on your own, you fervently pray without ceasing, asking for the Holy Spirit’s help.
If you make half-hearted efforts in sanctification and prayer or take a break because you feel tired, you can never attain to your goal. As you get into the habit of praying and working for God’s kingdom with all your strength and sincerity, you can change yourself and grow in faith easily. Each person has different capabilities. Especially, new believers find it hard to pray. But, as they learn from and imitate how their leaders pray, they can pray better and better. They can cry out in prayer and get inspired by the Spirit. Once they receive tongues, it becomes easier. That’s how they improve themselves and pray better. I hope that you won’t do anything half-heartedly or habitually like praying, attending worship service, discovering and changing yourself, working for His kingdom, etc. In whatever you do before God, you are to put all your strength, sincerity, and efforts.
Only then can you grow in faith and bear fruits. In so doing, you can daily press on towards New Jerusalem. As you wake up in the morning, you start your day with prayer. And, you are careful with your thoughts and deeds, hoping for a sanctified life. You also do your best in everything including your duties at school or workplace or in your family. As you attend Daniel prayer meeting, wrapping up your day, you put all your sincerity, love, and strength into each word of the praise songs and each word of your prayer. As such efforts keep piling up, you grow in faith and press on towards New Jerusalem. May this service lead you to make a resolve to lead such a great life of faith in the New Year! As you live so, I pray that Father God would provide His great grace and strength, enabling you to live a victorious life.
3. Third, to press on forward toward the goal, we must continually march on for the prize of the upward call of God.
Today’s passage says, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” And our Lord promised in John 14:1-3, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” Heaven where we will all enter is an extremely beautiful place without tears, sorrow, concerns, pain, and evil. In that beautiful kingdom, God prepares our dwelling places and rewards depending on how much we lived by the Word of God, how much we cast off evil and resemble our Lord, and how faithfully we fulfill His duties.
These are the prize of the upward call of God. No matter how beautiful and glorious earthly things are, they will vanish away shortly and cannot be even compared to things of heaven. So, shouldn’t we make ourselves more clean and become more faithful to receive more valuable things in everlasting heaven? Anticipating this prize, our Lord and many fathers of faith pressed on in joy even amidst tribulations. Particularly, Apostle Paul went through a lot of persecutions and hardships. So, God showed him heaven. After seeing heaven, Paul never complained or stopped despite any hardships facing him. Rather, he carried on with his duties in joy and gratitude. He confessed in Acts 20:24, “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the Gospel of the grace of God.”
Paul considered whatever was to his profit in the world as loss and pressed on for God’s kingdom and His righteousness, looking to heaven alone. Our fathers of faith like Abraham, Jacob, and Moses also marched on forward, looking to heaven and rewards and lived a life of glorifying God. In 2025, may all of us march vigorously with hope for heaven! We shouldn’t become lax after receiving answers and blessings or seek rest in the face of a trouble. Even after performing great power and bearing abundant fruits at an overseas united crusades, His Emeritus Senior Pastor never said, “That’s enough.” He always wished he had given God greater glory and never sought rest.
He could have been satisfied with what was done and put himself at ease based on all the achievements. But instead, he was always filled with the desire to accomplish things more perfectly and more greatly, giving joy and glory to God. So should we. The dreams and visions we have received in this end time are to build the Grand Sanctuary and evangelize the world. Since we still have many things to accomplish, we are to forget about our past achievements and only press on towards our goal. Philippians 3:16 tells us, “However, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.” The verse urges us to press on without a change of heart until all is accomplished. Thus, we are to keep marching on toward the goal until we attain to the perfection in faith and until our Lord comes back. We are to strive all the more, making ourselves better than how we were yesterday.
At times, our change may seem slow and no visible fruits are to be seen. Even so, if we press on without ceasing, at some point, we will see fruits and achieve growth of faith. In doing so, we can attain to the goal. Therefore, until all is accomplished, until our Lord descends to the Air or He calls our souls, may all of us march toward the goal all the more vigorously.
4. Fourth, to press on toward the goal, we must leave behind the things we need to discard along with the old year.
The past year is now fading into the records of history. As 2024 passes away, there are things we must let go of along with the old year. Ephesians 4:22 says, "Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires." When people move into a new house, they often discard old belongings. This is because old furniture doesn’t fit in a new house. Similarly, as we welcome the new year, we too must leave behind old things. Old thoughts, old emotions, old habits, old behaviors, and old hobbies - anything that is not pleasing to God - must be discarded. At the end of a year, people often desire a fresh start. They wish to leave behind the misfortunes and burdens of the past and start anew. They want to forget the unpleasant events and the mistakes they do not wish to repeat.
Today's message also tells us to discard what needs to be discarded, particularly the habits corrupted by deceitful desires. Additionally, we must leave behind the things that grieved the Holy Spirit along with the old year. For believers, the Holy Spirit resides within each of our hearts. We are instructed not to grieve the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:30 states, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” For those striving to live a proper life of faith, it becomes impossible to live according to their own stubbornness or thoughts, as the guidance and conviction of the Holy Spirit come through God’s Word. The Holy Spirit desires for us to live in accordance with the truth of the Word. However, there are times when we are drawn by the desires of the flesh and act according to them. If we grieve the Holy Spirit for too long, nothing we do will prosper.
We must leave behind the things that grieved the Holy Spirit along with the old year. We should let go of the anger, resentment, harsh words, hatred, and wicked thoughts we have harbored in the past. If there is any resentment lingering in your heart now, it too must be discarded with the old year. At times, even among church members, conflicts and feelings of displeasure can arise. This can happen, for example, when someone causes a loss to you or speaks wrongly about you. Such experiences can stir up anger. However, Scripture instructs us not to let the sun go down while we are still angry. We must cast away these feelings now.
Harboring such feelings allows the devil to enter our hearts, leading us to follow his schemes. Ephesians 4:27-28 states, “Do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” Conclusion Dear brothers and sisters, Our Lord came down to this earth as the Son of God, proclaimed His will, completed the Redemption, and fulfilled the law with love. He shared the Gospel of Heaven only according to God’s will and healed people of all diseases and infirmities.
By ultimately dying on the cross, He opened the way of salvation for all humanity. As He walked the path of suffering, sacrifice, and death, our Lord pressed on without ceasing at all. Imitating our Lord who fully accomplished God’s providence, we have to strive for perfection so that He would compliment us by saying, “You have done all things assigned to you. Well done!” What God desires from us is perfection in all areas. Each one of you as well as this church has a duty assigned by God. You shouldn’t work to an extent satisfying men’s standards but to the point where you can satisfy God and receive His compliments. Thus, we are to march forward without ceasing until we become praiseworthy in God’s eyes. We are to live a life in which we only seek God’s glory, whether we eat or drink or whatever we do. Our God wants this church to become the salt and light in this end time, save numerous souls, and mightily expand His kingdom. Since we have been assigned such tremendous duties, above all, we are to become united by the cords of love, the truth, and the Holy Spirit.
For a single person to carry out ten tasks would require a great deal of time and effort. But if ten people work together, being united as one, they can accomplish more than ten tasks much quicker and more efficiently. Likewise, once we are united, wherever we go, we can save souls and God’s works definitely follow. I pray in the name of the Lord that none of you will drop out of this race of faith but run even faster, thereby partaking in the glory of shinning like the sun in everlasting heaven. - END -
Kaza Mwendo Ili Uufikie Lengo
Andiko la Biblia: Wafilipi 3:12–16
“12. Si kwamba nimekwisha kufika au nimekwisha kuwa mkamilifu, bali nakaza mwendo nipate kulishika lile ambalo kwa ajili yake Kristo Yesu alinishika. 13. Ndugu, sijidhanii kwamba nimekwisha kulishika; ila natenda neno moja tu: nikiyasahau yaliyo nyuma, nikiyachuchumilia yaliyo mbele, 14. nakaza mwendo niifikie mede ya thawabu ya mwito mkuu wa Mungu katika Kristo Yesu.”
Tumshukuru Mungu Baba kwa kutulinda na kutuongoza kwa neema na upendo mwingi katika mwaka mzima wa 2024. Tuwashukuru pia watenda kazi na waumini wote wa kusanyiko waliohudumu kwa uaminifu na kutimiza wajibu wao kwa bidii katika maeneo mbalimbali.
Asanteni viongozi wa vikundi vya nyumbani na Kwaya ya Immanuel kwa nyimbo zenu maalumu usiku huu! Siku ya mwisho ya mwaka huu imewadia. Tunaposimama kwenye mpito wa kuuaga mwaka wa zamani na kuukaribisha mpya, kila mmoja anaweza kuwa na hisia na mawazo mbalimbali. Hisia hizo hutegemea sana hali ya kila mtu; wenye afya njema na wanaostawi wanaweza kuutazamia mwaka mpya kwa matumaini na kuuaga mwaka unaopita kwa furaha.
Hata hivyo, kwa wagonjwa, waliokumbwa na kushindwa au walionaswa katika kukata tamaa, kupita kwa muda kunaweza kuhuzunisha sana na kuwajaza wasiwasi kuhusu yajayo. Bila kujali hali tuliyo nayo, kwa kulitazama Neno la Mungu, ninatumaini sote tutapokea neema pamoja na kusonga mbele kuelekea wakati ujao wenye baraka katika mwaka mpya, kama mada ya ujumbe wa leo inavyopendekeza. Mara nyingi husemwa kuwa maisha ni kama mbio za marathoni; si mbio fupi za kasi bali mashindano ya masafa marefu. Mbio hizo zinaweza kulinganishwa na safari yetu ya imani. Wengine hukimbia haraka sana mwanzoni na kukata tamaa katikati. Wengine huchoka baada ya kukimbia muda mrefu, husimama na kutembea. Wengine hujaribu kushindana na kasi ya wakimbiaji wengine na kuchoka upesi.
Hatimaye wakimbiaji wengine husimama na kujiondoa katika mashindano. Baadhi hawawezi kukimbia haraka, lakini wanapofanya mazoezi daima huboreka hatua kwa hatua na wakati fulani wanaweza kukimbia haraka na kwa muda mrefu zaidi. Vipi kuhusu safari yako ya imani? Uliposikia Injili ya Utakatifu, ulifurahi sana na kuishiriki kwa bidii na familia yako, jamaa, majirani na kila mtu uliyekutana naye. Ulisikiliza mahubiri hata ulipokuwa ukitembea barabarani au ukiendesha gari, ukaomba na kufunga kwa bidii ili kuondoa dhambi na uovu ulioutambua. Lakini kadiri muda ulivyopita, je, ulifikiri, “Nimekimbia vya kutosha. Ngoja nipumzike”? Je, ulijiona uko mbele ya wengine kisha ukaacha kukimbia? Ukipumzika au kusimama katika maisha ya imani, hurudi nyuma badala ya kubaki pale pale. Adui ibilisi hutumia nafasi hiyo kujaribu kuiondoa imani yako kabisa.
Inaaminika kuwa Wafilipi kiliandikwa takriban miaka mitano au sita kabla ya Paulo kuuawa kwa ajili ya imani, alipokuwa na umri wa miaka sitini hivi. Tangu alipokutana na Yesu akiwa kijana njiani kuelekea Dameski, Paulo alihubiri Injili bila kuchoka na kuanzisha makanisa mengi. Alikuwa amefika hata Roma ili kuhubiri Injili, lakini akafungwa gerezani. Mtu angeweza kusema, “Nimefanya vya kutosha; nipumzike kidogo na nipunguze mwendo.” Lakini Paulo alisema kinyume kabisa. Katika mistari ya 13–14 anasema: “Ndugu, sijidhanii kwamba nimekwisha kulishika; ila natenda neno moja tu: nikiyasahau yaliyo nyuma, nikiyachuchumilia yaliyo mbele, nakaza mwendo niifikie mede ya thawabu ya mwito mkuu wa Mungu katika Kristo Yesu.”
Kusanyiko pendwa, nanyi mkaze mwendo mbele mkimtazama Bwana. Ninaomba mwaka 2025 msimame juu ya mwamba wa imani na kusonga mbele katika hali yoyote, mpate upendo na kibali cha Mungu.
Ndugu wapendwa, maisha yenu ya Kikristo yanaweza kugawanywa katika aina tatu. Waumini wengine hukaza mwendo bila kukoma. Wengine hukimbia kidogo kisha husimama na kubaki walipo. Wengine hurudi nyuma katika imani. Wanaoendelea mbele hutii amri kwa bidii kwa sababu ya upendo wao kwa Mungu na huendelea kukua katika imani. Wale wanaobaki walipo wamekuwa wazito au wasiojali moyoni; hawafuati matamanio ya Roho na hawaonyeshi maendeleo. Kwa wale wanaorudi nyuma, Roho Mtakatifu amezimwa au anazimwa mioyoni mwao, nao wanapoteza hata imani waliyokuwa nayo. Mungu anataka tuwe na bidii katika imani na mioyo yetu na tuendelee mbele. Tukiwa na imani, tunaweza kukaza mwendo bila kukoma na kutazama mbele tu. Mungu atawajibu watoto hao chochote watakachomwomba, atawafurahia na kuwaandalia mbingu nzuri. Basi tufanye nini ili kuendelea mbele katika imani bila kukoma?
1. Kwanza, tuweke lengo sahihi na tusitetereke.
Hapa, lengo linamaanisha maono au tumaini letu. Watu wanaotumia kila siku bila malengo na wale wanaojiwekea malengo hupata matokeo tofauti. Wenye malengo hujiendeleza kwa uvumilivu na juhudi kubwa hata wanapoona hali yao ya sasa inasumbua na kuwa ngumu. Lakini wasiokuwa na maono au ndoto hukata tamaa upesi wanapokabiliwa na shida. Katika safari yetu ya imani tunapaswa kuwa na lengo sahihi. Baadhi ya Wakristo huhudhuria kanisa kwa sababu wanathamini fadhili za watu waliowaongoza; wengine hubaki kanisani kwa sababu wamemkutana Bwana na kumwona Mungu aliye hai.
Baadhi ya waumini huhudhuria ibada kwa mazoea tu, bila kutamani kutimiza wajibu waliopewa na Mungu au kujikusanyia thawabu. Kwa imani ya namna hiyo hatuwezi kumshinda ibilisi; tunaweza hata kupoteza imani tuliyo nayo. Baada ya kuipokea Injili ya Utakatifu, tuendelee kukua na kufanya wajibu wetu kwa uaminifu.
Hata hivyo, huenda wanahudhuria ibada kwa mazoea tu, bila kutamani kutimiza wajibu waliopewa na Mungu au kujikusanyia thawabu. Kwa imani ya namna hiyo hatuwezi kumshinda adui ibilisi; tunaweza hata kunyang’anywa imani tuliyo nayo. Baada ya kumpokea Bwana, tuweke malengo yetu mbinguni, tutamani kukutana na Mungu na kumwona akitenda daima, na tutamani kukua katika imani. Tukiwatazama mababa wa imani waliotumiwa kwa makusudi ya thamani, tunaona Mungu aliwapa kwanza maono na tumaini. Waliyapokea maono hayo kwa imani, wakayashikilia bila kukoma na kutii. Kwa maneno mengine, walipanda maono yao ndani ya Mungu.
Abrahamu ni mmoja wa watu wa Biblia aliyeonyesha jinsi ya kupanda maono ndani ya Mungu na kupokea baraka. Mungu alimwahidi katika Mwanzo 15:5: “Tazama mbinguni, uzihesabu nyota, kama waweza kuzihesabu. Ndivyo utakavyokuwa uzao wako.” Abrahamu aliamini maono hayo na kutazamia kuzaa matunda, akaishi karibu na mialoni ya Mamre. Usiku alitazama nyota na mchana matunda ya mialoni, akiendelea kukuza maono yake. Kwa kuwa alikuza maono ya Mungu kwa moyo, nia na unyofu wake wote, alipokea uzima wa milele na baraka za afya njema, maisha marefu, watoto na mali, akawa chanzo cha baraka zote.
Mungu amekupa maono gani, nawe umejiwekea lengo gani? Tumepita zaidi ya kutumaini kwenda mbinguni tu; tumekuwa na maono na lengo la kufika mahali panapong’aa kama jua mbinguni. Mwisho na lengo letu kuu limekuwa Yerusalemu Mpya. Tumetamani utakaso na kutokupenda dunia. Zaidi ya hayo, tumejitahidi kuwa watu wa roho kamili wanaofanana na mfano wa Mungu Baba. Tumetumaini kutimiza vizuri wajibu wetu na kujikusanyia thawabu nyingi za mbinguni. Huku ndiko kupanda maono ndani ya Mungu. Lakini itakuwaje tukiyumbisha lengo letu na kuacha kukuza maono yetu?
Hutaweza kulifikia lengo lako. Tuseme umeishi maisha ya Kikristo yenye bidii, ukiwa umeazimia kuingia Yerusalemu Mpya, lakini baada ya muda unaona mabadiliko yako ni ya polepole na lengo hilo linaanza kuyumba. Hilo ni jambo la kipumbavu. Baada ya kuponywa ugonjwa mkubwa au kutatuliwa matatizo yako na kupokea neema nyingi, huenda uliamua kwa dhati, “Mungu, nitaendelea katika njia hii. Hata iwe ngumu kiasi gani, nitakimbilia lengo ulilonipa bila kukoma na kukutukuza.” Lakini je, baadaye ulibadili moyo na kuyumba upande mmoja au mwingine? Ikiwa mazingira, hisia au maneno yasiyo na maana yamekudanganya na kukuyumbisha, hutakuwa mtu anayestahili ahadi na baraka za Mungu. Yakobo 1:7–8 inasema mtu mwenye nia mbili, asiye imara katika njia zake zote, asitarajie kupokea chochote kutoka kwa Bwana. Kwa hiyo, tukishaweka lengo, tusimame imara bila kuyumba. Ili kufanya hivyo, tunapaswa kukata mambo ya kidunia na vikengeusha-fikira na kuondoa yale yanayopaswa kuondolewa.
Tukiwa hivyo, lengo letu halitayumba na tutaendelea mbele. Kuanzia 2 Wakorintho 11:23 tunaona jinsi mtume Paulo alivyoteseka kwa ajili ya Injili. Alijitoa kupita kiasi kwa ajili ya ufalme na haki ya Mungu, Yesu Kristo na Injili. Akijua kuwa kuendelea katika njia hiyo kwa moyo thabiti kulikuwa mapenzi ya Mungu, Paulo hakuihurumia hata maisha yake. Hata alipokabiliwa mara nyingi na hatari kubwa, Roho Mtakatifu alipomtia moyo hakutaka kuikwepa wala kupumzika; alikaza mwendo akiwa na tumaini na furaha nyingi. Katika 2 Timotheo 4:8 alisema kwa ujasiri: “Baada ya hayo nimewekewa taji ya haki, ambayo Bwana, mhukumu mwenye haki, atanipa siku ile; wala si mimi tu, bali na watu wote waliopenda kufunuliwa kwake.”
Nawahimiza muamini kwamba hata kukiwa na shida, mkiendelea kukaza mwendo kuelekea lengo kwa furaha, nanyi mnaweza kupokea baraka alizopokea Paulo. Chunguzeni ikiwa lengo lenu limeyumba au limebadilishwa. Hata baada ya kuweka lengo sahihi, ni muhimu kuchunguza kama mnapanda maono yenu ndani ya Mungu. Ikiwa mmefanya hivyo, maisha yenu yatakuwa tofauti: mtayalenga kabisa tumaini la Yerusalemu Mpya, mtafakari jinsi ya kutakaswa na kuzaa matunda, na mtatenda yote kwa utukufu wa Mungu. Mkiisha kuweka lengo sahihi, hamtayumba katika imani.
Kama Waebrania 12:2 inavyosema, tumtazame Yesu, mwenye kuanzisha na kukamilisha imani, na tuendelee mbele tukilishika lengo la kuingia Yerusalemu Mpya.
2. Pili, ili kulifikia lengo, tufanye juhudi zetu zote na kukimbia bila kuchoka.
Siku hizi vijana huambiana kwa urahisi, “Huhitaji kujitahidi sana,” na kushauriana waache. Wanapohisi uchovu kidogo hukata tamaa, na wengi hushindwa kujipa changamoto kwa azimio. Lakini katika safari yetu ya kwenda mbinguni na Yerusalemu Mpya hatupaswi kupumzika kwa sababu tu tumechoka, wala kufanya juhudi nusu-nusu kwa sababu tunadhani hatuna uwezo wa kutosha. Kwa nini? Jambo hili linahusiana moja kwa moja na maisha yetu. Tuseme una tatizo la moyo au mapafu; utapata shida kupumua.
Je, ingekuwa na maana mtu akikuambia, “Ikiwa ni vigumu, basi acha kupumua; fanya utakavyo”? Mwanafamilia wako akiugua na kukosa hamu ya kula, je, ungemwambia, “Acha kula; fanya utakavyo”? Bila shaka ungemhimiza ale hata kama hataki. Katika maisha ya imani, kuondoa dhambi na kufikia utakaso ni vita inayohusisha maumivu ya kukata sehemu za mwili wa dhambi. Je, inaweza kuwa rahisi kuiacha njia ya dhambi na kuwapenda watu unaowachukia? Kwa kuwa umeweka lengo lako katika mbingu nzuri, unalia kwa uchungu katika maombi ili kuondoa chuki na kuomboleza. Kwa kuwa huwezi kutakaswa kwa nguvu zako mwenyewe, unaomba kwa bidii bila kukoma ili Roho Mtakatifu akusaidie.
Tukijitahidi nusu-nusu katika utakaso na maombi au kupumzika kwa sababu tumechoka, hatuwezi kamwe kufikia lengo. Tunapojizoeza kuomba na kufanya kazi kwa ajili ya ufalme wa Mungu kwa nguvu na unyofu wetu wote, tunaweza kubadilika na kukua katika imani. Kila mtu ana uwezo tofauti. Hasa waumini wapya huona ni vigumu kuomba. Lakini wanapojifunza na kuiga namna viongozi wao wanavyoomba, wanaweza kuomba vizuri zaidi na zaidi, kulia katika maombi na kutiwa moyo na Roho. Wanapopokea kipawa cha kunena kwa lugha, maombi huwa rahisi zaidi na wanaendelea kuboreka. Ninaomba msifanye kwa mazoea au nusu-nusu mambo kama kuomba, kuhudhuria ibada, kujichunguza na kubadilika, au kufanya kazi kwa ajili ya ufalme wa Mungu. Katika kila jambo mnalofanya mbele za Mungu, wekeni nguvu, unyoofu na juhudi zenu zote.
Hapo ndipo mnapoweza kukua katika imani na kuzaa matunda. Kwa kufanya hivyo, mnakaza mwendo kila siku kuelekea Yerusalemu Mpya. Mnapoamka asubuhi, anzeni siku kwa maombi. Kuweni waangalifu katika mawazo na matendo yenu, mkitamani maisha yaliyotakaswa, na fanyeni kila jambo kwa bidii—wajibu wenu shuleni au kazini na katika familia. Mnapohudhuria Mkutano wa Maombi wa Danieli mwishoni mwa siku, wekeni upendo, nguvu na unyoofu wenu wote katika kila neno la sifa na kila neno la maombi. Juhudi hizo zinapokusanyika, mnakua katika imani na kusonga mbele kuelekea Yerusalemu Mpya. Ninaomba ibada hii iwasaidie kuazimia kuishi maisha hayo ya imani katika mwaka mpya, na Mungu Baba awape neema na nguvu nyingi ili muishi maisha ya ushindi.
3. Tatu, tuendelee kukaza mwendo kwa ajili ya thawabu ya mwito mkuu wa Mungu.
Kifungu cha leo kinasema, “Nakaza mwendo niifikie mede ya thawabu ya mwito mkuu wa Mungu katika Kristo Yesu.” Bwana wetu aliahidi katika Yohana 14:1–3: “Msifadhaike mioyoni mwenu; mwaminini Mungu, niaminini na mimi. Nyumbani mwa Baba yangu mna makao mengi; kama sivyo, ningaliwaambia. Naenda kuwaandalia mahali. Nikienda na kuwaandalia mahali, nitakuja tena niwakaribishe kwangu, ili nilipo mimi nanyi muwepo.” Mbingu tutakamoingia ni mahali pazuri sana pasipo machozi, huzuni, wasiwasi, maumivu na uovu. Katika ufalme huo mzuri Mungu anatuandalia makao na thawabu kulingana na jinsi tulivyoishi kwa Neno lake, tulivyoondoa uovu na kufanana na Bwana wetu, na jinsi tulivyotimiza kwa uaminifu wajibu wake.
Hizo ndizo thawabu za mwito mkuu wa Mungu. Haidhuru vitu vya duniani viwe vizuri na vya utukufu kiasi gani, vitatoweka upesi na haviwezi kulinganishwa hata kidogo na mambo ya mbinguni. Ili kupokea mambo ya thamani zaidi katika mbingu ya milele, je, hatupaswi kujitakasa zaidi na kuwa waaminifu zaidi? Bwana wetu na mababa wengi wa imani walikaza mwendo kwa furaha hata katikati ya dhiki, wakitazamia thawabu hiyo. Mtume Paulo alipitia mateso na magumu mengi, na Mungu akamwonyesha mbingu. Baada ya kuiona, Paulo hakulalamika wala kusimama licha ya magumu; aliendelea kutimiza wajibu wake kwa furaha na shukrani. Matendo 20:24 inamnukuu akisema, “Lakini siyahesabu maisha yangu kuwa kitu cha thamani kwangu, kana kwamba ni lazima niyahifadhi, ili niumalize mwendo wangu na huduma niliyopokea kwa Bwana Yesu, kuushuhudia Injili ya neema ya Mungu.”
Paulo alihesabu kuwa hasara kila kitu kilichomletea faida duniani, akakaza mwendo kwa ajili ya ufalme na haki ya Mungu huku akitazama mbingu pekee. Mababa wa imani kama Abrahamu, Yakobo na Musa pia waliendelea mbele wakitazamia mbingu na thawabu na kuishi maisha yaliyomtukuza Mungu. Katika mwaka 2025, sote na tusonge mbele kwa nguvu tukiwa na tumaini la mbinguni! Tusilegee baada ya kupokea majibu na baraka, wala kutafuta kupumzika tunapokabiliwa na shida. Hata baada ya kufanya ishara kuu na kuzaa matunda mengi katika mikutano ya Injili ya pamoja nje ya nchi, Mchungaji Mkuu Mstaafu hakusema, “Inatosha.” Daima alitamani kumpa Mungu utukufu mkubwa zaidi na hakutafuta kupumzika.
Paulo angeweza kuridhika na yaliyokuwa yamefanywa na kupumzika kwa kutegemea mafanikio yake yote. Badala yake, daima alitamani kutimiza mambo kwa ukamilifu zaidi na kwa kiwango kikubwa zaidi, akimletea Mungu furaha na utukufu. Nasi tufanye vivyo hivyo. Ndoto na maono tuliyopewa katika siku hizi za mwisho ni kujenga Hekalu Kuu na kuieneza Injili duniani. Kwa kuwa bado tuna mambo mengi ya kutimiza, tuyasahau mafanikio yetu ya zamani na tukaze mwendo kuelekea lengo. Wafilipi 3:16 inasema, “Lakini tuenende katika kiwango hicho hicho tulichokifikia.” Mstari huu unatuhimiza kuendelea bila kubadili mioyo yetu mpaka yote yatimizwe. Basi tuendelee kuelekea lengo mpaka tufikie ukamilifu katika imani na mpaka Bwana wetu arudi, tukijitahidi kuwa bora zaidi kuliko tulivyokuwa jana.
Wakati mwingine mabadiliko yetu yanaweza kuonekana kuwa ya polepole na tusione matunda yanayoonekana. Hata hivyo, tukikaza mwendo bila kukoma, hatimaye tutaona matunda na kukua katika imani, nasi tutaweza kufikia lengo. Kwa hiyo, mpaka yote yatimizwe, mpaka Bwana wetu ashuke angani au aziite roho zetu, sote na tukaze mwendo kuelekea lengo kwa bidii zaidi.
4. Nne, tuache pamoja na mwaka wa zamani mambo tunayopaswa kuyaacha.
Mwaka uliopita sasa unafifia na kuwa sehemu ya kumbukumbu za historia. Mwaka 2024 unapopita, kuna mambo tunayopaswa kuyaacha pamoja nao. Waefeso 4:22 inasema, “Mvue utu wa zamani, unaoharibika kwa kufuata tamaa zake za udanganyifu.” Watu wanapohamia nyumba mpya mara nyingi hutupa vitu vya zamani, kwa kuwa samani za zamani hazifai katika nyumba mpya. Vivyo hivyo, tunapoukaribisha mwaka mpya, tunapaswa kuacha mambo ya zamani. Mawazo, hisia, mazoea, matendo na burudani za zamani—chochote kisichompendeza Mungu—vinapaswa kutupwa. Mwishoni mwa mwaka, watu wengi hutamani kuanza upya; wanataka kuacha mikosi na mizigo ya zamani, kusahau matukio yasiyopendeza na makosa wasiyotaka kurudia.
Ujumbe wa leo pia unatufundisha kutupa yale yanayopaswa kutupwa, hasa mazoea yaliyoharibiwa na tamaa za udanganyifu. Pia tuache pamoja na mwaka wa zamani mambo yaliyomhuzunisha Roho Mtakatifu. Kwa waumini, Roho Mtakatifu anakaa katika mioyo yetu, nasi tumeagizwa tusimhuzunishe. Waefeso 4:30 inasema, “Wala msimhuzunishe Roho Mtakatifu wa Mungu, ambaye kwa huyo mlitiwa muhuri hata siku ya ukombozi.” Wale wanaojitahidi kuishi maisha sahihi ya imani hawawezi kuishi tu kwa ukaidi au mawazo yao wenyewe, kwa sababu Neno la Mungu huleta mwongozo na maonyo ya Roho Mtakatifu. Roho Mtakatifu anataka tuishi kulingana na kweli ya Neno. Hata hivyo, wakati mwingine tunavutwa na tamaa za mwili na kutenda kulingana nazo. Tukimhuzunisha Roho kwa muda mrefu, hakuna jambo tutakalofanya litakalostawi.
Tuache pamoja na mwaka wa zamani mambo yaliyomhuzunisha Roho Mtakatifu. Tuachilie hasira, kinyongo, maneno makali, chuki na mawazo maovu tuliyoyahifadhi. Ikiwa bado kuna kinyongo moyoni mwako, nacho kiondolewe pamoja na mwaka wa zamani. Wakati mwingine migogoro na kutoridhika hutokea hata kati ya washiriki wa kanisa, kwa mfano mtu anapotusababishia hasara au kusema mambo yasiyo ya kweli kutuhusu. Mambo kama hayo yanaweza kuchochea hasira. Hata hivyo, Maandiko yanatuagiza jua lisichwe tukiwa bado na hasira. Tunapaswa kuyaondoa sasa.
Tukihifadhi hisia hizo, tunampa ibilisi nafasi moyoni na kufuata hila zake. Waefeso 4:27–28 inasema tusimpe Ibilisi nafasi; mwibaji asiibe tena, bali afanye kazi kwa mikono yake ili awe na kitu cha kumshirikisha mwenye uhitaji.
Kuyahifadhi hisia hizo kunampa ibilisi nafasi ya kuingia mioyoni mwetu na kutufanya tufuate hila zake. Waefeso 4:27–28 inasema, “Wala msimpe Ibilisi nafasi. Mwibaji asiibe tena, bali afanye kazi, akitenda jambo linalofaa kwa mikono yake mwenyewe, ili awe na kitu cha kumshirikisha mwenye uhitaji.” Hitimisho. Ndugu wapendwa, Bwana wetu alishuka duniani kama Mwana wa Mungu, akatangaza mapenzi yake, akakamilisha ukombozi na kuitimiza sheria kwa upendo. Alihubiri Injili ya mbinguni kulingana na mapenzi ya Mungu pekee na kuwaponya watu magonjwa na udhaifu wa kila aina.
Kwa kufa msalabani, Yesu alifungua njia ya wokovu kwa wanadamu wote. Alipokuwa akipitia mateso, kujitoa na kifo, Bwana wetu alikaza mwendo bila kukoma. Tukimwiga Bwana aliyetimiza mpango wa Mungu kikamilifu, tunapaswa kujitahidi kuwa wakamilifu ili atusifie akisema, “Mmetimiza yote mliyokabidhiwa. Vema!” Mungu anataka ukamilifu katika kila eneo. Kila mmoja wenu na kanisa hili wamekabidhiwa wajibu na Mungu. Tusifanye kazi kwa kiwango kinachotosheleza viwango vya wanadamu tu, bali mpaka tumridhishe Mungu na kupokea sifa zake. Kwa hiyo, tuendelee mbele bila kukoma mpaka tuwe wa kupendeza machoni pa Mungu. Tuishi maisha ya kutafuta utukufu wa Mungu pekee, iwe tunakula, tunakunywa au tunafanya jambo lolote. Mungu wetu anataka kanisa hili liwe chumvi na nuru katika siku hizi za mwisho, liokoe roho nyingi na kuupanua ufalme wake kwa nguvu. Kwa kuwa tumepewa wajibu mkubwa namna hii, zaidi ya yote tuunganishwe kwa vifungo vya upendo, kweli na Roho Mtakatifu.
Mtu mmoja akifanya kazi kumi angehitaji muda na nguvu nyingi; lakini watu kumi wakifanya kazi pamoja kwa umoja wanaweza kutimiza mengi kwa haraka na kwa ufanisi. Vivyo hivyo, tukiungana tutaokoa roho na kazi za Mungu zitafuata. Ninaomba katika jina la Bwana kwamba hakuna atakayeacha mbio za imani, bali kila mmoja akimbie kwa bidii na kushiriki utukufu wa kung’aa kama jua katika mbingu ya milele. — MWISHO —
