As we embark on this exciting new year, the word that the Holy Spirit has impressed upon my heart during prayer is “Planted.” I believe this word is a divine encouragement meant to inspire us as we take that crucial first step toward the new and wonderful things God has prepared for us. Whether it’s nurturing a personal habit, launching a new project, making a significant career change, or setting any other ambitious goal, my prayer is that today’s message will ignite your passion and provide the motivation you need.

As we come to the word of God, let us embrace this journey with unwavering faith and determination, knowing that being "planted" in God's purpose will lead to growth, fulfillment, and extraordinary blessings. With this in mind, I would like to begin by asking, how many of you did not make a New Year’s resolution? Raise your hand if you did not make a New Year’s resolution.

Many of us, perhaps even the majority, did not make resolutions, and yet most of the nation celebrated New Year’s in grand fashion. From the iconic Times Square ball drop in New York City to the vibrant event at Bayfront Park in Miami, the massive block party on the Las Vegas Strip, and the lively celebration on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, each of these cities offered unique and memorable festivities to ring in the new year.

This week, I came across an article in a psychology and behavioral science journal that discussed why many people avoid making resolutions. It explained that the fear of failure often holds us back. In other words, years of experiencing the discouragement of not completing what we started has led many of us to stop setting goals altogether.

Today, I want to challenge us to think differently and adopt a new approach to life. It's essential to recognize that you cannot finish what you never start. Let us take that first step with confidence, trusting in God's guidance and knowing that He will provide the strength we need to overcome any obstacles along the way.

To do that, let’s turn to the word of God, where we find inspiration in chapter 12 of the gospel of John. In verse 24, Jesus tells His disciples, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (John 12:24-25).

I am deeply moved by how wisely Jesus spoke about His impending death to people who believed He had come to establish His Kingdom immediately. Instead, He explained that just as a kernel of wheat must die to produce many seeds, He too had to die so that many could be saved and glorified. Jesus made it clear that His death was a necessary gateway for their entry into His Kingdom, emphasizing the importance of self-sacrifice in achieving eternal life.

His death, which many viewed as a loss, was actually His path to glory and honor. He teaches us that true life and honor are found through self-sacrifice and following His example. When we surrender ourselves to God, we are transformed and become fruitful. This entire process of planting, breaking, and stretching deepens our faith and equips us with a resilience that leads to a bountiful harvest of countless lives.

That leads me to ask the question, how do we get started?

Today, let us learn from the example of Jesus, who took that first crucial step when He was baptized in the Jordan River. The Bible tells us that as He came up out of the water, the Holy Spirit descended on Him, and He was "led by the Spirit into the wilderness" (Matthew 4:1). This moment marked the beginning of His ministry, demonstrating the importance of taking that initial step of faith.

In the same way, I want to encourage each of you to be led by the Spirit, for those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. When you walk by the Spirit, you won’t gratify the desires of the flesh. If you are led by the Spirit, you’re not under the law, and the Spirit will guide you into all truth. The prophet Isaiah beautifully captures this guidance, saying, "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it'" (Isaiah 30:21).

Just as Jesus was led by the Spirit, we too are called to follow the Spirit’s leading in our lives. The Holy Spirit's guidance helps us navigate our journey with wisdom and assurance.

Receiving the Holy Spirit is a profound and transformative experience, much like the way we receive salvation: by approaching God with faith and earnestly asking for the promise of His Spirit. This divine indwelling empowers us to live lives that are beautifully aligned with God's will, guiding us with wisdom, strength, and grace.

Some of you might feel that God wouldn’t or couldn’t do anything extraordinary through you because of past mistakes. But let me reassure you—this is not true! The devil is a liar, and Jesus has assured us, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Knowing that God is always with us gives us the confidence to achieve the unimaginable, regardless of our past or current challenges.

When we respond to His calling, God is with us every step of the way, guiding and supporting us as we accomplish great things. Recognizing His constant presence reminds us that despite our struggles, all things are possible with God. He is by our side, even in our darkest moments. After a season of loss, we can find comfort in His promise: “I am with you always.”

I want to encourage each of you to “Get Started” and begin right where you are because each of us has something that God wants us to embark on. It might be deepening your walk with Him in a more intimate faith, getting fit and healthy, starting that ministry you’ve been thinking about, restoring a broken relationship, or being more generous with your resources. Whatever it is, I urge you to reflect on what you need to start because this is a new year; the old has passed away, and the new has come. Let’s not allow the past to hinder us from moving forward into the wonderful plans God has prepared for us.

God's presence in our lives is profoundly meaningful. Jesus' illustration of the kernel of wheat shows us that He uses us in our brokenness, even when we are in a dark place. His presence empowers us to move forward with confidence. That’s why He revealed Himself to us on Christmas as Immanuel, meaning "God with us" (Matthew 1:23).

He came to live among us, taking on human form to be with us and to show His love by coming to earth. The same voice of the Lord that walked in the garden with Adam and Eve now walked among us in the Gospels in human form. Even now, He is our tabernacle in the wilderness, the one who lives among us, “Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).

He came to dwell among us so that we could be with Him and get to know the Father through Him. I’m sharing this to encourage you to “Get Started” because the Bible says, “The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word" (Hebrews 1:3).

Through Jesus, we can see the Father and experience His love that touches us, heals us, and draws us close to Him.

God’s presence is our ultimate source of strength and motivation. When we walk by faith and offer Him what we have, He transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. As we offer ourselves as living sacrifices, He uses our talents, resources, and skills for His divine purpose, making them far more impactful than we ever imagined. Today, I want to encourage you not to underestimate the potential of what you have. The Bible reminds us, “To each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good" (1 Corinthians 12:7).

In other words, the Holy Spirit bestows spiritual gifts upon each believer to benefit the local church and the broader community. These gifts are diverse and encompass much more than roles such as pastor, teacher, or prophet. You may possess a gift of faith, discernment, interpretation of tongues, helping, administration, encouragement, giving, or leadership. Even if you feel you have nothing valuable to contribute, remember that God has given you a unique gift to help people feel loved and cared for as you advance the kingdom of God.

Today, I want to encourage you to start where you are and use what you have to share the love of Jesus and change lives forever. Use whatever gift God gave you, because what you have is precisely what God plans to use for His purpose. Embracing these principles with faith propels us to accomplish extraordinary things through the church. Through your seemingly ordinary acts of love, you can create a difference with supernatural results.

Remember, it doesn’t matter where you are when you know who you are with. So, start where you are, use what you have, and simply do what you can. God said to Moses, “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” And God said, “I will be with you…” (Exodus 3:10-12).

Sometimes, we need a divine push to get moving because we will never finish what we don’t start. Today is the day to begin; the time is now, so we must start where we are. God is ready to do something extraordinary through you if you can use what you have. Just do what you can, and you will discover, as the apostle Paul declared, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

God reassured Moses by saying, “Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say” (Exodus 4:12). Sometimes, we may feel inadequate or unprepared, but God promises to fill in the gaps and guide us every step of the way.

Did you notice what God said to Moses? He says, when you go, I will help you. When you go, I will teach you. This means God isn’t going to give you everything beforehand so that you feel prepared before you ever step forward. Instead, He is going to teach you as you go. Therefore, we need to start using what we have and doing what we can.

Can you heal your marriage today? Probably not, but you can take the first step and apologize for your part.

Can you run a marathon today? Maybe not, but you can get off the couch and start training.

Can you get out of debt today? Probably not, but you can begin by living within your means, skipping unnecessary purchases, and making a payment toward your debt.

In other words, we need to do what we can.

The problem arises when we have grand visions, such as imagining ourselves in prestigious or influential jobs without the willingness to pursue the necessary education, or dreaming of becoming famous athletes without enduring years of training. We fantasize about living luxurious lifestyles, owning big houses, driving the best cars, and enjoying opulence without putting in the necessary work. These dreams remain just that—dreams—unless we are willing to put in the effort required to achieve them.

As believers, we often dream about the future, hoping that God will elevate us. We look forward to the final destination because God has said, “I have plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11). This promise gives us hope and motivates us to dream big.

However, we often hesitate to take the first step, thinking, “I like where we are headed, but the journey looks too difficult. I'll stay here and need more time to think and pray about this.” This hesitation can stem from fear of the unknown, self-doubt, or a reluctance to leave our comfort zones.

To move forward, we must embrace the journey, trusting that God will guide us and provide the strength we need to overcome challenges. Taking the first step is crucial, for it sets us on the path toward fulfilling God's plans for our lives.

Today, God is nudging us, just as He spoke to Moses, saying, “You need to get moving.” We will never reach the second or third step if we don’t take the first step. But when we take that first step, walking with God, starting where we are, using what we have, and doing what we can, the path we think we are on may lead to something, as the Bible says, “Immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20). God will take our ordinary efforts and turn them into something supernatural and extraordinary.

So, don’t let worries about steps two or three stop you; focus on step one. As we move forward, God will guide us, teaching us what to say and do along the way.

This principle of taking the first step applies to many aspects of our lives. Dana and I have always understood the importance of being firmly planted and rooted in the church, the body of Christ. This is why we have never had to ask, “Are we going to church this weekend?” For us, being part of the body of Christ is an intrinsic part of who we are and what we do. The Holy Spirit has continuously guided us in this belief, reminding us, “You are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it" (1 Corinthians 12:27).

The church has been a tremendous blessing in my life and has imparted valuable lessons to my children. I firmly believe that the greatest blessings I have received from God can be traced back to Christ’s hand working through the church.

However, I understand that some of you may not have had the same experience. But you have the power to change that starting today. You can make a conscious decision to pursue a closer relationship with God. I believe with all my heart that you need His presence, His word, and the fellowship of the children of God in the church. David beautifully expressed this in the Psalms: “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God" (Psalm 92:12-13).

If you don’t know where to start, I encourage you to seek God’s presence today and pursue Him intentionally. Cultivating a close relationship with God requires commitment and dedication. Choose to get started today because it is a profoundly meaningful journey worth embarking on. Consider the psalmist's wisdom and perspective when he says, “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple" (Psalm 27:4).

If I were to ask you what your greatest need is, my prayer is that you would say, as the psalmist did, “God, You are that one thing I need. I need Your presence, I need Your guidance, I need You to shape me and strengthen me into the man or woman of God You created me to be.” Whether you realize it or not, you are always in need of His presence, and His presence is best found in the context of the church, where two or three are gathered in His name.

Would you choose to “Get Started” today and be planted in the house of God? I encourage you not to wait for an emergency to seek God, but to seek Him right now, as Scripture says, “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water" (Hebrews 10:22).

God, in His infinite wisdom, uses broken people like you and me for His divine will. Whether you realize it or not, you need Him desperately, and as you come near to God, He will come near to you (James 4:8). As the Apostle Paul tells us, “We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us" (2 Corinthians 4:7).

Our weaknesses highlight His strength. Through our flaws, His greatness shines even brighter. It is in our imperfections that His transformative power becomes most evident. Consequently, His glory is revealed in remarkable ways through us, demonstrating His mighty power and amazing grace.

When God takes your fragile jar of clay, cracked and broken, planting you like a kernel of wheat, and allowing you to grow, breaking apart in the darkness, He multiplies you, enabling you to meet needs you couldn’t meet before. It is through our weakness and brokenness that God’s mighty power shines even brighter (2 Corinthians 12:10). The multiplication comes from the planting, but it’s not just the planting; it is through the breaking. Without the breaking, God couldn’t give you to others, but every time He breaks you, He multiplies you and increases you, making you a little bit more than you were before.

This can only happen when you are planted because the one who dies produces many seeds (John 12:24). Jesus said, “The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (John 12:25).

When we give ourselves into the hands of the Master Gardener, God takes us, plants us, breaks us, and then gives us to the world. This is a powerful allegory of what Jesus did with the bread on the mountainside. Matthew tells us in his gospel, “Jesus took the seven loaves and the fish, and when He had given thanks, He broke them and gave them to the people" (Matthew 15:36).

You cannot be given to the world until you have been planted and broken in the secret place by the Master. He alone takes you, blesses you, breaks you, and gives you to the world, fulfilling His divine purpose through you.

So, when we find ourselves in moments of darkness, planted, buried, and broken, let us remember that we are in the hands of the Father. As the prophet Isaiah said, “You, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay; You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand" (Isaiah 64:8).

It is in these moments, in the potter’s hand, that God shapes us, molds us, and prepares us for His greater purpose. This process is one we must embrace because it is in the breaking that we are multiplied and transformed into vessels of His glory.

Today, we have a unique opportunity before us, and it is crucial that we seize it. We need to get started because we will never finish something we don’t start. So, it is time to take that first step: start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can. When we fully embrace these principles, God takes our ordinary efforts and makes them to have extraordinary outcomes. With His divine touch, something miraculous happens, and even the simplest actions can yield abundant results.

Graphics, notes, and commentary from LifeChurch, Ministry Pass, PC Study Bible, Preaching Library, and Sermon Central. Scripture from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.