Let Go of What’s Holding You Back

Change Starts Now

Scripture References

Primary text

• Mark 1

Other references

• Mark 10
• Luke 9
• Hebrews 12:1

Overview

As we enter a new year, Pastor Tim Dures urged us to move from wishing for change to following Jesus into real transformation. Looking at Jesus’ call of ordinary fishermen in Mark 1, he showed that intimacy with God always begins with intentional action: “Come, follow Me.” Change is hard, but with God it is possible—and it starts the moment we decide that where Jesus is leading is better than where we’re standing.

Main Points

1. Most people want change, few plan for it

• Pew research: only 30 % make New-Year resolutions; desire fades with age.
• We feel “ordinary” because days blur together, yet Jesus sees and calls ordinary people to extraordinary purposes.

2. Jesus’ extraordinary invitation (Mark 1:16-18)

• First recorded “Follow Me” in Scripture; repeated 21 times in the Gospels.
• Simon and Andrew dropped their nets “at once.”
• Why? They believed life with Jesus was better than familiar life without Him.

3. Four movements of godly change

Start now

• If it’s important tomorrow, it’s important today—sign up, budget, begin the reading plan.

Let go

• They “left their nets.”
• Hebrews 12:1—throw off anything that entangles (habits, relationships, spending patterns, distractions).

Get going

• Talk about it or be about it; change requires action.

Keep going

• Following Jesus is a one-time decision with a daily commitment.

• Story: Katie’s running journey—three painful minutes on day 1 became 2,100 miles in 2024, because she kept stepping out the door.

4. “I tried and it didn’t work” – adjusting the grammar

• We say, “I tried it,” but Mark 1:17 is present-future: “Follow Me, and I will make you become…”
• Jesus is the subject; transformation is His ongoing work.
• Our role: keep following; God is still working.

5. When everything needs to change

• Rich young ruler (Mark 10) shows that some decline the invitation.
• True discipleship re-centers life: remove whatever occupies the middle and place Jesus there.
• Luke 9—deny self, take up cross daily, follow Him.

Key Truths

• Jesus calls ordinary people to extraordinary purposes.
• Believing that where Jesus leads is better empowers immediate obedience.
• To grasp God’s future, we must release what holds us now.
• Following Jesus is sustained by daily, not occasional, decisions.
• God’s transforming work is ongoing even when results feel slow.

Response

• Decide today which specific area you will act on instead of delaying.
• Identify and release one “net” that is hindering your growth.
• Build a simple daily rhythm (Scripture, prayer, obedience) to keep walking.
• Encourage someone else who feels stuck: share how Jesus is still working in you.

Closing

Pastor Tim reminded us that change is difficult but never impossible with God. The same Jesus who said “Follow Me” to fishermen says it to us now, promising, “I will make you become.” Whether you want one area transformed or your whole life renewed, start today, let go, step out, and keep moving—because God is still working.

“Following Jesus is not a one-time decision; it’s a one-time decision with a daily commitment.”

Prayer

Pastor Tim led us to thank God for His grace, ask for power to begin and persevere in change, and invited those ready to follow Jesus to receive forgiveness, new life, and the courage to walk with Him each day.