Let Go of What’s Holding You Back

Change Is Hard—but With God, Change Is Possible

Scripture References

Primary text

• Mark 1

Other references

• Mark 10
• Hebrews 12
• Luke 9

Overview

Most people long for something to be different in the coming year, yet few make formal resolutions because past attempts have failed. Using the first calling of the disciples in Mark 1, the message shows that while change is hard, it becomes possible when we answer Jesus’ invitation to “follow Me.” The sermon outlines four practical moves—start now, let go, get going, and keep going—and calls both the person who wants to tweak one area and the person who needs a complete life overhaul to re-center everything on Jesus.

Context

• Pew Research shows only 30 % of adults set New Year’s resolutions; desire declines with age.
• Speaker’s failed “dog-on-the-couch” resolution and age-based statistics illustrate why many avoid setting goals: change feels elusive.
• Two target audiences: (1) those who want God’s help to change something specific, and (2) those who feel everything must change.

Main Points

1. Start Now

• Jesus’ first words to Simon and Andrew were “Come, follow Me” (Mark 1). They acted “at once.”
• If it’s important enough for tomorrow, it’s important enough for today—sign up for the gym, draft the budget, begin the Bible plan now.
• Illustration: The speaker’s immediate phone call that led to his first date with Katie—he chose the better opportunity right away.

2. Let Go

• “They left their nets” (Mark 1:18). To take hold of what God offers, release what is holding you back.
• Hebrews 12 urges believers to “throw off everything that hinders.”
• Practical examples: delete time-wasting apps, leave the credit card at home, limit relationships that pull you off course.
• Illustration: Books stacked on the couch to keep the Labrador off the furniture—good intentions fail unless old habits are truly removed.

3. Get Going

• Change requires action, not talk. The disciples physically followed Jesus down the shoreline.
• Progress is made step by step—first mile, first budgeted paycheck, first prayer streak.
• Story: Katie decided—despite no athletic background—“I’m going to become a runner.” Day 1 was six difficult minutes, but she kept lacing up.

4. Keep Going

• Following Jesus is a one-time decision with a daily commitment; Luke 9 speaks of taking up the cross “daily.”
• Katie’s running streak (752 straight days, multiple marathons) illustrates persistence: the hardest step is the first one every day.
• When we say, “I tried it and it didn’t work,” we put the focus on ourselves. Jesus promises, “Follow Me, and I will make you become…”—He is still working.

5. Change Everything by Changing the Center

• Simon and Andrew re-oriented their entire lives around Jesus.
• Mark 10’s rich young ruler shows the alternative—holding tight to possessions and walking away sad.
• Whatever currently sits at the center (money, comfort, approval) must move so Jesus can take His rightful place.

Key Truths

• God extends extraordinary invitations to ordinary people.
• Believing Jesus’ path is better than our present position fuels immediate obedience.
• Lasting change involves both decisive moments and daily disciplines.
• To grasp God’s future, we must release present hindrances.
• Jesus, not self-effort, is the ongoing agent of transformation.

Response

• Identify one area and act on it today.
• Physically remove or limit the habit, object, or relationship that hinders you.
• Commit to a small, repeatable daily step toward the change you seek.
• Re-align your priorities so Jesus—not comfort or achievement—sits at the center.
• Persist, trusting that God is still working even when results seem slow.

Closing

The disciples dropped their nets because they believed life with Jesus was better than life without Him. That same invitation stands: follow Him, start now, let go, get going, and keep going.

“Change is hard, but with God, change is possible.”

Prayer

The congregation prayed for two groups: those wanting God’s help to change a specific area, and those ready to let Jesus change everything. The prayer thanked God for His presence, asked for courage to act, perseverance to continue, forgiveness through Christ, and new life as followers of Jesus.