Moving Forward in Faith: Embracing God's Direction for 2025

As we enter this new year, Pastor Kevin Kringel shares a timely and powerful message at Calvary Orlando on what it truly means to move forward in life and faith. The theme for this year's journey is encapsulated in the word "Forward" — not just as a direction, but as a way of living in obedience, trust, and faithfulness to God’s plan.
 
Pastor Kevin opens the message by inviting us to join a week of prayer with believers around the world. The focus of these prayers is for the Kingdom of God to advance, for new churches to be planted, and for the church to boldly evangelize and reach people with the love of Christ. It’s a call to unite as a global church, praying for transformation both within ourselves and in the world around us.
 
But moving Forward in God's eyes may not always look the way we expect it to. Pastor Kevin emphasizes that sometimes moving forward requires us to go backward, upward, or downward before we can fully step into God’s promises. He challenges us to embrace change because change is a prerequisite for progress in God’s Kingdom.
 
 What Does Moving Forward Really Mean? 
When we think of moving forward, we often picture progress as a straight line toward success, blessings, and promises. However, Pastor Kevin reminds us that God’s definition of forward is different from ours. Sometimes, moving forward means:
 

1. Going backward to relearn or unlearn important lessons.
2. Going upward to stretch ourselves into new spiritual heights.
3. Going downward to humble ourselves in submission to God’s will.

 
Forward isn’t just about what we gain; it’s about who we become in the process. Pastor Kevin highlights this by stating, “God is not simply trying to get you something or somewhere; He is turning you into someone.”
 
God’s primary goal is to develop our character, make us more like Christ, and shape us into people who can be trusted to carry out His mission. This journey requires obedience, faith, and trust in God’s process, even when circumstances seem to be moving in the opposite direction.
 
 Going Forward by Going Backward 
One of the key insights from the message is that sometimes moving forward means going backward. Pastor Kevin uses biblical examples to illustrate this truth:

Israel in the Wilderness
When God led the Israelites out of Egypt, they quickly reached the edge of the Promised Land. However, their fear and lack of faith caused them to see obstacles instead of opportunities. As a result, God sent them back into the wilderness for 40 years. While this seemed like a setback, it was actually a season of preparation.
 
God was working on getting Egypt out of their hearts, teaching them to trust Him as their provider, protector, and guide. The wilderness wasn’t a punishment but a necessary process to shape them into a nation ready to receive His promises.
 
Deuteronomy 8:2-3 reminds us that God uses these seasons to humble us, test our character, and teach us that we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

 Moses in the Desert 
Moses’ life provides another powerful example. Once a prince in Egypt and a military leader, Moses believed he would deliver his people through his own strength. But after a failed attempt to intervene, he fled to the desert for 40 years. What seemed like a detour was actually God’s way of preparing him for his true calling.
 
God wasn’t interested in using Moses the warrior; He needed Moses the shepherd. Moses had to learn humility, patience, and reliance on God before he could lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

 Jesus’ Journey to the Cross 
Even Jesus’ path wasn’t straightforward. At the height of His ministry, crowds followed Him and celebrated Him as King. But their praise quickly turned to rejection and cries of “Crucify Him!” Jesus’ journey appeared to be going backward as He faced betrayal, suffering, and death. Yet, this was the ultimate forward movement toward fulfilling God’s plan of salvation for humanity.
 
Pastor Kevin reminds us that forward in God’s Kingdom often looks like pruning and refining. It may involve losing things, relationships, or opportunities that we thought were essential. But God is always working to make space for new growth and greater fruit.
 
John 15:1-2 says, “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.”
 
 Celebrating Progress, Not Perfection 
Pastor Kevin challenges us to redefine success and forward movement. It’s not about reaching the final destination or achieving a specific goal. Instead, it’s about progress and personal growth in Christ’s image.
 
Forward is:
 

1. Learning to forgive when it’s hard.
2. Growing in humility and reliance on God.
3. Trusting God’s timing and process.

 
We often think we’ll celebrate once we achieve the promise, but Pastor Kevin encourages us to celebrate along the journey. God rejoices at the start of a new thing, just as He rejoiced when Zerubbabel laid the plumb line for the temple (Zechariah 4:10).
 
What Steps Do You Need to Take? 
Pastor Kevin asks a reflective question: What is the last thing God told you to do?
 
Have you obeyed His word? Sometimes we’re stuck in our own wilderness because we haven’t followed through on what God has already instructed us to do. Moving forward requires us to:
 

1. Go back to the scriptures God has spoken over us.
2. Be faithful to prophetic words and dreams.
3. Pass the tests God has placed before us.

 
We must learn to walk by faith and not by sight, trusting that God is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).
 
 Moving Forward into 2025 
As we step into 2025, Pastor Kevin reminds us that moving forward may not always look like multiplication or addition. Sometimes it involves subtraction — pruning and refining us for greater impact.
 
Philippians 1:6 says, “I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
 
God is not done with you. He is working in and through you, even in the seasons that seem backward. Trust the process, celebrate the progress, and walk in obedience and faith. That’s how we move forward in God’s Kingdom.
 
Let’s commit this year to trusting God’s definition of forward. As we do, we’ll see His promises unfold in ways beyond what we could imagine.
 
Join us in prayer this week as we move forward together in faith. Let’s trust God to continue the good work He’s started in us and through us!
 
Key Scriptures to Reflect On:
 

1. Deuteronomy 8:2-3
2. John 15:1-2
3. Philippians 1:6
4. Romans 8:28
5. Proverbs 3:5-6
6. Isaiah 64:4

 
Questions for Reflection:
 

1. What is the last thing God told you to do? Have you obeyed?
2. Are there any areas in your life where God is pruning or refining you?
3. How can you celebrate progress in your journey with God, even if the promise hasn’t fully manifested yet?

 
Let’s move forward together in faith, trusting God’s plan and His timing! Amen!

Paster Kevin's Sermon Notes:
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