Embracing God's New Work in Our Lives
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church! Today, we gather to honor God and celebrate the wonderful leaders He has placed among us. As we open our hearts to receive His word, let us focus on the new things God is doing in our lives. Isaiah 43:18-21 reminds us not to dwell on the past but to recognize and embrace the new work God is already doing. He is making a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, not for our sake, but for His glory. Our lives are meant to be billboards of His greatness.
God is shifting and rearranging things in our lives, our marriages, our finances, and our church. He is raising a new breed of believers who are hungry for Him, who will carry His power and glory. These are people who may not look qualified by worldly standards but are chosen and equipped by God. He is calling us to return to our first love, to a place of deep, intimate relationship with Him. This is not about being busy for God but about walking closely with Him, listening to His voice, and obeying His commands.
Our responsibility in this new season is to align ourselves with what God is doing. We must be willing to let go of the past, trust in His plans, and be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. God is calling us to be part of the fellowship of the unashamed, a group of believers who are sold out for Him, who live by faith, and who are not afraid to stand for righteousness. As we embrace this call, God promises to shift our circumstances and bring about the new things He has planned for us.
### Key Takeaways
1. Embrace the New Thing God is Doing: God is already at work in our lives, making a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. We must recognize and embrace this new work, understanding that it is for His glory and not our own. Let go of the past and focus on the new things God is doing. [10:13]
2. Shift Your Focus from the Past: Dwelling on past failures, disappointments, and hurts can hinder us from seeing what God is doing now. God calls us to shift our focus from the past and trust in His plans for our future. He is working even when we cannot see it. [12:54]
3. Return to Your First Love: God desires a deep, intimate relationship with us. He calls us to return to our first love, to do everything out of love for Him. This is not about being busy for God but about walking closely with Him, listening to His voice, and obeying His commands. [21:53]
4. Be Part of the New Breed: God is raising a new breed of believers who are hungry for Him, who will carry His power and glory. These are people who may not look qualified by worldly standards but are chosen and equipped by God. Be willing to be part of this new breed. [17:17]
5. Align Yourself with God's Plans: Our responsibility in this new season is to align ourselves with what God is doing. Be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, trust in His plans, and be willing to let go of the past. As we do this, God promises to shift our circumstances and bring about the new things He has planned for us. [20:20]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:43] - Opening Prayer and Worship
[04:14] - God is Showing Up
[05:46] - Honoring Guests and Friends
[07:16] - Introduction to the Three W's
[08:45] - What is God Saying?
[10:13] - Embrace the New Thing
[12:54] - Shift Your Focus from the Past
[14:12] - God is Shifting and Rearranging
[17:17] - Raising a New Breed
[18:55] - Our Responsibility
[20:20] - Align Yourself with God's Plans
[21:53] - Return to Your First Love
[23:50] - The Fellowship of the Unashamed
[25:12] - Prayer of Commitment
[27:40] - Call for Fresh Fire
[28:41] - Closing Worship and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Isaiah 43:18-21
- Revelation 2:1-5
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Isaiah 43:18-21, what new things is God promising to do for His people? How does He describe these new things? [10:13]
2. In Revelation 2:1-5, what does Jesus commend the church of Ephesus for, and what does He have against them? [21:53]
3. What does the sermon say about the importance of not dwelling on past failures and disappointments? [12:54]
4. How does the sermon describe the "new breed" of believers that God is raising? What characteristics do they have? [17:17]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does God instruct His people to forget the former things and not dwell on the past in Isaiah 43:18-21? How might this apply to our personal lives today? [12:54]
2. What does it mean to "return to your first love" as mentioned in Revelation 2:1-5? How does this concept relate to the overall message of the sermon? [21:53]
3. The sermon mentions that God is shifting and rearranging things in our lives. What might be some signs that God is doing this in someone's life? [14:12]
4. How does the idea of being part of the "fellowship of the unashamed" challenge our current way of living and serving God? [23:50]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you were stuck dwelling on past failures or disappointments. How did it affect your ability to see what God was doing in your life? What steps can you take to shift your focus to the new things God is doing now? [12:54]
2. In what ways can you return to your first love for God? Are there specific actions or changes you need to make to deepen your relationship with Him? [21:53]
3. Think about an area in your life where you feel God might be shifting or rearranging things. How can you be more sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in this area? [14:12]
4. The sermon talks about being part of a new breed of believers who are hungry for God and carry His power and glory. What steps can you take to be part of this new breed? [17:17]
5. How can you align yourself more closely with God's plans for your life? Are there specific past experiences or mindsets you need to let go of to do this? [20:20]
6. The sermon emphasizes the importance of not just being busy for God but walking closely with Him. How can you ensure that your activities and service are rooted in a deep, intimate relationship with God? [22:45]
7. What does being part of the "fellowship of the unashamed" mean to you personally? How can you live out this commitment in your daily life? [23:50]
Devotional
### Day 1: Embrace the New Thing God is Doing
God is already at work in our lives, making a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. We must recognize and embrace this new work, understanding that it is for His glory and not our own. Let go of the past and focus on the new things God is doing. God’s work in our lives is not just for our benefit but to display His greatness to the world. As we embrace the new things He is doing, we become living testimonies of His power and love.
God’s new work often requires us to step out of our comfort zones and trust Him in ways we haven’t before. This can be challenging, especially when we are tempted to hold on to the familiar. However, God promises to guide us and provide for us as we step into the new things He has planned. Trusting in His plans and letting go of the past allows us to fully experience the abundant life He has for us. [10:13]
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: What new thing is God doing in your life right now? How can you let go of the past to fully embrace it?
### Day 2: Shift Your Focus from the Past
Dwelling on past failures, disappointments, and hurts can hinder us from seeing what God is doing now. God calls us to shift our focus from the past and trust in His plans for our future. He is working even when we cannot see it. By focusing on the past, we can miss the new opportunities and blessings that God is bringing into our lives. It’s important to trust that God’s plans are good and that He is always at work for our benefit.
Shifting our focus from the past requires intentional effort and faith. It means choosing to believe in God’s promises and looking forward with hope. This doesn’t mean we ignore our past experiences, but rather, we learn from them and move forward with the confidence that God is leading us. Trusting in God’s plans allows us to live with a sense of purpose and expectation for the future. [12:54]
Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV): "Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: What past experiences are you holding onto that might be hindering your ability to see what God is doing now? How can you shift your focus to trust in His plans for your future?
### Day 3: Return to Your First Love
God desires a deep, intimate relationship with us. He calls us to return to our first love, to do everything out of love for Him. This is not about being busy for God but about walking closely with Him, listening to His voice, and obeying His commands. Returning to our first love means rekindling the passion and devotion we once had for God. It’s about prioritizing our relationship with Him above all else and allowing His love to guide our actions.
In our busy lives, it’s easy to become distracted and lose sight of our first love. However, God continually calls us back to Himself, inviting us to experience the fullness of His love and presence. By returning to our first love, we find true fulfillment and purpose in our relationship with God. This deep, intimate connection with Him is the foundation for everything else in our lives. [21:53]
Revelation 2:4-5 (ESV): "But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent."
Reflection: In what ways have you drifted from your first love for God? What steps can you take today to rekindle that deep, intimate relationship with Him?
### Day 4: Be Part of the New Breed
God is raising a new breed of believers who are hungry for Him, who will carry His power and glory. These are people who may not look qualified by worldly standards but are chosen and equipped by God. Be willing to be part of this new breed. God’s call is not based on our qualifications but on His purpose and power. He equips those He calls, enabling them to carry out His work and display His glory.
Being part of this new breed means being open to God’s leading and willing to step out in faith. It requires a hunger for God and a desire to see His power and glory manifested in our lives and the world around us. As we respond to God’s call, we become vessels through which His love and power can flow, impacting those around us and advancing His kingdom. [17:17]
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (ESV): "For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."
Reflection: How do you feel about being part of the new breed of believers God is raising? What steps can you take to align yourself with His call and be open to His leading?
### Day 5: Align Yourself with God's Plans
Our responsibility in this new season is to align ourselves with what God is doing. Be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, trust in His plans, and be willing to let go of the past. As we do this, God promises to shift our circumstances and bring about the new things He has planned for us. Aligning ourselves with God’s plans means being attentive to His voice and willing to follow His guidance, even when it requires change or sacrifice.
This alignment involves a deep trust in God’s wisdom and timing. It means surrendering our own plans and desires to embrace His greater purpose for our lives. As we align ourselves with God’s plans, we experience His peace and provision, knowing that He is in control and working all things for our good. This alignment allows us to walk in step with the Holy Spirit, experiencing the fullness of God’s blessings and the fulfillment of His promises. [20:20]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to align yourself more closely with God’s plans? How can you be more sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and trust in His guidance?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "God is showing up in your life, praise God, in your business, in your bank accounts, in the lives of your children and grandchildren, in your marriage. He's showing up and he's going to introduce himself as the great God. Praise God. I like it when you don't need to introduce God. Praise God. I love it when you do not need to introduce God and he introduces himself." [04:14] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The reason God is doing something new it's not because of me it's not because of you it's because of him he said I am doing a new thing in the beginning and if you look at the end he said so that they can declare my praise praise God so the reason God is moving in this season in this room today it is because he wants you he wants your life to advertise his glory." [11:37] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The problem most of us have is we keep looking back at the old things yes we are fasting we're praying for uh to see changes in our bank account but we keep looking back at the bills and and that is piling up and the inflation that is out there in the economy we keep looking back we keep looking bearing our head down praise God so the lord is saying do not look back do not look at the former things do not look at the failures and the disappointments and the hurts and the discouragement." [12:54] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The lord said I am shifting you from where you are to where you ought to be praise God I am shifting your marriage I am shifting your children I am shifting your bank account I am shifting your business I am shifting this church from where this church is to where this church ought to be praise God when I say this church I'm not talking about the building I am talking about you you you and me praise God." [15:42] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The lord is saying that when you return back to that place of deep intimate relationship with him. He said, I am going to shift your bank account. I am going to turn things around for you. I am going to shift the direction of your children. I am going to shift this church, where this church is going. Praise God. He said, I am doing a new thing in this church. Hallelujah. He said, I am raising a new breed." [23:50] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "So of what use would it be to receive a word from the lord I don't even know what to do I don't even know what to do I don't even know what to do I don't even know what to do with it so I'm so glad that she laid a foundation so that whatever word prophetic word you receive you know how to run with it you know what to do with it praise God so the third w is what is our responsibility because when God is acting we cannot just sit down and fold our hands we have to be doing something as he does his part we do our part." [08:45] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The lord began to remind them to remember the form to not remember the former things anymore to not look at it the only reason they should look back is to look at how he has delivered them in the past and begin to praise him praise God not to look at how the enemies is messing up with them or dealing with them but to look at how he has delivered them praise God so he told them he said I you I need to I need you to write down the things that you need to do in order to take activate this prophetic word that the lord is bringing to you today." [12:54] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus is saying, don't just be busy for me. But come to the place of love in me. He said, return to your first love. See, we are in a generation where there's so many business going on in the church. But Jesus has been kicked out. Praise God. We are in a place where Jesus said, listen. He said, you have left your first love. Hallelujah. How many of us remember his parents when they left him and they were looking for him? Praise God. Jesus said, you are working for me. You are busy for me. But you have left your first love." [23:17] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God does not care how long people have been sitting on the chair. Praise God. What he cares about is searching whose heart is truly after me. Praise God. Not those that are after titles or position, but those who are searching for God who say, I want to know you Lord. Like the apostle Paul. The apostle Paul said, that I may know you Lord and the fellowship, praise God, and the power of your resurrection and the fellowship of your suffering. The Lord is saying, I am raising those people. Pastors, get ready. Praise God. Get ready." [24:33] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I will not finch in the face of sacrifice. I will not hesitate in the presence of the enemy. I will not ponder at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, light up until I have stayed up, stirred up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go until He comes. I must give until I have stayed up. When I drop, I must preach all that I know, and I will walk until the Lord stops me. And when the Lord comes, I will have no problem presenting myself to Him." [26:50] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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