Embracing God's New Works: A Journey of Faith
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Genesis Church, reflecting on God's faithfulness and blessings over the years. We began with a video showcasing the incredible journey of our church, followed by a heartfelt prayer of gratitude. We were reminded to live a life of worship, not just in moments of celebration but in every step of our daily lives. The service included a warm welcome to first-time guests and an invitation to participate in upcoming events like our baptism service and crash course for new members.
The sermon focused on Isaiah 43:16-21, emphasizing that while it's important to remember God's past blessings, we must also look forward to the new things He is doing. We were encouraged to celebrate God's past works but not to get stuck there, as He is always moving and doing something new. The message highlighted the importance of recognizing God's continuous work in our lives and the lives of others, urging us to stay attentive and responsive to His leading.
We were reminded that God's blessings are not just for our benefit but to show the world His power and love. The sermon concluded with a call to action: to celebrate God's blessings, look for the new things He is doing, and actively engage in His work. The service ended with a powerful time of worship and a reminder that God is just getting started with us.
### Key Takeaways
1. Live a Life of Worship: Worship is not confined to moments of celebration but should be a continuous response to God's presence in our lives. Every second and every step should reflect our gratitude and reverence for who God is and what He has done for us. [20:37]
2. Remember but Don't Stay: While it's crucial to remember God's past blessings, we must not get stuck there. God is always doing something new, and we need to be ready to move forward with Him. Our past experiences with God should serve as a foundation for future growth, not a resting place. [46:44]
3. Look for the New Thing: God is constantly at work, doing new things in our lives and the world around us. We need to stay attentive and open to His leading, recognizing that He is always moving us towards greater things. This requires a proactive approach to our faith, always seeking and expecting God's new works. [53:25]
4. Celebrate God's Blessings: Celebrating God's blessings is an act of worship and gratitude. It acknowledges His work in our lives and encourages us to trust Him for the future. By celebrating, we also inspire others and create a culture of thankfulness and expectation within our community. [41:51]
5. Engage in God's Work: God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others. Our response to His blessings should be active engagement in His work, both within the church and in the broader community. This involves serving, giving, and sharing the love of Christ in tangible ways. [59:01]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[20:37] - Opening Prayer
[21:37] - Special Welcome and Announcements
[22:47] - Upcoming Events
[23:44] - Outdoor Celebration Details
[24:24] - Baptism Service Announcement
[25:19] - Crash Course Information
[30:07] - Tithes and Offerings
[31:39] - Reflection on God's Faithfulness
[32:19] - Introduction to Isaiah 43
[32:56] - Reading Isaiah 43:16-21
[34:11] - God's New Works
[36:18] - Celebrating God's Blessings
[41:51] - How to Celebrate God's Blessings
[46:44] - Remember but Don't Stay
[53:25] - Look for the New Thing
[59:01] - Engage in God's Work
[01:00:32] - Worship and Praise
[01:03:32] - Closing Remarks and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Isaiah 43:16-21 (NIV)
> This is what the Lord says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.”
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific past events does Isaiah 43:16-17 refer to, and why are they significant for the Israelites? ([32:56])
2. According to Isaiah 43:18-19, what is God asking His people to do regarding their past experiences? ([46:44])
3. How does the sermon describe the importance of celebrating God's blessings? ([41:51])
4. What are some of the new things God is doing in the lives of the congregation, as mentioned in the sermon? ([55:11])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does God instruct the Israelites to "forget the former things" in Isaiah 43:18? How does this relate to the concept of moving forward in faith? ([46:44])
2. How can recognizing God's continuous work in our lives help us stay attentive and responsive to His leading? ([34:39])
3. What does it mean to live a life of worship according to the sermon, and how can this be applied in daily life? ([20:37])
4. How does celebrating God's blessings serve as an act of worship and gratitude, and what impact does it have on the community? ([41:51])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's blessings. How did you celebrate it, and how did it impact your faith journey? ([41:51])
2. Are there past blessings or experiences that you find yourself dwelling on? How can you shift your focus to the new things God is doing in your life? ([46:44])
3. What are some practical ways you can stay attentive and open to God's leading in your daily life? ([34:39])
4. How can you actively engage in God's work within your church and community? Identify one specific action you can take this week. ([59:01])
5. Think of a recent blessing you received. How can you share this testimony to inspire and encourage others in your community? ([41:51])
6. In what ways can you incorporate worship into your daily routine beyond Sunday services? ([20:37])
7. Identify a new thing God is doing in your life or in the lives of those around you. How can you support and participate in this new work? ([53:25])
Devotional
### Day 1: Worship as a Lifestyle
Worship is not confined to moments of celebration but should be a continuous response to God's presence in our lives. Every second and every step should reflect our gratitude and reverence for who God is and what He has done for us. Worship is more than singing songs on Sunday; it is a lifestyle that permeates every aspect of our daily lives. Whether we are at work, at home, or in our communities, our actions and attitudes should be a testament to our love and reverence for God.
Living a life of worship means acknowledging God's presence in every moment and allowing His Spirit to guide our thoughts, words, and actions. It involves a constant state of gratitude and a heart that seeks to honor God in all things. This kind of worship transforms us and impacts those around us, drawing them closer to the love and grace of God. [20:37]
Isaiah 29:13 (ESV): "And the Lord said: 'Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men.'"
Reflection: How can you incorporate worship into your daily routine beyond Sunday services? Identify one specific action you can take today to honor God in your everyday life.
### Day 2: Remember but Don't Stay
While it's crucial to remember God's past blessings, we must not get stuck there. God is always doing something new, and we need to be ready to move forward with Him. Our past experiences with God should serve as a foundation for future growth, not a resting place.
Remembering God's faithfulness in the past can strengthen our faith and give us hope for the future. However, we must be careful not to become complacent or nostalgic, longing for the "good old days" and missing out on the new things God is doing. God is a dynamic and active presence in our lives, always leading us towards greater things. [46:44]
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 past blessing or experience with God are you holding onto that might be preventing you from seeing the new things He is doing? How can you shift your focus to embrace the new opportunities God is presenting to you today?
### Day 3: Look for the New Thing
God is constantly at work, doing new things in our lives and the world around us. We need to stay attentive and open to His leading, recognizing that He is always moving us towards greater things. This requires a proactive approach to our faith, always seeking and expecting God's new works.
Being open to the new things God is doing means having a heart that is willing to change and grow. It involves stepping out of our comfort zones and being willing to follow God's lead, even when it takes us into unfamiliar territory. Trusting in God's plan and being attentive to His voice allows us to participate in the exciting and transformative work He is doing in and through us. [53:25]
Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Reflection: What new thing do you sense God is doing in your life right now? How can you actively participate in this new work and align yourself with His leading?
### Day 4: Celebrate God's Blessings
Celebrating God's blessings is an act of worship and gratitude. It acknowledges His work in our lives and encourages us to trust Him for the future. By celebrating, we also inspire others and create a culture of thankfulness and expectation within our community.
When we take the time to celebrate God's blessings, we are reminded of His goodness and faithfulness. This not only strengthens our faith but also serves as a testimony to others of God's power and love. Celebrating together as a community fosters a spirit of unity and encouragement, helping us to support and uplift one another in our faith journeys. [41:51]
Psalm 126:3 (ESV): "The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad."
Reflection: Think of a recent blessing in your life. How can you celebrate this blessing in a way that honors God and encourages others? Consider sharing your testimony with someone today.
### Day 5: Engage in God's Work
God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others. Our response to His blessings should be active engagement in His work, both within the church and in the broader community. This involves serving, giving, and sharing the love of Christ in tangible ways.
Engaging in God's work means using our gifts, talents, and resources to further His kingdom. It involves being intentional about seeking opportunities to serve others and make a positive impact in our communities. By actively participating in God's work, we become conduits of His love and grace, bringing hope and transformation to those around us. [59:01]
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: What specific gift or talent has God given you that you can use to serve others? Identify one way you can actively engage in God's work this week and make a plan to do it.
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We believe that God's going big. So pay attention. We believe that God's going big. He's just getting started. This is what God does. Say it with me. This is what God does. Like you mean it. This is what God does. So God can hear you. This is what God does." [38:11] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God blesses us in our world so that our world can see him. You get that? You say why? Because this is what, this is what God does." [41:09] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Our church is yielding the harvest of the blessings of God. God is pouring down his blessings. We're seeing salvation after salvation, life change after life change, hope after hope, all because of who our God is. And he's pouring his blessings down upon Genesis Church, and we are yielding them. We are yielding the harvest over and over and over again. And God pours down his blessings because this is what God does." [41:51] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Don't give up on God. He never gives up on you. He changes lives. Remember what He has done." [46:18] (5 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Celebrate what God has done, but remember God is not done. We can never get to where we are if we do not let go of where we were. Going where God wants us requires us to leave where God led us." [51:23] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Remember what God has done. So verses 16 and 17 of Isaiah 43 talks about the exodus from Egypt. And it reads, I am the Lord who? Somebody say who. Who. He's reminding the nation of Israel, saying, I am the Lord that led you out of slavery in Egypt. Opened a pathway through the waters, making a dry path on the sea. I called forth the mighty army of Egypt with all the chariots and horses. And I drew them beneath the waves and they drowned, their lives snuffed out like a smoldering candle. But God is saying, look at what I've done for you. Remember how I blessed you. Remember how I protected you. Remember what I did for you." [42:34] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Remember but don't stay. Remember what He has done but don't stay there. Take a look at verse 18. God says, But forget all that. Tell the person next to you, Forget about it. Forget about it. Because, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen. He says to the Israelites, Remember what I did for you, how I rescued you, how I provided for you, how I saved you, how I delivered you, how I helped you. Remember that? And they're all going, Yeah, yeah, yeah. Forget about it. Yeah, you're like, Forget about all of that. Why? The rest of the verse. It is nothing. Woo! It is nothing compared to what I'm about to do. Because what I did in the past is only a prelude of what's going to happen in your life in the future." [46:44] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Look for the new thing. Verse 19 in our story here. For I am about to do, to do what? Say it with me. Something new. I'm about to do something new. See I've already begun. Do you not see it? God is not done. He excels at leading people out of captivity and bondage and into freedom. He excels at leading you out of the things that you're trapped in in your life and into a new life with Jesus Christ. He excels at overcoming the issues that you're stopped by. He excels at knocking down the mountains that you're overwhelmed by. He excels at answering prayers that you think you ought to be intimidated by. He excels at all of that. And God says, I'm about to do something new. Are you ready for it?" [53:25] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Look for what God is doing in you. You want to look for the new? Look for what God is doing in you personally. How He's moving you, challenging you, convicting you, encouraging you, pushing you. Look for what God's doing in you." [54:45] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Our job, church, is to worship God. Our job is to proclaim His praise and His goodness and shout it out. Don't sit on the sideline and observe. Actively engage in what God is doing and the lives God is changing. See, our God is doing great things here at Genesis Church. And He's just getting started. I'm just thrilled to be a part of it. I'm so honored to be your pastor. So excited to be here with you right now." [01:00:32] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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