Embracing New Beginnings: A Heartfelt Commitment to Christ

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we celebrated the joy of being together in person after three and a half years of virtual meetings. It was a heartfelt reunion, filled with gratitude for the enduring faith and commitment of our congregation. We acknowledged the legacy of Archbishop Joel and Pastor Loretta, emphasizing that our focus remains on Jesus, not on titles or individuals. This church is built on the foundation of Christ, and we are committed to continuing that legacy.

We explored the theme of giving, emphasizing that true giving comes from the heart and is not a transaction or a loan to God. It's about the placement of our hearts and the sincerity of our intentions. We also celebrated the diversity of music and artistic expression within our church, recognizing that God can be seen in all forms of creativity. We are committed to nurturing and celebrating the talents within our community to prevent them from being lost to the world.

As we mark the 40th anniversary of our church, we reflected on the challenges facing churches today, including declining attendance and the closure of many congregations. Despite these challenges, our church has stood the test of time, thanks to the strong foundation laid by our predecessors. We are reminded of the importance of not dwelling on the past but looking forward to the new things God is doing.

Our scripture focus was Isaiah 43:18-19, where God calls us to forget the former things and behold the new. This message is particularly relevant as we embark on a new series, "Entering Into Our New Day." We are encouraged to let go of past victories and failures, and to focus on Jesus, who is leading us into a new season. This requires a fresh revelation and a willingness to embrace change.

In conclusion, we dedicated this new phase of our ministry to God, reaffirming our commitment to worship, service, and the spreading of the Gospel. We are grateful for the foundation that has been laid and are committed to building upon it with a focus on Jesus and the new things He is doing in our midst.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Heart of Giving: True giving is not a transaction but an expression of the heart. It's about the sincerity and placement of our hearts, not expecting anything in return. This kind of giving aligns with Jesus' teachings and opens us to God's blessings. [39:35]

2. Embracing Diversity in Worship: God is present in all forms of creativity, and we should celebrate the diverse talents within our community. By nurturing these gifts, we prevent them from being lost to the world and honor the unique ways God speaks through us. [44:18]

3. Reflecting on Church Challenges: Despite the decline in church attendance and closures, our church has remained steadfast. This resilience is a testament to the strong foundation laid by our predecessors and a reminder to focus on Jesus as we navigate new challenges. [49:23]

4. Letting Go of the Past: Isaiah 43:18-19 calls us to forget the former things and embrace the new. This means letting go of past victories and failures, and focusing on the fresh revelation and new things God is doing in our lives. [52:32]

5. Dedication to a New Season: As we dedicate this new phase of our ministry, we reaffirm our commitment to worship, service, and spreading the Gospel. We are grateful for our heritage and are committed to building upon it with a focus on Jesus and the new things He is doing. [01:18:36]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[36:14] - Heart of Giving
[38:11] - Offering with Sincerity
[39:35] - Placement of the Heart
[44:18] - Diversity in Worship
[46:45] - 40th Anniversary Reflection
[48:05] - Church Challenges
[49:23] - Resilience and Legacy
[52:32] - Letting Go of the Past
[57:09] - Embracing New Victories
[01:06:09] - Behold Jesus
[01:07:40] - Message to Triumph City
[01:10:01] - Forgetting the Good and Bad
[01:12:11] - Spiritual PTSD
[01:18:36] - Dedication to New Ministry

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Isaiah 43:18-19

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the main theme of the sermon, and how does it relate to the passage from Isaiah 43:18-19? [52:32]
2. How did the pastor describe the heart of giving, and what biblical principle was emphasized in this context? [39:35]
3. What challenges facing churches today were highlighted in the sermon, and how has the church remained resilient? [49:23]
4. How did the pastor illustrate the importance of embracing diversity in worship? [44:18]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. In Isaiah 43:18-19, God calls us to forget the former things. What might be the significance of this command for the congregation today? [52:32]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of focusing on Jesus rather than past victories or failures. How can this focus impact a believer's spiritual journey? [01:06:09]
3. The pastor mentioned the need for a fresh revelation and willingness to embrace change. How might this apply to the church's current situation? [01:07:40]
4. How does the concept of true giving, as discussed in the sermon, align with Jesus' teachings on generosity? [39:35]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there past victories or failures you need to let go of to embrace the new things God is doing? How can you start this process? [52:32]
2. The sermon highlighted the importance of focusing on Jesus. Is there a specific distraction in your life preventing you from focusing on Jesus that you want to change? How can you minimize that distraction this week? [01:06:09]
3. How can you contribute to nurturing and celebrating the diverse talents within your church community? What specific action can you take this month? [44:18]
4. Considering the challenges facing churches today, what role can you play in helping your church remain resilient and focused on its mission? [49:23]
5. The pastor spoke about the heart of giving. Identify one way you can give with sincerity and without expecting anything in return this week. [39:35]
6. How can you actively participate in the new series "Entering Into Our New Day" and apply its teachings to your daily life? [01:07:40]
7. Think of a person in your life who might benefit from the message of letting go of the past and focusing on Jesus. How can you share this message with them in a meaningful way? [01:10:01]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

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Day 1: The Heart's True Offering
True giving is an act of the heart, not a transaction. It is about the sincerity and placement of our hearts, aligning with Jesus' teachings and opening us to God's blessings. When we give without expecting anything in return, we reflect the selfless love of Christ. This kind of giving is not about the amount or the recognition but about the genuine desire to bless others and honor God. As we give, we are reminded that our hearts should be focused on the eternal, not the temporary. [39:35]

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent opportunity to give. Did you give with a cheerful heart, or were there reservations? How can you align your heart more closely with God's perspective on giving today?

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Day 2: Celebrating Creative Diversity
God is present in all forms of creativity, and we should celebrate the diverse talents within our community. By nurturing these gifts, we prevent them from being lost to the world and honor the unique ways God speaks through us. Embracing diversity in worship allows us to see the multifaceted nature of God and appreciate the different ways He communicates His love and truth. As we celebrate these talents, we create a space where everyone feels valued and encouraged to express their God-given gifts. [44:18]

"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching." (Romans 12:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What unique gift or talent has God given you? How can you use it to serve and bless your community this week?

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Day 3: Resilience Amidst Challenges
Despite the decline in church attendance and closures, our church has remained steadfast. This resilience is a testament to the strong foundation laid by our predecessors and a reminder to focus on Jesus as we navigate new challenges. In a world where many churches face difficulties, our continued presence is a beacon of hope and faithfulness. We are called to remain rooted in Christ, trusting that He will guide us through every trial and lead us into new opportunities for growth and impact. [49:23]

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)

Reflection: What challenges is your faith community currently facing? How can you contribute to its resilience and growth in this season?

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Day 4: Embracing the New
Isaiah 43:18-19 calls us to forget the former things and embrace the new. This means letting go of past victories and failures, and focusing on the fresh revelation and new things God is doing in our lives. As we enter a new season, we are encouraged to have a fresh perspective and be open to the changes God is bringing. This requires faith and a willingness to step out of our comfort zones, trusting that God is leading us into something greater. [52:32]

"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?" (Isaiah 43:18-19, ESV)

Reflection: What past victories or failures are you holding onto? How can you release them to embrace the new things God is doing in your life?

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Day 5: Dedication to a New Season
As we dedicate this new phase of our ministry, we reaffirm our commitment to worship, service, and spreading the Gospel. We are grateful for our heritage and are committed to building upon it with a focus on Jesus and the new things He is doing. This dedication is not just a ceremonial act but a heartfelt commitment to follow where God leads, trusting in His plans and purposes for our community. As we move forward, we do so with gratitude for the past and hope for the future. [01:18:36]

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to the new season of your church's ministry? How can you actively participate in its mission and vision today?

Quotes



I am a musician. Say musician. Musician. And I love types of music. I see Jesus in it all. So the hip-hop, the classic, the jazz, the contemporary Christian, all of it. I see Jesus in all of it. Amen? And so if you're not quite used to the funky music and we're expecting, you know, holy, holy, holy, every Sunday. [00:44:59] (26 seconds)


But now say but now but now say by now they're in a situation that is hopeless they're in a situation where they need God and he says to them don't hang on to the past victory he says don't cling to the past good year don't hold on to those past mammals that I have performed I want you to forget all those past wars that you want all those past strategies and tactics that you used to destroy the enemy. [01:04:27] (29 seconds)


They needed a fresh revelation of what God was about to do. They needed a fresh revelation of who God was and who he was revealing himself to them at that point. Amen. I'm going to give you a fresh revelation this morning. So God was asking them to forget the former things and not consider the things of old. [01:06:09] (25 seconds)


Behold Jesus, who is our life insurance policy when there is no insurance. Behold Jesus, who is our assurance when there is no guarantee. Behold Jesus, who is our joy when we are in grief. Behold Jesus, who is our fortress, our shield, and our guardian, and our buckler when we don't feel safe. [01:13:00] (20 seconds)


Why did God command Israel to forget the former things? And behold Christ. And why is God calling us this morning Triptych church members to forget the former things? And behold Him. because in order for you to receive and to see the new thing that is coming you're going to have to stop clinging on to what was you're going to have to leave the old ways behind you're going to have to leave the old way of doing things behind and stress Christ. [01:15:28] (37 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?