Embracing New Beginnings: The Power of Eight

 

Summary

The message today centers around the profound significance of the number eight in the Bible, symbolizing new beginnings. Throughout scripture, the number eight is associated with fresh starts and divine opportunities. We explored various biblical narratives that illustrate this theme, beginning with Noah and the eight survivors of the flood, marking a new beginning for humanity. Similarly, the Feast of Tabernacles in Leviticus, which extends beyond the traditional seven days, signifies a new year of God's presence with His people. Jesus' resurrection on the first day of the week, the eighth day, heralds a new covenant with God, offering us a fresh start.

Many of us find ourselves in need of a new beginning, burdened by past failures and old habits. Despite being new creations in Christ, we often struggle with reverting to our old ways. This struggle is rooted in our reluctance to confront and heal from past wounds. Jesus desires to heal not only our present and future but also our past, transforming our pain into testimonies of His grace. By clinging to the old, we hinder God's ability to bring forth the new. Unforgiveness, pride, and fear are chains that keep us from experiencing the fullness of God's new beginnings.

The story of Joppa serves as a powerful metaphor for God's provision and opportunity. Peter's experience in Joppa, where he was called to minister to the Gentiles, challenges us to let go of old mindsets and embrace God's inclusive plan. In contrast, Jonah's reluctance to preach to Nineveh from Joppa highlights the consequences of resisting God's call. We are faced with a choice: to embrace our Joppa moment like Peter, or to run from it like Jonah.

As we reflect on our own lives, we must ask ourselves what we are holding onto that prevents us from stepping into the new beginnings God has for us. Whether it's unforgiveness, fear, or pride, today is an opportunity to let go and embrace the fresh start that God offers. May we be ready to welcome the new and trust in God's transformative power.

Key Takeaways:

1. New Beginnings in Christ: The number eight symbolizes new beginnings, as seen in Noah's story and Jesus' resurrection. Embracing a fresh start requires us to let go of past failures and trust in God's transformative power. [04:24]

2. Healing the Past: Jesus desires to heal not only our present and future but also our past. By confronting and sharing our past wounds, we allow God to use them for His glory and our healing. [08:44]

3. Letting Go of the Old: Holding onto past hurts, unforgiveness, or nostalgia prevents us from experiencing the new things God has for us. We must clear out the old to make room for the new. [11:19]

4. Embracing God's Plan: Peter's Joppa moment teaches us to let go of old mindsets and embrace God's inclusive plan for all people. We must be open to God's new directions, even when they challenge our preconceived notions. [27:38]

5. Choosing Our Response: Like Peter and Jonah, we face a choice in how we respond to God's call. Will we embrace our Joppa moment and step into God's new beginnings, or will we resist and run away? [39:41]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:11] - Significance of Eight
- [04:24] - New Beginnings in Christ
- [05:10] - Struggling with Old Habits
- [06:07] - Healing the Past
- [07:09] - Confronting Past Wounds
- [08:44] - Sharing Our Testimonies
- [10:08] - Letting Go of the Old
- [11:19] - Making Room for the New
- [12:12] - The Prison of Unforgiveness
- [13:13] - Holding onto Nostalgia
- [15:20] - Joppa: A Symbol of Opportunity
- [18:06] - Peter's Joppa Moment
- [27:38] - Embracing God's Plan
- [39:41] - Choosing Our Response

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 8:1-22 - The story of Noah and the eight survivors of the flood.
2. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
3. Acts 10:9-16 - Peter's vision in Joppa and the call to embrace God's inclusive plan.

Observation Questions:
1. How does the number eight symbolize new beginnings in the story of Noah and the flood? ([03:11])
2. What does 2 Corinthians 5:17 say about being a new creation in Christ, and how does this relate to our struggles with old habits? ([06:07])
3. In Acts 10, what was the significance of Peter's vision in Joppa, and how did it challenge his existing beliefs? ([27:38])
4. How did the sermon illustrate the difference between Peter's and Jonah's responses to God's call in Joppa? ([39:41])

Interpretation Questions:
1. What might be the reasons people struggle to embrace new beginnings, even when they are promised in Christ? ([05:10])
2. How does the sermon suggest that confronting and healing from past wounds can lead to a new beginning in Christ? ([08:44])
3. What lessons can be learned from Peter's willingness to change his mindset in Joppa, and how does this apply to embracing God's plan for inclusivity? ([27:38])
4. How does the story of Jonah illustrate the consequences of resisting God's call, and what can this teach us about our own responses to divine opportunities? ([39:41])

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the need for a new beginning. What steps did you take, or could you take, to embrace this fresh start in Christ? ([04:24])
2. Are there past wounds or failures that you have not yet confronted? How might sharing these experiences with others lead to healing and transformation? ([08:44])
3. What old habits or mindsets are you holding onto that might be preventing you from experiencing the new things God has for you? How can you begin to let go of these? ([11:19])
4. Consider your own "Joppa moment." How can you be more open to God's new directions, even when they challenge your preconceived notions? ([27:38])
5. Like Peter and Jonah, we all face choices in how we respond to God's call. What practical steps can you take to ensure you respond like Peter, embracing God's new beginnings? ([39:41])
6. Identify an area in your life where fear, pride, or unforgiveness is holding you back. What specific action can you take this week to address this and move forward? ([12:12])
7. How can you actively seek opportunities to share the gospel with those you might have previously considered unworthy or outside of God's plan? ([28:30])

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing New Beginnings in Christ
The number eight in the Bible is a powerful symbol of new beginnings, representing a fresh start and divine opportunities. This theme is evident in the story of Noah, where eight survivors of the flood marked a new beginning for humanity. Similarly, Jesus' resurrection on the first day of the week, the eighth day, signifies a new covenant with God, offering us a fresh start. Embracing new beginnings in Christ requires us to let go of past failures and trust in God's transformative power. It is an invitation to step into a new chapter of life, free from the burdens of the past and open to the possibilities of the future. [04:24]

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 failure or regret are you holding onto that prevents you from embracing the new beginning God offers you today?


Day 2: Healing the Past
Jesus desires to heal not only our present and future but also our past. Many of us struggle with reverting to old habits and are burdened by past failures. This struggle often stems from our reluctance to confront and heal from past wounds. By confronting and sharing our past wounds, we allow God to use them for His glory and our healing. Jesus transforms our pain into testimonies of His grace, offering us a path to healing and wholeness. It is through this process that we can truly experience the fullness of God's new beginnings. [08:44]

Psalm 147:3 (ESV): "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

Reflection: What past wound have you been avoiding that you can bring to Jesus for healing today?


Day 3: Letting Go of the Old
Holding onto past hurts, unforgiveness, or nostalgia prevents us from experiencing the new things God has for us. We must clear out the old to make room for the new. Unforgiveness, pride, and fear are chains that keep us from experiencing the fullness of God's new beginnings. By letting go of these burdens, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God, allowing Him to bring forth the new in our lives. It is a conscious decision to release the past and embrace the future that God has prepared for us. [11:19]

Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV): "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Reflection: What is one thing you need to let go of today to make room for the new things God wants to do in your life?


Day 4: Embracing God's Plan
Peter's experience in Joppa, where he was called to minister to the Gentiles, challenges us to let go of old mindsets and embrace God's inclusive plan. This moment teaches us to be open to God's new directions, even when they challenge our preconceived notions. In contrast, Jonah's reluctance to preach to Nineveh from Joppa highlights the consequences of resisting God's call. We are invited to embrace our Joppa moment, stepping into God's new beginnings with faith and courage. It is a call to trust in God's plan and to be willing to follow His lead, even when it takes us out of our comfort zones. [27:38]

Acts 10:34-35 (ESV): "So Peter opened his mouth and said: 'Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.'"

Reflection: What old mindset or belief is God challenging you to let go of so you can embrace His inclusive plan for your life?


Day 5: Choosing Our Response
Like Peter and Jonah, we face a choice in how we respond to God's call. Will we embrace our Joppa moment and step into God's new beginnings, or will we resist and run away? This choice is a pivotal moment in our spiritual journey, determining whether we will experience the fullness of God's plans for our lives. It is an invitation to trust in God's transformative power and to be willing to step into the unknown with faith and courage. By choosing to embrace God's call, we open ourselves to the new beginnings He has prepared for us. [39:41]

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (ESV): "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days."

Reflection: How will you choose to respond to God's call today? What step can you take to embrace the new beginning He offers?

Quotes

"Right it's completion so does anybody know what the spiritual significance of eight is new beginnings yeah new beginnings I had somebody when I was a kid I had a friend who was a pastor and he was a pastor and he was a pastor and he was talking to them said um infinity no that's buzz lightyear um but eight is new beginnings and it spoke all through the bible genesis chapter eight talks about this dude maybe you've heard of him stacy his name's noah and um what gets talked about a lot is like with the ark and the animals being lured up two by two that gets talked about but does anybody know how many human beings was that ark eight eight eight survivors extra credit does anybody know the names of them" [00:00:43] (54 seconds)


"Now, when I was writing this message, I was thinking, I bet there's some people that's going to be at Pharaoh on today that you are in need of a new beginning, that you're in need of a fresh start, that you've been going through some stuff and you are ready to welcome in something new because you're like, I cannot. keep going through what I've been going through and continue to go the way I am, I need a fresh start. I need something new. And I just want to say, today can be your fresh start. Today can be your new beginning." [00:03:45] (39 seconds)


"And see, what's so hard is 2 Corinthians 5, 17 says this. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, right, raise your hand if you're in Christ. You have accepted him, he's accepted you. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here. And we get excited, right? Yeah, woo, praise God. It's a new creation, but if I'm a new creation, why do I keep slipping back into my old habits and the old things that I've just pretty much dealt with my entire life?" [00:05:43] (39 seconds)


"And we want, present, we want to talk about future. But here's the thing. Jesus don't only want to heal your present and doesn't only want to heal your future, but he wants to heal the past. Because if you're truly, truly a new creation, that means he comes in in those hurtful areas, Hold on. in the past that you wish didn't happen, God's like, oh, no, no, no, no. Let me use that. Don't be afraid of that. I want you to tell somebody about that. Yeah, yeah. Jimmy, Jimmy, I know you're a little embarrassed, but you don't want to tell people that you've been divorced twice. So you just keep it buried. No, no, no, no, no, no. God said, hey, no, bring it to the surface." [00:08:15] (50 seconds)


"then let's see what God does. And it's amazing what happened. That is true about me. So if you want to get up now, I'm out of here. I will say that I have an amazing wife now. And we've been married for 10 years. And I'm just going to say, and he is fine. What's But the funny thing happened, like, when I started talking about that from the stage, I had more people wanting to do marriage counseling than ever before. But then I'm like, oh, you misunderstood what I said. This is like, I've been divorced twice. No, no, no, no. I want somebody that's gone through what I'm going through. And God's taken that, which is two failed marriages, and God's taken it and has used it for victory. And that's what he wants to do with those pastors. But if you keep them buried, he's never going to be able to use them." [00:08:44] (63 seconds)


"So when I was writing this, I came across another verse in Leviticus. And I'm like, this is already twice I'm going to Leviticus for this. And kind of unheard of, but Leviticus 26 .10, it says this. It says, you will still be eating last year's harvest when you have to move it out to make room for the new. And some of us, we have been clinging to the old. We don't want to let go of it. And because of that, there's no room for God to issue in the new." [00:10:54] (40 seconds)


"Now, some of it, it hurts. I don't want to deal with that. I just want to forget about it. I don't want to talk about it. And you do whatever you can. Whatever substance you can hold up. Whatever you can watch on TV or on the internet. Whatever you can do to occupy your mind so you don't have to deal with it. You do, and you hang on to that hurt. Or something. Or you hang on to that bitterness. You know, unforgiveness is a crazy thing. Because we think that unforgiveness is like for the person that we're forgiving. We're like, now if I forgive, I just can't live with myself if I forgive them." [00:11:41] (38 seconds)


"How are you doing living with that unforgiveness? Because you're laying in bed, staying awake, thinking about this. And that person you haven't forgiven is sleeping like a baby. That unforgiveness. Forgiveness is keeping you prisoner. But you've allowed that bitterness just to take hold, and you're clinging on to it. Maybe it's that pride. Maybe, you know what, maybe it's not success. You know? Maybe that's what it is. Maybe it's nostalgia. Maybe it's, and I'm all about that. Listen, I'll tell you right now. I grew up here in Fort Pierce, and I still call Moonshwiner's Dill's Barbecue. All right?" [00:12:14] (43 seconds)


"Because Peter was presented with, hey, go and share the gospel with the Gentiles. Go and share the gospel with people that you didn't think were worthy to hear the gospel. It's not that Peter didn't struggle with it, but he said, all right, God, I'll do it. Jonah, a thousand years before, was presented with, hey, go share the gospel with the Ninevites. Go share the gospel with the Gentiles. Go share it. And Jonah said, it's a hard pass. I'm not going to do it. In fact, if you know the story, Jonah gets on the boat, he gets thrown over the boat, he gets swallowed by a fish. Crazy story. Then he ends up going to Nineveh. He ends up going to Nineveh, preaching the gospel. They all get delivered. And Jonah is just as mad as he was when God first told him to do it. Why? Because his heart never changed. He still hated the people of Nineveh." [00:39:41] (60 seconds)


"Are you going to handle it like Peter? Are you going to handle it like Jonah? Are you going to say, I'm going to come through with that, God. No, I'm not going to do it. I'll let Desi do it. No, I'm not going to do it. You can send somebody else. Are you going to run like Jonah? Are you going to try to do it yourself? Like Jonah? Are you going to try to make yourself as comfortable as you can like Jonah, who for some crazy reason thought it would be more comfortable to pack up everything he has and move 2 ,500 miles away than just face what God had for him? And some of us have been running from what God has told us to do for a long time. And then we're sitting there questioning why nothing's happening. It seems to work out." [00:41:03] (54 seconds)


"family of Fairlawn, may you embrace your Joppa moment. And may you always be ready to usher in the new that God has for you. Grace and peace. I love you. Love you." [00:48:41] (23 seconds)


Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Feb 10, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?

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