Embracing New Beginnings with Faith and Gratitude

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Change with Gratitude and Faith

In times of transition, it is essential to remember the faithfulness of God in the past while being open to the new things He is doing. Isaiah 43 reminds us to look back with gratitude and forward with faith, trusting that God is making a way in the wilderness. As the church prepares to move to a new venue, this principle becomes a guiding light. Reflecting on the past three years, the community is encouraged to celebrate the journey and the growth experienced. This transition is not just about a physical move but also about spiritual growth and readiness to embrace the new paths God is creating. [02:37]

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 is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to embrace change? How can you look back with gratitude and forward with faith in this area today?

Day 2: Prioritizing God's Kingdom

Matthew 6:33 teaches that when we prioritize God's kingdom, everything else falls into place. This principle guided the church in its search for a new venue, reminding everyone that putting God first brings alignment and order to life. By seeking first God's kingdom, the community has witnessed doors opening in God's perfect timing. This approach is not just about finding a physical space but about aligning every aspect of life with God's will. It is a call to trust in God's provision and timing, knowing that He will take care of all needs when His kingdom is the priority. [05:31]

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to prioritize God's kingdom in your daily routine? How might this change your perspective on your current challenges?

Day 3: Engaging in a Global Mission

The church is committed to reaching beyond its walls, partnering with organizations like Convoy of Hope and supporting church planting efforts globally. These initiatives remind the community that they are part of a larger mission to bring God's kingdom to earth. By engaging in global missions, the church not only impacts the world but also enriches its own spiritual journey. This commitment to global outreach is a reflection of the church's purpose to worship Jesus, make disciples, and bring God's kingdom here. It is a call to be active participants in God's work around the world, recognizing that the mission field extends far beyond local boundaries. [11:01]

Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Reflection: How can you personally contribute to the global mission of the church? Is there a specific organization or initiative you feel called to support or pray for today?

Day 4: Living Out Our Purpose and Values

The church exists to worship Jesus, make disciples, and bring God's kingdom here. Guided by values of being Holy Spirit-led, Bible-immersed, wise stewards, and authentic reflections of Christ, the community is called to live out this mission. These values are not just ideals but practical guides for daily living. They shape how the church engages with the world and each other, ensuring that every action reflects the love and truth of Christ. As the church steps into new initiatives, these values serve as a foundation, ensuring that growth and change are rooted in a deep commitment to God's purpose. [27:37]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: Which of the church's values do you feel most challenged to embody in your life right now? How can you take a step today to live out this value more fully?

Day 5: Anticipating God's Future Work

As the church moves to a new venue and launches new initiatives, there is a sense of unprecedented growth and excitement. This is just the beginning of what God wants to do through the community. The call is to be all in for Jesus, putting Him first in every area of life. This anticipation is not just about physical growth but about spiritual readiness to embrace the incredible things God has in store. It is a call to be open to new opportunities, trusting that God is leading the way and that His plans are far greater than anything imagined. [33:02]

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust God for something greater than you can currently see? How can you actively prepare your heart and mind to be open to His leading in this area?

Sermon Summary

As we gather today, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment in our church's journey. Reflecting on the past three years, we remember when we first rented this space in October, before our official launch. Now, as we prepare to move to a new venue, we are reminded of God's faithfulness and the importance of looking back with gratitude while also embracing the new things He is doing. Isaiah 43 serves as a powerful reminder of God's promises and His call for us to remember His past miracles while being open to the new paths He is creating.

In this transition, we are reminded to seek first God's kingdom, as Matthew 6:33 instructs. By putting God first, everything else in our lives falls into proper alignment. This principle guided us as we sought a new venue, trusting God to open doors in His timing. Now, as we prepare to move, we celebrate the hard work and dedication of our community, who have come together to prepare the new space.

Our church is not just focused on internal growth but also on reaching out to the world. We partner with organizations like Convoy of Hope to provide disaster relief and support church planting efforts globally, such as in Barcelona. These initiatives remind us that we are part of a larger mission to bring God's kingdom to earth.

As we step into this new season, we are reminded of our purpose: to worship Jesus, make disciples, and bring God's kingdom here. Our values guide us in this mission, emphasizing being Holy Spirit-led, Bible-immersed, wise stewards, and authentic reflections of Christ. With these guiding principles, we are excited to launch new initiatives, including a second service, baptisms, Spanish translations, and a mission trip to Central America.

Let's look back with gratitude for all God has done, but also embrace the new things He is doing. We are seeing unprecedented growth in our church, with more people joining, worshiping, and serving than ever before. This is just the beginning of what God wants to do through us in this region. As the church, we are called to be all in for Jesus, putting Him first in every area of our lives. Let's step into this new season with excitement and anticipation for the incredible things God has in store.

Key Takeaways

1. led, Bible-immersed, wise stewards, and authentic reflections of Christ guide us in this mission. [27:37]
5. Step into the New with Anticipation: As we move to a new venue and launch new initiatives, we are seeing unprecedented growth in our church. This is just the beginning of what God wants to do through us. Let's be all in for Jesus, putting Him first in every area of our lives.

** [27:37]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:37] - Reflecting on Our Journey
[04:05] - God's Promises in Isaiah 43
[05:31] - Seeking First God's Kingdom
[08:09] - Preparing the New Venue
[09:29] - Community Efforts and Gratitude
[11:01] - Global Mission and Convoy of Hope
[13:01] - Church Planting in Barcelona
[18:21] - Testimonies of God's Work
[21:10] - Personal Stories of Faith
[25:58] - Embracing New Beginnings
[27:37] - Our Purpose and Values
[29:09] - Upcoming Initiatives
[30:54] - Spanish Translations and Worship
[33:02] - Looking Forward with Excitement

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Isaiah 43:1-19 remind us about God's past actions and promises? How does this passage encourage us to face new seasons? [02:37]
According to Matthew 6:33, what should be our priority, and what is promised when we do so? [05:31]
How has the church community been involved in preparing the new venue, and what does this reflect about their dedication? [09:29]
What are some of the global missions and partnerships mentioned in the sermon, and how do they align with the church's purpose? [11:01]

Interpretation Questions

How does Isaiah 43:1-19 illustrate the balance between remembering God's past faithfulness and being open to new things He is doing? [25:58]
In what ways does seeking first God's kingdom, as mentioned in Matthew 6:33, bring alignment and order to our lives? [05:31]
How does the church's involvement in global missions, like partnering with Convoy of Hope, reflect its commitment to bringing God's kingdom to earth? [11:01]
What does it mean to be Holy Spirit-led, Bible-immersed, wise stewards, and authentic reflections of Christ in the context of the church's mission? [27:37]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you experienced a significant transition. How did you see God's faithfulness during that period, and how can you apply that experience to current changes in your life? [02:37]
What are some practical ways you can prioritize seeking God's kingdom in your daily life, as instructed in Matthew 6:33? [05:31]
How can you actively participate in the church's mission to reach beyond its walls, whether locally or globally? Consider specific actions you can take. [11:01]
In what ways can you contribute to the church's new initiatives, such as the second service or mission trips? How can you use your gifts and talents to support these efforts? [29:09]
Think about the values of being Holy Spirit-led and Bible-immersed. How can you incorporate these values into your personal spiritual practices? [27:37]
As the church moves to a new venue, what are some ways you can help foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for newcomers? [33:02]
Identify one area of your life where you need to put Jesus first. What steps can you take this week to make that change? [34:45]

Sermon Clips

1) "And anytime you or I are entering into a new season or a new moment, or we're stepping into something new, it is so, so, so important that you and I look back and we thank God for what he has done. And we remember the good things that God has done. And we're going to take some time today to remember the good things that God has done." [05:31] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "But the Bible says that if we put God first, if we put him first in every area of our life, everything else becomes in order. Everything else comes into proper alignment. But if you and I do not put God first, nothing else in our life can come into alignment and our entire life is out of order." [06:00] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "And as a church, we get to be a part of that miracle that God is doing there where, you know, God doesn't cause everything to happen, but God works all things together for good. And so even in the devastation, God still wants to take those things and work them together for good. And as a church, we have been a significant part of that along with many other churches across the U.S." [11:01] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "You were created to worship Jesus. And to make disciples. And the third thing is to bring the kingdom of heaven to earth. Jesus said, in the Lord's prayer, he said, Thy kingdom come. A relationship with Jesus is not just about holding out until someday you can go and be with him on the other side of eternity. It's about bringing his kingdom right here, right now. You exist to worship Jesus, to make disciples, and to bring God's kingdom here, now." [27:37] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "And so let's look back with gratitude to all that God has done. But let's also forget all that because God's doing a new thing. And let's grab hold of the new thing that God is doing right now that we're stepping into as a church. And right now as a church, we're seeing more new people coming to church than ever before. We're seeing more people worshiping Jesus here on a Sunday than ever before." [33:02] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "And we say this often, but church is not a building. It's not an institution. It's not an organization. It's the people. And so if you're here, you are the church of Jesus Christ. If you are in a relationship with Jesus, you are a part of the body of Christ. And so my encouragement to you is jump all in, join a community group, serve on team, put God first in your finances, be a blessing to those around you." [34:45] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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