Embracing New Beginnings: Your Joppa Moment Awaits

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing New Beginnings

In the Bible, the number 8 symbolizes new beginnings, a theme that resonates deeply with the human experience of renewal and transformation. From Noah's eight survivors on the ark to the celebration of the eighth day during the Feast of Tabernacles, Scripture is filled with examples of fresh starts. Jesus' resurrection on the first day of the week marks the beginning of a new covenant, inviting believers into a life of renewal. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us, in Christ, we are new creations. However, embracing this new identity requires us to let go of past failures and habits that hold us back. It is a call to step into the freedom and opportunities that God offers, trusting in His power to transform our lives. [37:48]

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 habit are you holding onto that prevents you from embracing the new beginning God offers you today?

Day 2: Living as New Creations

As new creations in Christ, believers are called to live in the freedom of their new identity. This transformation is not just a change in status but a profound renewal of the heart and mind. It involves confronting and healing from past wounds, allowing God to use our stories for His glory. The journey of becoming a new creation is ongoing, requiring daily surrender and trust in God's redemptive work. It is an invitation to live out the truth of our new identity, free from the chains of past mistakes and open to the possibilities of a life transformed by grace. [45:51]

Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Reflection: What is one past wound you need to confront and heal from to fully embrace your identity as a new creation in Christ?

Day 3: Joppa: A Place of Transformation

Joppa represents a place of opportunity and transformation in the Bible. Peter's willingness to stay with Simon the Tanner and embrace God's vision for the Gentiles illustrates the power of letting go of old prejudices and stepping into God's inclusive love. This pivotal moment in Joppa challenged Peter to expand his understanding of God's mission and embrace a broader vision of the Gospel. It serves as a reminder that God's love knows no boundaries and that we are called to be agents of His inclusive grace. By letting go of our own biases and fears, we can step into the transformative work God is doing in the world. [56:35]

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 prejudice or bias do you need to let go of to embrace God's inclusive love and mission in your life?

Day 4: Learning from Jonah's Resistance

Jonah's story serves as a cautionary tale of resistance to God's call. His refusal to go to Nineveh highlights how clinging to old mindsets can lead to personal turmoil and missed opportunities for growth and impact. Jonah's journey reminds us of the consequences of resisting God's call and the importance of aligning our will with His. It challenges us to examine our own lives and consider how we respond to God's invitations for change and growth. By surrendering our resistance and embracing God's call, we can experience the fullness of His purpose and the joy of participating in His redemptive work. [01:17:16]

Jonah 1:3 (ESV): "But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord."

Reflection: In what area of your life are you resisting God's call, and how can you begin to align your will with His today?

Day 5: Embracing Your Joppa Moment

Our own Joppa moments challenge us to examine what we are holding onto that prevents us from experiencing the newness God offers. Whether it's unforgiveness, fear, or pride, these burdens can keep us from stepping into the fresh start God has for us. We are invited to let go and embrace the opportunities for transformation and growth that God places before us. By choosing to follow God's call with openness and courage, we can experience the fullness of His love and the joy of living in His purpose. It is a call to trust in God's provision and step into the new beginnings He has prepared for us. [01:25:37]

Hebrews 12:1 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

Reflection: What burden are you holding onto that prevents you from experiencing the newness God offers, and how can you begin to let go of it today?

Sermon Summary

Summary:

Today, we explored the profound significance of the number 8 in the Bible, symbolizing new beginnings. This theme of renewal is woven throughout Scripture, from Noah's eight survivors on the ark to the Feast of Tabernacles' eighth day celebration. Jesus' resurrection on the first day of the week, representing a new covenant, further underscores this theme. Many of us find ourselves in need of a fresh start, burdened by past failures and habits. Yet, as 2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us, in Christ, we are new creations. However, the challenge lies in truly embracing this new identity and not slipping back into old patterns.

We delved into the story of Joppa, a city that represents God's provision and opportunity. Peter's experience in Joppa, where he stayed with Simon the Tanner, marked a pivotal moment of transformation. Through a vision, God challenged Peter to let go of old prejudices and embrace a broader mission to the Gentiles. This was a "Joppa-tunity" for Peter, a chance to step into a new understanding of God's inclusive love.

In contrast, Jonah's story also began in Joppa, but his response was one of resistance. Instead of embracing God's call to preach to the Ninevites, Jonah fled, illustrating how clinging to old mindsets can lead to missed opportunities and personal turmoil. The juxtaposition of Peter and Jonah's responses to their Joppa moments challenges us to consider how we handle new beginnings.

As we reflect on our own lives, we must ask ourselves what we are holding onto that prevents us from experiencing the newness God offers. Whether it's unforgiveness, fear, or pride, these burdens can keep us from stepping into the fresh start God has for us. Today, we are invited to let go and embrace our own Joppa moment, choosing to follow God's call with openness and courage.

Key Takeaways

1. The number 8 in the Bible symbolizes new beginnings, reminding us that God offers us fresh starts and new opportunities. Embracing this truth requires us to let go of past failures and habits that hold us back. [37:48]
2. As new creations in Christ, we are called to live in the freedom of our new identity. However, this requires confronting and healing from past wounds, allowing God to use our stories for His glory. [45:51]
3. Joppa represents a place of opportunity and transformation. Peter's willingness to stay with Simon the Tanner and embrace God's vision for the Gentiles illustrates the power of letting go of old prejudices and stepping into God's inclusive love. [56:35]
4. Jonah's story serves as a cautionary tale of resistance to God's call. His refusal to go to Nineveh highlights how clinging to old mindsets can lead to personal turmoil and missed opportunities for growth and impact. [77:16]
5. Our own Joppa moments challenge us to examine what we are holding onto that prevents us from experiencing the newness God offers. Whether it's unforgiveness, fear, or pride, we are invited to let go and embrace the fresh start God has for us. [01:25:37]
** [85:37]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[27:35] - Super Bowl and Ministry
[29:21] - Stage Fright Performance
[36:50] - Acknowledging Parents
[37:48] - The Significance of Number 8
[40:26] - New Beginnings in Scripture
[42:27] - New Year's Resolutions
[43:20] - New Creation in Christ
[45:51] - Healing the Past
[48:16] - Letting Go of the Old
[51:34] - What Are You Holding Onto?
[54:08] - Joppa: A Place of Opportunity
[56:35] - Peter's Transformation in Joppa
[77:16] - Jonah's Resistance
[85:37] - Embracing Your Joppa Moment

Sermon Clips

So, does anybody know what the spiritual significance of 8 is? New beginnings. Yeah, new beginnings. I had somebody, when I was talking to them, said, infinity. No, that's Buzz Lightyear. Infinity. But 8 is new beginnings. And it's spoken all through the Bible. Genesis chapter 8 talks about this dude. Maybe you've heard of him, Stacy. His name's Noah. [00:38:31] (31 seconds)

And we get excited, right? Yeah, 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? I mean, I'm doing good until I see that person that I used to be in a relationship with and I see them, then I am reminded just how they dumped me. [00:44:05] (29 seconds)

Jesus died and rose again. And we want, present, we want to talk about future. But here's the thing. Jesus don't only want to, he doesn'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 in the past that you wish didn't happen. [00:45:58] (27 seconds)

But for him to be able to use them, that means you have to be delivered from those. Those areas, those hurt places, they have to be healed. Because if they don't, when those things happen and they're brought back up, those wounds will open up and they'll be fresh just like they were when they were brand new. [00:47:54] (18 seconds)

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. 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. [00:49:04] (23 seconds)

So Joppa here represents God's provision and a symbol of opportunity. You know, sometimes, I just thought about this. I come up with these names, and I put a lot of time in the title of this. And, man, forgive me, guys. I just came up with a better term. I just came up with a better title for this message. I did. I know it's. [00:54:33] (31 seconds)

Peter says, surely not, Lord. I mean, he must have been thinking that God was setting him up. Surely not, Lord. Peter replied, I have never eaten anything impure or unclean. Not in this temple, God. And then Acts 10, 15. It says, the voice spoke to him a second time. Do not call anything impure that God has made clean. [01:04:41] (25 seconds)

And you need to hear this, that damaged area, that thing, that was not a representation. That was not a representation of God. That was that, those church leaders, that pastor, whoever it was, they got it wrong. And it wasn't okay. Forgiving them doesn't say that it's okay. But it's saying, I'm not going to let this hold me back any longer. [01:22:45] (31 seconds)

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