Embracing New Creation: A Future-Focused Faith

Devotional

Day 1: In Christ, You Are a New Creation

God’s promise is that anyone who is in Christ is made new—no matter their past, failures, or regrets. The old life, with its brokenness and shame, is gone, and a new life has begun. This is not just a one-time event but an ongoing process of renewal, where God lovingly takes every piece of your story, even the painful or embarrassing parts, and weaves them into something beautiful. You are not defined by what has been, but by what God is doing in you now and what He will do in the future. Embrace this truth: God is not done with you, and He delights in making all things new in your life. [42:58]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to let go of the past and trust that God is making you new today?

Day 2: God Calls Us to Perceive the New Thing He Is Doing

God invites His people not to dwell on the former things but to open their eyes to the new work He is doing—even in the midst of wilderness and wasteland. He is always at work, bringing restoration, hope, and streams of life where there once was only dryness. The past is not to be ignored, but it is not the place to live; God’s future springs up before us, and He asks us to notice, to perceive, and to step into it with faith. Even when circumstances seem barren, God is making a way forward, inviting you to trust Him for the new thing He is bringing to life. [51:52]

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: Where in your life do you sense God inviting you to stop dwelling on the past and to look for the new thing He is doing right now?

Day 3: Honor the Past, But Do Not Dwell There

While the past holds important lessons and memories, God calls us not to get stuck in what once was. Like the Israelites rebuilding the temple, there is room for both lament and praise—grieving what has been lost, but also celebrating the new foundation God is laying. The future God has for His people is not a return to the “good old days,” but a journey forward into something different and, by His grace, good. Even when change brings loss or discomfort, God’s enduring love remains, and He is faithful to build something new for the next generation. [01:01:14]

Ezra 3:10-11, 12-13 (ESV)
When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments came forward with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord, according to the directions of David king of Israel. And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping, for the people shouted with a great shout, and the sound was heard far away.

Reflection: Is there something from your past—personal or as part of this church—that you need to grieve, and then release, so you can celebrate what God is building now?

Day 4: The Church Has a Future Because God Is Not Done

Despite cultural shifts and challenges, the church is not obsolete—God still has a purpose and a future for His people. When a congregation believes in God’s ongoing work, it inspires hope, generosity, and commitment to serve. The future focus is not about numbers or programs, but about trusting that God is still writing the story of His church, calling each generation to invest in what He will do next. The promise is that God’s love endures, and there is more beyond what we see today. [01:05:32]

Matthew 16:18 (ESV)
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Reflection: How can you personally invest in the future of the church—through serving, giving, or inviting others—believing that God is not finished with His people?

Day 5: God’s New Creation Extends to the Whole Cosmos

The hope of the gospel is not just for individuals or even for the church, but for all creation. In Christ, God is making everything new—people, nations, and the entire world. Even when the world feels dark and heavy, we are called to hold on to the promise that there is more beyond, that God’s story is moving toward a glorious renewal where every tear will be wiped away. This cosmic hope gives us courage to keep caring, keep loving, and keep moving forward, confident that the best is yet to come. [01:10:00]

Revelation 21:5 (ESV)
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Reflection: When you look at the brokenness in the world, how does the promise that God is making all things new give you hope and shape the way you respond to today’s challenges?

Sermon Summary

As we begin our journey into Navigate 2030, the vision for the next five years at Elmbrook, we set our sights on being a future-focused church. This means embracing the truth that God is always doing something new—both in our individual lives and in our congregation as a whole. The world is fascinated by predictions about the future, but as followers of Christ, we are invited to anchor our hope not in speculation, but in the promise of new creation found in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here.”

Looking at the city of Corinth, we see a place that was rebuilt from ruins, a city of second chances, much like the new life we receive in Christ. Paul’s words to the Corinthians echo the prophet Isaiah, who called God’s people to perceive the “new thing” God was doing, even as they remembered His faithfulness in the past. We are not called to erase our history, but to let God redeem it, using even our brokenness as the raw material for His new creation.

This future focus has three dimensions. First, it is deeply personal. God is not finished with any of us. Our past, with all its pain and regret, is not wasted. In Christ, we are being renewed day by day, and God’s work in us is ongoing. Second, our future focus is congregational. As a church, we honor our past, but we do not dwell there. We acknowledge our losses and mistakes, but we look forward with hope, laying new foundations for the next generation. The story of the rebuilt temple in Ezra reminds us that even when things look smaller or different than before, God’s love and presence remain.

Finally, our future focus is cosmic. Paul believed that the resurrection of Jesus marked the beginning of a new era in history—a foretaste of the ultimate renewal of all things. No matter how heavy the news of today, we hold fast to the headline of tomorrow: in Christ, all things are being made new. Like Reepicheep in Narnia, we set our course toward the sunrise, confident that there is more beyond, and that God’s story for us and for the world is not yet finished.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s new creation begins with personal transformation, not the erasure of our past but its redemption. The pain, regret, and brokenness we carry are not wasted; in Christ, these become the very places where God’s renewing work takes root. Our biography as believers is one of ongoing formation, where every chapter—good or bad—can be woven into God’s greater story of grace. [56:17]
2. Honoring the past is essential, but living in it is paralyzing. Like Israel returning from exile or the elders weeping over a smaller temple, we may grieve what has been lost. Yet, God calls us to celebrate the new foundations He is laying, trusting that His faithfulness endures even when the shape of our community changes. Lament and praise can coexist, but our direction must always be forward. [61:14]
3. A future-focused church is marked by hope, resilience, and investment in what is yet to come. When we believe God has more in store, we serve, give, and pray with greater passion, knowing our efforts are seeds for a harvest we may not yet see. The measure of our faith is not nostalgia for the past, but confidence in God’s unfolding future. [65:32]
4. The cosmic scope of new creation means that our hope is not just for personal or congregational renewal, but for the restoration of all things. Paul’s vision is that the resurrection of Jesus signals the dawn of a new era, where the brokenness of the world is being healed. We are called to live with an expectancy that God’s ultimate “more beyond” is coming, and to let that hope shape our endurance and compassion in the present. [68:02]
5. Perseverance in hope is an act of faith, especially in dark or uncertain times. Like Reepicheep, we are called to keep moving toward the sunrise, even when the way is hard or the outcome unclear. Our calling is not to retreat or become numb, but to stay engaged, caring for the brokenhearted and trusting that God is making all things new—even when we cannot yet see it. [72:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[36:42] - Introducing Navigate 2030 and the FLAG Vision
[37:41] - Humanity’s Fascination with the Future
[39:13] - Past Predictions and Their Surprising Outcomes
[40:45] - The Bible’s Perspective on the Future
[42:58] - 2 Corinthians 5:17: New Creation in Christ
[44:28] - Corinth: A City of Second Chances
[48:13] - Paul’s Message and the Echoes of Isaiah
[50:44] - Isaiah 43: God’s New Thing
[52:56] - The Role of the Past in God’s Story
[54:12] - Paul’s Biography: From Persecutor to Messenger
[56:17] - Personal Renewal and Second Chances
[58:50] - Congregational Perspective: Honoring and Moving Beyond the Past
[61:14] - Ezra and the Grief of Change
[63:26] - Lament, Praise, and God’s Enduring Love
[65:32] - The Power of a Shared Future
[67:04] - Cosmic Renewal: The New Era in Christ
[68:02] - There Is More Beyond
[71:09] - Perseverance and Hope: Sailing Toward the Sunrise
[73:00] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
[78:57] - Announcements and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) — > Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

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.”

Ezra 3:10-13 (ESV) — > And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments came forward with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord, according to the directions of David king of Israel. And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping, for the people shouted with a great shout, and the sound was heard far away.

Observation Questions

In 2 Corinthians 5:17, what does Paul say happens to someone who is “in Christ”? What does this mean about their past and their future?
According to Isaiah 43:18-19, what is God inviting His people to do with their past, and what is He promising to do in their future?
In Ezra 3:10-13, how did the people respond when the new temple’s foundation was laid? What emotions were present, and why?
The sermon described Corinth as a “city of second chances.” What was significant about Corinth’s history that made this message of new creation especially meaningful? [[48:13]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says God doesn’t erase our past but redeems it. How does this idea challenge the way people usually think about their mistakes or regrets? [[56:17]]
Why is it important for a church to honor its past but not dwell in it? What can happen if a church only looks backward? [[58:50]]
The story in Ezra shows both grief and praise happening at the same time. What does this teach us about how to handle change and loss in our own lives or in our church? [[01:01:14]]
Paul’s vision of “new creation” is not just personal but cosmic. How does believing that God is renewing all things affect the way we live and serve today? [[01:07:04]]

Application Questions

The sermon said, “God is not done with any of us.” Is there a part of your past—pain, regret, or brokenness—that you have struggled to believe God can redeem? What would it look like to invite God to use that part of your story for something new? [[56:17]]
When you think about Elmbrook’s history, are there things you grieve or miss? How can you honor those memories while also embracing the new things God is doing now? [[01:01:14]]
The elders in Ezra wept because the new temple was smaller than the old one. Have you ever experienced disappointment when something in your life or church didn’t look like it used to? How did you respond, and what helped you move forward? [[01:01:14]]
The sermon challenged us to be a “future-focused” church, marked by hope and investment in what’s to come. What is one practical way you can serve, give, or pray with a future generation in mind this month? [[01:05:32]]
Paul’s message is that “in Christ, all things are being made new.” When the news or your circumstances feel heavy, what helps you hold on to hope? Is there a specific practice or reminder you can use this week to keep your eyes on God’s bigger story? [[01:09:54]]
The story of Reepicheep in Narnia was used as a picture of perseverance and hope. Is there an area in your life where you need to “keep sailing toward the sunrise,” even when the way is hard? What would it look like to keep moving forward in faith? [[01:12:03]]
The sermon said, “Our calling is not to retreat or become numb, but to stay engaged, caring for the brokenhearted and trusting that God is making all things new.” Who is someone in your life who needs encouragement or care right now? How can you reach out to them this week? [[01:09:54]]

Sermon Clips

It's very likely that they would say, if anyone is in Corinth, there's a new creation for them. And Paul says, if anyone is in Christ, there's a new creation. It's a new start. [00:49:33] (19 seconds) #NewCreationInChrist

You see, Paul knew better than anyone else that we serve a God of second chances. Paul had been a persecutor of Christ, and he deserved to be punished for all the terrible things that he had done. But God chose actually to work through him to be a missionary to the world around him. Paul became a messenger of reconciliation. He became a herald. He became a 500 -point font headline showing that God is not done with any one of us, and that our past need not be swept under the rug. [00:55:02] (43 seconds) #GodsRedemptiveGrace

Pleasant or not, those times are part of the long game God is playing in your life. The longitudinal moves God is making to draw you to Him. And what Paul says here is that God will take those broken pieces and that in Christ they get refit together into a new creation. Which means that 2 Corinthians 5 verse 17 is the biography of every believer. I've become a new creation in Jesus Christ. And so have you. [00:56:25] (39 seconds) #BrokenToBeautiful

We believe together that we can grow in Jesus Christ. We believe like crazy in formation and discipleship and in training. We believe that God loves you just as you are. And that God loves you way too much to leave you where you are. [00:57:16] (19 seconds) #GrowInGraceTogether

``But you know what? Ezra is also careful to record that while some of the people cried, all of the people praised. You know what? It isn't the same. It's smaller. It's different. Loss has happened. Lament is warranted. But this is still the house of the Lord and His love toward Israel endures forever. And you know what, church? I believe God's love toward Elmbrook endures forever as well. He has not forsaken us. And a new foundation for a new generation is before us. [01:02:57] (37 seconds) #EnduringLoveNewFoundation

He says churches flourish when they do believe that they have a shared and sure future. When they believe that, then they start to volunteer more because they know that their volunteering is going to have a long -term effect. They give more sacrificially because they believe they are investing in a bright tomorrow. They pray because they know God isn't done with their church. [01:05:45] (21 seconds) #FaithInFutureImpact

Elenbrook, our message to the world is that there is more beyond. That this life, this moment, is not the end of history. And that greater things are still to come. [01:09:15] (16 seconds) #UnwaveringCompassion

But there's one thing we can't do. We cannot stop caring. Though weary, we cannot allow ourselves to become calloused. Though fatigued, we cannot become numb to this pain and this hurt. We have to stay in the battle. We have to honor the Lord. lost. We have to care for the brokenhearted. We have to renew our strength. And in these dark days, when the news of today is so heavy, you and I must hold on to the news that will be published tomorrow, that in Christ there is a new creation. [01:09:54] (47 seconds) #CosmicFutureFocus

People, nations, planets, the whole cosmos has a future in focus. We were made for more. And we will keep our ships pointed in that direction no matter what lies before us. Elmbrook, we will sail onward. [01:10:55] (23 seconds) #SailTowardSunrise

So Elmbrook Church, let us point our ships toward the sunrise. Let us sail toward the east. Let us embark into the future because we believe there is so much more left to come. [01:12:33] (17 seconds)

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