Embracing Newness: Letting Go and Moving Forward
Summary
In today's gathering, we embraced the profound truth that God is orchestrating something extraordinary in our lives. We are called to release the burdens of past pains, heartbreaks, and broken promises, and to step into the newness that God has prepared for us. This day, crafted by God, is inherently good, filled with untapped potential and divine decrees. We are reminded that little faith cannot yield big results, and that a supernatural lifestyle requires a shift from natural thinking. It's time to let go of the "C-Rap"—the lies, the heartaches, and the limitations—and embrace the glorious plan God has for us.
We are encouraged to take the limits off God, to not let our surroundings or possessions dictate what He can do. Our greatest aspiration should be to please God, walking in a manner worthy of our calling, and never surrendering our divine identity to appease others. We are called to fulfill every dream, complete every project, and achieve every goal, so that one day we may hear the words, "Well done."
The Spirit of Grace emphasizes the need for a new method, one that is not about efficiency but effectiveness. We must be ready, instant in season and out of season, to produce the results the kingdom needs. The old ways of doing church, focused on efficiency, have left no room for the Spirit to move. We must embrace a little mess for a whole lot of effectiveness, allowing for some extravagance and wildfire to experience the move of the Spirit.
We are reminded that the greatest enemy to our destiny is not external but internal. It's us. If we believe what God has said about us, no weapon formed against us can prosper. We must redefine our self-image, not by the opinions of others, but by the Word of God. We are not grasshoppers; we are more than conquerors. The cross has made us flawless, and we must see ourselves as God sees us.
Key Takeaways:
- Embrace the newness God has prepared by letting go of past pains and limitations. This requires a shift from natural thinking to supernatural faith, allowing us to step into the extraordinary plans God has for us. [41:05]
- Our divine identity should never be surrendered to appease others. We are called to walk in a manner worthy of our calling, fulfilling every dream and achieving every goal, so that we may hear "Well done" from our Creator. [47:30]
- The old methods of doing church, focused on efficiency, must be replaced with a focus on effectiveness. We must allow room for the Spirit to move, embracing a little mess for a whole lot of effectiveness. [55:03]
- The greatest enemy to our destiny is not external but internal. We must believe what God has said about us, for no weapon formed against us can prosper if we know our true identity in Christ. [01:20:43]
- Redefine your self-image by the Word of God, not by the opinions of others. The cross has made us flawless, and we must see ourselves as God sees us, embracing our identity as more than conquerors. [01:39:23]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[41:05] - Letting Go of the Past
[41:57] - Embracing the New Day
[43:00] - Divine Decrees and Potential
[43:47] - Releasing Limitations
[44:23] - Aspiring to Please God
[46:40] - Worship and Divine Identity
[47:30] - Fulfilling Dreams and Goals
[52:50] - New Methods for Effectiveness
[55:03] - Embracing the Move of the Spirit
[56:25] - Redefining Church
[59:04] - The Power of Self-Image
[01:00:18] - Trusting God and Letting Down Guards
[01:13:01] - Prayer for Healing and Strength
[01:39:23] - The Cross Made Us Flawless
[01:57:44] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Numbers 13:33
2. Romans 12:3
3. James 1:23-25
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Observation Questions:
1. In Numbers 13:33, how did the Israelites perceive themselves, and how did this perception affect their actions and decisions? [01:22:02]
2. According to Romans 12:3, what standard should believers use to assess their self-worth, and why is this important? [01:27:01]
3. In James 1:23-25, what analogy does James use to describe someone who hears the word but does not act on it, and what is the consequence of this behavior? [01:27:01]
4. The sermon mentioned the need to let go of past pains and limitations to embrace the newness God has prepared. What are some examples given in the sermon of things we need to let go of? [41:05]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the perception of oneself as a "grasshopper" in Numbers 13:33 relate to the concept of self-image discussed in the sermon? [01:22:02]
2. Romans 12:3 advises believers to assess their worth using their God-given faith. How might this approach change the way someone views their identity and purpose? [01:27:01]
3. James 1:23-25 warns against being a hearer of the word and not a doer. How does this relate to the sermon's emphasis on moving from efficiency to effectiveness in our spiritual lives? [55:03]
4. The sermon suggests that the greatest enemy to our destiny is internal rather than external. How does this idea challenge common perceptions of obstacles in our spiritual journey? [01:20:43]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a past pain or limitation that you have been holding onto. What steps can you take this week to begin letting it go and embracing the newness God has for you? [41:05]
2. Consider your current self-image. How does it align with the way God sees you, as described in Romans 12:3? What practical steps can you take to redefine your self-image according to God's Word? [01:27:01]
3. The sermon encourages believers to take the limits off God. What is one area of your life where you have been limiting God's work, and how can you change your mindset to allow for His greater plans? [44:23]
4. Think about a time when you prioritized efficiency over effectiveness in your spiritual life. How can you create more space for the Spirit to move, even if it means embracing a little messiness? [55:03]
5. Identify a dream or goal that you have put aside due to fear or self-doubt. What is one action you can take this week to move closer to fulfilling that dream, trusting in God's strength and promise? [47:30]
6. The sermon highlights the importance of not surrendering our divine identity to appease others. Is there a situation in your life where you feel pressured to compromise your identity? How can you stand firm in who God has called you to be? [46:40]
7. Reflect on the concept of being more than conquerors. How can this truth empower you to face a current challenge in your life with confidence and faith? [01:39:23]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing New Beginnings
In our journey of faith, we are called to release the burdens of past pains, heartbreaks, and broken promises. This act of letting go is not merely about forgetting the past but stepping into the newness that God has prepared for us. It requires a shift from natural thinking to supernatural faith, allowing us to embrace the extraordinary plans God has for us. By doing so, we open ourselves to the untapped potential and divine decrees that God has crafted for this day, which is inherently good. This transformation is not just about changing our mindset but about trusting in God's orchestration of something extraordinary in our lives. [41:05]
"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." (Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV)
Reflection: What past burdens or limitations are you holding onto that prevent you from embracing the newness God has for you? How can you begin to release them today?
Day 2: Living for God's Approval
Our divine identity should never be surrendered to appease others. We are called to walk in a manner worthy of our calling, fulfilling every dream and achieving every goal, so that we may hear "Well done" from our Creator. This calling is not about seeking the approval of those around us but about living a life that pleases God. Our greatest aspiration should be to please Him, and in doing so, we align ourselves with His purpose and plan for our lives. This requires courage and conviction, as we must stand firm in our identity in Christ, regardless of external pressures. [47:30]
"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10 ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you tempted to seek approval from others rather than God? How can you realign your focus to live for God's approval today?
Day 3: Embracing the Spirit's Movement
The old methods of doing church, focused on efficiency, must be replaced with a focus on effectiveness. We must allow room for the Spirit to move, embracing a little mess for a whole lot of effectiveness. This means being open to new methods and approaches that prioritize the Spirit's leading over rigid structures. The Spirit of Grace emphasizes the need for a new method, one that is not about efficiency but effectiveness. By doing so, we create space for the Spirit to move powerfully in our midst, leading to transformation and growth. [55:03]
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV)
Reflection: How can you create space in your life for the Spirit to move freely? What old methods or routines might you need to let go of to embrace this freedom?
Day 4: Overcoming Internal Barriers
The greatest enemy to our destiny is not external but internal. We must believe what God has said about us, for no weapon formed against us can prosper if we know our true identity in Christ. This involves redefining our self-image, not by the opinions of others, but by the Word of God. We are not grasshoppers; we are more than conquerors. The cross has made us flawless, and we must see ourselves as God sees us. By doing so, we overcome the internal barriers that hinder our progress and step into the fullness of our destiny. [01:20:43]
"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. 'Eat and drink!' he says to you, but his heart is not with you." (Proverbs 23:7 ESV)
Reflection: What internal barriers or negative self-perceptions are holding you back from your God-given destiny? How can you begin to see yourself as God sees you today?
Day 5: Seeing Ourselves Through God's Eyes
Redefine your self-image by the Word of God, not by the opinions of others. The cross has made us flawless, and we must see ourselves as God sees us, embracing our identity as more than conquerors. This transformation in self-perception is crucial for living out our faith boldly and confidently. By aligning our self-image with God's truth, we are empowered to live victoriously, free from the limitations imposed by others' opinions. This shift in perspective allows us to walk in the fullness of our identity in Christ, experiencing the abundant life He has promised. [01:39:23]
"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." (1 Peter 2:9 ESV)
Reflection: How do you currently see yourself, and how does it differ from how God sees you? What steps can you take to align your self-image with God's truth today?
Quotes
You know, worship like that almost leaves me speechless. Almost. Not quite. Because I got to tell you, I feel such a sense of excitement. Not fabricated. Maybe. Not made up. Not hyped. A genuine sense that God is up to something so grand. And I feel like all of us, myself included, that we're letting go of all the things that hindered us and led us, leashed us, to past pains and heartaches and heartbreaks and broken promises. [00:40:02] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Today has the potential to be the greatest day we've ever experienced. Because it's the day that He has made. And if you remember in the book of Genesis, after He created it all and looked back, He said, everything I've made is good. God don't make nothing bad. Man does that. God makes it good. So if God made this day, this is a good day. Amen. [00:41:50] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
And in order to enter into a season of new, you know, Paul said it this way. He said this one thing. And I remember when I first began to study that out, I thought, Paul, you're a great theologian, but pretty poor mathematician. Because you said this one thing I do, and then you laid out two things that you do. You forget about that which is behind you and press on. As far as I can count, that's one and two. [01:15:55] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
And our destiny is our assignment. Now, one of the things that we have to understand is that ignorance of one's assignment does not forfeit nor negate the assignment. It just means that you have to keep walking by faith to discover the purpose for which you were born. Then when you discover that purpose, you let go of everything and you sell everything, and you give yourself, you become fascinated and fixated on being who God created you to be. [01:18:46] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
The greatest enemy to your destiny is not them, whether they be natural or supernatural, carnal or spiritual. The greatest enemy to your destiny is not your enemy, external. And it's most certainly not God. Hear me when I say this. The greatest enemy to your assignment, to your destiny, is you. It's you. It's me. Because if I believe what God has said about me, what my enemies say or do to me is meaningless. [01:20:40] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
What you believe, listen to this. What you believe forms, fashions, and shapes your life. I want to say that again. What you believe, and I'm talking about yourself, forms, fashions, and shapes your life. This is why as God's obedient children, we should never again shape our lives by what they've said. What they did. What we've been through. [01:38:24] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
You ought to find a group of people who will celebrate you, not tolerate you, and will encourage your faith that no matter what your age, gender, ethnicity, where you come from, what you've been through, they will pat you on the back and say, bro, you're more than able. And when you tell them your dream, they don't poo -poo all over it. Well, ain't no one ever done that before. Well, you're about to see someone do what ain't never been done before. [01:54:56] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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