New_Thing_Series_Intro.pdf

Devotional

Day 1: Cultivating God’s Goodness in Untamed Spaces

From the very beginning, God designed humanity with a unique purpose: to move into wild, chaotic places and nurture them into spaces where His presence and goodness can dwell. This calling is not about domination or exploitation, but about bringing order, beauty, and flourishing to all creation. Deep within each of us is a longing to participate in this creative and redemptive work, to see brokenness transformed and life made whole.
Even now, despite the brokenness and distractions of our world, this original purpose remains embedded in us. Our deepest fulfillment is found not in self-centered pursuits, but in joining God as He brings renewal to the world. Every act of nurturing, every moment we choose to bring beauty or healing, is a step toward fulfilling the calling God placed on humanity from the very start.

“And the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.’” (Genesis 2:15-17, ESV)

Reflection: Where do you see chaos or brokenness in your daily life—at home, work, or in your community? What is one small way you can bring God’s goodness or order into that space today?

Day 2: God’s Mission Persists Through Brokenness

Sin entered the world and distorted God’s vision, making the mission more difficult but never erasing it. Motives, relationships, and even the earth itself have been affected by this brokenness. Yet, God’s response is not to abandon His creation, but to persist in love and faithfulness. He continues to pursue, heal, and restore, inviting us to be part of His enduring mission.
God’s relentless love is seen in His refusal to give up on the world or on us. Even when we feel the weight of our own failures or the pain of a fractured world, we can trust that God is still at work. He calls us to join Him, not because we are perfect, but because His mission is bigger than our shortcomings.

“For the earth is defiled under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse devours the earth, and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt; therefore the inhabitants of the earth are scorched, and few men are left.” (Isaiah 24:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel the effects of sin or brokenness most deeply? How might God be inviting you to trust His faithfulness and join Him in bringing healing there?

Day 3: Jesus Rekindles Our Original Calling

Jesus came not only to forgive, but to restore and recommission us. As the New Adam, He succeeded where humanity failed, bringing the Kingdom of God near and making a way for us to be reconciled to the Father. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus reactivates our original calling—to cultivate God’s Kingdom wherever we are.
This restored relationship with God is not just for our own benefit. Every act of surrender to Christ’s reign in our lives is a reclaiming of lost ground for God’s purposes. We are invited to live as agents of His Kingdom, letting His love and authority shape our choices, relationships, and the spaces we inhabit.

“For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense Jesus inviting you to surrender more fully to His reign? What practical step can you take today to respond to that invitation?

Day 4: The Church—A Community of Renewal and Multiplication

The church is God’s chosen means to demonstrate and expand His Kingdom on earth. In the book of Acts, we see a community transformed by the Spirit—needs are met, chaos is turned to order, and a new way of living emerges. The church is not the Kingdom itself, but it is a living expression of God’s reign, a place where His goodness becomes tangible.
Through multiplication—planting new churches, launching new groups, and forming deeper community—we participate in God’s ongoing work of renewal. Our gatherings, whether large or small, are meant to be outposts of hope and restoration. Each of us has a role to play in making the church a place where God’s presence is known and His mission moves forward.

“And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:44-47, ESV)

Reflection: How can you help make your church or small group a more tangible expression of God’s Kingdom this week? Is there a need you can meet, a relationship you can deepen, or a new way you can serve?

Day 5: Every Place You Go Is a Mission Field

God’s call to cultivate and extend His Kingdom is not limited to church activities. Wherever there is chaos, brokenness, or need—in our workplaces, families, friendships, and communities—He invites us to bring His order, beauty, and love. Each moment of surrender, each act of service, and each word of Good News is a step toward fulfilling our original purpose.
We are a sent people, called to blaze trails of hope and restoration until the day when God’s Kingdom comes in fullness. No place is too ordinary or too broken for God to work through us. Every sphere of life is an opportunity to participate in His mission and to make His goodness known.

“And seek the peace of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” (Jeremiah 29:7, ESV)

Reflection: Think of one specific place you will go today—your workplace, a store, your home. How can you intentionally bring God’s peace, beauty, or love into that space? What is one action you can take?

Sermon Summary

of the Sermon**

This sermon launches our “New Thing” series by exploring God’s ongoing work of renewal and sending. From the very beginning, God created humanity with the purpose of cultivating His goodness in the world—moving into untamed spaces and bringing order, beauty, and flourishing. Though sin disrupted this mission, Jesus came as the New Adam to restore our relationship with God and re-commission us to extend His Kingdom. The church, through multiplication and community, is God’s chosen means to demonstrate and spread His reign on earth. Each of us is invited to participate in this mission, not only through church planting and small groups, but also by bringing God’s goodness into our families, workplaces, and every sphere of influence.

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Key Takeaways

1. God’s Original Purpose for Humanity Remains Our Calling From Eden, God’s intent was for humans to move into wild, chaotic spaces and cultivate them into places where His presence and goodness could dwell. This is not a call to dominate or exploit, but to nurture, innovate, and bring about flourishing for all creation. Even now, beneath the layers of sin and brokenness, this longing and purpose remain embedded in us. Our deepest fulfillment is found when we join God in this creative, redemptive work.
2. Sin Distorts, but God’s Mission Endures The entrance of sin did not erase God’s vision for the world; it only made the mission more challenging. Sin corrupts motives, relationships, and even the earth itself, but God’s response is not abandonment. Instead, He sends Jesus to restore what was lost, to heal the breach, and to empower us once again to be agents of His Kingdom. The persistence of God’s mission is a testament to His faithfulness and relentless love.
3. Jesus Restores and Recommissions Us Jesus is not just a teacher or moral example—He is the New Adam who succeeds where humanity failed. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He brings the Kingdom near and invites us into a reconciled relationship with God. This restored relationship is not just for our benefit; it reactivates our original calling to cultivate God’s Kingdom wherever we are. Every act of surrender to Christ’s reign in our lives is a reclaiming of lost ground for God’s purposes.
4. The Church as a Living Expression of the Kingdom The early church in Acts is a picture of chaos turned to order, of needs met, and of a new community formed by God’s Spirit. The church is not the Kingdom itself, but it is God’s primary means of demonstrating and expanding His reign on earth. Through multiplication—planting new churches, launching new campuses, and forming small groups—we participate in God’s ongoing work of renewal. Our gatherings, both large and small, are meant to be outposts of God’s Kingdom, places where His goodness is made tangible.
5. Every Sphere of Life is a Mission Field God’s call to cultivate and extend His Kingdom is not limited to church activities. Wherever there is chaos, brokenness, or need—in our workplaces, families, friendships, and communities—God invites us to bring His order, beauty, and love. Each moment of surrender, each act of service, and each word of Good News is a step toward fulfilling our original purpose. We are sent people, called to blaze trails of hope and restoration until the day when God’s Kingdom comes in fullness.

Bible Study Guide

**Small Group Bible Study Guide: “New Thing – Sent to Cultivate”**

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### Bible Reading

- **Genesis 1:27-28**
27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

- **Mark 1:14-15**
14 …Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.
15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

- **Acts 2:42-47**
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.
44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.
45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

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### Observation Questions

In Genesis 1:27-28, what specific instructions does God give to humanity about their role in creation?
According to Mark 1:14-15, what is the “good news” that Jesus proclaims, and what does he say about the Kingdom of God?
In Acts 2:42-47, what are some of the key practices and characteristics of the early church community?
From the sermon, what does it mean to “cultivate” in the context of God’s original purpose for humanity?

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### Interpretation Questions

The sermon describes God’s command to “subdue” and “rule over” the earth as a call to nurture and bring about flourishing, not to exploit. How does this understanding challenge or affirm common ideas about power and leadership?
Jesus is called the “New Adam” in the sermon. What does it mean for Jesus to restore and recommission us, and how is this different from simply being forgiven?
The early church in Acts is described as a place where chaos is turned into order and needs are met. What does this suggest about the role of community in God’s mission?
The sermon says that every sphere of life is a mission field. How might someone recognize areas of “chaos, brokenness, or need” in their own life where God is inviting them to bring His goodness?

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### Application Questions

The sermon says our deepest fulfillment is found when we join God in His creative, redemptive work. Where in your life do you sense God inviting you to “cultivate”—to bring order, beauty, or goodness?
Think about your workplace, family, or neighborhood. Is there a specific area that feels “untamed” or chaotic? What is one practical step you could take this week to bring God’s love or order into that space?
The early church met both in large gatherings and small groups, sharing life and meeting needs. How connected do you feel to others in the church? What is one way you could deepen your involvement in community?
The sermon talks about multiplication—planting new churches, launching campuses, and forming small groups. Have you ever considered being part of starting something new for God’s Kingdom? What might hold you back, and what would help you take a step forward?
Jesus invites us to surrender every part of our lives to His reign. Is there an area of your life where you struggle to let God lead? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him this week?
Who in your life needs to experience the “good news” of God’s Kingdom? What is one way you could share hope or serve them in the coming days?
The sermon says that God’s mission endures even when sin and brokenness make things difficult. When you face setbacks or discouragement, what helps you stay focused on God’s bigger purpose for your life?

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Sermon Quotes

Since the creation of humankind, God has been sending us to new places to extend the goodness of His Kingdom on earth. We are called to cultivate beauty, truth, and goodness wherever we go.

Humans were designed to bushwack into the chaotic world and cultivate God’s Kingdom where it hasn’t yet been received. Deep within us, there’s a longing to bring order and beauty out of chaos.

God rules with love, benevolence, righteousness, and justice. As people made in God’s image, we are called not to exploit or dominate, but to cultivate and care for the world and each other.

Jesus is doing a new thing. He restores us to the perfect relationship with God that was once lost, and teaches us to cultivate the goodness on earth we were always meant to create.

Every time a person submits their life to the reign of God, His Kingdom takes new ground. What was once under the influence of sin now comes under the loving reign of Christ.

The Church isn’t the Kingdom, but God uses the Church to expand the reign of His Kingdom on earth—cultivating goodness, bringing Him glory, and spreading the Good News to new places.

Almost every job out there has the opportunity to play a part in fulfilling humanity’s original purpose: bringing God’s goodness, beauty, and order into the world.

God designed you to dwell with Him in paradise forever and to bring His Kingdom to people and places that haven’t received Him yet. Jesus redeems our purpose and invites us into His mission.

We get to see glimpses of God’s Kingdom breaking into our world today—in the church, in small groups, and in our workplaces and families. One day, we’ll see it in all its fullness.

Bringing church to new places is directly connected to our very purpose as humans: to cultivate new spaces where God and people can dwell together in unity, meeting needs and giving glory to God.

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