In what ways can we embrace God's "new thing" in our community? Seeing the Promise in Isaiah 43:19 “Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.” Understanding the “New Thing” - God Himself initiates the new thing; it is not man-made. - The promise is present tense (“even now”); He is already at work. - The setting is impossibility—wilderness and desert—highlighting that only God can provide the way and the water. Foundational Truths to Grasp - God never contradicts His written Word (Psalm 119:89). Any new thing aligns perfectly with Scripture. - Christ is the climax of God’s new covenant (Luke 22:20; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Our participation flows through Him. - The Holy Spirit empowers fresh works without changing timeless doctrine (John 14:26; Acts 1:8). Ways to Embrace God’s New Thing in Our Community 1. Cultivate Spiritual Expectancy • Celebrate God’s past faithfulness without getting stuck there (Isaiah 43:18). • Preach and sing Scriptures that highlight God’s redemptive future (Psalm 33:3; Revelation 21:5). 2. Clear the Ground of Old Hindrances • Confess and forsake sin openly (1 John 1:9). • Lay down traditions that have become barriers rather than blessings (Mark 7:8-9). 3. Center Everything on Christ • Exalt Jesus in teaching, outreach, and fellowship (Colossians 1:18). • Offer the gospel plainly, trusting its power to save (Romans 1:16). 4. Foster a Culture of Prayerful Dependence • Schedule regular corporate prayer that asks God to reveal His next steps (Acts 4:31). • Encourage spontaneous, Spirit-led prayer among believers (Ephesians 6:18). 5. Serve the “Wilderness” Needs Around Us • Identify local deserts—loneliness, addiction, poverty—and bring practical help in Jesus’ name (Matthew 25:35-36). • Partner with other Bible-faithful ministries for greater reach (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). 6. Nurture Spiritual Gifts for Fresh Impact • Teach believers to recognize and exercise their gifts (1 Peter 4:10). • Provide safe, biblically guided settings for gifts to operate (1 Corinthians 14:26, 40). 7. Embrace Multigenerational Unity • Mentor younger believers, honoring their zeal (2 Timothy 2:2). • Value the wisdom of seasoned saints, ensuring they have a voice (Proverbs 16:31). 8. Pursue Holiness and Compassion Together • Uphold clear moral standards (1 Peter 1:15-16). • Combine truth with tender mercy when engaging the broken (Jude 22-23). 9. Measure Success by Faithfulness, Not Trends • Seek God’s approval over popular acclaim (Galatians 1:10). • Celebrate small acts of obedience as milestones of the new thing (Luke 16:10). 10. Keep Looking Forward • Remind one another that God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). • Anticipate the ultimate new creation where the promise is fully realized (2 Peter 3:13). Living It Out When believers collectively expect God to act, surrender old obstacles, and step into service fueled by Scripture and the Spirit, the “way in the wilderness” and “streams in the desert” become visible realities—souls saved, needs met, and Christ glorified. |
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