God does NEW THINGS

Scripture: Isaiah 48:6-7

“You have heard; look at all this.  And you, will you not declare it?  I proclaim to you new things from this time, Even hidden things which you have not known.  “They are created now and not long ago; And before today you have not heard them, So that you will not say, ‘Behold, I knew them.’

Insights: The final truth I am going to show you this week is God is about doing NEW things.  Remember, God showed them in their history what He was going to do in order for them to not give credit to false gods or even to themselves.  Now, however, at this critical turn in human history God says, “I proclaim to you new things from this time, even hidden things which you have not known.”  This word was to be in reference to Jesus, but the principle is true of the nature of God.  Let me give you some examples.  How many times did got command an army to march around a city to have the walls fall?  How many times did God provide a tax through a fish?  Speaking of fish, how many times did God change a prophets heart by having them take a holiday in the belly of a fish?  How many times did Jesus rise from the dead and how many times did He ascend into heaven?  When we get to Revelation 21:5, we are told God is making all things new.  God is an infinitely creative God and loves new things.  What did He command the psalmist about songs?  To sing a new song is the answer.  God has given us the big picture of the churches mission in advance just as we learned previously this week, but the specifics of this big picture of reaching the lost is alway going to be new.  It is always new because the newness pushes us outside of our comfort zone and into the realm of dependence on the Holy One of creation.  God wants us to walk by faith and not by sight.  As a result, we obediently follow Him into new adventures.  FBCBG is starting a major new adventure as we strive to be a church which is Christ centered, gospel driven, joyfully united and prayerfully obedient.  May we stretch ourselves and reach the lost community.  May we visually show our community we care about them and visitors.  May God be brought glory as we join Him on this great new adventure!

Questions:

1. What new thing do you sense God is leading you to do in 2016?

2. For those at FBCBG, are you willing to join us in the new things the Lord is calling us to in order to reach the lost world for Jesus?

Prayer: Father, the future often scares me.  Help my heart to embrace the adventure you have for me and grant me the courage to walk in obedience with You.  Amen.