In With THe New

In With The New

Isaiah 43:19 (AMP)

“Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing. Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, river in the desert.”

Introduction:

Good afternoon, my Saint Thomas Baptist family and friends! On last Sunday we had and enjoyed a wonderful uplifting and encouraging conversation around the topic theme of moving on from the past. Our focus statement was “Out With the Old!” On this the first Sunday the year of our Lord Jesus Christ 2025, we come together to have another wonderful uplifting and encouraging conversation around the topic and theme of moving on to the new. With our focus statement today being “In With the New!”

As we stand on the threshold of change, we are reminded that each new season brings with it the promise of renewal, growth, and transformation. Just as the world around us shifts and evolves, so too does our spiritual journey.

In our conversation today, we will dive into the Word of God to uncover the profound truths about embracing the newness that God offers us. We will reflect on the beauty of letting go of the past, the courage it takes to step into the unknown, and the incredible opportunities that await us when we open our hearts and minds to what God has instore for us.

My brothers and sisters let us be encouraged and inspired by the words of Isaiah, who reminds us the God is doing something new, and let us be inspired and encouraged by the promise of hope and restoration found in Christ Jesus. Let us take this journey together of faith, ready, willing and able to embrace the new and to trust in God’s perfect plan for our lives.

My Saint Thomas Baptist family and friends, as we gathered here today on this first Sunday of the year of our Lord 2025, I want to invite you to open your hearts and minds to the transformative power of God’s word. In this season of our lives, we are reminded by the prophet Isaiah that our God is not a stagnant God; He is a God of movement, of change, of new beginnings. “See, I am doing a new thing!” declares the Lord. Can you feel it, church? Can you perceive it?

So, with the help of the Holy Spirit and the real preacher Jesus Christ. I would like to submit a few things for us to understand that will help us embrace the new that God is about to bless us with and the first thing is this.

A Season of New Beginnings

Isaiah’s words echo through the ages, inviting us into a fresh understanding of our circumstances. Perhaps you’ve been wandering through the wilderness of despair, feeling lost in the complexities of life. But God is here to remind you: newness is on the horizon! Just like the dawn breaks after a long night, God promises to make a way where there seems to be no way.

Let me remind you, church, that new beginnings often require us to step out of our comfort zones. God is not just doing a new thing; He is calling you to be a part of it! Are you ready to embrace the new? Are you willing to let go of the familiar to grasp what God has in store for you?

(2 Corinthians 5:17) “Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]!”

(Revelation 21:5) “And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true [they are accurate, incorruptible, and trustworthy]!’”

(Lamentations 3:22-23) “It is because of the Lord’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, Because His [tender] compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great and beyond measure is Your faithfulness.”

Perception is Key

The latter part of our scripture says, “Do you not perceive it?” That’s a powerful question, my friends. God is moving, but are we paying attention? Oftentimes, we become so entrenched in our routines and our past experiences that we fail to see the fresh streams of grace that God is pouring out.

To perceive the new thing God is doing, we must cultivate a posture of openness and awareness. Just as Jesus often asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” we must ask ourselves, “What is God revealing to me in this season?” Are we listening? Are we looking? God is always speaking, always moving, but it requires our engagement and our willingness to see beyond the obvious.

(Matthew 13:16-17) “But blessed [spiritually aware, and favored by God] are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 17 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, many prophets and righteous men [who were honorable and in right standing with God] longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”

(Psalm 119:18) “Open my eyes [to spiritual truth] so that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law.”

(John 10:27) “The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me; I know them, and they follow Me.”

The Promise of Provision

The latter half of Isaiah 43:19 speaks of God making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. This is not just poetic imagery; it is a promise! God is assuring us that even in the driest, most barren places of our lives, He is providing.

Maybe you’re in a wasteland of disappointment or a wilderness of uncertainty. God is saying to you today: I am making a way! But here’s the catch: we cannot wait for the provision to come before we step into the new thing. Faith requires action. It requires us to move as though we believe God is already at work.

(Philippians 4:19) “And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

(Psalm 23:1) “The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want.”

(Isaiah 41:18) “I will open rivers on the barren heights and springs in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a reed-pool of water and the dry land springs of water.”

“God is doing a new thing in 2025!”:

1. “A fresh wave of blessings is on the horizon in 2025!”

2. “In 2025, expect divine breakthroughs and new opportunities!”

3. “New Hope is rising as God unveils His plans for us in 2025!”

4. “2025 is a year of transformation and renewal by God’s grace!”

5. “Get ready for miracles; God is moving powerfully in 2025!”

6. “In 2025, God is igniting a spirit of restoration and growth!”

7. “2025 will be filled with unexpected joys and divine favor!”

8. “God’s promises are coming to fruition in 2025!”

9. “A new season of faith and abundance is unfolding in 2025!”

10. “In 2025, God is writing beautiful new chapters in our lives!”

11. “In 2025, watch as God opens doors that were once closed!”

12. “God’s creativity is being released in 2025—prepare for the extraordinary!”

13. “2025 is a year of divine surprises and blessings overflowing!”

14. “A new dawn of hope and joy is rising in 2025!”

15. “In 2025, God is orchestrating a symphony of blessings in our lives!”

16. “Prepare your heart; 2025 is a year of divine alignment and purpose!”

17. “God is paving new paths for us in 2025—let’s walk in faith!”

18. “2025 will be a testament to God’s faithfulness and mercy!”

19. “In 2025, expect to see God’s hand at work in miraculous ways!”

20. “God is refreshing our spirits for a new journey in 2025!”

Conclusion:

Beloved, as we stand on the threshold of what God is doing, I urge you to lean into this new thing. Let go of the past; release the burdens that weigh you down. Embrace the promise that God is making a way for you.

As we move forward together, let us remember that God’s newness often comes with challenges, but it also brings hope, healing, and a deeper relationship with Him. Are you ready to perceive it? Are you ready to step into it?

May we all be blessed with eyes to see and ears to hear, as we journey into the newness God has prepared for us. Amen.