April 6, 2025

A New Thing: Preparing for God's Transformative Work

Bible Passage: Isaiah 43:16–21, Jn 12:1–8

Summary: In Isaiah 43:16–21, God speaks about making a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, emphasizing His power to create newness in our lives. In John 12:1–8, we witness Mary's act of anointing Jesus, symbolizing the preparation for His impending death and the act of sacrificial love that highlights the significance of recognizing Christ's identity and mission.

Application: This sermon challenges us to look for the new things God is doing in our lives, urging us to respond to His transformative work. It emphasizes the importance of preparing our hearts as we navigate the wilderness of our personal struggles and hardships, reminding us that God is always working for our good, even in challenging times.

Teaching: Believers are called to embrace the new and transformative work of God in their lives, encouraging them to actively participate in God's plan by recognizing and responding to Christ. The sermon teaches that our acts of worship, like Mary’s, can be profound responses to God's grace and truth.

How this passage could point to Christ: In both passages, we see the foreshadowing of Christ's transformative mission—Isaiah presents a God who creates and renews, while John portrays Christ’s acceptance of sacrificial love through His anointing. Christ not only embodies the new thing God is doing, but He also invites us into that renewal process through His death and resurrection.

Big Idea: God is constantly at work, transforming our wilderness into rivers of life; we must prepare our hearts to respond to Him in faith and worship, just as Mary did.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider delving into the historical and cultural context of both passages using your Logos library. Explore the significance of anointing in ancient Jewish customs and its implications for Jesus’ mission. Look into the various translations of key phrases in Isaiah 43 to understand different interpretative nuances, especially regarding the concept of ‘newness.’ Additionally, investigating commentaries on the reactions of those present at the anointing can offer insights into contemporary applications.

1. Remember God's Redemptive Acts

Isaiah 43:16–18

You could begin by reflecting on God's reminder to the Israelites of His past acts of deliverance, encouraging the congregation to recall His faithfulness in their lives. Emphasize that while it is important to remember what God has done, we must not dwell on the past at the expense of missing the new thing God is doing. The past is a testimony to God's power, but our focus should be on His present and future work.

2. Recognize the New Thing

Isaiah 43:19–21

Perhaps you could inspire your audience by identifying the 'new thing' God is promising. Encourage them to perceive where God is making a way in their wilderness and creating rivers in their deserts. This imagery speaks of transformation and provision in seemingly impossible situations. Connect this to God's ultimate new creation in Christ, reminding us that in Jesus, God is always inviting us into something new and life-giving.

3. Respond with Sacrificial Worship

John 12:1–3

Maybe focus on Mary's act of anointing Jesus as a model for worship. Her sacrificial love and recognition of Jesus' identity serve as a powerful example of how believers should approach Christ. Encourage the congregation to examine their own expressions of devotion, emphasizing that true worship often requires us to offer something costly in acknowledgment of who Jesus is.

4. Reject Misunderstanding, Embrace Mission

John 12:4–8

Consider closing by discussing the contrasting reactions to Mary's act. Judas represents a misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and a focus on worldly concerns. This divergence invites the congregation to consider their own understanding of and response to Jesus. Encourage them to choose the path of faith and generosity rather than skepticism and selfishness, embracing Christ's mission of renewal in their lives.