The Beginning of New Things

The Beginning of New Things

Good morning, church.

If you’ve ever been here at Calvary, you’ve seen the large cross on our stage. It’s over ten feet tall, made of old, rugged wood—simple, strong, and beautiful. And if you look right now, you’ll see that it usually sits quietly in the background, at the back of our stage.

But today… I want to move that cross. Not just physically, but symbolically. Because the message I’m preaching this morning is called “The Beginning of New Things”—and nothing new begins without the cross of Jesus Christ.

So today, we bring the cross to the front.

Why?

Because the cross is not meant to stay in the background of our churches… or our lives.

It was never meant to be decorative—it was meant to be central.

If it weren’t for the sacrificial work of Christ on that cross, there would be no hope, no peace, and certainly no future.

Everything begins at the cross.

Forgiveness begins at the cross.

Healing begins at the cross.

Restoration… renewal… new life—all of it begins at the cross.

So as we begin this Easter season, I want to challenge us:

It’s time to put the Man who hung on that cross—Jesus Christ—back at the front of our lives.

Let’s not tuck Him away like a religious memory. Let’s lift Him up as the Savior who still makes all things new.

Isaiah 43:18–19 ESV

18 “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

God is not limited by your past. He specializes in doing a new thing—even when you can’t see it yet.

Have you ever felt stuck in your past? Or like the best days are behind you

Many people walk into church carrying burdens from yesterday: regrets, sins, missed opportunities, wounds.

Over the next three weeks, we’re going to look at how God makes all things new—starting today.

I. Let Go of the Past

“Remember not the former things…”

God tells Israel not to dwell on the past. Why? Because what’s coming is greater than what has been.

This doesn't mean we forget everything—but we stop living in the shadow of it.

Application: What is it that you’re holding on to?

Past failures

Past hurts

Past seasons of success that make you long for what was

When Isaiah 43:18 says, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old,” the phrase “former things” can be understood in a few layered ways, especially when you look at the broader context of Isaiah 43 and the chapters surrounding it.

Here, God is referring to the Exodus—how He parted the Red Sea and destroyed Pharaoh’s army. That was one of the most defining moments in Israel’s history. But in verse 18, He suddenly says:

“Remember not the former things…”

He’s not telling them to forget His faithfulness, but rather: “Don’t get stuck living in the past—even in your spiritual victories.” Why? Because God is about to do something even greater—a new redemption that will eclipse the old.

Let go of:

2. Past Failures and Rebellion

Isaiah 42 ends with a strong rebuke of Israel’s disobedience:

“But this is a people plundered and looted... Who among you will give ear to this?... They would not walk in his ways, nor were they obedient to his law.” (Isaiah 42:22–24)

So “former things” also includes:

Their history of idolatry

Their spiritual unfaithfulness

The pain and consequences of their rebellion

God is saying: “Yes, you’ve failed. Yes, you’ve wandered. But I’m not holding you hostage to that. I’m doing a new thing.”

Let it all go!

3. The Entire Past Pattern—Good or Bad

Ultimately, “the former things” refers to all that defined them before—both their deliverances and their disobedience. God is calling them to look forward with expectation, not backward with either nostalgia or regret.

Let’s look at the context of the scripture

What Are “the Former Things”?

The great deliverance at the Red Sea (past miracles)

Their sinful history and rebellion (past mistakes)

Everything behind them that might limit their view of what God can do next

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”

What Is the “New Thing” God Is Referring To?

1. A New Deliverance Greater Than the Exodus

As mentioned, Isaiah 43:16–17 recalls the Exodus. But God is now saying, “Forget the former things… I’m doing something new.” So, what is it?

It’s a new redemption—one that will overshadow the past.

The Exodus brought them out of Egypt through the Red Sea.

This new deliverance will bring them out of Babylon through the wilderness.

The Exodus led to a temporary home. The new thing points to an eternal hope.

In other words, God is promising a new act of salvation, and ultimately, it’s pointing to something greater than national freedom—it’s pointing to spiritual salvation through the coming Messiah.

2. A Return from Exile – Immediate Fulfillment

In a historical sense, the “new thing” was the return of God’s people from Babylonian exile. God would make a way for them through the desert, just like He did in the past.

“I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:19)

He would pave the way through what seemed impassable.

He would sustain them in dry places.

He would bring them back—not just to the land—but to Himself.

This was a literal return, but it symbolized something deeper.

3. The Coming of the Messiah – Ultimate Fulfillment

Like many prophecies in Isaiah, this one has layers. The ultimate “new thing” is the arrival of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

A new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31)

Jeremiah 31:31 ESV

31 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah,

A new heart and spirit (Ezekiel 36:26–27)

Ezekiel 36:26–27 ESV

26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

A new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.Rev 21:5

In Jesus, God did something the world had never seen:

He came in the flesh.

He conquered sin and death.

He rose again to give us new life.

That’s why Revelation 21:5 can say:

Revelation 21:5 ESV

5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

“Behold, I am making all things new.”

What Does This Mean for Us Today?

God is still doing a new thing—right now.

He brings new life to dead hearts.

He provides new beginnings to those buried in regret.

He creates new paths in impossible situations.

And just like in Isaiah’s day, He’s asking:

“Do you not perceive it?”

That’s the challenge—God is working, but are we watching? Are we ready to let go of the past to embrace what’s new?

this is one of the most powerful images in Isaiah 43:19:

“I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

What Does It Mean That God Makes a Way in the Wilderness?

1. The Wilderness Represents Hopelessness and Hardship

In Scripture, the wilderness is often a place of:

Isolation – Where people feel forgotten or cut off.

Confusion – Direction is unclear; you don’t know which way to go.

Testing – The wilderness is where people are refined (Exodus, Jesus’ 40 days).

Desperation – There are no natural resources or easy paths.

For the Israelites, the wilderness symbolized exile, loss, and a sense of being spiritually adrift. It’s the place where everything feels dry and broken.

2. God Promises to Make a Way There

Not after the wilderness. Not around the wilderness. But in the middle of it—God promises to make a path.

He doesn’t wait for your life to get better before He moves. He moves in the middle of your mess.

This is a miracle of grace:

He makes paths where none existed

He provides direction where there was confusion.

He opens up possibilities where we only saw dead ends.

This also echoes the Exodus, where God literally made a way through the Red Sea—a body of water, just like the desert, had no path… until God showed up.

3. Rivers in the Desert – Provision in Barren Places

God goes even further:

“…and rivers in the desert.”

The desert is dry, lifeless, and scorching. But God says:

“I’ll bring refreshment where it seems impossible.”

“I will provide what you need where you thought it could never be found.”

He doesn’t just give direction—He gives sustaining power.

What This Means Today

We all walk through wilderness seasons:

Seasons of grief

Burnout in ministry

Depression or anxiety

Financial stress

Spiritual dryness

And in those moments, the enemy wants us to believe:

“You’re lost.”

“You’re forgotten.”

“Nothing will change.”

But God promises

“I will make a way. I will provide water. I am not done.”

“Are you walking through a wilderness season right now?”

“Are you in a place that feels dry, confusing, or hopeless?”

“Do you feel like the path ahead is unclear?”

Final Point: All of This Leads to the New Covenant in Christ

Everything God promised in Isaiah 43— The new thing… The way in the wilderness… The rivers in the desert…

It was all a foreshadowing of something far greater than returning from Babylon. It was pointing ahead to the day when God would not just deliver a nation—but rescue the entire world.

That “new thing” found its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

That way in the wilderness became a Person—“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life…” (John 14:6).

Those rivers in the desert became the Living Water that Jesus offers freely to every thirsty soul.

That “new thing” became the New Covenant—sealed in His blood, confirmed by His resurrection.

Hebrews 8:6 tells us:

Hebrews 8:6 ESV

6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

So today, as we stand at the beginning of the Easter season, let’s be reminded:

Jesus didn’t just come to improve our lives—He came to make us new.

He didn’t just show us the way—He became the way.

He didn’t just offer us religion—He gave us relationship through a new covenant of grace.

Why We Celebrate Easter

Easter isn’t just a religious holiday. It is the celebration of the greatest “new thing” God has ever done:

Jesus Christ, crucified for our sins.

Buried in a borrowed tomb.

Raised to life on the third day—so we could walk in newness of life.

Romans 6:4 says:

Romans 6:4 ESV

4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

So today, the invitation is this:

Lay down your old life.

Step into what’s new.

And celebrate the Savior who makes all things new—starting with you.