A new thing

Introduction

Good-Evening Students, My name is Freddy Lopez and I am the family ministries pastor here at NEC. If your’e here for the first time know that this is a place where you can belong way before you believe. And what that means, is you dont have to feel pressured about having faith in God for us to be your friend. Every week here at NEC, we give out a bottom line and a bottom line is the main point of the message today. so todays bottom line is : God is doing something NEW

Hook

There was once a master violinist named Elena who performed in symphonies all over the world. Her prized possession was a beautiful, century-old violin that had been passed down to her by her grandfather—a musician himself. That violin carried history. Emotion. Memories. Every note that echoed from it felt like it was dipped in legacy.

One day, while traveling to a major performance, her luggage was lost in transit—including the violin. Days turned into weeks, and the airline had no answers. Elena was devastated. How could she ever perform without her violin—the one that made her who she was?

A friend offered her a brand-new, handcrafted violin to use temporarily. Reluctantly, she agreed. When she took the stage, she expected mediocrity. But something unexpected happened. As the bow met the strings, a richer, deeper sound poured out. It was as if the new violin unlocked a side of her playing she never knew existed.

And that night, the crowd gave her the longest standing ovation of her life.

Later, the airline called—they had found the old violin. she goes and picks up her violin, but she never played her old violin ever again. She had already stepped into something new.

Connection to the Message:

Some of us are holding onto old violins—past seasons, past ways God worked, past versions of ourselves. But God says in Isaiah 43: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing.” What God wants to bring out of you doesn’t live in what you lost. It lives in what He’s building next. And just like Elena, your best sound might not come from your past… but from the new thing God is preparing you to play.

Background

If you have your bible today or use the bible app, open it up to Isaiah chapter 43: 14 - 19 and it says:

English Standard Version Chapter 43

14  Thus says the LORD,

your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:

“For your sake I send to Babylon

and bring them all down as fugitives,

even the Chaldeans, in the ships in which they rejoice.

15  I am the LORD, your Holy One,

the Creator of Israel, your King.”

16  Thus says the LORD,

who makes a way in the sea,

a path in the mighty waters,

17  who brings forth chariot and horse,

army and warrior;

they lie down, they cannot rise,

they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:

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?

English Standard Version Chapter 43

I will make a way in the wilderness

and rivers in the desert

brief history

enslaved by egypt

the great exodus

wandering around the wildernerness for 40 years, God provides food and leads them during the day and night. they worship other false gods and idols

the whole enslaved generation dies.

the Israelites finally reach the promise land!

the time of the judges

isreal desires a king. God tells samuel the prophet: the dont reject you, they reject me as their king.

God give israel a king: Saul

Then God appointed a young shepherd boy named david to rule after saul. This was israels golden years during the time of david and his son solomon who will rule after him. during their reigns, God was loved and the entire nation knew that they were a country that will worship God.

After solomon, his sons were the ones to butcher everything. they didn't care about God, the nation became so divided that the country actually split into 2 different nations, the nation of israel and the nation of Judah.

these 2 nations (seperately) did really bad in Gods eyes. most of the kings didnt want anything to do with God. they worshipped other idols and even persecuted God’s prophets. eventually these 2 nations to be conquer by these huge ancient empire: the babylonians and the Assyrians.

and we finally land here : the era of their exile out of their country and into these ancient empires turf. And God speaks to his people through the prophet Isaiah.

and he starts by reminding them here in verse 14: i am the creator of israel, your king.” Yes these 2 nations conquered you, but i will allow an even greater nation conquer them. i made a way for you when i parted the red sea and i destroyed Egypts army.

Hes reminding them who He is. And thats how God sets the stage for the new thinghes doing in our lives: He remind us of who He is.

Have you ever tried so hard to go back to who you used to be? Back when life felt easier? Back before the mistake, before the heartbreak, before everything changed? What if I told you that the reason you’re frustrated is because you’re clinging to something God is trying to replace? Isaiah 43 says, ‘Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!’

God doesn’t want to upgrade the old you—He wants to raise up a brand new you.”

Point #1

Point 1: Don’t Let Yesterday Define You

Scripture:

English Standard Version Chapter 43

18  “Remember not the former things,

nor consider the things of old

Expanded Thought: We all have a past. Some of us try to hide it. Some of us live in it. And some of us pretend we’ve moved on when we really haven’t. But here’s what’s powerful—God doesn’t ignore your past. He just refuses to let it control your future.

He says, “Forget it.” Not because it didn’t matter. But because it can’t master you anymore.

Maybe your yesterday was full of shame. Maybe you lost friends. Maybe you let your family down. Maybe you even let yourself down. But God doesn’t look at you and see failure—He sees future. You’re not stuck in who you used to be—you’re standing at the edge of who God’s calling you to become.

You can't step into what's next if you're still rehearsing what was.

🏀 Real-Life Story – Michael Jordan Getting Cut From the Team:

Michael Jordan—the GOAT, the legend, the six-time NBA champ—got cut from his high school varsity basketball team. He didn’t make the cut. He went home, closed his door, and cried.

But he didn’t let that moment become his identity. Instead of quitting, he committed to the work. Day after day, night after night, he trained. He didn’t let rejection define him—he let it refine him.

Now imagine this: what if MJ gave up after getting cut? What if he believed that one setback meant he wasn’t meant to be great?

Some of you are sitting in a season that hurt—and you’re letting it name you. But God’s saying, “That’s not your ending. That’s your beginning.”

🌱 Point 2: God’s New Thing Often Looks Nothing Like the Last

Verse: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” – Isaiah 43:19

🔍 Expanded Thought:

When God says “See,” He’s not just talking about eyesight—He’s talking about insight. It’s possible for God to be moving and for you to miss it simply because it didn’t look like you expected. You might think, “Well, it doesn’t feel like it did last year… or last summer at camp… or during worship when everything used to feel easy.”

But God is not in the business of copying and pasting. He’s not doing another remix of last season—He’s writing a brand new song.

The Israelites were used to the Red Sea miracle. But in this passage, God doesn’t part the sea again—He brings water through the desert. Why? Because the method may change, but the miracle never stops.

Don't look for a past pattern—listen for God's present purpose.

🎬 Real-Life Story – Netflix vs. Blockbuster:

In the early 2000s, Blockbuster was untouchable. They had thousands of stores, millions of customers. But when a small startup named Netflix offered to sell their DVD-by-mail service to Blockbuster for $50 million… Blockbuster laughed them out of the room.

They couldn’t see the new thing.

Now? Blockbuster is gone. Netflix changed the world. Why? Because they embraced a new model, a new way, a new thing.

Some of you are stuck, not because God stopped moving—but because He’s moving in a way you didn’t recognize. You’re looking for Him in the noise, but He might be speaking in the silence. You're expecting another Red Sea, but He's working through a desert river.

Don’t miss what God is doing because you’re obsessed with how He used to do it.

💧 Point 3: There Is Water in Your Wilderness

Verse: “I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:19

🔍 Expanded Thought:

When you’re in a wilderness season—emotionally, mentally, spiritually—it feels like God has gone quiet. You look around and everything feels dry. No direction. No passion. No breakthrough. But here’s what God wants you to know: your wilderness is not a waste. He’s making a way in it.

God doesn’t remove the wilderness to bless you—He brings streams into it.

Sometimes the most beautiful things grow in the most broken places. Sometimes the greatest testimonies come from the toughest trials. If you’re in a dry season, don't assume you're alone. You might be walking right toward a miracle.

God doesn’t wait for the conditions to be perfect—He creates purpose in the middle of the drought.

🏄‍♀️ Real-Life Story – Bethany Hamilton, the Soul Surfer:

Bethany Hamilton was 13 when a shark attacked her and bit off her entire left arm. She almost died. Surfing was her life—it was who she was. Most people thought her career was over.

But Bethany didn’t give up. Just one month later, she was back in the water. Over time, she learned to surf again with one arm—eventually going pro and inspiring millions around the world.

Bethany once said, “I may have lost my arm, but I didn’t lose my purpose.”

Her wilderness—the pain, the trauma, the fear—became her testimony. She found water where everyone else saw wasteland.

Maybe your season feels like something’s been taken from you. But God’s not done. There is still water in this place. And your story isn’t over. In fact, it's just beginning.

🕊️ Closing Call to Action:

Tonight, God is not just speaking to your situation—He’s speaking to your identity.

If you’re tired of letting your past define you…

If you’re open to seeing God in a new way…

If you're in a dry place and you're desperate for water…

Then this is your moment.

You’re not too far gone. You’re not too broken. You’re not too late.

God is doing a new thing. Right now. Even if you don’t feel it yet, even if you can’t fully see it—it’s already starting.

Come forward. Raise your hand. Whisper it in your heart. “God, I’m ready. Do a new thing in me.”

as we wrap

this is something

if your new today and you have yet to experience this freedom we hope that becomes your priority today.

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