Isaiah 43:18-19

Get Rid of the Old Stuff

Embracing the New: Letting Go of the Past

Bible Passage: Isaiah 43:18–19

Do you ever feel like a portion of you is trapped inside?

Welcome to the Garden where we discuss life’s lessons for growth.

Death isn’t always the end, its the beginning of what God is doing.

Theme: Before something new can grow, the soil of your heart must be cleared.

In Isaiah 43:18-19, God commands His people to forget the former things and not dwell on the past, as He is about to do a new thing that will bring forth life and transformation.

Application: This passage challenges Christians to release their past burdens and failures in order to fully embrace the new life and opportunities God is offering. It speaks to those struggling with guilt, regret, and a sense of stagnation in their spiritual journey.

Teaching: God invites us to let go of our past so we can see and participate in His new work in our lives. This requires faith, as we must trust that what God has planned for us is better than anything we have previously experienced.

How this passage could point to Christ: This theme reflects the redemptive work of Christ, who makes all things new. Through His sacrifice, we are released from the bondage of our past sins and empowered to live transformed lives in Him.

Big Idea: We must let go of our past to embrace the new life God offers, trusting in His transformative power.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider exploring the historical context of Isaiah's message to Israel and how God's promises of renewal apply both personally and corporately. Using Logos, investigate commentaries that address the interplay of judgment and hope in Isaiah, as well as the implications of new creation in the New Testament, particularly in 2 Corinthians 5:17.

1. Release the Past

Isaiah 43:18

Perhaps it's time to acknowledge that clinging to past failures or achievements can hinder God's new work in your life. In verse 18, God explicitly tells His people not to dwell on the past. You could suggest that forgetting the past involves choosing not to define ourselves by previous mistakes or successes but by what God is doing now. This requires a conscious, spiritual decision to open ourselves to the new and transformative things God wants to introduce into our lives.

Old habits

Old approaches

Old people

2. Recognize the New

Isaiah 43:19a

Consider that God's invitation to "See, I am doing a new thing!" calls us to an active participation in His plans and to anticipate His redemptive work. In this part of the verse, God declares the emergence of something entirely new. You might emphasize that we must trust God's vision, even when the new thing is not yet visible. Encourage your audience to look forward with faith, confident that God is both capable and eager to bring about change for His glory and their good.

3. Rejoice in God's Way

Isaiah 43:19b

It may be that God's promise of "making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland" assures us of His power to bring life out of lifeless situations. Perhaps you can relate the imagery used here to real-life examples where God has made a way when there seemed to be no way. You could explore how Christ, as the living water, quenches our deepest spiritual thirst, transforming our deserts into streams of life. This should inspire confidence in God's ability to create and restore.