Renew

RENEW “Stepping Forward Without Carrying Yesterday”

Primary Text: Isaiah 43:18–19 (KJV)

Extended Texts: Romans 12:1–2; Lamentations 3:22–23; 2 Corinthians 5:17

INTRODUCTION — YOU CAN’T WALK FORWARD LOOKING BACK

My beloved Saint Thomas Baptist Church family, grace and peace be multiplied unto you through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We have walked together through this New Year journey with intentionality and prayer.

We declared that God would restore what life took away.

We surrendered ourselves to be reshaped by the Potter’s hand.

We cried out for God to revive what went silent on the inside.

And now—by divine appointment—we arrive at the final word for this season: RENEW.

Because restoration gives it back. Reshaping changes the form. Revival gives it breath.

But renewal gives it sustainability. Renewal is not just about starting again—it’s about staying strong.

Renewal is what keeps you from returning to cycles God already delivered you from.

And here’s the truth we must face this morning: You cannot walk boldly into a new season while dragging the weight of old thinking.

Some people leave years behind—But carry mindsets forward. Carry habits forward. Carry guilt forward. Carry fear forward. They change calendars but never change perspectives.

But Isaiah records God saying something radical and disruptive: “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.”

That’s not denial—that’s direction.

God is not erasing your memory—He’s redeeming your movement.

He’s saying: “If you’re going to walk into what’s new—You can’t live out of what’s old.”

My Saint Thomas Baptist family and friends, God is not just adjusting our circumstances in 2026.

He is renewing our minds, our identities, and our forward walk. So, with the help of the Holy Spirit and the real preacher—Jesus Christ—I want to submit to us this afternoon a few things to help us understand this season of RENEWAL and the first is this.

RENEWAL RELEASES YOU FROM THE WEIGHT OF THE PAST (Isaiah 43:18) “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.”

God is speaking to Israel—a people marked by failure, exile, regret, and loss. But God is not telling them to forget what happened.

He is telling them not to live there. Some of us are still carrying: Memories that wound.

Failures that haunt. Relationships that broke us. Seasons that drained us. And while God keeps saying “Move forward,”

We keep glancing backward. We keep rehearsing: What we did wrong. What they did to us. What didn’t work. Who walked away.

And let me tell you something that will set somebody free:

You can learn from the past without living in it. The past is a teacher, not a landlord.

It should instruct you—not imprison you.

Paul says it clearly: “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead…” (Philippians 3:13)

The writer of Hebrews adds: “Let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us…” (Hebrews 12:1)

Notice—every weight. Some weights are not sinful—they’re sentimental. They’re familiar. They’re comfortable. But they’re heavy.

And hear this clearly, my brothers and sisters: You cannot receive new mercy while clinging to old mistakes.

God says in (Isaiah 65:17) “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth. And the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.”

Why? Because God is trying to build something new—And old frameworks can’t sustain new glory.

Preaching Truth: What God is calling you into requires space. And sometimes the only way God can make space. Is for you to let go of what’s behind you.

TRANSITION: And once you release the weight of yesterday— God starts renewing the place that controls tomorrow…

RENEWAL TRANSFORMS THE MIND AND AFFIRMS A NEW IDENTITY (Romans 12:2)

“Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

Renewal is not a calendar change—it’s a mind change. You can shout yourself hoarse all year long—But if your thinking doesn’t change, your living won’t either.

Some of us keep asking God to change situations—When God is trying to change how we see them.

The battleground of renewal is the mind. Because as (Proverbs 23:7) says: “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he [in behavior—one who manipulates].”

That’s why Paul tells us in (2 Corinthians 10:4–5) “The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ.” To pull down strongholds where? In the mind.

Preaching Moment: God doesn’t always remove the problem immediately. Sometimes He renews your mind so the problem can’t move you anymore.

When your mind is renewed: Fear loses authority. Shame loses its voice. Doubt loses its grip. And when your thinking shifts—Your identity must follow.

Paul declares it plainly (2 Corinthians 5:17): “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature…”

Not improved. Not polished. Not refurbished. New. Some of us are still living like: Grace hasn’t covered us. Forgiveness hasn’t erased us. Mercy hasn’t reset us.

But hear the gospel clearly today: What God forgave, He will not resurrect. What God washed, He will not recount.

(Psalm 103:12) says: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

(Micah 7:19) says: “He shall again have compassion on us; He will subdue and tread underfoot our wickedness [destroying sin’s power]. Yes, You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea.”

So, stop identifying yourself by what you survived—And start identifying yourself by what God redeemed.

Preaching Declaration: “I am not who I was—Because God has renewed me.”

TRANSITION: And once God renews your mind and identity—He gives you something to sustain your walk…

RENEWAL IS SUSTAINED DAILY AND EMPOWERS FORWARD MOVEMENT (Lamentations 2:22) “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed… they are new every morning.”

Renewal is not a one-time altar shout. It’s a daily supply. Some mornings you’ll wake up strong. Some mornings you’ll wake up weary. But God doesn’t give mercy in bulk—He gives it fresh.

New mercy. New grace. New strength. New help. Every. Single. Morning.

Hear this: You don’t have to live today off yesterday’s strength. God never asked you to recycle yesterday’s grace. What He provides—He replenishes.

And here’s why that matters: Because renewal is not just for survival—It’s for forward movement.

(Isaiah 43:19) says: “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth…”

God did not renew you so you could stay stuck. He renewed you because now you’re ready.

Ready to serve. Ready to love again. Ready to trust again. Ready to forgive again. Ready to lead again.

Saint Thomas, 2026 is not a year of repetition—It’s a year of progression. This is not about returning to old cycles—This is about stepping into new callings.

CELEBRATORY CLOSE

New mercies!

New strength!

New joy!

I’m leaving guilt behind!

I’m leaving fear behind!

I’m leaving shame behind!

What He forgave-He forgot!

What He healed-He released!

What He changed-He renewed!

Shout New! New Mind! New Walk! New Talk! New Praise!

God restored me!

God reshaped me!

God revived me!

And now—God renewed me!

Clap your hands and declare it like you mean it: “I’m FIXED for 2026—And I’m walking in the NEW THING. God has prepared for me!”

FINAL SERIES DECLARATION — FIXED IN 2026

What was lost has been RESTORED

What was misaligned has been RESHAPED

What was weary has been REVIVED

What was outdated has been RENEWED

ALTAR CALL — “LORD, RENEW ME”

This altar is for anyone saying:

“Renew my mind”

“Renew my commitment”

“Renew my faith”

“Renew my walk with You”

If you’re ready to step forward

Without carrying yesterday,

This is your moment.