All Things New: A New Thing

Key Bible Verses

• Isaiah 43:16-21

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Sermon Quotes

From Pastor Josh Laxton

“What I think has happened, particularly in our culture, is that we have turned our wants into needs because we have everything we need.”

“We cannot cure what we have caused.” 

“God is the only one who can meet the need for a new you!”

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DIGGING DEEPER

Isaiah 43 was written at a time in Israel's history that was extremely difficult. The nation of Israel was taken captive and exiled in Babylon. They had little hope for their future. However, God himself speaks to His people to encourage them. God reminds them that He is their Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, the Lord, Israel’s Creator and Israel's King. (Isaiah 43:14-15) God reminds Israel of its history and that the Israelites had been brought, via a miracle, through the Red Sea. Their enemies, the Egyptians, were killed and snuffed out like a wick through God’s power.  

Even while reminding the Israelites of their rich history, their past, God tells them to forget it.  He has greater things in store for them! God gives them hope and the promise that He is doing a new thing. Amazingly, the Israelites are being given this hope and a promise not because they are good people who deserved it. They had sinned and disobeyed God often, and in many ways. Their sacrifices were half-hearted at best. God assures them that He will deliver them because their deliverance will glorify Him, and the people of all nations will see what God has done and proclaim His praise. 

Isaiah 43 is an encouragement to us as we see God, who did mighty things in the past, raise Jesus Christ from the dead three days after He was crucified so that we could be saved from our sin. God is still doing mighty things in our midst — and it is not because we are worthy. God sends streams of mercy and rivers of grace to sustain us in our lives. He loves us and is faithful to do what He has promised. We can look forward to the new things and the future God has planned for us as we believe in Jesus Christ, remain faithful and serve Him.  

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WHAT NOT TO MISS

Main Point: You need a new you!

Why do you NEED a NEW YOU?  “I am doing a new thing.” (Isaiah 43:19)

• Isaiah is describing a season, environment and situation in the future where Israel will need a new thing. 
• What Israel had done did not work, and they were being punished for their sins by being exiled as captives to Babylon. 
• Something was wrong with Israel, just as it is wrong with the whole human race.

• These problems started when God’s good, created order was unraveled by the sin against God committed by Adam and Eve.  
• A new you is required because the old you is functionally dead.  
• Our deadness prevents and prohibits us from experiencing a flourishing life — the kind of life that God made us for and desires for us to have.

• Israel needed a new thing, a new heart.

The reason you need a new you is because the old you is damaged and flawed. 

Who is going to meet this need for a new you?  “...I am doing a new thing!”  (Isaiah 43:19)

• Humans have attempted to solve problems that plague our lives, our relationships, our careers, our cultures and our world, but it has not worked.
• We cannot cure what we have caused.  
• Only God can create a new thing as he said in this passage, “I am doing.”

• He is sure about this new thing.
• He is determined to see this new thing through. 
• He acts alone to bring about this new thing.

• We are dealing with a God who is omniscient (all-knowing) and omnipotent (all-powerful). 
• When it comes to the new you that you need, you can’t do it — but God can!

What is so great about this new you that you need?  (Isaiah 43:16-21)

• Not only will you experience a new you, but there are major implications to God's doing a new thing that a new you can be a part of.  

• A greater exodus. (Isaiah 43:16-18)
• A greater creation.  (Isaiah 43:19-20)
• A greater people. (Isaiah 43:21)

How do you experience this new you that you need? “See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:18)

• This verse points to the New Covenant God would initiate with His people.  
• The Old Covenant showed the people that they had a major problem they couldn’t overcome, which was a sinful heart.
• God initiated and made the New Covenant through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.  
• How do you know that you have experienced the new you, which God made possible through the new thing He did through Jesus’ death and resurrection?  Look at the seven “I am” statements:

1) I am the bread of life. (John 6:35)

2) I am the light of the world. (John 8:12)

3) I am the door for the sheep. (John 10:7)

4) I am the good shepherd. (John 10:11)

5) I am the resurrection and the life. (John 11:25)

6) I am the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6)

7) I am the true vine. (John 15:5)

Have you trusted in Jesus’ death and resurrection?

Have you trusted in Jesus as Savior and King?

• If so, Jesus has met your need for a new you. You are a new creation. You have a new life.   
• If not, Jesus will meet your need for a new you. He wants to make you new. He wants you to have a relationship with Him.
• Trusting Jesus as your Savior and King, and His death and resurrection, is the only way to survive the wrath and judgment that is coming. 

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Life Application

Think about how God might be jarring you to get out of your comfort zone and urging you to try something new spiritually. Think of some spiritual ideas or practices that might be new for you. Could you read the Bible out loud, pray in a different posture than you are used to, sing to the Lord your favorite worship song, find something good to do for someone you don’t know — or might there be something else God puts on your mind to try this week?

Determine how this “newness” makes you feel as you try something spiritually different for you. Are you comfortable or uncomfortable with what you did that was new?  Do you want to repeat the new thing you tried?  Might your something new become something that you look forward to repeating and continue doing in the future?

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Small Group Discussion Questions

• When you go on a trip, what is your favorite part? Looking forward to going? Enjoying the actual experience? Looking back on it after it is over?
• What are some ways that you have seen God doing a new thing in your life?
• Why is having belief and faith in Jesus important as we look forward to all the new things God has planned for us?
• Why do we need to be perceptive and alert to what God is doing around us? 
• What new things do you envision that God has on the horizon for you?

Daily Devotional Bible Passages

• Monday- God's Love and Generosity- John 3:16; Samuel 22:3-4; Romans 8:37
• Tuesday - Honoring the Past- Isaiah 46:9; Phillipians 3:13-14; Deuteronomy 4:9
• Wednesday-Enjoying the Present-Ecclesiastes 5:19; Matthew 6:31-34; Phillipians 4:8-9
• Thursday -Looking Forward to the Future-Jeremiah 29:11; 1 Peter 1:3-4; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
• Friday - Glorifying God- Matthew 5:14-16; 1 Corinthians 10:31; John 15:8; Psalm 115:1

Prayer

Lord, we are grateful that you are making all things new. Help us to step out in faith believing that you are God and that you desire the very best for us. Help us to grow through difficult circumstances, resting in the assurance that you love us and care for us no matter what we are going through. Let us enjoy the good things you have provided and not take for granted your provision for us every day.  May we be open and on the lookout for the new things you have in store for us as we glorify you, serve others and share our faith in King Jesus in the days ahead.  

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Additional Resources

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