Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
Explore the joy, transformation, and power of God's presence in our lives, particularly in the context of new beginnings and seasons, as illustrated in Isaiah 66:7-9.
Good morning, family. Today, we're going to dive into a passage from the book of Isaiah. It's a passage that speaks of joy, of new beginnings, and of the transformative power of God's presence in our lives.
In the words of author C.S. Lewis, "God became man to turn creatures into sons: not simply to produce better men of the old kind but to produce a new kind of man."
Let's take a moment to read our focus scripture, Isaiah 66:7-9.
"Before she goes into labor,
she gives birth;
before the pains come upon her,
she delivers a son.
Who has ever heard of such things?
Who has ever seen things like this?
Can a country be born in a day
or a nation be brought forth in a moment?
Yet no sooner is Zion in labor
than she gives birth to her children.
Do I bring to the moment of birth
and not give delivery?” says the Lord.
“Do I close up the womb
when I bring to delivery?” says your God."
The idea of new life is not just about physical birth, but it also encompasses spiritual birth and renewal. It's about the transformation that occurs when we accept Christ into our lives and allow Him to work in us and through us.
In the scripture, we see an unusual birth happening: A woman gives birth before she goes into labor. This is a miraculous event that defies the natural order of things. This is a demonstration of God's power to bring about new life in unexpected and extraordinary ways. This is a joyous invitation from God to all of us. He is inviting us to experience the miracle of new life, to be born again in a spiritual sense.
A recurring theme in the Bible: Jesus Himself spoke about it in John 3:3 when He said, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." This new birth is not a physical one, but a spiritual one. It's about being born of the Spirit, having our hearts and minds transformed by the power of God. This is the new life that God is inviting us to. It's a life of joy, peace, and fulfillment in Him.
An invitation to participate in His divine work: When we accept Christ into our lives, we become co-workers with God. We participate in His mission to spread the Gospel and bring others into His kingdom. This is a great privilege and responsibility. It's a joyous task that brings purpose and meaning to our lives.
Not without challenges: Just like physical birth, spiritual birth involves pain and struggle. But the scripture assures us that God is with us in the process. He is the one who brings us to the moment of birth and ensures our delivery. He does not abandon us in our time of need but provides us with the strength and grace to endure.
An invitation to experience His love and grace in a profound way: It's about experiencing the transformative power of His presence in our lives. It's about becoming a new creation in Christ, leaving behind our old ways and embracing a new way of living that is centered on God.
Open to everyone, regardless of our past mistakes and failures: God's grace is sufficient for all. He is ready to forgive us and give us a fresh start. He is ready to birth new life in us, a life that is marked by His love, grace, and power.
The blessing of a new season of life is the idea that God, in His infinite wisdom and love, brings us into new phases of our lives to grow, learn, and draw closer to Him ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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