Skip to main content

A New Living Faith in an Old Rugged Cross




This past Sabbath I preached a message from Isaiah 43:14-21 entitled A New Living Faith in an Old Rugged Cross.  I explored the tension between welcoming the new and holding onto the old.  Through the prophet Isaiah God called His people to “Remember  not the former things, neither consider the things of old” (Isaiah 43:18). Three chapters latter the same God called the same people to “Remember the former things of old” (Isaiah 46:9). Which is it?  Are we to run to the new or cling to the old? Well, both.  We are to welcome the new things that God leads us into while holding onto the unchangeable truth of who God is.  At the same time we are to run from the new things that will lead us away from God and from the old things that have kept us from Him. The point is not that it is new or that it is old but that it is God. 



Here’s what I forgot to say….


God has promised to “make all things new”(Revelation 21:5). But He hasn’t promised to “make all new things”.  There is a difference.  To make all things new is to restore.  To make all new things is to start over. Too often, see seek novelty when God has promised renewal.  We want to move on from the old things when God wants to correct that old thing. Can you point to some examples in your own life?


When God does a "new" thing He is always leading us back to the “oldest” thing, Himself.


One day God will make a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1).  But this future home is a restoration an ancient original. Now, it truly is new. The old will have passed away (Revelation 21:1). But notice the echoes of Eden: God with His people (Gen 3:8/ Revelation 22:1), a river (Gen 2:10-14/ Revelation 21:3), the Tree of life (Genesis 2:9/ Revelation 22:2), curse pronounced (Genesis 3:14-19), curse removed (Revelation 2:3); reigning and dominion (Genesis 1:26/ Revelation 22:5). 


I am not arguing that God is not able to make new things but that God does not abandon His original purpose for creation to settle for something less. 


What’s new?  Not God, but my love God should be.  Not the gospel, but my experience with it should be. Not truth, but my commitment to it should be. When God does a “new thing”, He does not change but He is changing us.

The most important parts of new things are the things that aren’t new. 
The most important parts of change are the things that never change.


What God is calling you to is nothing “new” but it is something you have never experienced before!


God is calling you to a deeper experience of Himself. He is calling you to have a new living faith that is anchored in an old rugged cross.





Comments

  1. Doug PFebruary 9, 2020 at 3:35 PM

    I have studied the writings of the Church Fathers this past couple of years. This study reinforces the message of this sermon - God calls us always to the original Him, through all the covenants and through time, He is unchangeable. He has called His church to restoration, but He planted His church that would survive forever and would never need replacing.
    I've learned to view all things, such as recovery, as restoration projects. Sometimes, we look at change, especially character transformations, as putting on a new self. This is probably because the Bible says that when we put on Christ we are new creatures. But are we? We are loved by God in the womb....He leads us to Christ because of our need for renewal, not re-making. When we draw near to God we are restored and reconciled, not made new. Yes, He will make all things new, but He won't make all new things. This is not a trivial understanding, and once I grasp this I know that my soul is good material for restoration, like a beautiful old piece of furniture. Just a little clean up and a lot of grace, and the same ole' me can shine again, for all eternity. Thank you pastor for that message.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Deep Questions from Dark Places

This past Sabbath I preached a message from  Matthew 11:1-15  called  Deep Questions from Dark Places. When John the Baptist was in prison (a dark place) he sent disciples to ask if Jesus was the Messiah (a deep questions).   Our journey of faith passes through dark places and we need to be bold enough to take our deep questions to Jesus. I can relate to John’s experience, but I am amazed by Jesus’ response.   Jesus did not rebuke John for his questions but provided evidence that He, in fact, was doing the work of the Messiah. He reminded John of who He is. Jesus calls us to a trust that is based on knowing His Character and not all His reasons.   Then He affirmed who John was.   Even calling him the greatest ever born of women! Jesus shows how He   feels about doubters who seek Him for answers, He loves them.   Going through a dark time? Have deep questions? Take them to Jesus. He can handle your struggle. Here’s what I forgot to say…. In the sermon I explored the idea th
Post a Comment
Read more

Shadow of a Doubt

Last Sabbath I preached a message from Matthew 16:13-23 entitled Shadow of a Doubt. I challenged the idea that believers are called to live beyond the shadow of a doubt. Instead, we are called to have faith within the shadow.  In the text there are two stories, both about Peter and Jesus.  When we put these stories side by side there is an interesting contrast. Faith Within the Shadow (vv. 13-20) Certainty Beyond the Shadow (vv. 21-23) Confusion about Christ (vv.13-14) Clarity about Christ (v.21) Faith in Christ (vv.15-16) Certainty about Christ (v.22) Affirmation from Christ (v.17) Rebuke from Christ (v.23) “Blessed are you, Simon” (v.17) “Get behind me, Satan” (v.23) Truth Revealed to the Mind by God (v.17) Not Mindful of the Things of God (v.23) Where the Church is Built (v.18) Where the Church is Threatened  (v.23) When Peter had faith i
Post a Comment
Read more