Part 2 | “Faith to Participate” — Sunday, October 2, 2022
Introduction
Isaiah 43:15-21 (ESV) “I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.” Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.”
Body
Isaiah 43:18-21 (ESV) “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.”
God is doing a “New Thing” — Luke 5:36-39 — New Wineskin for New Wine
Intimacy — Power — Identity — Maturity — Witness
Intimacy — “Perceive”[1] — Hebrews 11:1-3, 6
Hebrews 11:1, 6 (NKJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen… But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
You perceive and participate in what God is doing by diligently seeking Him in faith.
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV) “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Power — “make a way in the wilderness” — Mark 9:23[2]; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5[3]
Our faith engages the God who does the impossible.
Mark 9:20-25 (ESV) And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (ESV) And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Faith activates what Hope envisions.
Isaiah 43:19 (ESV) “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness…”
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
(God’s Word inspired) Hope (properly envisioned with joy) provides the necessary faith to endure through hardships (setbacks, delays, sufferings).
Conclusion
Isaiah 58:11-12 (ESV) And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.
For Integration:
Envision in prayer and meditation God’s promises activated in your life.
Share with someone what you are envisioning in hope.
Begin to activate that hope by faith.
[1] Genesis 28:16 Then Jacob…said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” (“Know” — perceive)
[2] See also: Mark 11:24
[3] See also: 1 Corinthians 1:18, 23-24; 4:19-20; and 2 Corinthians 12:9-10