Change Is Uncomfy... But So Is Being Stuck Forever | Vivi Diaz | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Change Is Uncomfy... But So Is Being Stuck Forever

Sandals Church • Jul 20, 2025 • 37 min

Start a Devotional

Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

When God calls believers into new seasons, refusing to change can derail His purposes and cause far greater pain than stepping into the unknown. Drawing from Jesus' teaching on new wine and wineskins in Matthew 9, Pastor Vivi Diaz encourages us to recognize that God is always working to bring fresh life, hope, and purpose. By surrendering old mindsets, past hurts, and rigid comfort zones, we make room for God to bring revival in our lives and community.

Themes

Spiritual RenewalEmbracing ChangeFaithfulness in MissionSurrender and Letting GoCommunity and Discipleship

Pastor's Points

1.

I must get real about where I'm resisting change.

2.

I must let go of the old.

3.

I must embrace what is new.

Key Points

1.
God often positions believers in uncomfortable situations and unexpected changes so they can reach others and discover fresh purpose.
2.
God is continually initiating new work and making pathways through difficult wild places (Isaiah 43:19).
3.
Religious routines and comfort zones can cause us to resist Jesus' fresh work and His unfolding process.
4.
While change can be painful, remaining unchanged leads to long-term spiritual disruption and damage.
5.
Trying to force God's new work into old systems or hardened hearts will result in destruction, just as new wine bursts old wineskins (Matthew 9:16-17).
6.
Spiritual growth requires getting real about where we are resisting God and refusing to step out of our comfort zone.
7.
We must actively let go of past hurts, empty schedules, preferences, and fears that keep us from making disciples.
8.

Sermon Moments

“The coffee meeting where a parent thought their son needed a new group, but really needed a new purpose within his group.”

“The contrast between the short-term pain of change and the far greater, long-term pain of remaining stuck.”

“The illustration of new wine and old wineskins showing how a rigid heart cannot contain the fresh joy and purpose God wants to give.”

“The New Zealand travel story where missing the Hobbiton tour caused the group to settle for a dirt road, illustrating how refusing to change derails purpose.”

“"When I don't change, I disrupt what God wants to do in me, through me, and around me."”

“"Lost people aren't the ones resisting change—church people are."”

“The story of breaking worn-down shoes at a baptism, illustrating how clinging to old comfort causes injury.”

“The account of young adults staying late in worship, illustrating what happens when believers are willing to open their hearts to revival and be beginners again.”

This Week

Identify one area of uncomfortable change in your life and ask God how He wants to use you within it.

Examine your weekly calendar and make intentional room for discipling and serving others.

Pray for courage to let go of a past hurt, offense, or preference that is keeping your heart rigid.

Be willing to step out of your comfort zone at church by welcoming newcomers or serving in a new ministry.

Ask God to show you where spiritual complacency or excuses have replaced active, step-out faith.

Practice humility by approaching God's presence with open hands, willing to be a beginner again.

Reach out to someone outside your normal social circle to share encouragement or invite them into biblical community.

Remember This

God has fresh hope and purpose for your life, but receiving His new wine requires letting go of old mindsets and opening your heart to His movement.

A Challenge for You

Close your hands into fists as a symbol of the old wineskins you may be clinging to, then open your palms in surrender. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what old mindsets, fears, or routines you need to let go of so you can step into the new way God has prepared for you.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.