Embracing the New Thing | Joel Rainey | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Embracing the New Thing

Covenant Church • Jun 7, 2026 • 43 min

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

Summary

In this final message of the Onward series, Pastor Joel Rainey explores Isaiah 43 to guide believers through seasons of organizational and personal change. Navigating change requires recognizing our need for God and trusting His powerful, sovereign plan rather than giving into the fear of the unknown. As God calls us forward, we can step boldly into the future knowing He specializes in doing new things for His glory.

Themes

Navigating ChangeTrusting God's PlanOvercoming FearGod's SovereigntySpiritual Renewal

Pastor's Points

1.

Rely on the power of God.

2.

Trust in the plan.

3.

Submit to the purpose.

4.

Anticipate the praise.

Key Points

1.
Rely on the power of God, recognizing that He specializes in making ways through impossible situations.
2.
Trust in the plan of God rather than clinging to past methods or old successes.
3.
Submit to the higher purpose of God, which is ultimate kingdom renewal rather than mere personal comfort.
4.
Anticipate the praise that belongs to God as He forms a people for Himself to declare His glory.
5.
Navigating change requires that the need must be recognized before the specific plan can be fully known.
6.
Beneath the fear of failure lies a deeper fear of the unknown and a fear of losing control.
7.
God often keeps us focused on Himself during transition gaps rather than revealing the entire roadmap at once.
8.
True personal fulfillment is never found in following your own heart, but in yielding to God's eternal covenant purpose.

Sermon Moments

“Change and navigating change means that the need has to be recognized before the plan can be known.”

“David Livingstone's disposition when facing the African unknown was: 'I will go anywhere provided it be forward.'”

“We fear the unknown because we fear a loss of control, which is silly given that the whole joint belongs to God anyway.”

“You and I embrace the future that God has written out for us when our view of God matches His, not our view of the future.”

“God specializes in the impossible; He puts a road in the sea to lead His people into freedom.”

“Following your heart is Satan's most effective PR weapon; true fulfillment comes only when we live for God's praise.”

This Week

Identify any areas of decision-making in your life where fear of the unknown is holding you back from moving forward.

Surrender control of your personal roadmap to God, acknowledging that your life and future belong to Him.

Stop trying to replicate past successes or methods, and ask God to show you the new thing He wants to do in your life.

Pray for wisdom to rely not only on God's power, but also on His sovereign timing and methods.

Shift your focus during times of transition from asking 'what is the plan?' to asking 'who is my God?'

Look for opportunities to serve your local community and be an instrument of kingdom renewal where God has placed you.

Evaluate whether your daily goals are driven by self-fulfillment or by declaring praise to God.

Remember This

We embrace God's future for our lives when our view of God matches His reality, stepping forward in faith even when the path ahead seems unknown.

A Challenge for You

Can God's clear presence today be enough for you, even when everything ahead looks opaque and difficult to see?

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