Title: “Stepping into the New Year with Faith and Purpose”
Introduction: As we stand on the threshold of a new year, it’s a time of reflection, gratitude, and anticipation. Crossing over into a new season presents us with an opportunity to embrace fresh beginnings, renew our faith, and commit ourselves to God’s purpose.
Scripture Reading: Psalm 121:7-8 (NIV) “The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV) – “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:19 (NIV) – “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland
Sermon Points:
- Reflecting on God’s Faithfulness: Begin by reflecting on God’s faithfulness throughout the passing year. Despite challenges, His grace sustained us. Let’s acknowledge His providence and protection.
- Embracing Transition with Faith: Just as the Israelites crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land, we’re crossing over into a new season. Trust God’s guidance as we transition. Joshua 1:9 reassures us: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
- Committing to God’s Purpose: As we step into the new year, let’s renew our commitment to God’s purpose. Seek His guidance and direction for the coming year. Proverbs 16:3 (NIV) reminds us: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
- Prayer and Dedication: Dedicate the upcoming year to God through prayer. Encourage the congregation to pray fervently, seeking God’s guidance, protection, and blessings for the new season.
Prayer Points:
- Gratitude for God’s faithfulness in the passing year.
- Seeking God’s wisdom and guidance for the coming year.
- Committing plans and aspirations to God’s purpose.
- Praying for protection, provision, and favor in the new season.
- Seeking God’s grace to live a life aligned with His will.
Order of Church Service:
- Praise and Worship: Begin with songs of thanksgiving and praise.
- Sermon: Deliver the sermon on embracing new beginnings.
- Bible Reading: Psalm 121:7-8 or selected passages on new beginnings BELOW
- Prayer Session: Lead the congregation in prayers focusing on transition, commitment, and dedication for the new year.
- Declaration and Proclamation: Declare blessings and God’s favor for the coming year.
- Closing Remarks and Benediction: Conclude the service with encouraging remarks and a prayer of blessing for the congregation.
Conclusion: As we cross over into a new year, let’s step forward with faith, trust, and a renewed commitment to God’s purpose. May His guidance, protection, and blessings accompany us throughout this new season.
50 Bible verses that relate to the themes of crossing over, new beginnings, a new year
Here are 50 Bible verses that relate to the themes of crossing over, new beginnings, a new year, and entering a new season:
- Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV) – “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
- Joshua 1:9 (NIV) – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
- Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV) – “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
- Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV) – “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
- Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) – “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
- Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV) – “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
- Proverbs 16:3 (NIV) – “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
- Psalm 37:23 (NIV) – “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him.”
- Romans 12:2 (NIV) – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
- Isaiah 42:9 (NIV) – “See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.”
- Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) – “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”
- Psalm 32:8 (NIV) – “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
- Isaiah 48:6b (NIV) – “From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you.”
- Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) – “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
- Psalm 51:10 (NIV) – “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
- Isaiah 65:17 (NIV) – “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.”
- Revelation 21:5 (NIV) – “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'”
- Romans 8:18 (NIV) – “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
- Psalm 121:7-8 (NIV) – “The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
- Ecclesiastes 7:8 (NIV) – “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.”
- Romans 13:11 (NIV) – “And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”
- Isaiah 43:19 (NIV) – “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
- Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV) – “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
- Colossians 3:17 (NIV) – “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
- Psalm 143:8 (NIV) – “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.”
- Ecclesiastes 7:10 (NIV) – “Do not say, ‘Why were the old days better than these?’ For it is not wise to ask such questions.”
- Psalm 40:3 (NIV) – “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.”
- Romans 15:13 (NIV) – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
- Psalm 98:1 (NIV) – “Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.”
- Ecclesiastes 9:11 (NIV) – “I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.”
- Psalm 37:4 (NIV) – “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
- Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV) – “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”
- Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV) – “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
- Revelation 21:4 (NIV) – “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
- Isaiah 66:9 (NIV) – “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.”
- Matthew 6:33 (NIV) – “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
- Isaiah 54:17 (NIV) – “No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.”
- Romans 8:28 (NIV) – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
- Psalm 20:4 (NIV) – “May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”
- Isaiah 30:21 (NIV) – “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'”
- Romans 15:4 (NIV) – “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”
- Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV) – “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
- Psalm 118:24 (NIV) – “The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.”
- Philippians 1:6 (NIV) – “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
- Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NIV) – “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
- Psalm 27:14 (NIV) – “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
- James 1:17 (NIV) – “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
- Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV) – “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'”
- Romans 12:2 (NIV) – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
These verses can be a source of inspiration, encouragement, and guidance as you enter into a new season or year, helping you to align your thoughts and actions with God’s will and purpose for your life.
