Great New Beginnings
Introduction. Read:
Acts 3:19-21. This past week many of you began a new school year. It is
interesting how new experiences can bring to us a sense of renewal and change.
Whether it is a new year, a new job, or a new challenge every new thing
we face brings with it a new beginning. In this text Peter speaks of a new
spiritual beginning that comes when one turns to Christ. This morning let’s
consider some seven examples of spiritual beginnings others in Scripture faced
and allow them to lead us to consider what new spiritual beginnings might be
on the horizon in our lives?
I.
Abraham – Leaving a wicked and evil environment.
A.
Abraham was called to leave his homeland (Gen. 12:1-4).
B.
This was a place where his family (and perhaps even he) lived in idolatry
(Josh. 24:2-3).
C.
Yet, he left all this behind him in obedience to God (Acts 7:2-5).
D. He
did this in faith, looking for a better homeland in heaven (Heb. 11:8-10).
II.
Josiah – Leaving error and falsehood.
A.
Josiah was born into a time with Judah was very wicked. His family, and
his nation had turned to grave wickedness . Yet when he learned the truth he
courageously turned from error and led his people to do the same (2 Kings
22:8-20).
III. Esther – A new opportunity
out of hardship to influence others for good.
A.
Esther lived during the second phase of exile following the Babylonian
captivity. Persia now ruled, and had allowed many of the Jews to return to the land of
Israel.
B.
Nonetheless, Esther as an exile is given the opportunity to become queen
(Esther 2:1-4, 5-10, 15-17)
C.
Little could she have known that this opportunity would also be the means
by which she would be put in a position to save the lives of her countrymen
when wicked men concocted a scheme to annihilate them (Esther 4:13-14).
1.
Blessings often bring challenges with them.
2. Challenges
often bring great opportunities to influence others for good.
IV.
Prodigal Son – Leaving sin and starting over.
A.
Jesus tells this parable about a son you took his inheritance and wasted
it in wild or “prodigal” (which refers to wasteful, reckless, or lavish
behavior).
B.
This serves to illustrate the opportunity to start over spiritually that
is available in repentance toward God in Christ (Luke 15:17-24, 32)
V.
Peter & John – Leaving the familiar.
A.
Peter and John were fishermen. They knew this work well. What would
it mean to follow Jesus? What would it demand? There are some things
in life that present us with uncertain challenges, but they are important
enough that in spite of the anxiety brought on by the unfamiliar, we must pursue them (Matt. 4:18-22)
VI. Ethiopian Eunuch – Gaining a
new Master.
A.
This man knew what it meant to serve royalty. In obedience to the gospel
of Christ he would gain a new master and a new sense of allegiance (Acts
8:26-39)
VII. Saul of Tarsus – Leaving his own sense of
confidence.
A.
Saul was a man who actually persecuted Christians, but everything
changed when the Lord spoke to him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-18).
B.
He was baptized into Christ and his sins were washed away (Acts 22:16)
C.
Everything upon which his confidence was once built changed, and he
gained a new purpose in life (Phil. 3:7-11)