The Miracles of Embracing the Old and the New | Vision 2024 | Jentezen Franklin
Sunday, December 1
Scriptures
Matthew 13:51-52, Isaiah 42:9, Jeremiah 6:16, 1 Kings 3:14, Exodus 20:12, Revelation 15:3, Hosea 6:3
About
Traditions are wonderful tools to take old treasures and share them with new generations in order to pass on our values, priorities, and precious memories. They pave the way for new things to spring forth from the treasured things we hold.
Icebreaker
What is your favorite tradition? Why?
Introduction
Welcome to our group study guide for “New Things Spring Out of Old Treasures”, a recent sermon by Pastor Franklin that explores the importance of valuing ‘old things’ and how ‘new things’ develop out of what we hold dear or esteem.
Matthew 13:51-52 (NIV) “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied. He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
Pastor Franklin spoke on the fact that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings out treasures both old and new. Both old and new are important components, not forsaking either. It is a Biblical principle that if you honor the old then it will bring phenomenal new blessings in your life.
There are dangers of holding on to the past….becoming stale, or stuck, dried up, and not moving on to fresh insights and not cultivating new ideas but there are also dangers of throwing away indispensable and firm foundations from our past – our heritage.
If truth is true, then it does not change. God’s truth is a foundation to all that we believe and needs to be cherished and never changed. How we apply these ‘truths’ is ‘new’ every day when the Holy Spirit is leading.
Hebrews 13:8 “God is the same yesterday, today and forever.”
While the Holy Spirit gives fresh new insight, the standard of morals and values, don’t change. Pastor Franklin stated ‘BOTH old and new are important.’
Reflections on God's Wonders and Blessings
Consider the wonders the Lord has accomplished and will accomplish for us and through us! Witnessing these should make us burst into praise. God’s grand deeds deserve grand celebrations. Do you truly recognize the blessings God bestows upon you and works through you? What He was done for us in the past our heartfelt gratitude.
Isaiah 42:9 (NIrV) “What I said would happen has taken place. Now I announce new things to you. Before they even begin to happen, I announce them to you.”
If you don’t appreciate and honor the old, God can’t trust you with the new.
History repeats itself so as we learn about the past, God prepares us for the future.
- Have there been moments where you felt your appreciation for past blessings opened up new opportunities or insights?
- How have you personally witnessed or experienced the blessings or grand deeds of God in your life? Can you share a specific instance where you felt God was working through you or for you?
Navigating Modern Paths with Ancient Wisdom
Today, the concept of following old, sacred traditions might not seem appealing; we're often drawn to what's new, fresh, and cutting-edge. Yet, these ancient practices were established by God and reinforced by prophets, priests and honorable leaders throughout history.
God provides clear warnings to choose paths that lead to peace and rest for our souls. In Jeremiah 6:16, the prophet is urging the people of Judah to reconnect with God, warning them that failure to do so will lead to catastrophe:
Thus says the Lord: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ (ESV)
The Lord encouraged people to rediscover the path of righteousness, the timeless, spiritual route that He had laid out for them. However, the people back then, much like today, preferred to forge their own paths.
Here are some ways contemporary culture often diverts from these principles:
- Marriage and Intimacy: Where once marriage was the context for intimacy, today's culture often endorses cohabitation and other forms of relationships outside traditional marriage, leading to confusion and sometimes spiritual disorientation.
- Prayer in Public Spaces: Prayer in schools, once a common practice for fostering moral and ethical behavior, has largely been replaced by secular activities, including social media platforms, which can distract from spiritual life.
- Child Rearing: The biblical proverb, "Spare the rod, spoil the child," suggests a need for discipline and guidance rooted in love and faith. Modern views often overlook this, letting kids stray from biblical teachings, leading to a drift from Christ. The mission is to build disciples who can harvest a vision that God reveals, spreading the gospel to offer transformation to the lost and the weak.
By following Jesus and adhering to the patterns taught through generations—those "ancient paths"—we can nurture new generations with the proper knowledge and understanding to live according to God's will. This is not taking for granted the standards set by Christ but embracing them for a life of true fulfillment and rest.
- Appeal of Modernity vs. Tradition: Why do you think society often prefers new trends over time-tested traditions? What are the potential downsides of this preference?
- Marriage and Intimacy: How has the shift from traditional marriage to various modern relationship forms impacted spiritual and personal well-being? Discuss the biblical perspective on marriage and intimacy.
- The Role of Prayer in Public Life: What effects might the removal of prayer from public institutions like schools have on individuals and society at large? How can we integrate spiritual practices into daily life in a secular world?
- Parenting and Spiritual Guidance: In what ways does contemporary child-rearing differ from the guidance suggested in Proverbs 13:24? How can parents balance modern parenting styles with biblical principles?
- Balancing Old and New: Discuss how one might integrate the wisdom of ancient biblical teachings into modern life without rejecting beneficial advancements or innovations.
If the King Followed God, the Kingdom Blossomed
The trajectory of a kingdom is often determined by the faithfulness of its leader. Solomon's story is a perfect example that honor and blessings flow from prioritizing God's wisdom over worldly riches and desires. When Solomon chose wisdom over wealth or power, he not only secured honor for himself but also set a course for his kingdom to prosper.
The promise in 1 Kings 3:14 comes with a condition: obedience to God.
"And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life." 1 Kings 3:14 (NIV)
Walking in obedience requires alignment with God's principles rather than the shifting tides of culture. Honoring God in our decisions brings blessings beyond material wealth, it cultivates a life that influences others for good, brings peace, and leaves a legacy.
Solomon's story in 1 Kings 11:1-13 is a cautionary tale about abandoning God's principles for cultural convenience. His marriages to foreign women led him into idolatry, resulting in division and destruction of the kingdom. God's "old ways," such as purity before marriage and honesty, remain timeless. While they may seem countercultural, they are intended for our benefit, offering peace, honor, and a long, blessed life. The cost of compromise is always too high.
- Why do you think Solomon’s request for wisdom was so pleasing to God?
- Reflect on a time when you felt tempted to follow cultural norms over God’s commands. What was the outcome?
Conclusion
For those of us blessed with the opportunity to witness the growth of churches and the broadening of the Kingdom, it is essential we embrace our roles as stewards and diligent workers in a harvest that awaits. We must act with urgency, sowing seeds that complement those already planted, for His Reign/Rain approaches swiftly.
Hosea 6:3 (NIV) “Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.”
Pastor Franklin stated, ‘Wisdom looks for a balance between new and old.’ It is only narrow-mindedness or short-sightedness that sees value in only the old or new. True innovation and freshness come from a blending of both. If we fail to see value in the lessons learned and truths taught by the old, then we miss opportunities to use them as a foundation to build on.
Remember the famous quote from Winston Churchill, “those who fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it.” On the other hand, if we remain stuck in the old and fail to see the value of the new then we miss the opportunity to experience growth. Even as the Songs of Moses and the Song of the Lamb are blended at the return of the Lord, so is our opportunity to blend the old and the new into worship and service.
Revelations 15:2b-3 (NIV) 'They held harps given them by God and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations.'
In the past, others may have taken the lead before you; perhaps now is the time, or it is approaching, when you will assume the role of head of your household. What will you do? Will you get stuck in the past?
We are all at this crossroads—choosing between God's enduring, reliable way or pursuing a modern path of our own invention.
Will you abandon the past for new trendy ways? Or will you find the balance of incorporating both the old and the new?
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