Sermon NotesOctober 8, 2023“A Great Adventure”
Scripture: Isaiah 43:4-7; 43:19
We are in the second week of Generosity: New Beginnings. The prayer question for this week is “How have you been led to ‘step up’ for God in ministry at Gadsden First UMC?” and the scripture is Isaiah 43:4-7. I hope you are reading Isaiah 43 and praying about how God can use your prayer, presence, gifts, service, and witness and committing them to the Lord for what is ahead in 2024.
Any time that we “step up” for the Lord, it can be a great adventure. You never know where obedience and discipleship might lead. When the Israelites received the assurance from Isaiah that God did not forsake them and they would be restored to the land which they were promised, it was hope-filled, but challenging. There would be obstacles in the return (read Ezra and Nehemiah) and they weren’t certain what the future would bring, only that God was with them. We too may feel challenged in our “stepping up”, but we need not fear. The Lord is with us too! Verse 5 from this week’s reading reminds us, “Do not fear, for I am with you.” Rest in this promise as you consider the prayer question: “How have you been led to ‘step up’ for God in ministry at Gadsden First UMC?”
Blessings,
Rev. Sherri