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[Sermon] Isaiah 43:1-5,15-26 Stop looking back: look forward (14/10/2012)

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By Annie

How do we assess our own self value/worth?
Often tines of crushed self image and shattered sense of security have to do with faulty views of ourselves and God. Isa 43 iffers a perspective to help us overcome this.

STOP MAKING EXCUSES (v20-24)
God is urging his people to come to the reality that they have a lot to do with their own problems.
It's of their own deceitful heart.
The people of God fail to realise that God is the loving God, our strong hope.
STOP MAKING EXCUSES.
If you're mature in Christ, you would look inwardly.
Inwardly-> Outwardly->upwardly ->downwardly
Making ceaseless praise to the Lord = our whole life

TAKE AND INVENTORY OF YOUR LIFE (v26)
God makes the invitation to make our case.
Evaluate yourself, to start over again. Ask God to search your heart.

ACT IN FAITH (v1-5)
You can't just stop, but you need to act in faith.
Sometimes we have to take risks, on the basis of fervent prayer, and faith.
"Fear not" God speaks to his people, and His first utterance is Fear Not.
Act in faith on the basis of what God has done in your life.

REFOCUS (v25-19)
God reminds us who he is. God will make a way.
God knows what He is doing, and we have to act in faith.
Don't focus on the old things, the things in the past. (v18)

TRUST IN GOD (v25)
He will lead us and guide us. God does what he does because of himself. Only God has the sovereign right and wisdom.

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