God Is Doing a New Thing
What happens when God moves you into a new season, but your mind is still trapped in the old one?
That was the challenge Pastor James Maina placed before the church in a powerful sermon drawn from Isaiah 43:18–19 and Zechariah 1:18–21 — a message that reminded believers that God is not finished, not limited, and not done working in their lives.
Right from the beginning, the pastor emphasized God’s declaration:
“Forget the former things… behold, I am doing a new thing.”
The message quickly moved beyond simply talking about “new seasons” and confronted something deeper: spiritual stagnation.
When Your Body Moves But Your Mind Stays Behind
Using the story of the Israelites returning from Babylonian captivity, Pastor James explained how the people physically left captivity, but mentally they were still trapped there.
They had changed location, but their thinking had not changed.
The church was challenged to examine whether fear, discouragement, disappointment, or old habits had quietly kept them spiritually stuck even while God was calling them forward.
At one point, the pastor warned that:
standing still spiritually can become just as dangerous as moving backwards.
The message encouraged believers not to settle into routines, hopelessness, or defeat while expecting God to do something new.
The Enemy Wants to Delay, Distract, and Detain
One of the most memorable moments in the sermon came as Pastor James described the enemy’s strategy against believers in three words:
- delay
- distract
- detain
The pastor explained that many people are not lacking purpose or potential — they are fighting battles that constantly push them backwards emotionally, spiritually, and mentally.
Some people start strong but lose momentum.
Others become trapped in discouragement.
Others remain wounded by past experiences and never fully move forward again.
The message reminded the church that spiritual resistance is real, but it is not greater than God’s power.
The Horns and the Carpenters
Preaching from Zechariah’s vision, Pastor James described the “horns” as forces that scatter, oppress, frustrate, and hinder people.
The sermon connected these “horns” to real-life struggles such as:
- fear
- emotional wounds
- generational struggles
- painful experiences
- spiritual attacks
- cycles of defeat
But the vision did not end there.
After the horns appeared, God revealed four carpenters — sent specifically to confront and cast down the horns.
Using vivid illustrations and practical examples, the pastor reminded the church that God always has an answer for every opposition facing His people.
Where there is delay, God brings breakthrough.
Where there is discouragement, God brings restoration.
Where there is confusion, God brings direction.
“Your Situation Is Temporary”
Another powerful encouragement throughout the sermon was the reminder that difficult seasons are temporary.
Pastor James repeatedly encouraged the church not to allow present struggles to define their future.
No matter how difficult the journey may feel, God still holds the destiny of His people intact.
The church was reminded that:
- delay is not denial
- opposition is not the end
- discouragement is not destiny
- God still has the final say
A Call to Move Forward
As the message came to a close, the church was challenged to stop cooperating with fear, stop settling into stagnation, and begin moving forward in faith again.
The sermon served as both a warning and an encouragement:
God is doing something new, but believers must be willing to rise, trust Him, and move forward.
No matter the opposition, God remains faithful — and the carpenters are still coming.
Main Scriptures: Isaiah 43:18–19, Zechariah 1:18–21
Message Theme: God Is Doing a New Thing
Minister: Pastor James Maina
Church: Destiny Faith Ministries