God does a New Thing
Preached at Harvester Mission Church, Houston plant. 30 December, 2014.
Venue: Heaven on Earth
By Apostle Aje Pelser

In Jeremiah 31:21-22 we see a prophecy that is as relevant today as it was to Israel. We find a clear description of the ways God uses to bring about a new thing, as well as exactly what the new thing will be. So many times we hear preachers around the world get people excited about the \’\’new thing\’\’ for the start of each year, but it is seldom in line with this scripture:

\’\’Set up signposts, make landmarks; set your heart toward the highway, the way in which you went. Turn back, O virgin of Israel, turn back to these your cities. How long will you gad about, O you backsliding daughter? For the Lord has created a new thing in the earth – a woman shall encompass a man.\’\’

Here are some ways that God creates a new thing:

1. Set up Signposts
The best signpost for a lost world is the cross of Jesus Christ. When He is lifted up, it will draw people who see it. Your personal cross that you take up daily, becomes a signpost to others who seek redemption. They see your capacity to endure and overcome like Jesus and it becomes a signpost to them on the road to salvation.

2. Make Landmarks.
This meeting is a landmark event in the history of Houston. God is doing a new thing and we are privileged to be a part of it. The fact that believers are committing to support missions in other countries, shows that there is an outward force of commission balancing the inward force of communion and that creates a sustainable orbit of fellowship around Jesus Christ. Such a sacrificial gift is a memorial landmark like Cornelius in the Book of Acts.
Landmarks include House Churches where people gather weekly – Paul the apostle said that he taught people publicly and from house to house. Acts 20:20 – a good vision for 2020 too!
Miracle Bible College Cells planted around a city also represent landmarks of the Word of God – where it can grow mightily and prevail.

3. Set Your Heart toward the Highway.
There is a highway of holiness that we are called to walk on together all the way to heaven. There are many exits but stay focussed on the destination – the upward call of Christ!
God’s highway is such that it can be explained to others – it is simple enough and an open and teachable heart will receive it.
Apollos was a great preacher, but he only knew the baptism of John. When Aquila and Priscilla met him, they instructed him more accurately in the Way of God. Acts 18:26. So there are many good believers out there who will be open to an accurate explanation of God\’s ways from Scripture.
In the early Church, they continued steadfastly in the Apostle\’s doctrine, fellowship, in the breaking of bread and prayers. The result was that reverential fear came upon every soul and God did signs and wonders through the apostles, people shared what they had and broke bread from house to house. The Lord started adding daily, those who were being saved.
God\’s ways are higher than our ways but the good news is that He writes His ways in our hearts and minds by his Spirit. – Hebrews 8:10.
To change our ways we can repent and Jesus forgives us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Repentance is a 180 degree turn like I learnt when marching in the Senior Platoon at school. \’\’Turn back to the cities of God’’ speaks of His heavenly city called Mount Zion which is another name for the Church of the Firstborn registered in heaven. More good news is that the Word says to believers – \’\’We have come to Mount Zion\’\’
Hebrews 12:22
\’\’But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and Church of the Firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.\’\’

So what is this new thing?
When this prophecy was written, Jesus had the Church in mind. When Peter received his revelation about Jesus the Christ – the anointed Son of the living God, Jesus replied that He would build His Church on that rock of revelation. Now we continue His work, as co-labourers with Christ.

4. \’\’ A woman shall encompass a man\’\’ speaks of the Bride of Christ the Church, circling or orbiting around Jesus the centre of every activity. We have moved away from man-made pyramid structures in Church Government and redesigned every department of Church into orbits, placing Jesus at the Centre. When the Word is the focus in every part of Church life things stay in a sustainable orbit, balanced with the centripetal force of communion and love, and the centrifugal force of commission to go and make disciples of all nations of the world. New wine needs new wineskins – Matthew 9:17.
When we adopt a Christ Culture, we can effectively reach and make disciples of all nations, because those who receive our message, the Eternal Gospel of the Kingdom of God will also see the benefits of becoming one with others in Christ. Jesus says to you: \’\’Behold I make all things new!\’\’ Now watch how he builds this Church!