In with the New

·38 min·3 clips

Psychologists removed the scar before the test, but participants still felt rejected because they believed it was there.

["The episode is a sermon from Shartel Church, delivered by Pastor Steve, focusing on the theme 'In with the New' as a follow-up to last week's discussion on letting go of the past.", "Pastor Steve opens with the saying 'if nothing ever changes, then nothing ever changes,' emphasizing that desire for change requires action.", "He references Apostle Paul's writings in Philippians 3:12-14 and Galatians 2:20, highlighting how Paul not only forgot the past but pressed forward into new life.", "The first main point is reclaiming identity as a child of God, using 2 Corinthians 5:17 to explain that being in Christ makes one a new creation.", "Pastor Steve shares a Dartmouth University psychology study where participants believed they had a facial scar that was actually removed, showing how self-perception filters reality.", "He stresses that 'what we do flows out of who we believe we are,' urging listeners to see themselves as valued children of God.", "A story about a pastor crumpling a hundred-dollar bill illustrates that God restores value despite past failures, like crumpled lives.", "The second point is that growth and change happen best with a plan, using UPS's failed delivery guarantee as an example of promises without planning.", "He cites Ephesians 5:17, encouraging thoughtful action aligned with God's will.", "The third point is that small changes can lead to big results, exemplified by baby Ezra gaining two pounds to leave the hospital.", "Pastor Steve suggests becoming 'one percent better 100 days in a row' rather than aiming for overnight transformation.", "He recommends practical steps like 15-minute daily devotionals, mentioning his own daily devotional emails and Bible reading plans.", "The final point is to trust in what Jesus can do, not personal ability, referencing Romans 8:37 on 'overwhelming victory' through Christ.", "A powerful story is told of Angela, a cash advance worker who prayed with a gunman, leading him to surrender his bullet and turn himself in.", "The sermon concludes with communion, where Pastor Steve explains the bread and juice as reminders of Jesus' sacrifice and love.", "He leads a prayer asking for more of Jesus in listeners' lives, emphasizing that change requires God's presence.", "Throughout, the tone is educational and motivational, blending biblical teaching with real-life anecdotes.", "The episode is structured as a solo sermon with interactive elements like audience repetition and outline tracking.", "Recurring themes include identity, incremental change, faith-based planning, and divine empowerment.", "Key moments include the scar study twist, the hundred-dollar bill illustration, and Angela's encounter with the gunman."]

As heard by us

A practical sermon on spiritual change, courage, planning, and faith put into motion.

"In with the New" frames spiritual change as a matter of action, not intention alone. The sermon moves from setting old things aside to the more active work of becoming new, keeping its focus on faith that shows up in motion.

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Why you'd press play

You get a brand-new-year reset, a high-school Bible study story, and a plan for change that does not leave you wishing from the couch.

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