# Family Service | Pastor Kevin O'Brien | Apex Baptist Church

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/apex-baptist-church-sermons-6712197/family-service-pastor-kevin-o-brien-apex-baptist-church
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/apex-baptist-church-sermons-6712197/family-service-pastor-kevin-o-brien-apex-baptist-church.md
Podcast: [Apex Baptist Church Sermons](https://stenobird.com/podcast/apex-baptist-church-sermons-6712197)
Published: 2026-01-02T18:20:45+00:00
Episode link: https://apexbaptistchurch.podbean.com/e/family-service-pastor-kevin-obrien-apex-baptist-church/
Audio file: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/htngd59n7e3qm2u7/Family_Service82ofk.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/apex-baptist-church-sermons-6712197/episodes/family-service-pastor-kevin-o-brien-apex-baptist-church
Duration seconds: 1698

## Resource

A reflection on finding spiritual renewal and stability during the transition from the holiday season into a new year. The sermon uses Isaiah 43 to illustrate how God provides a way through life's inevitable trials and personal seasons of exile.

## Highlights
- Main idea: God's promise of redemption is an enduring reality that provides identity and security through life's hardships
- Practical takeaway: Use the start of a new year to intentionally surrender old habits and rely on Christ rather than self-reliance
- Failure mode: Relying solely on personal willpower for New Year's resolutions without involving spiritual dependence
- Main idea: God uses past faithfulness, like the parting of the Red Sea, to build confidence for present and future trials
- Practical takeaway: Seek community and pastoral support when facing heavy burdens or spiritual dry spells

## Topics

Isaiah 43, Spiritual Renewal, Redemption, Faithfulness, New Year Resolutions, Christian Living, Pastoral Care, Biblical Prophecy

## Chapters
- 1:00 — A Prayer for New Beginnings: An opening prayer focused on God's sovereignty and the desire to be led from darkness into light.
- 3:00 — The Intensity of the Holiday Season: Reflections on the emotional weight and busyness that often accompanies the period from Thanksgiving to New Year's.
- 5:00 — The Trap of Self-Reliance: A warning against making resolutions that rely on personal strength rather than spiritual dependence.
- 7:00 — Promises in the Fire: An examination of Isaiah 43, highlighting God's promise to protect His people through water and fire.
- 11:00 — Consequences and Deliverance: Discussing the reality of divine judgment and the certainty of God's eventual deliverance of His people.
- 16:00 — Remembering Past Faithfulness: Using the historical context of the Red Sea to encourage trust in God's ability to make a way in the wilderness.
- 24:00 — Putting Off the Old Self: A call to spiritual transformation and the importance of seeking pastoral care during difficult transitions.

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## Transcript

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