New Things In The New Year
01/14/07 AM
Reading: Revelation 21:1-7
Introduction
Revelation 21:1-7- Jesus said in verse 5 "Behold, I make all things new".
As we enter the New Year many folks will make plans to make a new start. They will make new resolutions for the New Year. Resolutions to lose weight, have a different attitude, make more money; the list goes on and on.
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
Let’s take a look into God’s Word at new things that we may have through Jesus in the New Year.
A Newness of Life
Romans 6:4 “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”
A.Those who believe in Christ are baptized into him and baptized into his death; in other words, they are united with him. As he died, we die to our old, sinful life-style, and a new life begins.
B.If we think of our old, sinful life as dead and buried, we have a powerful motive to resist sin. We can consciously choose to treat the desires and temptations of the old nature as if they were dead. Then we can continue to enjoy our wonderful new life with Jesus
Colossians 3:5-10 “Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.”
C.While unbelievers live in darkness and sensuality, believers were taught in Christ a whole new manner of living, which must leave behind the former way of life. Paul explained that believers must decisively put off the old self. The “old self” (also translated “old nature”) describes each person before he or she comes to know Christ. That person was enslaved to sin, bound to the world, and without hope. To “put off” that old self will take conscious, daily decisions to remove anything that supports or feeds the old self’s desires.
Ephesians 4:20-24 “But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”
D.We cannot “put off” without also “putting on.” Believers must “put off the old self”, but then they should follow with two specific actions: (1) to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and (2) to clothe yourselves with the new self.
1)The verb “to clothe” (like the verb “to put off” in 4:22) refers to a once-and-for-all action. When believers put off the old self and clothe themselves with the new self, they don’t keep on changing back into old clothes once in a while. The old clothes have been thrown away.
2)The other verb, “to be renewed,” describes a continuous activity. The “self” has been exchanged, but the process of renewal, of becoming like Christ, is a continual daily process.
Transformation results in renewed behavior and begins in the new mind.
A New Mind
A.How are believers “to be renewed in the spirit of [their] minds”? They must:
1)…be involved in activities that renew their minds
Philippians 4:8-9 “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
2)…desire to pattern themselves after God, not the world
Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Colossians 3:1-2 “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.”
3)…study and apply God’s Word so that it changes their behavior from within (2 Timothy 3:15-16).
B.The new self refers not to a split in one’s personality; instead, it pictures the new direction, attitude, and mind-set away from self and toward God and his will:
Philippians 2:3-8 “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
A New Heart
A.As part of our New Selves we need also put on a New Heart. Colossians 3:12-17
1)Our New Heart must be characterized by:
Compassion. Genuine sensitivity and heartfelt sympathy for the needs of others. This is an attribute of God, who is described as compassionate and who acted so on our behalf.
Kindness. Acting charitably, benevolently toward others, as God has done toward us. Kindness takes the initiative in responding generously to others’ needs. Because believers have received kindness, we ought to act that way toward others. This does not come naturally; it is a fruit of the Spirit.
Humility. An attitude of self-esteem that is neither puffed up with pride, nor self-depreciating. It is a true understanding of one’s position with God. As Christ humbled himself, so believers ought to humble themselves in service to the Lord and Savior.
Gentleness. Humble, considerate of others, submissive to God and his Word. Gentleness is not to be confused with weakness; instead, it means consideration for others and a willingness to give up one’s rights for the sake of another. Again, Christ is our example.
Patience. Long-suffering, or putting up with people who irritate. The person might have the right to retaliate, but chooses patience instead.
B.Paul offered this list of virtues as a strategy to live for God day by day in the social activities of life. These include:
1)…imitating Christ’s compassionate, forgiving attitude (3:12-13)
2)…letting love guide their lives (3:14)
3)…letting the peace of God rule in their hearts (3:15)
4)…always being thankful (3:15)
5)…keeping God’s Word in them at all times (3:16)
6)…living as Jesus Christ’s representative (3:17)
A New Spirit
Not just a NEW SPIRIT but, God’s own Spirit! 1 John 4
Galatians 4:6-7 “Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father! Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.”
Romans 8:10-17
A.Paul divides people into two categories—those who let themselves be controlled by their sinful nature and those who follow after the Holy Spirit. We would be in the first category if Jesus hadn’t offered us a way out. After we say yes to Jesus, we want to continue following him because his way brings life and peace. We must consciously choose to center our life on God.
B.The titles Spirit of God and Spirit of Christ both mean the Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit can make us acceptable to God; therefore, anyone who does not have the Spirit cannot belong to Christ. Paul does not voice this as a threat or warning, but a statement of fact.
1)Having the Spirit of Christ is the same as belonging to Christ. This is not a criterion for judging others’ lives; it is a helpful encouragement in our struggles.
2)When facing times of doubt, Paul’s statement supplies us with two questions that must be answered: (1) Do I have the Spirit of Christ? and (2) Do I belong to Christ? Paul’s point is that answering yes to either will determine the truth of the other. The first tends to be a less settled answer experientially; the second is clearly answered by the assurance given in God’s Word.
A New Covenant
Jeremiah 31:31- "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a NEW COVENANT with the house of Israel & the house of Judah".
A.GOD is a COVENANT GOD. He is a GOD of Promises. He has made A NEW COVENANT with us! Not just for 2007 but for all the days of our lives.
1)We are no longer bound by the old covenant.
2)The old covenant demanded a sacrificial lamb for the atonement of our sins but, through this NEW COVENANT, Jesus Christ himself became that sacrificial Lamb and paid the debt for our sin once and for all.
Luke 22:19-20 “And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.”
This NEW COVENANT has made us Heirs & Joint Heirs with Jesus!
CONCLUSION
Let us strive to live this New Year a NEW LIFE, renewed in MIND, HEART and SPIRIT, enjoying the benefit of the NEW COVENANT with God the Father. Happy New Year!
Invitation
And during the New Year may you have enough happiness to keep you sweet - enough trials to keep you strong - enough sorrow to keep you human - enough hope to keep you happy - enough failure to keep you humble - enough success to keep you eager - enough friends to give you comfort - enough wealth to meet your needs - enough enthusiasm to make you look forward to tomorrow - and enough determination to make each day better than the day before.
