The Old You - Leaving the Past Behind
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The Old You - Leaving the Past Behind
The Old You - Leaving the Past Behind
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
1cor 6.9-
We have new life and a new identity in Jesus; the old way of living life doesn’t matter anymore.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Big Idea of the Series: Designed as an evangelistic series at the close of the year, this sermon explores the new life we have in Christ, in contrast to the old life we possessed in sin.
The Old You
Big Idea of the Series: Designed as an evangelistic series at the close of the year, this sermon explores the new life we have in Christ, in contrast to the old life we possessed in sin.
Week 1
Text: ; ;
Topic: New Life, Old Life, Identity
Big Idea of the Message: Human beings can strive to fix the brokenness in their lives, only to fail. Christ brings new life and a death to the old self and old way of living.
Application Point: We have new life and a new identity in Jesus; the old way of living life doesn’t matter anymore.
I Old Life - Sin Controlled
I Old Life - Sin Controlled
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
Sin is described in the Bible as transgression of the law of God () and rebellion against God (; ).
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Sin is described in the Bible as transgression of the law of God () and rebellion against God (; ). Sin had its beginning with Lucifer, probably the most beautiful and powerful of the angels. Not content with his position, he desired to be higher than God, and that was his downfall, the beginning of sin (). Renamed Satan, he brought sin to the human race in the Garden of Eden, where he tempted Adam and Eve with the same enticement, “you shall be like God.” describes Adam and Eve’s rebellion against God and against His command. Since that time, sin has been passed down through all the generations of mankind and we, Adam’s descendants, have inherited sin from him. tells us that through Adam sin entered the world, and so death was passed on to all men because “the wages of sin is death” ().
Sin had its beginning with Lucifer, probably the most beautiful and powerful of the angels. Not content with his position, he desired to be higher than God, and that was his downfall, the beginning of sin ().
Renamed Satan, he brought sin to the human race in the Garden of Eden, where he tempted Adam and Eve with the same enticement, “you shall be like God.” describes Adam and Eve’s rebellion against God and against His command.
Since that time, sin has been passed down through all the generations of mankind and we, Adam’s descendants, have inherited sin from him.
tells us that through Adam sin entered the world, and so death was passed on to all men because “the wages of sin is death” ().
Look what sin has done....
1. There’s something wrong with the world. Almost everyone knows this, no matter where you live or who you are. Addiction, violence, corruption, envy, strife, brokenness, the list goes on.
2. Throughout history humans have striven to correct what was wrong. The age of Revolution proposed that if we just overthrew monarchies and had democracies the world would become better.
The age of Enlightenment promised that if we just educated ourselves, human beings would become better people.
Science suggested that if we just advanced technology, civilizations would become more peaceful. But what happened?
Revolutions and democracies still oppressed people.
Education made evil people cleverer.
Science and technology brought about the atomic bomb, cybercrime, and tech addiction.
Democracy, education, and science are good things, but they won’t fix what’s wrong with human nature.
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
3. Beyond looking at the big brokenness of the world that humans have tried to fix, at a personal level we know there are areas in which we all have brokenness.
3. Beyond looking at the big brokenness of the world that humans have tried to fix, at a personal level we know there are areas in which we all have brokenness.
We have addictions that we can’t stop.
We try to fill the emptiness in our lives with money, sex, power, stuff, relationships.
We fail to live up to even our own ideals. Our insecurities get the best of us, and we become prideful, envious, lacking any love for other people.
You might be a businessman who seems to have it all together, but you can’t stop losing your temper with your kids, and you don’t know how to have self-control. Or maybe you’re depressed over your body image, so you work out constantly, at the expense of your family, obsessing over your happiness and sense of worth.
4. The Bible clearly defines what is wrong with the world: sin.
Sin has corrupted our thoughts, emotions, and actions (). Sin at its core is selfishness Sin is a bent that continually looks inward. Yet, the Bible has the ultimate remedy for this broken sinful state and that is Jesus. Jesus died on a cross and rose again to bring new life to humanity.
The only just penalty for this sin is death (), not just physical death but eternal death ().
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thankfully, inherited sin, imputed sin, and personal sin have all been crucified on the cross of Jesus, and now by faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior “we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” ().
Thankfully, inherited sin, imputed sin, and personal sin have all been crucified on the cross of Jesus, and now by faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior “we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” ().
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
II New Life - New Birth
II New Life - New Birth
II New Life - New Birth
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
It is absolutely necessary for a person to be born again in order to enter the kingdom of God. In the central passage in the New Testament about the new birth ( ), Jesus tells Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council, that he will not enter the kingdom of God unless he is born anew.
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
eph 4.22-
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
It’s a spiritual experience. The new birth is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He convicts us of sin and helps us understand that our good works are insufficient in His eyes and will never make us fit for heaven. But He also assures us of God’s love and leads us to confess and repent of our sins and trust Jesus Christ as our Savior.
It’s a definite experience. Like physical birth, there’s a specific point at which a person is born again. It starts with conviction of sin and the realization that Jesus Christ died on the cross as payment for the penalty for our sin. We call out to Him for forgiveness, turn away from our old sinful lifestyle, and in faith accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. It’s not a slow process but a radical change. There must be a transformation within our hearts that is so clear that we will know beyond a shadow of doubt that we have been born again. For some people, this moment may have occurred in childhood and they may no longer have a specific memory of it. Or, they may have been born again as an adult but may not have understood what was happening at the time. But as long as there is full faith in Jesus, they have been born again.
Jesus is the only one who can make us fit for heaven with a new birth. All other religions rely on good works, but no one can be good enough for God because we’ve all sinned against Him. We may seem righteous in our own eyes, but when measured against the perfection of God’s standards as found in His Word, we have no hope of heaven.
We are not saved by our righteous acts but by God’s mercy and the regeneration of the Spirit (). If we could be good enough, then the cross was a horrible mistake because it would have been unnecessary. However, only the shed blood of God’s Son could make forgiveness possible. This is the evidence of God’s awesome love and power—that He would reach down and save sinners.
It’s a lasting experience. Being born again changes us forever, but this doesn’t mean that we will be perfect. Our old sinful nature is still present in us, but as we confess our sins, Jesus’ blood continually cleanses us. We are now called to a life of holiness, obedience, surrender, and love for God. There must be external evidence that proves there’s been an inner transformation.
There’s a change in our relationship with God. Until Jesus becomes our Savior, we are enemies of God. Although we may be quick to deny that we are against Him, there is no neutral ground. We have either been reconciled to God through His Son, or we are at odds with Him.
There is a change in our position. The separation and enmity between God and us has been removed. Now we’re a part of His kingdom and members of His family. Our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and we will never lose our salvation.
There’s a change in attitude. The Holy Spirit works in us, sealing us as God’s children, transforming our hearts, and living out Christ’s life through us. He gives us wisdom, reveals truth, and guides us throughout our lives.
There is a change in our destination. Jesus said, “He who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life” (). The Holy Spirit’s presence in us is our guarantee that we are forever children of God, and our eternal destiny in heaven is secure.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
III New Identity
III New Identity
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
1. There’s something wrong with the world. Almost everyone knows this, no matter where you live or who you are. Addiction, violence, corruption, envy, strife, brokenness, the list goes on. Billy Joel sang about the wrongs of the world in his song “We Didn’t Start the Fire”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFTLKWw542g.
2. Throughout history humans have striven to correct what was wrong. The age of Revolution proposed that if we just overthrew monarchies and had democracies the world would become better. The age of Enlightenment promised that if we just educated ourselves, human beings would become better people. Science suggested that if we just advanced technology, civilizations would become more peaceful. But what happened? Revolutions and democracies still oppressed people. Education made evil people cleverer. Science and technology brought about the atomic bomb, cybercrime, and tech addiction. Democracy, education, and science are good things, but they won’t fix what’s wrong with human nature.
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
3. Beyond looking at the big brokenness of the world that humans have tried to fix, at a personal level we know there are areas in which we all have brokenness. We have addictions that we can’t stop. We try to fill the emptiness in our lives with money, sex, power, stuff, relationships. We fail to live up to even our own ideals. Our insecurities get the best of us, and we become prideful, envious, lacking any love for other people. You might be a businessman who seems to have it all together, but you can’t stop losing your temper with your kids, and you don’t know how to have self-control. Or maybe you’re depressed over your body image, so you work out constantly, at the expense of your family, obsessing over your happiness and sense of worth.
4. The Bible clearly defines what is wrong with the world: sin. Sin has corrupted our thoughts, emotions, and actions (). Sin at its core is selfishness (Reinhold Niebuhr, “Sin,” The Handbook of Christian Theology, ed. Marvin Halverson [New York, NY: Meridian Books, 1958], 348). Sin is a bent that continually looks inward. Yet, the Bible has the ultimate remedy for this broken sinful state and that is Jesus. Jesus died on a cross and rose again to bring new life to humanity.
III identity
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
You might think, “Yeah, Jesus died so I can go to heaven when I die.” But Jesus came to give you new life now too.
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
illustration of new identity
So, if we are in Christ, we are to put off our old way of living.
We don’t have to go back to that old brokenness.
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
You now have a new life, a new you. You are renewed from the inside out. You have a new way of living.
Paul then says, “Be made new in the attitude of your minds; and … put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” The old you doesn’t just stop doing the bad things you used to do. You now have a new life, a new you. You are renewed from the inside out. You have a new way of living.
This new life exists because our identity is in Jesus.
When a person is baptized, it is a symbol of dying to the old way of living and rising with Jesus to a new existence (). Your identity is now not in how much you have, how you look, or where you are from. The core identity you have is now in who you know, in the person of Jesus.
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Get an old small stained jacket .....
Find an old jacket or coat. One that is a few sizes too small. Demonstrate trying to put the coat as you are speaking. Imagine if you pulled an old coat from your closet.
You notice it has stains, holes, and doesn’t look like it would fit you. As you put the coat on, you notice that it is a tight fit. In fact, you really can’t get it on without stretching your arms all the way back.
But somehow you wrestle yourself into it. The sleeves stop at your forearms. You can’t button or zip up the front, and if you were to try to hug someone you’re pretty sure the jacket would rip. It’s uncomfortable; it’s an old coat that was for a former self.
Your old life is like an old, stained, smelly coat that doesn’t fit you anymore.
You can’t fit a round peg into a square hole. Children are given geometric peg boards when they are toddlers to help them learn shapes and tactile skills (like this one here:
They quickly find out that they cannot fit one shape in the hole of a different shape, sometimes to great frustration. When we who have been given new life in Christ still try to live the old way, we also experience frustration. In Christ, we have a different shape to life, a different identity.
9. You can’t fit a round peg into a square hole. Children are given geometric peg boards when they are toddlers to help them learn shapes and tactile skills (like this one here: https://www.amazon.com/Plan-Toy-Geometric-Peg-Board/dp/B000FZND9U). They quickly find out that they cannot fit one shape in the hole of a different shape, sometimes to great frustration. When we who have been given new life in Christ still try to live the old way, we also experience frustration. In Christ, we have a different shape to life, a different identity.
The Old You - Leaving the Past Behind
1. There’s something wrong with the world. Almost everyone knows this, no matter where you live or who you are. Addiction, violence, corruption, envy, strife, brokenness, the list goes on. Billy Joel sang about the wrongs of the world in his song “We Didn’t Start the Fire”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFTLKWw542g.
2. Throughout history humans have striven to correct what was wrong. The age of Revolution proposed that if we just overthrew monarchies and had democracies the world would become better. The age of Enlightenment promised that if we just educated ourselves, human beings would become better people. Science suggested that if we just advanced technology, civilizations would become more peaceful. But what happened? Revolutions and democracies still oppressed people. Education made evil people cleverer. Science and technology brought about the atomic bomb, cybercrime, and tech addiction. Democracy, education, and science are good things, but they won’t fix what’s wrong with human nature.
3. Beyond looking at the big brokenness of the world that humans have tried to fix, at a personal level we know there are areas in which we all have brokenness. We have addictions that we can’t stop. We try to fill the emptiness in our lives with money, sex, power, stuff, relationships. We fail to live up to even our own ideals. Our insecurities get the best of us, and we become prideful, envious, lacking any love for other people. You might be a businessman who seems to have it all together, but you can’t stop losing your temper with your kids, and you don’t know how to have self-control. Or maybe you’re depressed over your body image, so you work out constantly, at the expense of your family, obsessing over your happiness and sense of worth.
4. The Bible clearly defines what is wrong with the world: sin. Sin has corrupted our thoughts, emotions, and actions (). Sin at its core is selfishness (Reinhold Niebuhr, “Sin,” The Handbook of Christian Theology, ed. Marvin Halverson [New York, NY: Meridian Books, 1958], 348). Sin is a bent that continually looks inward. Yet, the Bible has the ultimate remedy for this broken sinful state and that is Jesus. Jesus died on a cross and rose again to bring new life to humanity.
5. You might think, “Yeah, Jesus died so I can go to heaven when I die.” But Jesus came to give you new life now too. Paul writes, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires” (). So, if we are in Christ, we are to put off our old way of living. We don’t have to go back to that old brokenness. Paul then says, “Be made new in the attitude of your minds; and … put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” The old you doesn’t just stop doing the bad things you used to do. You now have a new life, a new you. You are renewed from the inside out. You have a new way of living.
6. This new life exists because our identity is in Jesus. When a person is baptized, it is a symbol of dying to the old way of living and rising with Jesus to a new existence (). Your identity is now not in how much you have, how you look, or where you are from. The core identity you have is now in who you know, in the person of Jesus.
7. Find an old jacket or coat. One that is a few sizes too small. Demonstrate trying to put the coat as you are speaking. Imagine if you pulled an old coat from your closet. You notice it has stains, holes, and doesn’t look like it would fit you. As you put the coat on, you notice that it is a tight fit. In fact, you really can’t get it on without stretching your arms all the way back. But somehow you wrestle yourself into it. The sleeves stop at your forearms. You can’t button or zip up the front, and if you were to try to hug someone you’re pretty sure the jacket would rip. It’s uncomfortable; it’s an old coat that was for a former self. Your old life is like an old, stained, smelly coat that doesn’t fit you anymore.
8. So, what do these old and new lives look like in contrast? Something everyone talks about at the beginning or end of a year is weight loss and fitness. The old you would see your insecurity about your weight or lack of fitness and would then strive to work harder to look like who you want to be. Not a bad thing; it’s good to have goals. But slowly you begin to obsess about it. You go to the gym in the morning and at night, and you don’t spend time with your family. You obsess over your weight and how you look, because your identity is tied to your insecurity. Now, for those who have new life in Christ, you have the same insecurities, and the goal to get in shape. However, your identity is in Christ, not in your weight or fitness level. Being in shape and losing weight when you need to are healthy things, but they aren’t the only thing. Your new life in Christ helps you look at your brokenness in a way that shows God at work to transform you.
9. You can’t fit a round peg into a square hole. Children are given geometric peg boards when they are toddlers to help them learn shapes and tactile skills (like this one here: https://www.amazon.com/Plan-Toy-Geometric-Peg-Board/dp/B000FZND9U). They quickly find out that they cannot fit one shape in the hole of a different shape, sometimes to great frustration. When we who have been given new life in Christ still try to live the old way, we also experience frustration. In Christ, we have a different shape to life, a different identity.