THE NEW HAS COME
Introduction:
1. 1 Cor. 5:17-18.
2. We have come to a new year, a new beginning.
3. The religion brought by Jesus is characterized by its being
NEW.
4. Paul states, "the old has passed away, behold THEY ARE BECOME
NEW."
5. In our study today, on this first Sunday of the new year, I
wish to notice some things (ways) that have become new.
I. A NEW COVENANT: Heb. 8:8.
1. It was prophesied hundreds of years before He came that God
would make a NEW, BETTER covenant between Himself and His
people.
2. NOT a renewal, NOT a revision of the OLD; NOT based upon the
Ten Commandments, the Law from Sinai.
3. But, one based upon FAITH IN CHRIST.
4. Heb. 8:8, 9 -- Temporal, fleshly covenant.
5. This new covenant provides for eternal rewards for those under
it. Heb. 9:15.
6. 2 Cor. 3 -- Describes this new covenant in detail:
(1) deals with a man's heart -- (vs 3).
(2) the ministry of the Spirit -- (vs 6).
(3) it brings righteousness -- (vs 9).
(4) it changes those receiving it into the likeness of
Jesus -- (vs 18).
II. A NEW WAY: Heb. 10:20.
1. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, No one
cometh to the Father, except by Me." Jn. 14:6.
2. Such a direct access to the Father had never before been
available unto mankind.
3. Under the law of Moses -- men came to the temple priest to have
contact through them to God.
4. Before that -- the altar and bloody sacrifices that allowed man
to approach Jehovah.
5. BUT NOW: Heb 10:19-22 -- we can enter the most Holy.
6. Heb. 4:16 -- With Jesus as our High Priest, we can personally
go before God's throne.
7. AT ANY TIME, FROM ANY PLACE.
III. A NEW BODY OF PEOPLE: Eph. 2:15.
1. When Jesus died on the cross, He died for ALL.
2. No discrimination; no respect of persons.
3. Not so under the old law, one family was favored.
4. NOW people fall into just one of two categories -- the SAVED or
the LOST.
5. ALL the saved compose just one group with every member in equal
fellowship with every other member and with the Father and with
the Son.
6. Eph. 2:13-18 -- both (Jew and Gentile) reconciled in ONE BODY.
7. This new body is the CHURCH. Eph. 1:22, 23.
8. Any division of His church is a division of His body, the very
opposite of what He died on the cross to produce -- GOING BACK
TO THE OLD.
IV. A NEW ATTITUDE AND PERSON: Eph. 4:23-24. MIND--MAN--LIFE.
1. Jesus came to bring a new attitude into the hearts and lives of
men.
2. Eph 4:22-24 -- "renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on
the NEW MAN..."
3. When men/women change inside, they will change in their daily
lives.
4. The reason why some show no difference when they are baptized -
- they were not converted from within.
5. Those who have never been truly converted from WITHIN, with a
deep desire to please God.
6. This change begins when FAITH leads one to REPENT and be
cleansed through BAPTISM -- Rom. 6:4.
7. The blood of Jesus makes one a NEW CREATURE as to cleansing.
Raised to walk in newness of life.
V. A NEW COMMANDMENT: John 14:34.
1. In our relationship with the body of Christ, the members are
regulated by a NEW COMMANDMENT.
2. John 14:34, 35.
3. To love others is not a new commandment, but to love as much as
Jesus loves us, IS a new commandment.
4. 1 Cor 13:1-8; 1 Jn. 3:16-18 -- the character of love.
5. If you truly want to know who is a disciple of Jesus, look for
the disciple who LOVES.
6. LOVE manifests itself in obedience -- 1 Jn. 5:3.
Conclusion:
1. Have you ever obtained something new and it never lost its
newness, never depreciated, was always as fresh, as new, as
desirable, as when first obtained??
2. Even though age sometimes increases the value of our
possessions, they are still old, and older.
3. BUT, this not true with the NEWNESS OF GOD'S ARRANGEMENTS.
4. In fact, the best is yet to come. Heaven, the presence of
Jehovah, perfection for eternity.
5. Does the gospel still have the glitter, the appeal, that it did
when you first obeyed?
6. Do you still have the same FIRE, ENTHUSIASM, for worship as
when you first became God's child?
7. If not, then we had better make a SELF-EXAMINATION.
8. Examine our attitudes, our inner feelings; because something is
wrong.
9. Yes, we have been granted a new year!!! May we accept it with
joy!! May we use each day wisely!!
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