Your New Life In God’s Grace

I.

Romans 3:23 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

The grace of God is so important to us.

 

A.  The Bible says all have sinned.

II.        I’m thankful the scripture does not leave us there.

Our New Life

I.          When we come to God, we are starting a new life.

II.        Our past is gone.  The things we used to do are not remembered by God.

III.       Notice what Paul says about our new life.

Ephesians 2:4-7 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;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:17 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:17 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become.

IV.       In essence, what God has done for us is to give us a fresh start in life.

 

John 3:3-5 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. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mothers womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

V.        God called this being born again.

Acts 2:38-39 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

VI.       When we understand the previous two scriptures we understand being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins is being born again of water.  When we receive the Holy Ghost with the initial sign of speaking in other tongues we are born again of the spirit.

VII.      We received our heavenly father’s name when we were baptized in His Name.  We take on His nature, or characteristics when we receive His spirit.  The next scriptures explain this:

1 John 3:1-2 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God,…

Romans 8:14-16 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

John 1:12 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

VIII.    Paul explains our new relationship with God like this:

 

1 Timothy 3:15 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Ephesians 2:19-22 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

IX.       Let’s look at our Father’s House.

 

X.        We are members of Gods household.  We are as lively stones built up a spiritual house.  Other versions say it this way; “Being built up as a spiritual house…”

1 Peter 2:5 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

A.  I Corinthians 3:9 says we are Gods building.

 

B.  Our Fathers House is the Church.

XI.       The things that are available to the child of God in this new household are exciting;

A.  Fellowship: We are able to share our joys and sorrows with each other.  We receive encouragement and support from those who really care.

B.  Spiritual Food: We are fed a well balanced meal from the Word of God for our spiritual growth with teaching and preaching.

C.  Fortification: We find strength and victory to overcome the adversary of our soul.

XII.      It is our responsibility to grow in this house.

A.  There is a growth process for all new converts.  Keep in mind, though, we will never cease to grow.  We must always strive to grow more mature in the things of God everyday.

XIII.  Understanding:

A.  Just as a baby begins to understand certain things in the natural, so we, as new babes in Christ, will begin to understand certain things about Him.

B.  Unlike our natural growth process, that takes days…weeks…years, our spiritual growth is determined by our diligence in study, church attendance, fellowship, and prayer.

1.  The more we understand God and our relationship with Him, we gain more confidence and security in Him.

C.  We all come to God from the world.  We came from carnal ways.  Ungodly thoughts, actions, intentions.

1.  We will continue to wrestle with these things.  The key is to gain strength and understanding so we are able to fight these things and conquer them.

2.  The more we fill our minds and hearts with the things of God, the stronger we become, the better our relationship with God becomes, the more we are able to resist temptation.

1 Peter 2:2 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

XIV.    The Things We Eat:

 

A.  As a baby in the natural feeds on milk, we need to desire the milk of the word.

B.  With a baby in the natural, there comes a time when it must forsake the milk and begin eating real food.  Milk for a baby will sustain it for a while, but as it grows it will need more nutritional food.

1.  As we grow we must begin digesting more than just milk from the Word of God and begin to hunger for the stronger meat.  The stronger meat will

Hebrews 5:13-14 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

be the things that will make us truly examine ourselves.

 

XV.      Learning To Walk:

A.  Again, a baby does not begin walking or running right when it is born.

1.  A baby will begin the process of walking in stages; sitting up, rolling, crawling, standing, then walking.

2.  A baby will fall, get hurt, and cry.

B.  As new converts and babes in Christ, there will times, as we learn to walk with Him, we will stumble and fall.

1.  There will be things you don’t understand that will happen to you and you may get hurt.  This is a good time to cry out to God for help.  He loves you and will never forsake you.

2.  Call a brother or Sister who will be able to help you.

3.  Just as a baby is unfamiliar and nervous about walking, you may feel unfamiliar and nervous about certain things about worship, prayer, or church in general.

4.  Also, as a baby tries those steps and succeeds, you will take steps in your walk with God and succeed.  Try those steps and remember, if you fall, we are here to help you and pick you up.

XVI.    There are things we can do to help us in our new life and growth:

A.  Daily Bible reading.

B.  Daily prayer.

C.  Faithful church attendance.