The New You

Many centuries ago, when Augustine of Hippo was without God and without hope, the Holy Spirit convicted him as he read the words of Romans 13:14, “put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill its lust.” Augustine acknowledged his sin, accepted Jesus as his Savior, and became a different person. His whole outlook on life changed because of his new nature. One day while in Rome while on business a former companion saw him and began to shouting “Augustine, Augustine, it is I.” He took one look at the poor, disreputable woman whose company he once enjoyed and he shuddered. Reminding himself of his new position in Christ, he quickly turned and ran from her, shouting “It’s not I! It’s not I!”

If you are here today and by Grace through faith in Jesus have been saved then you are no longer the person you used to be, you are a new person, you’ve been given a new position, as well as a new purpose in Christ.

I. God Made us a New Person (17-18(a)

[By grace through faith God made us a new person with new ways]

A. The New Person (Instantaneously)

B. The New Ways

(New desires {Instantaneously} New deeds {Progressively}

II. God Gave us a New Position (19(a), 21)

[By grace through faith God made us a family member and bestowed on us the declaration of righteous]

ILL: I was given a new position at T&W, by grace through faith we have been given a place in the presence of God.

A. Restored to the Family of God

B. Declared The Righteousness of God in Christ

III. God gave us a New Purpose (18(b)20 -21)

[God has called us into His work, to make it known that by grace through faith in Jesus He will not count their sins to their account, instead it is passed to Jesus. God makes His appeal through us, He wants you to be restored to His family!]

Gave (didōmi) {to give, in context: Assign to a task}

Counting (logizomai) {An accounting term, to keep records of debts and credits}

Committed (tithēmi) {to appoint. Perhaps an accounting term… to deposit, put in bank}

Knew (ginōskō) {familiar with through personal experience}

ILL: During the revolutionary war, in Ephrata Pennsylvania there lived a pastor by the name of Peter Miller. Although Miller was greatly loved by everyone in the community, there was one man who lived near the church who hated him and had earned a distasteful reputation for his abuse of the minister. This man was not only a hater of the church, but also turned out to be a traitor to his country and was convicted of treason and sentenced to death.

The trial was conducted in Philadelphia, and no sooner did Miller hear of it than he set out on foot to visit General George Washington and interceded for the man’s life. But Washington told him, “I’m sorry that I cannot grant your request for your friend.” Friend! Miller cried. “Why that man is the worst enemy I have in the world!” “What?” the general exclaimed in surprise. “Have you walked sixty miles to save the life of an enemy? That in my judgment, puts the matter in a different light. I will grant him a pardon for your sake.”

The pardon was made out and signed by General Washington, and Miller proceeded at once on foot to a place fifteen miles away where the execution was scheduled to take place that afternoon. He arrived just as the man was being carried to the scaffold, and when he saw Miller hurrying toward the place, remarked. “There is old Peter Miller. He has walked all the way from Ephrata to have his revenge gratified today by seeing me hung.” But scarcely spoken the words when Miller pushed his way through to the condemned man and handed him the pardon that saved his life.

We have been handed pardon papers from God, for every man, woman, and child that we are to publicize/announce so that there spiritual life can be spared.