Living the New Life Message 1

Living the New Life

Alive in Christ

Message 1

Colossians 3:1 (NLT) — 1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.

Starting Something New.

a. New is not always better.

i. I like old things.

ii. My toy from when I was a kid.

iii. My bag I carry to church (it’s leather and it will get a patina on it.)

iv. Not all old things are good. (My mail car)

b. I like new things.

i. A new car is nice.

ii. We take pictures of it and show it off.

iii. A new pet brings lots of joy.

iv. New relationships.

Even a new life.

i. Did you never want to go somewhere and just start over?

ii. The bible talks a lot about this.

A New Life with Christ.

a. Look what the bible says.

Romans 8:11 (NIV) — 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

Romans 8:11 NIV

11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

Ephesians 2:1 (NLT) — 1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.

Ephesians 2:1 NLT

1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.

Ephesians 2:6 (GW) — 6 God has brought us back to life together with Christ Jesus and has given us a position in heaven with him.

Ephesians 2:6 GW

6 God has brought us back to life together with Christ Jesus and has given us a position in heaven with him.

Colossians 2:13 (NLT) — 13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.

Colossians 2:13 NLT

13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.

Colossians 3:1 (NLT) — 1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.

Colossians 3:1 NLT

1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.

Baptism

i. It is the dead of our old life.

ii. Buried in a watery grace.

iii. “Raised” to new life.

iv. Romans 6:3–4 (NCV) — 3 Did you forget that all of us became part of Christ when we were baptized? We shared his death in our baptism. 4 When we were baptized, we were buried with Christ and shared his death. So, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the wonderful power of the Father, we also can live a new life.

Romans 6:3–4 NCV

3 Did you forget that all of us became part of Christ when we were baptized? We shared his death in our baptism. 4 When we were baptized, we were buried with Christ and shared his death. So, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the wonderful power of the Father, we also can live a new life.

What does it mean to alive in Christ?

Spiritual Rebirth

i. John 3:3 (NIV) — 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

John 3:3 NIV

3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

ii. It is a new beginning.

iii. It is a fresh start in our relationship with God.

iv. From that dead, sinful life.

v. To a life of freedom from the slavery of sin.

Forgiveness and Redemption.

i. Ephesians 1:7 (NIV) — 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

Ephesians 1:7 NIV

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

ii. It should have been you and I on that cross.

iii. But Christ took the penalty for our sin.

iv. Romans 6:23 (NIV) — 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23 NIV

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

A New Identity.

i. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) — 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

ii. In Alcoholics Anonymous, you stand up and introduce yourself and identify yourself as an alcoholic.

iii. And Celebrate Recovery. You stand up and introduce yourself and find your identity in Jesus Christ.

iv. There is a huge difference.

v. Being alive in Christ means having a new identity.

vi. Believers are no longer identified by their past mistakes or sins.

vii. Believers are identified by their relationship with Christ.

Union with Christ.

i. John 15:5 (NIV) — 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:5 NIV

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

ii. Through Christ I can do all things

Living According to God's Will

i. Galatians 2:20 (NIV) — 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20 NIV

20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

ii. When you align your life with Christ you are truly living.

Eternal Life

i. John 11:25–26 (NIV) — 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

John 11:25–26 NIV

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Do You Believe This?

Being alive in Christ.

i. It will change you forever.

ii. Your relationship with Jesus will be characterized by…

1. Faith

2. Love

3. Hope

4. God’s purpose

5. Righteousness

Believe in him and be saved.

i. Need a second chance?

ii. Need a fresh start?

iii. Need a new hope?

iv. You find it by being alive in Christ.