You ARE a "New Creation"

New Beginnings

Intro to the series: This series is designed to help, or to remind us of answers to many questions Christians ask after obeying the gospel.

“I’m saved. . . now what?

Becoming a Christian is only the beginning, your sins are washed away, you are born again, it’s the beginning of a new life, a new identity, and a new journey of following Jesus.

Let’s back up just a minute thinking of new beginnings

(Ice breaker) - - - Think of a time when you started something completely new, job, school, hobby, role, living drug free even, or living retired. What was exciting, what was confusing or even a little scary? What felt unfamiliar? (Pause for some answers)

Now some of the questions that new Christians commonly ask are such things as:

Commonly Asked Questions

Each below is a click on PowerPoint

How do I know I’m really forgiven?

Why do I still struggle with temptation?

What does God expect from me now?

How do I grow spiritually?

What does it mean to ‘walk with Christ?’

How do I leave my old life behind?

How do I see myself the way God sees me?

As a new Christian these are some good questions, but even as a believer who has been around some of these questions can still come into mind. Have any of you asked these questions before?

Big Idea: When we become a Christian, God gives us a new identity, a new purpose, and a new life!

Your Old Life Has Died

Turn with me to Rom6:3-11 - - - In this passage we will see what Paul has to say about our old identity.

Romans 6:3–11 “Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

Paul tells we died, were buried and were raised to walk in the newness of life

You are not who you used to be! Why? You are united with Christ, and you are dead to sin

Question: our old life has died, why is it sometimes hard to stop thinking of ourselves the way we used to?

Something to ponder: What part of your old identity tries hardest to follow you into your new life?

You Belong To Christ

Turn with me to 2Cor5:17 Paul is explaining to Corinthian church, reminding them, they are new.

New creation means new ownership. You are in Christ — your identity is now rooted in belonging to Him.

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You are not defined by who you were

Your past, failures, wounds, achievements and even your old labels

You are defined by Christ as a new creation

Question: How does belonging to Christ change the way we see ourselves? Does it?

(Not a slide) Think about security, purpose, value, direction, identity (what you do for living, what family you come from, how much you have or how little.

Something to ponder: What difference would it make this week if you reminded yourself daily “I belong to Jesus Christ?”

Your New Identity is found in Him!

Your old identity (sinner) is gone, now your new identity is found in Christ. Let’s look together.

Turn with me to Col3:1-4

Colossians 3:1–4 “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”

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You have been raised up with Christ

Your life is now “hidden in Christ” -you are covered, defined, protected.

Identity is not something you create—it is something you receive.

Question: What are some old “identities” people, or even maybe yourself, cling to that Christ wants to replace with a new one?

Something to ponder: What part of your identity do you need to let Christ reshape?

Application: Learn to See Yourself as God Sees You.

Now we get to the heart of the lesson. We must learn to see ourselves through God’s eyes, not our own, or anyone else’s.

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How God sees you; What God’s word says:

You are forgive

Your are new

You are alive

You are His

You are hidden in Christ

You are being transformed.

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Let’s Get Practical

Renew your mind daily with Scripture

Reject old labels God has removed

Speak truth to your heart when lies resurface

Walk in your new identity through obedience

Question: What practical thing can do you to remind yourself of your new identity?

(Conclusion) As mentioned earlier, becoming a Christian is not the end —it is the beginning. You are not who you were. You are not who the world says you are. You are not who your past says you are. - - - You are who Christ says you are, A new creation, with a new Identity, and a new life.

Major Takeaway: Start seeing yourself the way God sees you — as a new creation, fully His, fully forgiven.

Try to memorize 2Cor5:17 to help you or remind you as we journey together.