Break Free from the Old

Intro - Breaking Free

God wants us to be free to be Brand New

Ultimately, we are headed to heaven where everything will be brand new.

Revelation 21:4–5 NLT

4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” 5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.”

New or Improved?

God makes us NEW. He doesn’t improve the old. This is why we often don’t keep up our walk… why we don’t break free of old habits...

We just try to improve the old. That doesn’t work. God makes all things new.

2 Corinthians 5:17 The Living Bible

17 When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!

Brand New - not an improved old you...

inside -

Too many people, it’s outside behavior and not inside change. You go to church… etc.

78% of Americans say they are Christian. 7% say that because of their Christianity say their life is changed because of that.

Listen, REAL Christianity means that you change… things are made new.

Changing Outside In

or

Change Inside out

People change their habits, what they eat… etc. but they go back.

You have to change the inside out. You have to become brand new.

Doing something different

or

Being someone different

Improving the old you

or

Becoming the New You

We must change from the inside out, be someone different, and become a new person.

The OT system was what we call the Old Covenant. They would sacrifice anaimals to cover the sin, but people still felt guilty.

God said he had a brand new way to handle it.

New Covenant

Hebrews 10:16–18 NLT

16 “This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” 17 Then he says, “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” 18 And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.

God didn’t tell you to do right, he made you right.

If you try to follow God by keeping all the rules, you can’t do it. So God put the law in our hearts and he doesn’t just cover our sins, He removes them.

That’s a whole lot better. That’s why you may not have liked church before… you were trying to keep the rules… to improve the old you. You have to become NEW.

Hebrews 10:19–25 NLT

19 And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20 By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. 21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Let us go into the presence of God… draw near to God.

Let us hold tightly to the hope because God keeps his promises. The bible is alive… not a normal book. Get God’s promises into your life and hold on to them.

Let us think of ways to motivate each other to do good things. A part of change takes place when we decide to live our life to impact other people. You won’t grow when it’s just you...

Let us meet together. Some are not growing because you are not connecting and meeting together.

1. Am I worshipping intimately?

If God wants us to be close to him, are we worshipping him intimately.

John 4:23 NLT

23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.

God is looking for worshippers. This means he is looking for people who are excited to be around HIM. ILL - come home and your dog jumps around excited you are home… I saw something in Jon that I wanted…

Talk about some of you carry the TV… then progress to the field goal.

Here is the promise.

James 4:8 NLT

8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

2. Am I feeding daily?

Are you reading the WOG everyday.

Devotionals… OYB … First 15

Joshua 1:8 NLT

8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

How many want to be successful? break free of old habits? to become new?

Get into God’s Word...

Psalm 119:105 NLT

105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

Once he changes you he will guide you.

3. Am I serving faithfully?

Are you encouraging someone? If you will serve, you will find that it will do more for you than the people you are serving.

1 Peter 4:10 NLT

10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

You have each been given gifts and God wants you to use them. some can greet, work with kids… youth… some can play instruments… clean...

4. Am I connecting regularly?

If you will take advantage of our worship services, meals, small groups, ministry teams, you will connect with others at a different level.

God wants you to build relationships where you connect.

James 5:16 NLT

16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

You have to connect with others. That’s why our tag line is Connecting people to Jesus and each other.

Altar

Pray -

Salvation -