The Christian Path: Rearranged

Intro

Things Will Change

Last week I talked about the fact that after conversion,

In conversion, we are born again.

We are in fact born again into a new life, into a new kind of life

We’ve Been Changed

Emphasis: this new life of the new believer is different from the life we were living

Changed people live in a changed way

Should not come as a surprise

Think back to your conversion and remember what happened

Understood what was happening

You were separated from God — death; sins forgiven

Formerly were not in relationship with God, but now are

Of course my new life as a believer is going to be different — I’m different

You certainly understood that you were called to “Repent”

Acts 3:19–20 ESV

Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,

I changed my thinking about who Jesus is and what he did

1 Thessalonians 1:9 ESV

For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

Perhaps in addition you understood that you had been dead in your sin

Made me alive — the very core, essence of who I am, has been fundamentally changed

Life of a living person is going to be different from the “life” of a dead person

Of course my new life as a believer is going to be different — I’m different

And yet, much more happened to you than you probably realized

Fill out the picture of conversion

The more you understand about the change that God worked in you

The more you will understand how different your new life will become

Your new life as a believer is going to be different because you are different

Before conversion

It was God who drew you to himself — guilty; emptiness

John 6:44 ESV

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

Enabled you to respond in faith —

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

When you did responded in faith (in your actual conversion)

Rescued from kingdom of darkness and brought into his kingdom of light

My sins totally forgiven

Justified — acquitted of all guilt

Free from all condemnation — Jesus absorbed all of God’s wrath against sin

Redeemed — price paid; freedom secured from mastery/tyranny of sin

Sanctified — made holy

Caused me to be born again — Made me into a new creation

Adopted me as child of God, new family … inheritance

Home, citizen of heaven

Given the Holy Spirit as a helper and guarantee of God’s promises

Of course life is going to be different

It can’t possibly be the same because I am not the same

Romans 6:2

Romans 6:2 ESV

By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

Describe imagery of baptism

Not an act of salvation but an act of obedience —

Great Commission

Public proclamation that God has changed you — risen to a new life

Romans 6:3–4 ESV

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

If you understand what actually happened in conversion

Of course my new life as a believer is going to be different — I’m different

What does this new life look like?

Life of discipleship — follower; learned

Not a spiritual spasm or a one-time event

Conversion is the crucial first step in a new life

Mark 8:34 — “deny yourself”: relinquishment your will

Mark 8:34 ESV

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Hurt, anger, “not my will but yours” forgive

Unfair — get even — “not my will …” — kindness, humility

“Fruits of the Spirit”

God’s Spirit (Holy Spirit/Ghost)

“Monotheism” — Shema — “Trinity” — God is one and yet three (Father/Son/HS) — mystery

Holy Spirit: drew you; enabled to respond to gospel; regenerated; guides and empowers you, gives you the ability, to bear fruit

“Bear fruit”

A healthy fruit tree produces fruit, so also a healthy Christian’s life will change — changes are the “fruit”

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

May already have started to see some of these changes — process; slow; stumbles

Is this change automatic? What is my role, if any?

Not automatic — you can fight against it and win

Mastery and tyranny of sin over you has been broken — don’t have to sin

Sin is still present, and it is not passive but active force seeks to destroy

You’ve made a new enemy — Satan did not like losing you from his kingdom

Can’t change on your own

“Now that you are believer, you must show love, joy …”

The desire and ability to live the Christian life is all of God —co-operate (yield)

Not salvation

Philippians 2:12–13 ESV

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

We constantly need to be reminded to live by God’s power

Daily say, “God, I can’t do this. Help:”

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

We are called to be the “Salt of the Earth” — life is different

If we understand what happens in conversion — ja; of course

Life of discipleship

Begin to bear fruit for God — God does his part, and we do our ours

Process - come to agree:

Psalm 16:11 ESV

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.