New Beginning

Big Idea of the Message: Human beings can strive to fix the brokenness in their lives, only to fail. Christ brings new life and a death to the old self and old way of living.

Struggles

How many of us have struggles in our lives;

Each of our struggles are unique while yet the same - money, family, work, desires, addictions are just a few examples;

Where do our struggle live - in our minds first then they emerge into our reality;

So how do we handle our struggles by continuing down the same path and expecting the a different journey;

However that won’t work - I know because I have been there (and still visit regularly) and bought the t-shirt;

In-order to begin relieving your struggles you have to look at the cause, which is most likely yourself;

So if you want a New Beginning there has to be a restart form inside of yourself.

Restart

Paul wants you understand how you can restart;

Who is Paul? Former Pharisee turner church planter and writer of approximately 28% of the New Testament.

First you must not only understand your need of a savior but accept Jesus as the only Savior - John 6:44;

Without this part there will not be a restart - why, because you will continue to focus on yourself - the one most likely responsible for your struggles;

Paul had to restart in the same way that you and I have to restart through Christ Jesus;

Second you must embrace your restart by walking away from stuff - which is the most challenging part;

Why is this challenging - because the stuff is actually sin that we did not recognize as sin;

You cannot stay in darkness and expect light to guide your path.

The old you doesn’t just stop doing the bad things you used to do. You now have a new life, a new you. You are renewed from the inside out. You have a new way of living. Ministry Pass

Movement

Movement begins by filling your mind with a different fuel;

If you knew that a certain gas station watered done their gas, which could cause damage to your car’s engine, would you keeping getting your gas there?

In order for you to have movement you need proper fuel - which is Jesus’ teachings;

How can you “learn Christ” first by changing the fuel you put into your mind - sinful input results in sinful actions so is the opposite Christ filled input results in Christ filled actions;

Movement towards Christ will mean movement away from your old, or maybe current, ways;

Movement in the direction of Christ will renew your way of thinking and actions;

Your identity is now not in how much you have, how you look, or where you are from. The core identity you have is now in who you know, in the person of Jesus. Ministry Pass

Restoration

I enjoy watching DIY and restoration shows, probably a little too much;

Why, because people take something that others feel have out reached it’s purpose and give it a New Beginning;

That’s what Jesus is wanting to do for you personally and this church corporately;

People may look at you and see a failure, an addict, or just worthless and are they are ready to toss you aside and forget about you - you may have these thoughts about yourself;

But their are two people that know your potentially - one wants to bring restoration while the other wants to throw you aside;

Jesus wants to restore you through Himself while Satan wants to keep you right where you are;

If you don’t remember anything I have said remember this:

Application Point: We have new life and a new identity in Jesus; the old way of living life doesn’t matter anymore. Ministry Pass

So now I have to ask this question “What do you want restoration or destruction?”