Grace on Display: Turning Over a New Leaf

Intro: Many of us have either used or heard the phrase used, “I’m turning over a new leaf.”

The term originated in the 1500’s and was used in connection with turning the page of a book.

The Phrase communicates several truths about where we’ve been, where we are, and where we are going!

It tells us where we have been because we do not want to got back.

It tells us where we are because we don’t want to stay here.

It tells us where we are going because we know there needs to be a change.

Turning a New Leaf Requires the Killing of the Old One. (vs. 5-7)

Expound on the word mortify (Matt. 5:29-30) in connection with the list.

Does the gardener worry over the death of the weed?

Does the hunter fret over the kill of their prey?

Does the patient mourn for the loss of the tumor?

Then, why do the people of God all too often never grow, never get past sins God saved them from? I tell you it is because they have not killed their worldly behaviors!

Focus on the present coming of God’s wrath upon the disobedient.

God’s attributed wrath (οργη)

EX: Fox News’ first sentence in relation to a story about volcano deaths

The closer you get to an active volcano, the better your odds of dying if it erupts.

Romans 1:18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”

John 3:18 “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

The closer you get to God a part from the atoning sacrifice in Christ is the closer you get to an eternal hell!

Turning a New Leaf Requires the Capture of the Previous Author. (vs. 8-9)

The Author of our lives is our tongue.

From the words that come out of our mouth, the script of our lives are written.

Every sin in the list can only be expressed and associated with the tongue!

James 3:5-9 “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.”

No country can change its government until the ruling officials have been removed and new ones put in its place!

No failing business can begin to right the ship until the current management has been fired and new management hired!

No person should dare claim the Lord as their Savior until they’ve surrendered the control of their tongue to Him! Focus on v. 9 (πραζις)

Turning a New Leaf Requires Participation in a New Story. (vs. 10-11)

We often say, “Come to Jesus just as you are”, but we need to add, “And be ready to change once you meet Him.”

If we are really going to turn over a new leaf, then we not only put off the old man, but we put on the new!

EX: Changing of clothes in 1st century.

Expound upon the continual renewal in knowledge (Express the form of knowledge).

Conclusion: Is it time to turn the page in your life this morning?