Embracing New Life: The Power of Saying 'Yes' to Jesus

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Newness in Christ

In Christ, you are not merely improved or enhanced; you are made entirely new. This transformation is a profound shift from your old self, marked by sin and struggle, to a new creation defined by grace and freedom. This new identity is not something you achieve through your own efforts but is a gift from God, a testament to His love and mercy. As you embrace this new life, remember that it is not about becoming a better version of yourself but about living in the fullness of who God has created you to be. [01:03]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

Reflection: What old habits or mindsets do you need to let go of to fully embrace your new identity in Christ today?

Day 2: Salvation as a Gift of Grace

Salvation is not something you can earn through religious rituals or good deeds; it is a gift freely given by God through Jesus Christ. This understanding can radically change your perspective on faith, shifting from a performance-based mindset to one of gratitude and reliance on God's grace. As you journey in faith, seek out a community of believers who can support and encourage you, reminding you of the grace that sustains you. [02:08]

"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." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you remind yourself today that your worth is not based on your achievements but on God's grace?

Day 3: The Importance of Community

Walking the path of faith is not meant to be a solitary journey. Being part of a life group or a community of believers is crucial for spiritual growth and resilience. In these groups, you find encouragement, prayer, and support, helping you to grow closer to Jesus and stand firm against life's challenges. This community becomes a source of strength, reminding you that you are not alone in your journey. [04:05]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life can you reach out to today to build or strengthen your spiritual community?

Day 4: The Significance of Baptism

Baptism is a powerful declaration of the inward change that Jesus has made in your life. It symbolizes your new life in Christ and serves as a public testimony of your faith. This act of obedience is not just a ritual but a celebration of the transformative work God has done in you. As you consider baptism, reflect on the significance of this step in your faith journey and the joy of sharing it with others. [04:35]

"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." (Romans 6:4, ESV)

Reflection: If you have not been baptized, what steps can you take today to prepare for this important declaration of faith?

Day 5: Relationship Over Rules

Following Jesus is about cultivating a relationship with Him, not merely adhering to a set of rules or checking off religious boxes. This relationship is dynamic and personal, empowered by the Holy Spirit to help you overcome challenges and temptations. As you walk in the newness of life, lean on the support of your church community and focus on deepening your connection with Jesus. [05:17]

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical way you can deepen your relationship with Jesus today, beyond just following religious routines?

Sermon Summary

In this message, we celebrate the transformative power of saying "yes" to Jesus and becoming a new creation in Christ. Whether you're new to the faith or reconnecting, it's important to understand that God's love and grace have made you new, freeing you from past sins and struggles. This journey is not one you take alone; as a church, we are committed to walking alongside you, step by step, as you grow in your relationship with Jesus.

I shared a bit of my own story, highlighting how a simple act of receiving a Bible from the Gideons led me to a profound realization: salvation is not earned through religious efforts but is a gift of grace through Jesus. This realization changed my life, and I found strength and guidance in a community of believers. This is why I encourage you to find a Bible-teaching church and surround yourself with fellow believers who can support and guide you.

To aid in your journey, we've created a booklet filled with resources and a 21-day devotional to help you navigate your first weeks as a disciple of Jesus. This booklet addresses common questions about God, the Bible, and prayer, and it connects you with pastors and people who can support you.

Two crucial steps in your faith journey are joining a life group and getting baptized. A life group provides the community and support you need to grow in your faith, as we are not meant to walk this path alone. Baptism is a public declaration of the inward change Jesus has made in your life, symbolizing your new life in Christ.

Remember, following Jesus is about a relationship, not just checking boxes. You may face challenges and temptations, but with the Holy Spirit's power, you can overcome them. Together, as the Church, we will walk in the newness of life, supporting and encouraging one another. Congratulations on your new life in Christ, and let's grow together in faith.

Key Takeaways

1. Embracing a new life in Christ means understanding that you are a new creation, free from past sins and struggles. This transformation is not about becoming a better version of yourself but about becoming entirely new through God's grace. [01:03]
2. Salvation is a gift of grace, not something earned through religious efforts or good works. This realization can lead to a profound change in your life, as it did in mine, and it is essential to find a community of believers to support you in this journey. [02:08]
3. Joining a life group is vital for spiritual growth, as we are not meant to walk this journey alone. In a life group, you find encouragement, prayer, and support, helping you grow closer to Jesus and stand strong against life's challenges. [04:05]
4. Baptism is an important step in your faith journey, serving as a public declaration of the inward change Jesus has made in your life. It symbolizes your new life in Christ and is an opportunity to celebrate with others the transformative work God has done in you. [04:35]
5. Following Jesus is about a relationship, not just following rules or checking boxes. With the Holy Spirit's power, you can overcome challenges and temptations, walking in the newness of life with the support of the Church community. [05:17]
** [05:17]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:03] - New Creation in Christ
[02:08] - Personal Testimony
[02:43] - Resources for New Believers
[03:26] - Importance of Community
[04:05] - Joining a Life Group
[04:35] - The Significance of Baptism
[05:17] - Relationship Over Rules
[05:52] - Prayer for New Believers
[06:35] - Closing Blessing

Sermon Clips

1) "You probably have a lot of questions and so let's just start with the basics and realize that God loves you so much and because of His perfect work through Jesus, every sin that you've committed is now forgiven and you are new, a new creation in Christ Jesus. You're not just like a better version, but you're different. Your old life is gone and everything has become new. So whatever has held you back, wherever you've been, maybe in bondage or trapped, in sin or confusion or hurt, there is healing in Christ. There is freedom in Christ. You have the eternal life of Jesus living inside of you." [01:03] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "The first thing you want to do in following Jesus is you want people around you. You want to join a life group. You may say, like, why does this matter? Because you aren't meant to go through life alone. Scripture says that we strengthen one another. We're actually incomplete without each other. I grew up hearing about a personal relationship with Jesus, but actually, when you read Scripture, to truly follow Jesus, we have a shared relationship. And we grow best as followers of Christ when we surround ourselves with other people who can encourage us and pray for us and walk through challenges with us." [04:05] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "And the second step, and this is fun, is you get to go public with your faith through baptism. That's right. What is baptism? Well, this is an outward and a visible sign of the inward and spiritual work that Jesus changed your life. And you're going to invite everybody that you know to bring them in to celebrate your life-changing decision because you are dead in your sins and now you're alive in Christ. And baptism is the opportunity for you to declare publicly, this is what God has done in my life. So invite people like crazy and sign up for the next baptism." [04:35] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "Now, following Jesus, as you know, this is the most important decision that you'll ever make. As you grow with him, it's not about like checking boxes and just doing all the right things. It's always about a relationship. What you're going to find is your spiritual enemy is going to kick back and maybe tempt you to go back in some old ways or battle with some old thoughts. And that's why we're going to stand with God's people and God's word to be conformed to the image of Christ." [05:17] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "And I want to encourage you, it's not about your strength or your ability. But you have. You the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within you. Whenever you're weak, he is strong. And so let's do it. Let's do it together, day by day, step by step, walking away from the old life, walking the newness of life in Christ. And the great news is we'll never do it alone. I get to do it with you. You get to do it with me. We get to do it together because who are we? We are the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. So congratulations." [05:52] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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