Embracing New Life Through Christ's Resurrection
Summary
Easter is a time of renewal and new beginnings, a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of a brand new life. We all love new things, whether it's the smell of a new car, the feel of new socks, or the innocence of a newborn baby. These things remind us of the freshness and potential of new beginnings. God, too, loves new things and desires for us to experience a brand new life through Him. However, many of us struggle with the idea of being made new because of the baggage we carry—our past mistakes, our sins, and the lies the enemy tells us about our worthiness.
The truth is, God is not mad at us; He is madly in love with us. He wants to transform our lives, to take our brokenness and make us whole. Easter is the starting point for this transformation. Jesus' death and resurrection provide the way for us to be forgiven and to live a life free from the chains of sin and death. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power available to us to live a new life.
Romans 6:4 tells us that we are buried with Christ in baptism and raised to walk in newness of life. This means that our old selves, with all their sins and failures, are dead and buried. We are called to live a new life, one that is led by Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit. This new life is not about following rules or rituals; it's about a relationship with Jesus that transforms us from the inside out.
For those who are already followers of Jesus, the challenge is to let go of the sins and habits that the enemy uses to hold us back. We must tap into the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome these obstacles and live the life God has called us to. For those who have not yet made the decision to follow Jesus, today is the day to take that step and experience the brand new life He offers.
Key Takeaways:
- God desires for us to experience a brand new life, free from the baggage of our past. Despite our history, God is not mad at us; He is madly in love with us and wants to transform our lives. [09:49]
- The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our new life. Just as Jesus was raised from the dead, we too can live a new life, free from the chains of sin and death. [14:40]
- Our old selves are dead and buried with Christ. We are called to live a new life, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and to let go of the sins and habits that hold us back. [19:08]
- Baptism is a symbol of our new life in Christ. It represents the death of our old selves and the beginning of our new life, empowered by the Holy Spirit. [27:59]
- The power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us. We can overcome sin and live the life God has called us to, experiencing the fullness of His love and grace. [36:58]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - The Joy of New Things
- [02:15] - God's Love for the Brand New
- [04:00] - The Weight of Baggage
- [06:45] - God's Love and Forgiveness
- [09:49] - Easter: The Beginning of Brand New
- [12:30] - The Power of the Resurrection
- [14:40] - Romans 6:4: New Life in Christ
- [17:37] - The Cost of New Life
- [19:08] - Leaving the Old Life Behind
- [23:54] - Living a Transformed Life
- [25:23] - Steps for Believers and Seekers
- [27:59] - The Significance of Baptism
- [31:16] - A Story of Transformation
- [34:04] - God's Love and Our Response
- [36:58] - Embracing the New Life
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Romans 6:4
- Matthew 27:1-28:10
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#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 6:4, what does it mean to be "buried with Christ in baptism"? How does this relate to living a new life?
2. In the sermon, what examples were given to illustrate the concept of "brand new"? ([09:49])
3. How does the sermon describe the significance of Jesus' resurrection in relation to our new life? ([14:40])
4. What role does baptism play in symbolizing the transformation into a new life, according to the sermon? ([27:59])
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the idea of being "madly in love" with us, rather than "mad at us," change our understanding of God's desire for our lives? ([09:49])
2. What does it mean to let go of the "baggage" from our past, and how does this affect our ability to live a new life in Christ? ([19:08])
3. How does the power that raised Jesus from the dead empower us to overcome sin and live a transformed life? ([36:58])
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that comfortability can hinder us from experiencing the brand new life God offers? ([23:54])
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a past mistake or sin that you feel is holding you back. How can you begin to let go of this "baggage" and embrace the new life God offers? ([09:49])
2. The sermon mentions that God is not mad at us but madly in love with us. How does this perspective change the way you view your relationship with God? ([09:49])
3. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel the "old self" is still present. What steps can you take to bury this old self and live in the newness of life? ([19:08])
4. How can you tap into the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome a specific sin or habit that is holding you back? ([36:58])
5. If you have not been baptized, what is holding you back from taking this step of obedience? How can you move forward in this area? ([27:59])
6. Consider a comfort zone in your life that might be preventing you from experiencing the brand new life God has for you. What is one action you can take this week to step out of that comfort zone? ([23:54])
7. How can you support someone else in your life who is struggling to embrace the new life in Christ? What practical steps can you take to encourage them? ([34:04])
Devotional
Day 1: Experiencing God's Transformative Love
God's love is not conditional on our past mistakes or sins. He desires for us to experience a brand new life, free from the baggage we carry. Many struggle with the idea of being made new because they feel unworthy due to their past. However, the truth is that God is not mad at us; He is madly in love with us. His love is transformative, and He wants to take our brokenness and make us whole. Easter marks the beginning of this transformation, offering us a fresh start through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. [09:49]
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: What past mistake or sin do you need to release to fully embrace God's love and transformation in your life today?
Day 2: The Resurrection's Power in Our Lives
The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our new life. Just as Jesus was raised from the dead, we too can live a new life, free from the chains of sin and death. This new life is not about following rules or rituals but about a relationship with Jesus that transforms us from the inside out. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power available to us to live a new life. This power enables us to overcome sin and live the life God has called us to. [14:40]
Ephesians 1:19-20 (ESV): "And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to invite the resurrection power of Jesus to bring transformation and freedom today?
Day 3: Embracing Our New Identity in Christ
Our old selves, with all their sins and failures, are dead and buried with Christ. We are called to live a new life, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and to let go of the sins and habits that hold us back. This new identity in Christ is not about adhering to a set of rules but about living in the freedom and grace that Jesus offers. Baptism symbolizes this new life, representing the death of our old selves and the beginning of our new life in Christ. [19:08]
Colossians 3:9-10 (ESV): "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."
Reflection: What old habit or sin do you need to let go of to fully embrace your new identity in Christ today?
Day 4: The Significance of Baptism
Baptism is a powerful symbol of our new life in Christ. It represents the death of our old selves and the beginning of our new life, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Through baptism, we publicly declare our faith and commitment to follow Jesus. It is a step of obedience that signifies our willingness to leave behind our old ways and embrace the new life God has for us. This act of faith is a reminder of the transformative power of Jesus' resurrection in our lives. [27:59]
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."
Reflection: If you have been baptized, how can you live out the significance of your baptism in your daily life? If you haven't, what steps can you take to explore this important step of faith?
Day 5: Living in the Fullness of God's Love and Grace
The power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us. We can overcome sin and live the life God has called us to, experiencing the fullness of His love and grace. This new life is not about striving in our own strength but about relying on the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us. As we embrace this new life, we are invited to experience the depth of God's love and the abundance of His grace, which transforms us and enables us to live with purpose and joy. [36:58]
2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."
Reflection: How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit to experience the fullness of God's love and grace in your life today?
Quotes
Let me just say this to you: whether you've had an abortion or you've had 20 abortions, God is not mad at you. He's madly in love with you. That's the truth of Scripture. God's not mad at you. He's madly in love with you. Came in this morning, you're wrestling with an addiction to alcohol, maybe something harder, some drugs, maybe pornography, sex, maybe it's success, maybe it's an addiction to shopping. Whatever it is, it's got its claws in you and it doesn't let go. [00:03:55] (33 seconds)
When Jesus went to the cross and Jesus gave his life on the cross, his blood shed, it provided a way for you and I to find forgiveness with a holy and just God. Because sin, which you and I have, has to be punished. It has to be because God is just. He's going to punish sin, and instead of punishing you and punishing me, Jesus was punished on the cross. His blood on that cross provided us a way to experience life without sin. [00:13:42] (32 seconds)
The power of God that raised Jesus from the dead, death to life, that coming out of a coma for 19 years, that's a miracle. Being dead for three days and coming back to life is a bigger miracle. That power of God that brought Jesus back after three days is the same power of God that you have in your life if you're a follower of Jesus because that Spirit of God lives in you. [00:27:07] (23 seconds)
If you're a follower of Jesus, you've come to a point where the old is gone, the new is here. You've got to figure out how to die to that sin. The one that the enemy keeps coming after you, again, it might be an addiction, it might be pride, it might be anger misplaced. Anger is not a sin, but misplaced anger. It might be lust, it might be materialism. I don't know. But there's something, and the enemy knows your weakness. [00:30:43] (34 seconds)
If you're a believer, what is it in your life that the enemy keeps grabbing hold of you? You gotta figure out how to let that go. Spirit of God in you, you have the power. If you're not a follower of Jesus, today may be your day. Today may be your day that brand new happens. The old is gone, the new is here, but you've gotta decide, are you gonna follow Jesus? It's the best decision you'll ever make. [00:37:24] (27 seconds)
There's coming a day where you will stand before God. And the enemy who hates you is going to say, I want him. I want her. I want Brett Levi. He did this. He did this. He did that. He did this. He did this. Here's the long list of things where he was disobedient, where he was sinful, and I've got his name. And God's going to look at Jesus and go, that guy doesn't exist anymore. [00:54:35] (26 seconds)
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