Living in the Freedom of New Life in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Stay Connected to the Vine: Life Flows from Jesus

The Christian life is not about striving in our own strength, but about remaining connected to Jesus, the true vine. When we abide in Him, His life, power, and fruit naturally flow through us, producing what we could never accomplish on our own. Our job is not to manufacture spiritual results, but to stay connected to the source—Jesus Himself—so that His love, grace, and strength become evident in our lives. When we drift or disconnect, we quickly find ourselves empty and frustrated, but when we remain in Him, we experience the fullness of His abundant life. [10:04]

John 15:5 (ESV)
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Reflection: In what area of your life have you been trying to “produce fruit” on your own? What would it look like today to intentionally stay connected to Jesus and let His life flow through you instead?

Day 2: The Simplicity of the Gospel: Jesus Is the Only Way

The message of Jesus is beautifully simple, yet we often complicate it with our own ideas, traditions, or preferences. Jesus plainly declared that He is the way, the truth, and the life—no one comes to the Father except through Him. There are not many paths to God, but one, and that is through Christ alone. When we hold fast to this truth, we are protected from confusion and deception, and we can rest in the assurance that our salvation is secure in Him. [17:45]

John 14:6 (ESV)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Reflection: Are there any beliefs or influences in your life that have made the gospel feel complicated or uncertain? How can you return today to the simple truth that Jesus is the only way?

Day 3: New Creation in Christ: The Old Is Gone, the New Has Come

Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are not just improved versions of our old selves—we are made entirely new. The old patterns, failures, and even generational curses no longer define us; we are now part of a new creation race, joined to Christ and filled with His life. This new identity means we are free from the power of sin and the past, and we can walk in the freedom, hope, and victory that Jesus secured for us. [30:38]

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

Reflection: What “old” label or pattern do you need to let go of today, believing instead that you are a new creation in Christ?

Day 4: United with Christ: Crucified, Buried, and Raised with Him

Our union with Jesus means that His story becomes our story. When He died, we died; when He was buried, we were buried; and when He rose, we rose to new life. This is not just a metaphor, but a spiritual reality that sets us free from the power of sin and enables us to live in victory. We are no longer slaves to our past, our failures, or our weaknesses, but are called to walk habitually in newness of life, empowered by the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. [44:08]

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: Picture yourself being laid in the tomb with Jesus and rising with Him—what does it mean for you to walk in newness of life today?

Day 5: Freedom from the Curse: Living in the Power of the New Covenant

Because of Jesus’ finished work, we are redeemed from every curse, including sin, sickness, and hopelessness. The new covenant established by His blood is built on better promises, and we are invited to live in the fullness of that freedom. No diagnosis, circumstance, or past mistake can define or limit us anymore. As we come to the table of communion, we remember and proclaim that His victory is our victory, and we can live each day with hope, confidence, and joy, knowing that nothing is impossible with God. [52:48]

Galatians 3:13 (ESV)
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—

Reflection: What “curse” or limitation have you accepted as unchangeable in your life? How can you claim your freedom in Christ and live in the power of the new covenant today?

Sermon Summary

Spring brings new life, and it’s a fitting time to reflect on the life we have in Christ. Today, we gathered as a family—celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and the faithful work of our community. We also remembered our missionaries in Beirut, sowing seeds of hope and laboring among the sons of Ishmael. As we prepared for communion, I shared how, in the quiet of the early morning, God reminded me of His grace, forgiveness, and love—simple truths that are the foundation of our faith.

The heart of our time together centered on the simplicity of the gospel. Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches…without me, you can do nothing.” The Christian life is not about striving or adding layers of religious complexity. It’s about staying connected to Jesus, the source of all life. The fruit we bear is not the result of our own effort, but the natural outflow of His life in us. Too often, we complicate what God has made simple, adding rules, preferences, and divisions. But the finished work of Christ is enough—plus nothing.

We explored the profound truth that Jesus is not just one way among many; He is the way, the truth, and the life. Staying connected to Him means that His life—Zoe, the very nature and DNA of God—flows through us. This connection breaks the power of sin, generational curses, and hopelessness. The first Adam brought sin and death, but Jesus, the last Adam, brought a new creation. In Him, we are not defined by our past, our failures, or our family history. We are new creatures, joined to the Lord as one spirit, born again into a new race.

Communion is a celebration of this reality. It’s not a religious formality or a privilege for a select few, but a proclamation that Christ’s death was our death, His resurrection our resurrection, and His victory our victory. We come to the table not as slaves to sin or circumstance, but as those who have been set free. The new covenant, established in His blood, is built on better promises. We are called to live in the fullness of this new life, refusing to be limited by the old patterns or the world’s hopelessness. In Christ, there is always hope, always freedom, and always the possibility of new beginnings.

Key Takeaways

1. The Simplicity of the Gospel: The message of Jesus is profoundly simple—He is the vine, we are the branches, and apart from Him, we can do nothing. Our role is not to strive or complicate, but to remain connected to Him, allowing His life to flow through us and bear fruit naturally. The finished work of Christ is sufficient; we need not add to it or burden ourselves with religious extras. [10:30]
2. The Power of Identity in Christ: In Christ, we are not defined by our past, our failures, or our family history. The old self, with its patterns and curses, was crucified with Christ. We are now part of a new creation, joined to the Lord as one spirit, and called to live out of this new identity rather than the limitations of the old. [34:00]
3. Freedom from Sin and Its Byproducts: Sin is not merely a behavioral issue but a spiritual condition that brought death and all its consequences into the world. Through union with Christ in His death and resurrection, we are no longer slaves to sin, addiction, or even the generational patterns that once bound us. This freedom is both a gift and a responsibility to walk in newness of life. [46:08]
4. Communion as a Living Proclamation: The Lord’s Table is not a ritual reserved for the religious elite, but a living proclamation of Christ’s victory. When we partake, we remember and declare that His death was our death, His resurrection our resurrection, and His victory our victory. It is a moment to lay down every burden, every hopeless thought, and receive afresh the life and freedom He purchased for us. [51:11]
5. Living in the New Covenant Reality: The new covenant, established in Christ’s blood, is built on better promises than the old. Our faith is not performance-based, but rooted in the covenant between God and Jesus, into which we are drawn by grace. We are called to reject the limitations of the past and the world’s hopelessness, and to live boldly in the fullness and freedom of our new life in Christ. [52:07]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:20] - Early Morning Encounter: Grace, Forgiveness, and Love
[02:06] - Community Updates and Celebrations
[04:19] - Missionary Focus: Sowing Beside All Waters
[08:19] - Faith Comes Alive: Expecting the Impossible
[09:36] - Stay Connected: The Vine and the Branches
[12:14] - Fruitfulness Through Connection
[13:06] - Paul’s Focus: Christ and Him Crucified
[15:07] - The Simplicity That Is in Christ
[17:29] - Jesus: The Way, the Truth, and the Life
[19:21] - The Nature of the Fruit: What Flows from the Vine
[23:24] - The Two Adams: From Death to Life
[30:22] - New Creation: The End of the Adamic Race
[36:41] - Communion: Remembering and Proclaiming
[43:49] - Baptized Into His Death, Raised to New Life
[51:11] - Communion as Freedom and Hope
[55:05] - The New Covenant: Better Promises
[56:35] - Living Free: Taking the Limits Off
[57:16] - Closing and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 15:5 — “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

- 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

- Romans 6:3-4
“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

Observation Questions

In John 15:5, what does Jesus say about the relationship between the vine and the branches? What happens if the branches are not connected to the vine?
According to the sermon, what is the main reason we sometimes complicate the gospel message? ([10:30])
In 2 Corinthians 5:17, what does Paul say happens to someone who is “in Christ”? How does the sermon describe this new identity? ([30:38])
What does Romans 6:3-4 say about what happens to us when we are baptized into Christ Jesus?

Interpretation Questions

The pastor said, “The Christian life is not about striving or adding layers of religious complexity. It’s about staying connected to Jesus, the source of all life.” What does it look like in real life to “stay connected” to Jesus? ([10:30])
The sermon talks about being a “new creation” and not being defined by our past or family history. How does this truth challenge the way people often see themselves or others? ([34:00])
The pastor mentioned that communion is not just a ritual, but a “living proclamation” of Christ’s victory. What does it mean to “proclaim” Christ’s death and resurrection when we take communion? ([51:11])
According to Romans 6:3-4, what does it mean to be “buried with Christ” and “raised to new life”? How does this connect to the idea of freedom from sin mentioned in the sermon? ([46:08])

Application Questions

The sermon said, “Our role is not to strive or complicate, but to remain connected to Him, allowing His life to flow through us and bear fruit naturally.” Are there ways you have tried to “add on” to the gospel or made your faith more complicated than it needs to be? What would it look like to simplify your walk with Jesus this week? ([10:30])
The pastor shared that in Christ, “we are not defined by our past, our failures, or our family history.” Is there something from your past or your family that you feel still defines you? How can you begin to see yourself as a new creation in Christ? ([34:00])
The message said, “Through union with Christ in His death and resurrection, we are no longer slaves to sin, addiction, or even the generational patterns that once bound us.” Is there a specific pattern, habit, or mindset you want to leave behind? What step could you take this week to walk in the freedom Jesus offers? ([46:08])
The pastor encouraged us to see communion as a time to “lay down every burden, every hopeless thought, and receive afresh the life and freedom He purchased for us.” When you come to the Lord’s Table, what burdens or hopeless thoughts do you need to lay down? ([51:11])
The sermon said, “The new covenant, established in Christ’s blood, is built on better promises.” Are there any “old patterns” or “hopelessness” from the world that you are still holding onto? How can you remind yourself of God’s better promises this week? ([52:07])
The pastor talked about the importance of protecting your heart and thoughts to stay connected to Jesus. What is one practical way you can guard your heart or mind this week? ([20:22])
The message said, “In Christ, there is always hope, always freedom, and always the possibility of new beginnings.” Is there an area of your life where you need to believe for a new beginning? What would it look like to trust God for that? ([51:11])

Sermon Clips

The vine life will flow to the branches. If the branches will just stay connected, the vine life will flow. Praise the Lord. And I was thinking this morning, there's a simplicity to the gospel that's been uh well, I hate to say it this way, but I'm going to. The simplicity of our gospel has been complicated and confused by us. Takes smart people to confuse it. And so, we got all these add-ons, you know, all these different things when it comes to the gospel of Jesus. And really, the Bible is very clear that it's the finished work of Christ plus nothing else. Period. End of discussion. [00:10:19]

So, praise the Lord. So in my little journey, my little journey of faith, I have found it very helpful to think of myself as a branch connected to the to the vine or to the tree. And so that took a lot of pressure off of me because I don't have to worry about producing fruit because the fruit automatically grows on the end of those branches if the branch is connected to the tree because the life comes from the tree or from the trunk up from the roots and it just flows automatically. So really, my job is to just stay connected to the right tree. [00:12:04]

Paul said, I determine not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. Wow. Paul did not say, "I didn't know anything else." He just said, 'I determined not to know anything else.' And then he says in verse three, "And I was with you in weakness and in fear, in a much trembling." Verse four, "And my speech in my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in a demonstration of the spirit and power." How come, Paul? So that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men or in dynamic personalities or in charisma, but in the power of God. [00:12:57]

Notice that simplicity that is in Christ. It is so simple that we miss it. In fact, I know the way I am. I'm I'm in I'm kind of inclined to say, "Well, there's got to be more that I could do. It can't be that easy, Lord. For an example, a day off. It's supposed to Mondays are supposed to be my day off. Forget it. Unless I get out of dodge, I don't get a day off." And so, we're getting out of dodge tomorrow and doing some shopping. But here's the thing. Sometimes a day off, what does the day off? What what does a day of rest mean to you? Rest. But yet my mind keeps telling me I ought to be doing something productive. [00:15:10]

You can't do more for your salvation. There's nothing more you can do except receive it and say thank you and rest in it and stay connected so the fruit will grow. That's hard enough to do, isn't it? got awful quiet. You thinking or did I lose you? The simplicity. There's simplicity. There's no complication and there's no confusion. We did that. One of the best examples and I'm going to We got plenty of time, but it's going to go quick. So, just keep your seat belt fastened. [00:16:05]

Jesus said, "I am the way. I am the truth and I am the life." Watch this. No man comes to the father but by me. How simple is that? Well, that Well, I'm going to reject that because that's a little exclusive. Oh, really? Well, wait a minute now. So, so we're back to the wisdom or the foolishness of men. So because somebody doesn't like that, they're going to reject it and say, "Well, that's not what that means. That's up. That's your interpretation." How do you misinterpret that? I am the way. I am the truth and I am the life. No man comes to the father but by me. [00:17:45]

If I stay with if I stay with his program, I'm never going to get lost because he's the way. I don't have to worry about being deceived. If I stick with Jesus, he's the truth. So So if I'm sticking with the Lord and everybody else around me is all whacked out of their minds, I'm going to stick with the Lord because they're the ones that are wrong and I'm not. And don't tell me Jesus is one of the ways. Just because you're on TV, Oprah, doesn't mean that you know what you're talking about. [00:18:29]

So if we stay connected here here's the beauty of of this message. It is so simple. Just stay connected to the vine. Stay connected to the vine. Don't drift off. Don't disconnect. Stay. And then what's in the vine will automatically flow to and through you and produce fruit. Well, what does this fruit look like? Well, that depends on the tree. I mean, if you if there's an apple tree, you ain't getting oranges off of it, right? So, here's the thing. If we're connected to the life, to the truth, and to the way, then what do you think is going to be flowing through us? [00:19:17]

One of the things that'll get you disconnected quicker than anything is uh unforgiveness and replaying the hurt over and over and over. Next thing you know, you're all sour and even the mention or the thought of somebody gets you all cranky. It's like, yeah, that doesn't work very well. So, be very careful. Be very diligent to protect your heart for out of it are the issues of life. So, Jesus is life. He said, "I'm the way, the truth, and the life." What exactly are we talking about that? If you do a little research, you'll find out the life that he's referring to. [00:20:17]

Just go ahead and fill in the blank. There's no such thing as an impossibility for me. There's no such thing as a hopeless case for me. And I don't have to figure everything out. I just have to obey what the spirit of God tells me to do. That's it. That's all I have to do. I'm not worried about anything else. Yeah, but pastor, how is this going to work out? Don't know. I don't know, but I don't have to know. I just know that I'm not going to start doubting and being fearful. [00:21:23]

So he had to start a plan to hit the reset. And here comes the last Adam. That's Jesus. And that word Adam, the last Adam, it's the same exact thing. Parent of the human race. And so what Jesus did, the last Adam did is he started something to complete and to fulfill and to ransom and to redeem and to deliver and to bring an end to the Adamic race. Wow. Now you understand why 2 Corinthians 5 says what it says. Man, is anybody getting anything out of this? Cuz I know I am. [00:28:50]

If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold, all things are become new. That word new, if you look it up, fresh, new, unused. It means new. I don't It's not refurbished. It is a brand new, unused, brand new item, if you will. And the creation, that word creation, original formation. He created something new. And we refer to that as the new creation nation or the new creation race. So the Adamic race was brought to an end. [00:30:36]

And the Lord will say, "Fine, let's wipe it out and be done. Let's go on now. Now stay connected to me. I don't have any past. It's why people want to hear my testimony. You ain't going to hear my testimony. It don't matter. That guy's dead and gone. I mean, I I I respect and I appreciate the fact that people want to share their story, but at what point do you move on and say, "Now, let me tell you about the new creation. Let me tell you about the man that's connected to nothing but God. Nothing but possibility, nothing but love, hope, peace, and joy and longsuffering, the fruits of the spirit. [00:34:52]

So, the simplicity of communion is this is that we are remembering. It says that we are remembering, we are announcing, we are proclaiming, we are declaring his body was broken, his blood was shed, and he died on that cross. Right? Isn't that what communion is all about? Here's the thing. Jesus never said, He never said, "And if you're not an official member of the church, don't you dare come to this table cuz you'll get smoted." He never said that. I mean, I've been to some churches, and I'm not going to mention any names and point anything out where, you know, if you were not a practicing member of that church, you couldn't come get communion, but you could come and get blessed. [00:37:53]

So when we come to the table, if sin is the root problem and we're free from sin, if we've been put to death so that we no longer are going to be lorded over by the sinful nature or sin, then I'm coming to the table and I'm saying, Jesus, your death was my death. Your resurrection was my resurrection and your victory is my victory. This is good news for those of you who have come to a place in life where you say, "I'm at an impass. I'm at an impass. We fell out of love. I don't want to be married to you anymore." Don't quit. There's no no such thing as a hopeless case. [00:50:00]

And I got to start thinking this way. And it's so imperative where you go to church and what preacher you listen to because some preachers will preach faith right out of you. They'll preach you into hell. They'll preach you into all kinds of ungodly things. And here I am trying to keep it simple for you so that you know that there is nothing on this earth that can lord it over you that can control you any longer. That's that's my story, man. And I'm telling you what, we got to come away from this idea that our faith is performance-based. It's not. Your faith is covenant. It's a covenant between God and God. [00:51:39]

So, get this. If if you think of a better covenant with better promises, then go back to the old covenant. Go back to the old covenant and see what they had. You have at least the best of what they had. But that's that's your floor. That's not your ceiling. That's your floor. Because now we have a new covenant established on better promises. And the sky's is the limit. So Jesus said, when you take this bread, uh, this is my body broken for you. This do in remembrance of me. So peel back the little foil. And then we can take that cracker together. [00:56:19]

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