I'm Not Who I Use To Be .... I've Been Change

Banner of Praise Ministries

Rev. Dr. Levi Howard Wright, Pastor & Founder

New Year Sermon 2007

"I’m Not Who I Use To Be

.... I’ve Been Change"

2 Corinthians 5:17

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

(King James Version)

"When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same any more. A new life has begun." (Living Bible)

Introduction

The term New Creature.... refers to the Spiritual Transformation that occurs within the old man that you use to be..... before you became a Born Again Christian or a new creature in the Lord Jesus Christ.

In a reality, this transformation could be compared to the renovating of an old house or the restoring of an old car.

With an old house you would replace the wiring, the wall, the windows, the floors and all those necessities that would make it new.

Likewise with an old car you would replace the engine, transmission, water pump, the floor boards, the interior and all the necessities to make it new.

I have learned that the objective of restoring or renovating is to get as close to the original as possible by replacing the old with new.

ILLUSION. There is an old story about a happy little boy who went out into the field wearing a baseball cap. In one hand he carried a baseball, & in the other a baseball bat. His face bore a look of tremendous confidence.

Cocking his bat, he tossed the ball into the air, saying, "I’m the greatest batter in the world!" Then he swung & missed. "Strike one," he said.

He picked up the ball, examined it, & then threw it into the air again. As he swung, he repeated, "I’m the greatest batter in the world." Once again he missed. "Strike two," he said.

This time, he stopped to examine his bat to make sure there wasn’t a hole in it. Then he picked up the ball, adjusted his cap, & tossed the ball into the air for the 3rd time.

He repeated again, "I’m the greatest batter in the world," & swung with all his might - & missed for the 3rd straight time. "Wow" he cried, "What a pitcher. I’m the greatest pitcher in the world!"

Today is the last Sunday of 2003, & as we look back over the last 12 months, I’m not sure whether many of us would be considered...... pitchers or batters. One thing for sure, at times during this year we have all struck out.

So I guess it’s good to be able to come back to the plate start over afresh.

This is what the Grace and Mercy of a Sovereign God does when He changes us from Sinner to Saint... Yes we become New Creatures in Christ and we are able to start over again.

Yes.... the Lord restores us back to our original origin. By washing and redeeming us in His Precious Blood and giving us a second chance.

"If anyone is in Christ..... he is a new creation..... old things have passed away..... behold all things are become new."

I know there is no one here at St James A.M.E Church today that..... has a past..... I know you all have been good Christians folks all of your lives. Amen

Yes......The former things in my life have passed away.

I thank God for being a Merciful God..... and a Deliver.

I thank him for loving us even when.... We were in our sin.

I thank Him.... for bringing us out of.... the Darkness into his Glorious Light.

"I’m Not Who I Use to Be .... I’ve Been Change"..... because the Lord Jesus Christ......

1) he washed me.

2) he sanctified me.

3) he redeemed me.

4) he justified me and saved me.

"I’m Not Who I Use to Be .... I’ve Been Change".....

I have a New Walk....

I have a New Talk.....

I have New Look......

I have a New Name written down in Glory....

"I’m Not Who I Use to Be .... I’ve Been Change".....

My.... old man has been crucified with Jesus ....... My Body.... Mind....and ....Soul....is no longer a Slaves to sin.

I have New Eyes....

I have New Ears....

I have a New Tongue....

I have New Feet....

"I’m Not Who I Use to Be .... I’ve Been Change".....

I have a transformation will....

I have a renewed spirit.....

I have a renewed mind.....

I have a renewed heart....

"I’m Not Who I Use to Be .... I’ve Been Change".....

I have a new Look on Life......

Yes..... I have Life Everlasting....

My Slate has been Wiped Clean....

My Sins has been Cast into the Sea of Forgetfulness..... and they are as far as the East is from the West..... and the North from the South....