Your New Life In Christ
Acts 9:32-35
As a result of the terrorist group ISIS, hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees have fled their country in search of a new life. On October 13th, a family of 3 were reunited in Hamburg Germany. They rode a small rubber boat from Turkey to Greece. Then traveled from the Balkans, to Hungary and Austria before finally reaching Germany by train.This family is just one example of many who are trying to find peace, protection, shelter and refuge from devastating circumstances.
All over the world, for various reasons people are making huge sacrifices in order to secure a new life. You may not face oppression or physical harm in your current circumstances, but maybe you would admit that you want a "new life". I have good news for you.... a new life is possible today! Not only can you have a new life, you can have life eternal. I speak of course of the new life that comes only though Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, (God) hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Notice the word Paul uses in verse 5 - He says we are "quickened". This means "to be made alive" This speaks of bringing someone back from the dead and giving them new life. Before salvation we were "dead in trespasses and sins", But when we put our faith in Christ, we are quickened by His saving power, and given a new life. It is that new life that I would like to consider today. If you haven't received that "new life", I hope that you see that it is available for you today. If you have been "born again", then I hope that you can rejoice in the joys of this new life in Christ.
The story of Aeneas is often overshadowed by some of the other amazing things that occur in this chapter. The preceding verses tell of the amazing conversion of Saul of Tarsus, and the verses that follow tell of a young woman named Tabitha being raised from the dead. But right there in the middle we see an account of a man who received a new life. Let's examine his story and consider the thought "Your New Life In Christ"
Many people are in search of a new life. The reason for this is the trouble that they are currently facing. Aeneas was no stranger to trouble, his problem is illustrated in verses 32-33. There we see:
I. The Trouble That Precedes This New Life - v32 ¶And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. 33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.
The troubles of this life may leave you feeling hopeless and helpless. That was the case for Aeneas... Consider:
A. The Helplessness Involved - (he was) "sick of the plasy" - Palsy is a disease of the central nervous system that gets worse as time passes. He was paralyzed. He could not do anything for himself. His family and friends could not help him. The physicians could not cure him. On top of being helpless, I am sure that he felt hopeless. Notice verse in 33:
B. The Hopelessness Involved - "a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years" - For eight years he dealt with this disease. I am sure he tried to get help. No doubt each day he hoped that a miracle would occur. I am sure by the time he reached year number 8, he had given up all hope of ever walking again. This life brings many different troubles. We all have our problems. There are:
1. Physical Troubles - Migraines, Arthritis, Diabetes, High blood pressure, High cholesterol, Hypertension, Heart disease, Kidney Disease, Cancer and many other issues plague your lives. Some of you may deal with:
2. Mental & Emotional Troubles - Anxiety, Depression, Discouragement Anger, Paranoia, Sadness, Grief, Loneliness, Stress, Worry, Fear and other difficulties. Along with these troubles come the daily struggles of life. These are often related to:
3. Financial Troubles - There are bills you can't pay. The landlord wants the rent. The bank wants the car payment. The credit card company wants to be paid. You have children to feed. There are clothes to buy. The truck needs gas and the car needs tires. While trying to pay for all of this you are working a job that you hate. And you just don't know how you are going to make it. This strain may cause troubles in your relationships....Many people are facing....
4. Marital Troubles - Everyday is a battle. You and your spouse constantly argue, fuss and fight. Perhaps you have been unfaithful and are involved in an extra marital affair. It seems that divorce is imminent! You have tried to make things work and it only gets worse. We all have troubles, but with all of the troubles that this life may bring....The greatest issue that you face is....
5. Spiritual Troubles - All of these other troubles will pass away one day. But if you do not address your spiritual trouble, if could affect you throughout eternity! I am referring to the fact that you are lost in your sins. You are living in rebellion and on your way to Hell! Spiritual troubles bring eternal consequences!
Would you admit that you are facing trouble today? Do things seem hopeless? Do you feel helpless? If so, I have good news for you today! You have the opportunity for a whole new life! I can't promise you that your financial problems will go away... I can't assure you that your marriage will be restored... I can't say that your mental and emotional troubles will cease... I can't guarantee you that your sickness will be healed... But I can say with full assurance that there is a permanent solution for your spiritual troubles. In fact I am not the one that makes this promise to you...GOD DOES!! His Word testifies of it! His Son has secured it! His Holy Spirit assures it!
If you are intrigued about this new life and want to know more, then look with me to verses 32-34 as we consider:
II. The Transformation That Brings This New Life - On that day, when Peter came through Lydda, Aeneas life was completely transformed. This happened because God arranged it this way. Notice:
A. There Is A Mission - v32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. 33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas.
Saul had been converted and we are told in verse 31 (that) "the churches had rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria..." This was a brief time of peace for the church. Peter was traveling through the region visiting the saints and encouraging them. But this was also a time of evangelism. As he traveled, Peter preached the Gospel to those in need of salvation. Peter did not just happen upon Aeneas...God sent him to this man for a reason!
Not only is there a mission in this transformation, we also see that:
B. There Is A Message - v34 "And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole" - Peter shared a message of healing. It was a message of hope This was not a healing at the hands of Simon Peter. This was the power of Jesus Christ working through Peter. Jesus is the One who healed Aeneas! The message that was delivered was a message about the power of Christ. Though He had already ascended to Heaven, He was still at work on the earth!!! (and He still is today)
There is a mission and a message in this transformation and we also see that:
C. There Is A Miracle - (Peter said) "arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately." - Peter tells Aeneas to rise and he rose immediately!
This miracle may sound familiar. There is a reason for that! In Mark chapter 2, there were some men who brought a man who was "sick of the palsy" (paralyzed) to Jesus. Jesus said to this man ..."Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house". And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion. (Mark 2:11-12) --- In identical fashion, (through Peter) Jesus healed this man of his disease that he had suffered from for 8 long years. Aeneas received a new life and it began with a transformation. In an instant, he forever ceased to be the man he was.His old life was over... a new life had begun.Aeneas was a new creature in Christ. He was buried with Him out of reach of condemnation. He was raised with Christ into a new life of righteousness.
You have the opportunity for a new life, and it too will begin with a transformation. The process is the same today as it was in Peter's day. There is a mission, a message and the potential for a miracle. God has orchestrated the events of this day. He knew that you were going to be here today. He has sent a personal invitation to you. The message I share is the same one that Peter shared to those in Lydda. It is the message that Jesus can save you from your sins, raise you from death unto life, rescue you from Hell and provide you with a home in Heaven.
Do you want a new life? Do you need a new life? If so it starts with a transformation. It begins with your putting your faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. When you do this, you will have an impact on those around you. Every person who has been transformed now has a testimony!
This leads us to the final thing I would like to see about this new life. Notice:
III. The Testimony That Accompanies This New Life - v35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
The change in this man was not only immediate... it was visible. For 8 years he could not move. But after his transformation he did not continue to lay around and do nothing! He became a witness to the miracle working power of Jesus Christ. Those that were in this region took notice. Not only did they see what Jesus did for him... they wanted what he had! Aeneas became an instant evangelist! When Jesus comes on the scene and transforms your life, you can be a witness to others. You family, friends, neighbors and even strangers will see a change in you. Your new life in Christ can and should be used to point others to the Savior! Jesus is still miraculously working in this world. And we can be vessels that He uses to accomplish His work.
Several years ago, in this very church we had a man come forward and accepted Christ. There was such a change in him that his wife knew it had to be a miracle from God. A few weeks later she came forward and surrendered her heart and life to he Savior. This had an impact on their children and two of them got saved the same day. Later on, members of the extended family came to church for the baptism of this specific family and some of them got saved. It started with a testimony of a transformed life and it resulted in many people getting saved.
You may be the one that Jesus can use to reach your entire family. Your testimony could impact many others and point them to the Savior. There is power in the testimony of a changed life.
Are you searching for something today? Is your life filled with trouble? Are you concerned about where you will spend eternity? Do things seem hopeless and helpless? If so, I would like to introduce you to the One Who can give sight to the blind, make the deaf hear, the lame walk, cleanse lepers and raise the dead. He can and will transform you today. He came to make a way for you that have eternal life. He is offering you an opportunity for a new life right here, right now!
In order to have this "New Life" you must first experience the "New Birth". In John 3:3 (Jesus told Nicodemus) Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. --- You CAN be born again today! Won't you turn to Him while there is still time? When you do, you will find a great New Life In Jesus Christ!
