Emphasize the necessity of casting aside our old, sinful nature and embracing a new, godly persona, as well as understanding the characteristics and benefits of this new identity in Christ.
Good morning, brothers and sisters. Today we're diving deep into a topic that's central to our Christian walk - the necessity of putting on the "new man."
The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, writes,
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
It's a profound call to spiritual transformation, to cast aside our old, sinful nature and embrace a new, godly persona.
A.W. Tozer once wrote, "The man who would truly know God must give time to Him." This echoes our need to intentionally dedicate time and effort to understanding and embodying the new man in Christ.
Let's start with a prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father, open our hearts and minds as we delve into your word today. Help us understand the significance of putting on the new man, and guide us as we strive to live out this truth in our daily lives. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Now, let's get started.
The necessity of putting on the new man is not a mere suggestion or an optional step in our spiritual growth, but rather a critical requirement for our transformation in Christ.
The old man, as described in the scriptures, represents our former sinful nature, the life we led before accepting Christ as our Savior. This old self is characterized by deceitful desires, worldly ambitions, and a mindset that is contrary to the will of God.
When we come to Christ: We are called to put off this old self, to discard our former way of life, and to put on the new man. This is not a physical change, but rather a spiritual and moral transformation. It is a change in our attitudes, our desires, our priorities, and our values. We are called to be renewed in the spirit of our minds, to adopt a new mindset that aligns with God's will and purpose for our lives.
A lifelong journey: It requires a conscious and deliberate effort on our part. We must intentionally choose to put off the old self and put on the new man every day. This means rejecting sinful desires and worldly temptations, and choosing to live in obedience to God's word. It means striving to be more like Christ in our thoughts, words, and actions.
Our old self is corrupt and deceitful: It leads us away from God and into sin. On the other hand, the new man is created in the likeness of God, in true righteousness and holiness. By putting on the new man, we are aligning ourselves with God, and positioning ourselves to live a life that is pleasing to Him.
Our witness to the world: As Christians, we are called to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. By putting on the new man, we are reflecting Christ's love and righteousness to those around us. We are showing them the transformative power of the gospel, and inviting them to experience the same transformation in their own lives.
The consequences of not doing so: If we choose to hold on to our old self, we are choosing to live in sin and rebellion against God. This leads to spiritual death and separation from God. However, by putting on the new man, we are choosing life, righteousness, and fellowship with God.
It's about becoming the people that God has called us to be, and living the life that He has planned for us.
The characteristics of the new man, as we understand from the scriptures, are a stark contrast to the old self ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
Sermon Central
