The New Person

The New Person

Rev. Sean D. Lester

July 13, 2003

Hebrews 10:11-25

Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. [12] But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. [13] Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, [14] because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

[15] The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:

[16] "This is the covenant I will make with them

after that time, says the Lord.

I will put my laws in their hearts,

and I will write them on their minds."

[17] Then he adds:

"Their sins and lawless acts

I will remember no more."

[18] And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.

[19] Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, [20] by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, [21] and since we have a great priest over the house of God, [22] let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. [23] Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. [24] And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. [25] Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Introduction

A. No amount of worship and no good deed can remove the awareness of sin, nor it make you want to love the Lord.

1. A soul unchanged, unregenerated by the Holy Spirit will only feel moments of glory. Like the bubbling mist from a fountain.

2. Many souls that are unregenerate attempt to “earn” the regeneration of the Spirit by doing good things in and outside of the congregation. For a time, it makes the worker feel justified. But it too, is just a feeling. Like the priest offering the sacrifices, it atones for awhile, but never really changed the character.

B. Only the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ has the power to remove sin from the conscious and make complete the life of the worshipper.

1. Christ removed the power of sin to hold people in bondage because He gives forgiveness, pardon. And where God refuses to condemn, where is the ability of the mind to accuse? It has no power!

Proposition: When a believer comes by faith to worship, God transforms the nature of his character.

Interrogative: What is it like to have your nature made new?

Transition: Our text declares the change that takes place in the spirit leads to change in the way of life.

I. A New Spirit

A. The new spirit, made alive by the Holy Spirit, dwells on the things of God.

1. It changes the heart, or the place where we feel deeply, and how we regard things. In particular, there is a change in how we regard the Bible and how much we desire to know it.

a. “The law in the heart.” The law defined God’s righteousness and brought in to the open man’s depravity. Unregenerate people do not look at God’s Holiness so that they will not be confronted with their own sinfulness. Unregenerate people are “ok,” “just fine,” and “getting along well.” *In the dark lights of a bar, and the warmth of inebriation, whores and lustful men look desirable. In the light, both are disgusting.

b. But, when the worshipper’s spirit is cleansed, then he regards the light favorably. He regards the Bible the same as a morning shower that cleanses the sin. She feels good about the Bible and Biblical preaching, because it erases what is contrary to God and allows her to become more effective in doing God’s will.

2. The new spirit changes what is said in the deepest parts of the mind.

a. The mind, or in this case we are speaking of the subconscious, is always dwelling on things. It rarely makes itself known in the busyness of the day, but expresses itself in dreams. The unregenerate person often suppresses the mind by occupying the day with busyness, idleness or even medication. The mind screams for expression and so the person must suppress it even more.

b. But the mind of the regenerate dwells on God’s law. The questions of right and wrong according to God are always in the mind of the worshipper. It too, expresses itself in dreams and daydreams. It produces righteous thoughts that need no suppression because they please God and make the worshipper feel clean.