Welcome To The New.

Good morning, church! It’s a blessing to see all of you here today. Let's begin by standing together, lifting our Bibles, and repeating after me:

Declaration:

This is my Bible.

I am what it says I am.

I can do what it says I can do.

I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be.

Today, I will learn more of the Word of God.

The indestructible, never-ending, living Word of God.

I will never be the same.

I will never be the same.

In Jesus' Name.

Amen!

Greeting:

Before you sit down, turn to your neighbors and say good morning to your brothers and sisters, safely.

Message:

Welcome to the new, my friends. We gather here today, not just as individuals, but as a family, purchased and redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ.

The Christian Music Group Mercy Me have a song that came out a few years back. It is called, "Welcome to the New."

Remember, You and I were bought at a price, a price that was paid in full on the cross at Calvary.

We who know Him are new every day.

Amen?

Have you bought anything recently?

Perhaps some groceries, clothes, or maybe a new gadget?

When you purchase something, you exchange money for an item you desire or need. Once you buy it, it belongs to you.

Similarly, Jesus purchased us with His blood. We belong to Him.

In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, it says, "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies."

Think about that for a moment.

I am not my own.

You are not your own.

You and I were bought with a price.

This means that your life has immense value.

Jesus saw you and I worth dying for.

Did you ever think you were that important?

He gave His life so that we could have a new life in Him.

Being purchased by Christ means we are welcomed into something new. A new way of living, a new family, and a new purpose. We are no longer slaves to sin but are free to live righteously.

Romans 6:18 tells us, "You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness."

So, what does this new life look like?

It looks like living in the truth of who God says you are. You are loved. You are forgiven. You are a new creation in Christ.

The old has passed away, and the new has come.

Today, let’s embrace this newness.

Let’s remind ourselves daily that we are purchased, we are redeemed, and we belong to Jesus.

When we understand our value and the price that was paid for us, it changes how we live. We walk with confidence, knowing we are loved beyond measure.

Consider the implications of this truth in our daily lives:

Living with Purpose:

Knowing we are bought with a price gives our lives purpose.

Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Each day, we can walk in the good works God has prepared for us.

We saw this saying a long time ago.

"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it

make some difference that you have lived and lived well."

Embracing Forgiveness:

Sometimes we struggle with guilt and shame over past mistakes. Remembering that we are purchased and forgiven by Jesus' sacrifice allows us to let go of the past and embrace the future with hope.

1 John 1:9 promises, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Sharing the Good News:

As recipients of this incredible gift, we are called to share it with others.

Matthew 28:19-20 instructs us, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." We have a mission to spread the message of God's love and redemption.

As we go forward this week, let’s live in the truth of our redemption. Let’s honor God with our lives, knowing that we are His precious possession. And let’s share this good news with others, inviting them into this new life in Christ.

Closing Prayer:

Lord, we thank You for the incredible sacrifice You made to purchase us. Help us to live in the truth of who we are in You. Give us the strength to honor You with our lives and to share Your love with those around us. We are forever grateful for Your grace and mercy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Thank you, church. Have a blessed week!