Your New Life In Christ

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....