Part 2 – Developing the New Creature The New Creation Part 2 – Developing the New Creature

Developing the New Creature We must believe we can be like Christ Christianity is somewhere between your eyes and the back of your head “Come now, and let us reason together…” (Isaiah 1:18) “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) Developing the New Creature

Developing the New Creature We must believe we can be like Christ Development of the new creature begins with “reasoning together” with God We must believe that we can be what He says we can We must believe that we do have the potential of being like Christ If we do not believe we can, it is certain we won’t Developing the New Creature

Developing the New Creature We must believe we can be like Christ Read Romans 8:3,4 “… in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us…” (Romans 8:4) What is the requirement of the Law? Who is going to fulfill it? sinlessness Christians Developing the New Creature

Developing the New Creature We must believe we can be like Christ The Law couldn’t generate the kind of people who could keep it The gospel does produce people who can fulfill the righteous requirement of the Law God did two things which condemned sin in the flesh He sent His Son as an offering for sin He sent His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh Developing the New Creature

Developing the New Creature We must believe we can be like Christ He sent His Son as an offering for sin Jesus paid the full price for our sins For the person who was just immersed, and for the older Christian, yesterday is gone The sands of the past are gone The excuse of yesterday’s failure is also gone Jesus condemned sin in the flesh by His offering on the cross Developing the New Creature

Developing the New Creature We must believe we can be like Christ He sent His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh Jesus was 100% human while in the flesh – see Philippians 2:7, Hebrews 2:17 Jesus was tempted in every way, but without sin – see Hebrews 4:15 Jesus never sinned because His Spirit never allowed His flesh to be boss – see Galatians 5:17 Jesus destroyed the excuse that it can’t be done “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) Developing the New Creature

Developing the New Creature We must set our minds “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6) Once we realize we can be like Jesus, our next step is to set our minds toward being like Him Any athlete knows he must set his mind in order to win How much more is it true of a spiritual warrior! Developing the New Creature

Developing the New Creature We must set our minds “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33) God will provide if we seek first God’s kingdom That means the church comes first We should set our minds to attend every possible church function We must come with the attitude of giving rather than just receiving Developing the New Creature

Developing the New Creature We must set our minds Remember that Jesus came to “seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10) Jesus has left this mission to Christians – see Matthew 28:19-20 Go Make disciples Immerse them into the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit Continue to teach them This mission is designed to make us like Jesus Developing the New Creature

Developing the New Creature We must set our minds “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12) Salvation is a contract between us and our Master He saves us from the fires of hell We live for Him every minute of our lives Developing the New Creature

Developing the New Creature We must set our minds “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20) “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23) We must set our minds to working out our contract of salvation The terms of the contract are guaranteed to make us like Jesus Developing the New Creature

Developing the New Creature We must set our minds It is easy to get discouraged You can be disappointed in yourself for falling short You can be disappointed in others for failing to receive the message of salvation Jesus faced every problem that we do, and He overcame “Set your mind on the things above” (Colossians 3:2) Developing the New Creature

Developing the New Creature We must set our minds A Christian must: Recognize that he has the potential to be like Christ He must then believe that he can really be like Christ Then he must set his mind toward achieving that goal Developing the New Creature

Developing the New Creature Keep focusing on God’s things Once the Christian has set his mind, he faces the next challenge – the tendency to lose his resolve “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Romans 12:2) “… let your mind dwell on these things” (Philippians 4:8) Developing the New Creature

Developing the New Creature Keep focusing on God’s things The mind is in constant need of renewal The only way to be transformed is by the process of reprogramming the mind Many people pray for God to change them – God says, “Renew your mind!” It is extremely important that the Christian control his mental environment Outer actions are the reflection of inner attitudes All the basic activities of Christianity are perfect for helping us keep our minds set Developing the New Creature

Developing the New Creature Keep focusing on God’s things The Lord’s Supper “… do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:19) The early church participated in the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week as their primary purpose for coming together – see Acts 20:7 “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves.” (John 6:53) Developing the New Creature

Developing the New Creature Keep focusing on God’s things The assembly of the saints We are to “consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24) God knows the value of teamwork within the body of Christ – “God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired” (1 Corinthians 12:18) Working with the local church is a great joy, as we help each other become like Christ Developing the New Creature

Developing the New Creature Keep focusing on God’s things Prayer – God works with our attitudes and desires before He consents to answer God answers prayers in Jesus’ name – John 14:14 God works with our attitude in really believing – Matthew 21:22 Prayer works on our inner motives – James 4:3 Prayer develops persistence within us – Luke 18:1 Developing the New Creature

Developing the New Creature Keep focusing on God’s things Studying and Memorizing Scripture It is “the word of God which also performs its work in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13) Jesus said, “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life” (John 6:63) The best way to renew your mind is to fill it with the thoughts of God from the Scriptures Jesus used memorized Scripture to defeat Satan when He was tempted – Matthew 4:1-11 Developing the New Creature

Developing the New Creature Keep focusing on God’s things Singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs helps us become like Jesus Singing Godly songs is a definitive way to have the word of Christ richly dwell within us – Colossians 3:16 Singing spiritual songs is a specific way in which we can be filled with the Spirit – Ephesians 5:19 Developing the New Creature

Developing the New Creature Keep focusing on God’s things Becoming a teacher of God’s word is an effective way of being transformed We haven’t really learned anything well until we can teach it to others Teaching will help us be conformed to the image of the One who is called the Teacher (John 13:14) We are encouraged to become teachers (Hebrews 5:12), but we are cautioned to be ready for a higher level of accountability (James 3:1) Developing the New Creature

Developing the New Creature Keep focusing on God’s things God wants us to discipline our thinking that we might become like Jesus God has given the church various activities designed to help us focus on Christ Keeping our mind on the things of the Spirit requires driving dedication and humble desire There are no shortcuts – Jesus said, “He who is not with Me is against Me …” (Matthew 12:30) Developing the New Creature

sin forgiveness Holy Spirit The New Creation Part 3 – God’s Purpose