1. II Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

2. IN WITH THE NEW II Corinthians 5:17

3. In With The New  This morning we spoke about the past year  We thought about the goals we set at the beginning of this year and whether or not we achieved them  We focused on regret and how as long as we are here we don’t have to live with regret

4. In With The New  Remember that God changed what He saw that He was unhappy with  If we are unhappy in our spiritual lives, we can change that  If we are dissatisfied with our walk with God, or our lack of time with Him, we can make a change

5. In With The New  Whatever you did or did not do last year, that is now in the past  A new year is upon us…  That means new opportunities and a new beginning  Whatever you lacked in before, you can excel in now!

6. In With The New  1. The Christian life is about newness  When you become a child of God, the slate is wiped clean with God  All things in our lives become new (II Cor. 5:17)  God understands that we need that fresh start sometimes in life

7. In With The New  1. The Christian life is about newness  That’s probably why we have new years, new months, new weeks, and even new days  Sometimes we need to stop and hit the reset button  God wanted to do that with the Israelites (Ezek. 36:26)

8. In With The New  1. The Christian life is about newness  We are told to put on the “new man” (Eph. 4:24)  We are to put off the “old man” and put on the “new man” when we are found in Christ (Col. 3:9-10)  So God understands the value of “new”

9. In With The New  2. Those who embraced the “new”  There were many in the Bible who had the chance to start over again  Think about some of those who took advantage of that opportunity  David was one (Ps. 51, 116)  Peter was another (Matt. 26:69-75; Jn. 21; Acts 2)

10. In With The New  2. Those who embraced the “new”  Those such as the Ethiopian Eunuch and the Philippian Jailer rejoiced in the book of Acts of their new beginnings  Paul was one to take advantage of a new start to put his life heading in the right direction  When God gives us new, we should take advantage

11. In With The New  3. What will you do with your “new”?  Remember, a new year is a chance to start all over again  We can make decisions now that will change the course of our lives  Will we take advantage of the “new year” that God has blessed us with?

12. In With The New  3. What will you do with your “new”?  Some suggestions for your new year…  Have an active prayer life (I Thess. 5:17)  Study God’s word every day (II Tim. 3:15)  Make it a goal to bring one soul to Christ  Work on your evangelistic perception

13. In With The New  3. What will you do with your “new”?  Some suggestions for your new year…  Add the Christian Graces (II Pet. 1:5-11)  Be a fruitful Christian (Gal. 5)  Use your talents (Matt. 25)  Don’t be satisfied with where you are