Historical Posts
A New Man
The concept of being a new man has spiritual connotations.
“He started an exercise program a few months ago, and now he is a new man.” “He had by-pass surgery two years ago, and he’s been a new man ever since.” “Since he met her he’s a new man.” I’m sure you’ve heard those, or similar statements, many times. They reflect the change brought about in the life of an individual by some special act or set of circumstances. In each case the new man is better than the old. The concept also has spiritual connotations.
The apostle Paul wrote, “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Colossians 3:9-10). It was also Paul who wrote, “…if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
When one becomes a Christian, he becomes a new man. The change should be evident to all. The old life with all of its sin and folly must be forgotten, and a new life, patterned after that of the Lord, must begin. We must rid ourselves of anger, wrath, malice, slander, filthy language and lying (to name a few), and in their place add compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:8-17). Our success in the Christian endeavor is measured by how well we conform to the life and example of our Lord.
Too many people want the benefits of Christianity without any of the responsibilities. Becoming a new man is not optional. When we believe, repent of our sins, and confess our faith in Christ, we must be baptized, buried with him that we might rise to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). Have you become a new man?
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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2 Corinthians 05:14-17 All Things Become New – audio
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Text: 2 Corinthians 05:14-17
Introduction
The apostle Paul summarizes what the Christian life is all about. He begins telling the Corinthians that as Christ died for everyone, we should all live for Him and not ourselves. To be a Christian, we must:
1) Be in Christ
2) Allow the former things to pass away
3) Let all things become new
(2 Corinthians 5:14-17)
Body
I. We must be in Christ.
A. There is only one way to get into Christ: baptism.
(Galatians 3:26-27)
B. One must be in Christ in order to receive all spiritual blessings.
(Ephesians 1:3)
C. Being in Christ means that one must wear the name of Christ.
(Acts 11:26)
II. The former things have passed away.
A. We must die to sin in order to live a new life in Christ.
(Romans 6:1-11)
B. The Corinthians were living in sin, but did not have to any longer.
(1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
C. Paul died to the law, being crucified to Christ.
(Galatians 2:19-20)
D. Paul was crucified to the world, and the world to him.
(Galatians 6:14; Colossians 2:20-22)
III. All things have become new.
A. We no longer think like the world; rather, we are transformed by renewing our minds.
(Romans 12:2)
B. The old man is put off with his deeds, and we put on the new man.
(Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:5-15)
C. We no longer follow after fleshly things; now we walk after the Spirit.
(Romans 7:4-6; 8:1-11)
Conclusion
As the new year unfolds, so should the Christian! The old man is gone, and now we must wear the name of Christ.
Let us put on the new man every day, and lead many souls to Christ!
Content by Richard Dillon
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What’s New
A common greeting is, “what’s new?” Has anything changed since the last time you saw someone? If so, they may be eager to hear all that is in your world.
What if God asked you, “What’s new?” What would you say?
“Sing to the LORD a new song, and His praise from the ends of the earth (Isaiah 42:10)…” Have we changed our tune? Since becoming children of God, our whole outlook on life should be different.
God made the world, us, and everything and everyone else. All we do should give praise and glory to God! “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).”
Next time you are asked, “What’s new?” you can simply say, “my life in Jesus Christ!”
Who knows, but maybe you can lead someone to a new life in Christ Jesus.
Content by Richard Dillon
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New Years (2012-2013) – audio
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Many people have told me that time passes more quickly as you get older.
I don’t know if it’s true for everyone, but from where I sit I think they’re right.
Can you believe 2012 is gone?
It’s been an eventful year. The presidential race occupied our attention for much of the year. We were intrigued by the London Olympic Games, horrified by shootings in Aurora and Newtown, and now we’re preoccupied by talk of heading over the nebulous but scary “fiscal cliff.”
What’s happened in your world in 2012?
Did you welcome a child into your life? Send one to college?
Get a new job? Change careers?
Perhaps you went through a divorce or lost someone you love.
The way Paul closes Philippians seems quite appropriate as we end one year and begin another.
Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit (Philippians 4:21-23).
In the 1,950 years since Paul dictated this letter from a Roman jail, the world has changed in many ways. Nations have risen and fallen. Wars have been fought, and millions of people have lived and died.
But in so many ways, things are still the same.
We look at a world that’s not too different from the one Paul saw from his imprisonment. People are laughing and crying and dreaming and living and dying.
And what the world needs now—what we need now—is the same thing they needed.
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ”
We still live in a fallen world, and we’re a fallen people, but the hope Paul extended to the church at Philippi is the same hope God extends to us today.
He offers us hope through his grace, which is how Paul finished the letter.
And I think that’s a pretty good way to end a year:
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”
But, there’s just something neat about new.
The smell of a new car, the look and feel of a new gadget, the cuteness of a new puppy.
Many of us get excited about a new year.
There’s optimism in the air, isn’t there? Yep, I messed up last year, but this year’s gonna be different.
It’s a beautiful new slate, clean start, fresh beginning.
New me for the new year, as they say.
God likes new things too, something Paul celebrates here:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).
God gives newness, but it’s not tied to the calendar, of course.
And it has nothing to do with weight loss or gym memberships or quickly-made-but-easily-forgotten resolutions.
He gives newness in Christ.
In fact, he recreates us in Christ, which is incredible.
All those sins?
Gone.
The guilt, hopelessness, living only for self?
A thing of the past.
God gives you a new identity with a new hope, a new outlook, and a new future.
Maybe that’s just what you need
Maybe you got sidetracked last year, got your priorities out of whack, became a little self-serving.
Now’s a good time to change that.
God’s not bound by our calendars, of course, but there’s no better time than today to ask God to give you a fresh start.
If you’re not a follower of Christ, trust in him as God’s Son and connect to his crucifixion in baptism.
Maybe you obeyed the gospel long ago, but today what you need more than anything is for him to be your Lord and Savior once again.
Ask him.
He’ll make you new, completely new, beautifully new.
In Christ, “the new has come.”
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Resolutions for the New Year
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Introduction
1. As a New Year begins, I am reminded of the fact that we are one year closer to
a. The day of our death, or the day the Lord returns
b. That day when we shall stand before the Lord in judgment – 2 Corinthians 5:10
c. That day when He will either say:
1) “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” – Matthew 25:34
2) “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” – Matthew 25:41
2. Since we are one year closer to that day when our final destiny will be forever determined, let me use this opportunity
a. To provoke your thinking as to how you have used this past year
b. To suggest some resolutions for the coming year
Body
I. IN THE PAST YEAR
A. HAS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND CHRIST IMPROVED?
1. Have we drawn nearer to God? – cf. James 4:8
2. Bearing in mind that a close relationship depends upon good communication
a. Have we been faithful in listening to God through His Word?
1) Another year has gone by; did we read through the Bible this year?
2) If not, and especially if we never have, can we honestly say that we are taking our relationship with God seriously?
b. Have we been steadfast in talking to God through prayer?
1) Any effective communication requires a two-way street
2) Therefore fervent Bible study should be joined with fervent prayer
3) Has our degree of prayerfulness increased or decreased this year?
B. HAS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH BRETHREN IMPROVED?
1. Has our love for one another increased this year? – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10
2. Are we any closer to one another than we were a year ago?
a. E.g., have we been in the homes of brethren?
b. E.g., have any of them been in our homes?
C. HAS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THOSE IN THE WORLD IMPROVED?
1. As people of God, we have an important responsibility toward those in the world – cf. Matthew 5:13-16
a. To be a positive influence (“You are the salt of the earth”)
b. To demonstrate a better way (“You are the light of the world”)
2. Have we made progress this year in developing meaningful relationships with people in the world?
a. So the light of Christ can be seen in our lives
b. So the gospel of Christ can be communicated to them
3. Or are we like most “neighbors” in this day and age
a. Living next to each other, but not really knowing each other?
b. Having forgotten the lost art of hospitality?
D. The questions I am raising can be summarized in this way: “Another year has gone by; have we made good use of the time the Lord has given us, or have we wasted it?”
E. It is likely that all of us in some degree have not made good use of the past year. But at this point, let’s apply the words of Paul:
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13-14
II. FOR THE YEAR AHEAD
A. RESOLVE TO DRAW NEARER TO GOD AND CHRIST
1. By having a daily reading program of God’s living and abiding Word – Hebrews 4:12
a. Read the Old Testament this year – cf. Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11
b. Read the New Testament also – James 1:21; 1 Peter 2:2
2. By being diligent in prayer – Hebrews 4:14-16
a. Let’s be a thankful people – cf. Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
b. Perhaps Daniel’s custom of praying three times daily would be worthy of emulation – Daniel 6:10
B. RESOLVE TO BECOME CLOSER TO THE BRETHREN
1. By having a different person or family in your home each month – 1 Peter 4:9
a. It doesn’t have to be a fancy dinner
b. Just a simple visit to become better acquainted
2. Or by visiting a different person or family each month
a. It might not always be convenient to have people in your home
b. But you can arrange to visit them in their home (if you are alone, take someone with you)
C. RESOLVE TO GET TO KNOW NON-CHRISTIANS BETTER
1. By having one new neighbor or co-worker in your home each month – Galatians 6:10
2. Or by visiting one new neighbor or co-worker each month
a. It doesn’t have to be a fancy meal or formal visit
b. It is amazing how far simple hospitality and neighborly kindness can go
1) To build meaningful relationships
2) In which opportunities can be created to share the gospel
Conclusion
1. These resolutions may sound simplistic; but if implemented, they go a long way
a. To producing the kind of lifestyle that is becoming of Christians
b. To increasing closer relationships with God, our brethren, and the lost
1) That will bless our lives
2) And be a blessing to the church and our community
c. To create a clearer conscience next year at this time
2. Time is a precious commodity, given to us by God
a. That is truly like a vapor – cf. James 4:13-15
b. That needs to be carefully redeemed – cf. Ephesians 5:15-16
c. I hope that these suggestions for resolutions for a new year will help you in making better use of it!
3. Finally, let me share with you the following poem: “A New Year, A New Beginning”
The old year ends, a new begins With pages clean and new;
And what is written on each page will now depend on you.
You can’t relive the year that’s past, Erasing every wrong;
For once a year – or day – is spent, It is forever gone.
But don’t give up in dark despair If you have failed some test;
Seek God’s forgiveness and resolve Henceforth to do your best.
Resolve each precious day to do things good and kind and pure;
Though days and years may pass away, These things shall still endure.
You know not where your path may lead Nor what’s beyond the hill;
But know that God walks at your side, If you will do His will.
All things are possible with God, Though days be bright or dim;
So do your best and know that you Can leave the rest to Him.
– Author Unknown
4. If you are not a Christian, or you are a child of God who has strayed from the Lord, you need to make the best use of the time you have now
“We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: `In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” – 2 Corinthians 6:1-2
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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All Things Become New – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Text: 2 Corinthians 5:17
Is Anything New?
Is there anything new, according to the Preacher? Solomon, the Preacher, the son of David, said that there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:1, 9-11).
Many things that exist in this world (strife, sorrow, worry, etc.) have existed long, long ago. Paul reminded the Romans that things written before were written for our learning (Romans 15:4).
New Heaven and Earth
Did Isaiah prophesy of something new? Isaiah foretold of the coming of Christ and the establishment of his kingdom, the church. He said new heavens and a new earth, Jerusalem, would come and there would be no more weeping or crying (Isaiah 65:17-19). Did anyone else tell of a new Jerusalem?
In his Revelation letter, John saw a new heaven and new earth, and new Jerusalem came down from heaven. God wiped away every tear, and there was no more death, sorrow, crying, nor pain; all things were made new (Revelation 21:1-5). The faithful receive this, but there is a second death (Revelation 21:8). All must die, but each decides where to spend eternity (Hebrews 9:27).
New Compassion
How does Jeremiah describe God’s compassions? They do not fail; they are new every morning. God’s faithfulness is great. The Lord is his portion, and thus will hope in him. The Lord is good to those that wait for him, to the soul that seeks him (Lamentations 3:22-24).
New Commandment
What new commandment did Jesus give to His disciples? They must love one another, as Jesus loved them (John 13:34).
New Person
If one is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, and all things are new (2 Corinthians 5:17; see also Galatians 6:15).
The old man has been put off with his deeds, and the new man is put on (Ephesians 4:22-25; Colossians 3:5-15).
Through baptism, one is dead to sin, buried with Christ, and raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:2-6).
New Spirit
No longer do we serve the flesh but the newness of the Spirit (Romans 7:4-6).
Content by Richard Dillon
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