LIVING THE NEW LIFE 2 #
Everyone--- please turn off your cell phones.
Salvation changes our hearts and our desires. When a person becomes a follower of Jesus there is something in them that wants to please Him. Now the Holy Spirit is in you leading you showing you how you should live. The Bible gives clear instructions for how we should live.
Live A Changed Life
You don’t live this new way to make God love you. While you were still a sinner Christ died for you (Romans 5:8). God sent Jesus because he already loved the world. We live this new way because God loves us so much and has done so many great things for us we want to live to please Him, and the Holy Spirit will help us. Living the way the New Testament teaches us to live will make our lives better. It will give us peace, joy and make life fuller and more prosperous. It is God’s grace and power that gives the ability to live the new life, not our own strength.
- Put God first in your life. It is only when we put Him first that we realize all the benefits that come with salvation.
Matthew 6:33 Above all else pursue God’s kingdom and righteousness, and he will give you the things you need. NLT
Matthew 22:37-38, 37 ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
38 This is the first and greatest commandment. NIV
Have a discussion: How has God been speaking to you to put Him first in your life?
- Put off your old way of living. God will show you how to change and give you the ability to follow Him.
Ephesians 4:21-24, 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. NLT
- Live clean lives proper for God’s People. Give yourself to do what pleases Him and you will be filled with peace.
Ephesians 5:3-4, 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. NIV
What do you need to do to put off the old life and live in a way that pleases God? Share with someone near you.
- Have nothing to do with witchcraft or demons. Those things will lead you back to bondage, walk in freedom.
1 Corinthians 10:20-21, 20 The sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s Table and the table of demons. NIV [1 Peter 1:18-19]
If you have been set free from demonic power, share your testimony. Is there anyone here who needs more freedom?
- Jesus gave us new principles for relating to others. Forgiveness, mercy and longsuffering demonstrate God’s love.
Matthew 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. NIV
Matthew 5:44-46, 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? NIV [Matthew 6:14-15]
- Forgive those who wrong you. The way Jesus treated us is the standard for how we should forgive others.
Ephesians 4:31-32, 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. NIV
- Do not judge or condemn other people. We will be judged or NOT according to how we judge others.
Matthew 7:1-2, 1 Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. NLT
James 4:11-12, 11 Brothers and sisters, stop slandering each other. Those who slander and judge other believers slander and judge God’s teachings. If you judge God’s teachings, you are no longer following them. Instead, you are judging them. 12 There is only one teacher and judge. He is able to save or destroy you. So who are you to judge your neighbor? GWT
- Make sure your words please God. Our words are powerful, they control the direction of our lives.
Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. NIV
How has God been convicting you about the words that come out of your mouth and about how you relate to other people? Is there anyone in your life that you need to forgive or ask forgiveness from? What changes do you need to make? Do you still say bad things about other people? Do you have a testimony of how God has changed you?
- Be a blessing to everyone even those who mistreat you and God will see to it that you are blessed.
1 Peter 3:9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. NIV [Romans 12:14-21]
Say: I will not be jealous when I see Others Prospering.
Say: The goodness and blessings of God are so abundant that there is enough for everyone.
- Be joyful in the Lord, don’t let problems get you down. Joy is a sign that our thoughts and actions are surrendered to God.
Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy. NLT [Psalm 16:11, Romans 5:3]
Psalm 28:7 The Lord protects and defends me; I trust in him. He gives me help and makes me glad; I praise him with joyful songs. GNT
Nehemiah 8:10 “… the joy of the Lord is your strength.” NKJV
- Learn to listen to and follow the directions of God and His Word. God is always speaking, how well are we listening?
John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. NKJV
Galatians 5:25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. NIV [Mark 8:34-35]
- Believe that the power of the Holy Spirit will give you victory. God has already fully defeated Satan.
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. NIV
Proverbs 3:5-6, 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. NIV [Luke 10:18-19]
What are you doing to develop an ear that hears and follows the leading of the Holy Spirit?
When a person becomes a Christian the power of God transforms their life. You will know that your new life is working as it should if your life is different now than before. When a person gets saved the power of God is present in their life to free them from their old bondages. They become a new person in Christ and their heart begins dramatically changing. If there is an area of your life in which you are defeated, don’t hide it, go to a spiritually mature person for help.
Next week come prepared to share your testimony on how your life is changing. It is also ok to share the areas in which you are struggling!
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