New, Better, Different

New, Better, Different
Romans 6:4

Introduction:

A. In order to follow the Bible, as we should, we run into a word and become a great obstacle to many.
1. The word is “change”.
a. Whether it is our human nature, the culture of our times, or just the thought patterns we have been taught, people don’t like to change.
2. One thing that it very clearly seen by observation is that if we just get out of our own way we can serve God as we should everyday of our life.
a. When we decide that we want something else; that is when we falter and fail.
b. We must take on the mindset presented in Galatians 2:20.
i. When we take on this way of thinking we will certainly desire God’s way and whatever changes are necessary.
3. Perhaps we are not quite there yet. We may need some more encouragement toward change and commitment.
B. In order to desire change we must be motivated to that desire.
1. This perhaps leads us to a place of questioning:
a. Why change and become a Christian?
b. What does Christ offer for all of the effort of change?
c. Why is His way better than mine?
C. These are honest questions.
1. Questions with straightforward answers.
a. Why change? If you don’t change you will die in your sins (John 8:24).
b. What does Christ offer? Everlasting life as opposed to everlasting punishment (John 4:14)
c. Why is His way better? You can’t find anyway out of death (Proverbs. 14:12) Christ provides the way to life (John14:6)
D. Perhaps we need a closer examination, we need to be inspired to change and that requires a little more work.
1. Let’s take a few moments to consider the fact that a life in Christ is New, Better, and Different.

I. New:
A. What a great feeling, when we get something new.
1. Perhaps a new home, car, appliance, anything new has a certain appeal.
a. Some thing new is not the same old thing it is new and we are excited to use whatever that new thing is.
2. One of the things that we have come to do in our country is to stop maintaining newness.
a. Do you know the difference between that new car that you are so proud to own and drive and a car that is just the same old car that we use to get from here to there?
i. The new becomes the old when we stop checking the oil at each fill-up; we stop visiting the car wash; we stop dusting the dash; we quit taking the time to apply a fresh coat of wax or polish; we start taking the new thing for granted and stop appreciating it for what it is.
3. So what does all this mean?
B. In Christ we are given a new life, what are you going to do with it?
1. Romans 6:1-4 Faithful obedience results in the newness of life.
a. Through the waters of baptism our old life is ended and then we rise and walk in the newness of life—free from our sins (Acts 2:38).
2. We have to set our minds on a continuous maintenance program in order to maintain our newness.
a. Consider Ephesians 4:17-5:5
i. We should no longer walk as the rest of the world walks (vs. 17).
ii. We should not give time or energy to the practice of sin (vs. 19)
iii. Put off the former conduct (vs. 22)
iv. Change your actions by first changing your thoughts (vs. 23)
v. Put on the new—righteousness and holiness (vs. 24)
vi. If you have sinned, sin no more, work at the good works (vs. 28)
vii. Watch yourself (vs. 29, 31, 3-4)
ix. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit (vs. 30)
x. Be an imitator of God (5:1).
b. Colossians 3:1-15
i. If you became a Christian, seek the things of Christ (vs. 1-4).
ii. Put the old ways to death (vs. 5-9)
iii. Put on the new way—the new life (vs. 9-15).
iv. Be thankful (vs. 15).
3. Never take the forgiveness and salvation for granted maintain their newness every day (2 Thessalonians 3:13).
II. Better:
A. The life that Christ offers is better.
1. We usually desire change when we become dissatisfied with the frustrations of the old way.
a. Those in the world who never find true satisfaction and direction fail to have a good life.
2. Which of these verses sounds like a better life and hope?
a. Galatians 5:19-21 “Those who practice such things will not go to Heaven”
b. Galatians 5:22-25 “The fruit of the Spirit”
B. In Christ we are offered true fulfillment and the life that He offers is better.
1. He offers us purpose (Acts 17:24-27)
2. He offers us direction toward freedom (John 8:31-32)
3. He offers us a life of honesty, integrity, and wellbeing (Romans 12:16-21).
4. He offers us the comfort of knowing God cares (Romans 8:31-39; 1 Peter 5:7).
5. He offers us a relationship with both Himself and the Father (2 John 9).

III. Different:
A. In Christ we are offered true fulfillment and the life that He offers is better if we truly commit.
1. This is usually the greatest weakness in our approach.
a. We want to have a good life; we desire to be made new; but the real challenge is the follow through.
b. The life that Christ offers is different and we must be willing to be different in order to have that life and receive its benefits.
B. Jesus Himself said that we cannot be happy when we are torn between two masters (Matthew 6:24).
1. Those who try to hold on to the world and God will loose, “you cannot serve God and mammon.”
2. We cannot grow the fruit of the Spirit while we are cultivating the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:24-25).
3. We cannot play games with God (1 John 2:15-17).
a. We are given a life that is better than what the world offers we will realize that fact when we fully commit to walking in that life.

Conclusion:
A. Out of all of God’s vast creation.
1. We stand out as the only part to whom God has offered the opportunity of forgiveness and salvation (1 Peter 1:10-12)
2. Are we going to rejoice in that fact and take the hope into our lives?
a. Or, are we going to treat that hope like just any other thing?
B. If you are a Christian you should be rejoicing in a new, better, and different life in Christ.
1. If you have not found that joy, perhaps you have never fully committed.
a. It is time to change. It is time to put away the world and its lusts, it is time to put away the sins and it is time to fully commit to God’s divine will.
C. If you are not a Christian, you are given a wonderful opportunity, right now.
1. You can have a new, better, and different, life… right now.