Newness of Life, by Sister Believe Ohioma

Newness of Life, by Sister Believe Ohioma

Bible text: Romans 6:4-6 – For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism.  And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the father, now we also may live new lives.  Since we have been united with him in his death, we also be raised to life as he was.  We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives.  We are no longer slaves to sin.

Introduction: For one to experience a newness of life, it means there must have been an old life one was living in.  Newness of life means we should be dead to sin.  If we are dead to sin, we are therefore not supposed to live in sin any longer.  Newness of life means that we are no longer slaves to sin.

Case Study: Life of Paul

*Reason to have the newness of life 

# Christ died for us to have this newness of life as was shown in the main passage for the message.  As Christ was raised from the dead, we now also may live new lives.

# We are to walk in this newness of life because it is our choice to partner with God.  Being God’s partner is the best relationship anyone can ever have whereby we have the advantage of sanctification and end goal of eternal life

Romans 6:22 – But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God.  Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.

*How to experience this newness of life

# We have to die to sin (Romans 6:11) and be buried just like Christ was and we can do this through baptism.  Until you are dead to this sin, you can’t expect to walk in the newness of life. Even after dying to sin in Christ, it is Christ that lives this new life in us and through us

Galatians 2:20 – I am crucified in Christ nevertheless I live yet not I but Christ lives in me..

# We need to have an encounter with God.  Like Paul did on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-31). This encounter transforms one from a sinner to a saint.

Having a true encounter is key.  No need to shout it out cause everything about you shows this

2 Corinthians 5:17 – If a man be in Christ He is a new creature old things are passed behold all things are new.

When you have this encounter, you know who you are having the encounter with just like Saul/Paul did.

Acts 9:5 – When Jesus asked him Saul why are you persecuting me and Saul replied “who art thou LORD”?  He didn’t need to be told who the Lord is.

*Living/walking in the newness of life

# We have to be in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17

# It requires a walk. Not to be stagnant but be in motion.  Walk in faith and dominion.  And we are to live as people of light (Ephesians 5:8).

# Get understanding of this new life.

Proverbs 4:7 KJV – Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom and with all they getting get understanding.

Until you truly understand this new life, you will never fully walk in it.

# Avoid unbelief.  Don’t doubt that you are actually walking in this new life.

# Get good association/avoid bad association.

(Evil Communication corrupts good manners 1 Corinthians 15:18.

# Avoid distractions/pray for grace to manage certain distractions: sin, school, business, work, busy schedule (Psalm 119:15 we are to meditate on God’s precepts and fix our eyes on his ways). Phillipians 4:8.

# We have to set our eyes on things above and put to death our earthly desires.  Colossians 3:1-17.  Things like sexual immorality, uncleanliness, passion, evil desire, greed, wrath, anger, malice, blasphemy and filthy language. Nail our passions and sinful desires to the cross (Galatians 5:24)

# Resolve to live and work and breath in this newness of life. (Philippians 2:12 work out our salvation with fear and trembling). Not forgetting the power and the essence of the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion: There is no better way to walk in life than to walk in this newness of life because it brings about a transformation in our lives and it is essential for us as we sojourn through this earth on our journey to eternal life with Christ.

The sermon, Newness of Life, by Sister Believe Ohioma was delivered at the Special Youth Service on March 19, 2017.