THE NEW MAN (Part 1)
Memory Verse: “Therefore,
if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has
come!” II Corinthians 5: 17. (NIV).
LESSON OBJECTIVES AND FOCUS
We want to i). See the relationship between repentance, salvation
and newness of man in the divine plan;
ii).
Understand the real features of genuine repentance and salvation.
LESSON
INTRODUCTION
The “man outside” is only a shadow or
reflection of the “man within”. The “man within”, (variously called the “inner
man”, the “heart of man” or the “spirit of man”) determines what the “man
outside” is. Unless this “inner man” is given to Jesus and renewed by the Holy
Spirit, it continues to exhibit the earthen or Adamic nature of sin, and such
“old man” will eventually perish and go to hell. But if the “inner man” is
given to Jesus, the transformation takes place from within and reflects
outside. A new man emerges.
JUST
REMEMBER
·
Korah, Dathan and Abiram were in the
church in the wilderness. They perished because they refused to repent. Let us
not copy their example. Num. 16:1-3;
12-13; 31-32.
·
The salvation of Paul is a
demonstration of how the “old man” can be slain by the power of God, and how a
“new man” can emerge. Acts 9: 5; 13-15; 22.
And let us remember that refusing
salvation is accepting destruction. There is no in-between or neutral ground. John 3: 18b.
LESSON
OUTLINE 1: THE NEW MAN IS EVIDENCED BY GENUINE REPENTANCE
i).
How do we define genuine repentance?
a).
It is godly sorrow for the past wrong. Psalm 38:18; Luke 18:9-14 (esp. v.13)
b).
It is a change of mind which leads to a change of conduct,
and is shown by our doing that which is right as opposed to doing the wrong
thing. Matth. 21:28-32.
ii).
Why is genuine repentance essential?
a).
God commands it. Acts 17:30. b). Jesus preached it. Matth. 4:17.
c).
It prepares one for heaven. Matth. 4:17. d).
It precedes genuine salvation. Acts 3:19.
iii).
What are the features or marks of genuine repentance?
a).
Hatred for sin. Acts 3:19a. b). Returning to God. Acts 26:18.
c).
Desire for holy living. IJn3:9(NIV). d).Divine
pardon & blotting out of one’s sins. Isa55:7.
LESSON
OUTLINE 2: THE NEW MAN IS EVIDENCED BY GENUINE SALVATION
i).
What is genuine salvation?
a).
It is being truly born again. b). It is the outcome of genuine repentance.
c).
It is the creation of a new life in a man by the Holy
Spirit.
ii).
The universality of the offer of
salvation. Matth. 11:28-30.
a).
Genuine salvation (the new birth) is for every willing and repentant soul.
b).
It is for both the rich and poor, the literate and the
illiterate, the young and the old, the Jew (the circumcised) and the Gentile
(the uncircumcised). Gal 6: 15. It
is for everybody.
iii).
The process of salvation.
a).
Realise your position as a sinner. Rom. 3:23.
b).
Recognise Jesus as the Saviour. Jn.3:16. c). Accept
Jesus as your Saviour. Jn 1:12.
iv).
The outcome/result of salvation.
a).
Holy and righteous living. I Jn 2:29. b). Total hatred for sin.
I Jn. 3:9 (NIV).
What are the differences between genuine and fake salvation?
SUMMARY
Repentance and salvation are essential
ingredients for being a new man. If you have not truly repented and been saved,
what are you waiting for? God offers you new life today. Grab it.