Tag: New Creation

The Voice of Accusation Vs. Conviction

accusation vs conviction.png

After my sermon this past weekend (March 11/12), I got a huge amount of feedback about how helpful it was. Which is always encouraging – it was a good Sunday afternoon! Thank you!

But, I’ve also received this question a few times since then: How can you tell the difference between the voice of the accuser, and the voice of God convicting you of sin? Well, the answer is actually pretty easy…

Accuser: “You are wrong.”
God: “That choice was wrong.”

Accuser: “You are so bad.”
God: “That wasn’t right.”

Accuser: “See, you’re so worthless. Why bother trying?”
God: “You are pure, holy and blameless. You don’t need to live that way anymore.”

Are you seeing the difference? Satan accuses you – of you. God convicts you – not of you, but of sin and your calling to live into who you really are.

So, when God convicts us, it’s of our actions, not of our personal value or worth to Him. When the accuser accuses us, he takes our actions and then says that they are what determine our value and worth. 

God doesn’t guilt, He convicts. So, when you feel weighed down with guilt, shame and worthlessness, that isn’t from God. The difference is, when God convicts me of my sin (which is often), I know I’ve done something wrong. When Satan accuses me, I feel that I am intrinsically wrong.

The other thing to watch for is the outcome of the “conviction/accusation.”
With the accuser, his voice always leads to depression, shame, silence and despondency (or inaction). With God, His conviction leads to repentance, which literally means “changed behaviour” – a different way to live. With the accuser, his voice causes us to run from God – we hide (i.e. look at Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden). With God, His conviction leads to a greater reliance on Him and a desire to follow Him, knowing that He is faithful and just to cleanse us from every single wrong.

So, Satan tries to tempt us into believing our life is based on what we do (or fail to do). But, Christ has already done everything and so God’s conviction is based on living fully in that reality, not trying to earn it. 

May you hear God’s Spirit this week clearly, closely and personally, and may you not give the voice of the accuser the time of day.

by Andrew Mills

God Wants to Make You New

On Sunday we shared about how God is about fresh starts and new beginnings. We read some of the following verses, and just let God speak to you through them:

  • 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
  • And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Romans 6:4
  • But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. Isaiah 43:18
  • And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. Ezekiel 11:19-20
  • If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

The simple truth is God is into new beginnings. This is what he wants to give to us, so that we can discover a new future and a fresh start.

So rather than talking a lot about it on Sunday, we experienced it. We gathered together as friends, families, and individuals in small groups and took communion together.

Communion is a reminder that we all have a fresh start because of Jesus. It is a reminder that all our sins and failures have been dealt with , so we can live differently. It’s something we take together, to remind ourselves that we are different.

So maybe today that’s just a reminder that you need, I know I do. That because of Jesus we are made new. It’s simple, but true. And sometimes the most life-changing truths, are the simplest. May this simple truth shape your day today:

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

 

Sermon Notes:

Big Idea: You can start new today

Teaching Points:

  • This idea about having a fresh start and a new beginning , is embedded into our faith.
  • 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
  • And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Romans 6:4
  • But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. Isiah 43:18
  • And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. Ezekiel 11:19-20
  • If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Adult Discussion Questions:

What do you need to be made new this year? How can God help you with this? Who else can help you with this? If there is one change that you need to make this year, what is it?

Discussion Questions for Young Families

Spend some time with your kids talking about communion and how Jesus makes us new. Debrief together over what they thought and if they have any questions

Challenge for the Week: Live in a new direction.

by Andrew Mills