The New Man Mindset

Main Point: Discuss how we have been transformed in Christ Jesus and the obstacle of seeing other and ourselves in a merely human point of view. Last week, we spoke about how we are in a position of engagement to God (Eph 1:3-14) and what it looks like to be an Engaged Believer (One who hears the word and receives it as his/her ownMark 4:20). This week, lets talk about who we are now that we are in Christ Jesus and the victory that we have in life because we live for Him. Have you ever seen Spider-Man? Peter Parker is just this regular person going through the daily motions of life. His peers labeled him the geek and because of that, many despised and ignored him. Over the years, he had adopted this low self-image projected upon him by his peers and he received it as who he was: Weak from the inside out. But, one day all of that changed when a radioactive spider bit him. The venom from this super natural spider journeyed through Peters veins, changing his very own molecular structure. This transformation altered his DNA and made him stronger. It gave him super natural abilities and gave him a confidence that he has never had before. He wasnt the same weak person anymore. He took on the identity of the spider. He was made a new creature. Now, we all know that Spider-Man is a made up fantasy, but we can use this as a familiar picture to get a better grip on a biblical truth concerning our own transformation in Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:17: KJV
Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17: NLT

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

When we were living in sin, we too were just regular people going through the daily motions of life. We took on the labels our peers and surroundings gave us. We believed the lies the devil told us about who we were destined to be: Idolaters, wrapped up in the cares of this world. We were weak from the inside out. But, one day all of that changed when we became a child of God. The blood of Jesus journeyed through our veins, changing our spiritual DNA, making us stronger. The spirit of God gives us super natural abilities and because we have been made right with God, we have a confidence that we have never had before. We are not the same old weak people anymore. We have taken on the identity of Jesus. In Him, we have been made new creatures.

Questions: Read 2 Corinthians 5:17 1. What are some of the old things that have passed away in your life since you have been transformed in Christ? 2. What are some of the new things you have noticed since you have been transformed in Christ? (new compassion for others, new world view [i.e. recognizing the lies of
the devil.], new self view [i.e. seeing yourself in light of how God sees you], etc.)

The fact that you are a new creature in Christ means that you are a totally new person and the person you used to be outside of Christ no longer exists. Therefore, the right response is to always see yourself and others the way God sees you and them. He does not see who you are in the flesh. He sees you in the spirit. He sees you as righteous. He sees you as victorious! 2 Corinthian 5:16: KJV
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

2 Corinthian 5:16: NLT

So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!

Here you can see that God does not want us to look at people from a human standpoint. This includes the way we view ourselves. Galatians 3:28-29: NLT
28There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Questions: Read Galatians 3:28-29 So often, we evaluate ourselves and others based on cultural background, financial/social status, or gender. God does not see us this way. 3. Do you ever find that you judge yourself and others based on these three human viewpoints? 4. Instead, how should we view ourselves and others who belong to Christ according to verse 29? Not sure who you really are in Christ? Read this list of Biblical truths that reveal who God made you to be. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. I am complete in Him Who is the Head of all principality and power (Colossians 2:10). I am alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5). I am free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). I am far from oppression, and fear does not come near me (Isaiah 54:14). I am born of God, and the evil one does not touch me (1 John 5:18). I am holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:16).

7. I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:5). 8. I have the peace of God that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). 9. I have the Greater One living in me; greater is He Who is in me than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). And there is much more to the New Man Mindset. I challenge you to get into your word every day so that you will be constantly reminded of who you now are in Christ Jesus.