Because He Got Up: "I Have A New Life"
itle: Because He Got Up: Life on the Other Side of the Cross ( I Have A New Life)
Sermon Summary: This post Resurrection Sunday sermon explores the transformative power of Christ's resurrection through the symbolism of three trees in human history: the tree of knowledge of good and evil (which brought death), the tree of life (which offers eternal life), and the cross (the bridge between death and life). The message challenges us to examine whether we are truly living in the power of the resurrection or still walking in "grave clothes." Through baptism and daily surrender to Christ, believers receive a new identity, a new walk, and a new pursuit. The sermon emphasizes that past sins are forgiven at the cross, and those in Christ should no longer be defined by their former lives. The central question posed is: "What have you done with that third tree—the cross?"
Chapters
Chapter 1: Three Trees: From Death to Life
We explore the three trees in human history: the tree of knowledge that brought death, the cross that bridges the gap, and the tree of life that promises eternal healing.
Chapter 2: A New Identity: The Heart Transplant
We receive a new identity through baptism when God replaces our heart of stone with a heart of flesh and places His Spirit within us.
Chapter 3: A New Walk: Living the Resurrected Life
The new life in Christ produces a new walk characterized by honesty about sin, daily surrender, changed desires, and a witness that naturally flows from transformation.
Chapter 4: A New Pursuit: Seeking First the Kingdom
We are called to pursue heaven above all else, firmly planted like a tree by the waters, progressing in Christ-likeness and sharing the new life with others.
Key Points:
Three trees define human spiritual experience: the tree of knowledge (death), the tree of life (eternal life), and the cross (the bridge)
The resurrection provides believers with a new identity through receiving God's Spirit at baptism
God replaces our heart of stone with a heart of flesh that can respond to His Spirit
A new identity should produce a new walk characterized by running to God instead of hiding from Him when we sin
Believers should confess sin honestly rather than covering it, replacing guilt with grace
The new walk means pursuing Christ-likeness and kingdom priorities above personal desires
True religion involves caring for the least and keeping oneself unspotted from the world
When you come to Christ, the old person (you) dies—others have simply missed the funeral if they hold your past against you
The power of the cross means past sins no longer define who you are in Christ
Living in resurrection power means daily taking up your cross and following Jesus
Scripture Reference:
Genesis 2:9 (Tree of life and tree of knowledge of good and evil)
Genesis 3:7-12 (Adam and Eve's response to sin)
Ezekiel 36:26-27 (New heart and new spirit)
Romans 5:12 (Death spread to all through sin)
Romans 6:4 (Buried with Christ through baptism)
Romans 8:1 (No condemnation in Christ)
2 Corinthians 5:17 (New creation in Christ)
1 Peter 2:24 (Jesus bore our sins on the tree)
Acts 2:38 (Repent and be baptized)
John 6:63 (The Spirit gives life)
John 14:15 (If you love me, keep my commands)
John 16:8 (Spirit convicts of sin and righteousness)
Matthew 6:33 (Seek first the kingdom)
Matthew 7:13-14 (Narrow gate and difficult way)
Hebrews 4:13, 16 (Everything exposed to God; come boldly to throne of grace)
James 1:22, 27 (Be doers of the word; pure religion)
Philippians 3:13-14 (Forgetting what's behind, pressing forward)
Colossians 3:5 (Put to death earthly members)
Revelation 21-22 (Tree of life in heaven for healing of nations)
Illustration:
The story of a man with a bad temper who would get drunk and physically abuse his wife, repeatedly apologizing and being forgiven. After seeing a church sign about how a man can be made new, he attended worship, heard the gospel, repented, and was baptized. When his wife's father later confronted him about hitting his daughter, the man responded, "That's a lie. I ain't never hit her. That man may have hit her, but I ain't never hit her. I'm a new man in Christ." This story illustrates the complete transformation and new identity available through the cross, though the preacher acknowledged it makes some people uncomfortable.
(The man wasn’t denying his past, but declaring his transformation)
Minister Kelvin L. Briggs