Becoming a New Person (Acts 9:1-22)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
1 January 2023
A certain man with a criminal past was tragically killed. His family said he had planned to turn his life around and to be a new person. But the man died. It was too late for him.
Consider this matter of becoming a new person as revealed in the life of Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:1-22).
What are some characteristics of becoming a new person? There are at least three: a new start, a new family and a new vocation.
Saul had a new start. From being a hater of Jesus and persecutor of his people he became a follower of Jesus. A new start involves an encounter with Jesus. Jesus intervened in the life Saul and Saul was transformed. Only Jesus can make new people. He is the life-giver.
Saul had a new family. Note when Ananias was sent to heal Saul he addressed Saul as "Brother Saul" indicating that Saul and Ananias were now in the same family—the family of God. When you become a Christian you join the church; you have new brothers and sisters.
Saul had a new vocation. He was Jesus's chosen vessel to bear the gospel to all people and this he did right till the end of his life. Saul began by killing Christian disciples but ended up making disciples.
How can you become a new person? There are three things you must recognise.
Recognise you have need. You were born, like David (Psalm 51:5), with a sinful nature. This needs to be dealt with. Jesus has taken your sin upon himself. He has died as the substitute for sinners.
Recognise you need a Saviour. Jesus is that Saviour. He came into the world to be the Saviour of sinners (Matthew 1:21). No one can deliver you from sin except Jesus who knew no sin.
Recognise yourself as a new person. It is no longer you who live but Christ who lives in you. Present your life as a living sacrifice to God and serve him as Saul did.
May the Spirit work in your life that you may become a new person. This is our New Year message. Start the New Year a new person. Behold! Jesus makes all things new.