“Leaving The Past In The Past” Zechariah 3
Sermon Series: “Flesh”
Two Dresses
-He died for our sins (Romans 5:8) -Confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9)
-Call on Jesus and ask for salvation (Romans 10:13)
2. Truly believe that in Christ:
A. We have no condemnation (Romans 8:1). Satan is the accuser, but
Jesus is the defender of His followers. He would not let Satan make accusations against Joshua, even though they were true. It is true that there are many things Satan can truly accuse us of, but the greater truth is that Jesus has forgiven us and made us just like we never sinned (Romans 3:24). Jesus is our Advocate (1 John 2:1-2) and Intercessor (Hebrews 7:25-27).
B. We are clean, pure, and righteous. God forgives us of every sin through the Lord Jesus (1 John 1:9, Colossians 2:14, Revelation 1:5, Isaiah 53:6, Psalm 32:1-2, Isaiah 1:18, Ephesians 1:7). In our text today, Joshua is an object lesson for the nation of Israel and for us. He pictures the fact that Jesus completely removes the stain of sin and clothes us with purity.
C. We are blessed with every spiritual blessing. The Lord does not just take away sin, but He also gives us a new nature and blesses us with every spiritual blessing. A major key to living in freedom is seeing ourselves as God sees us and living out of that reality. Please take the time to meditate on the list on the next page.
3. Walk in God’s ways by living out of what Jesus has done for us (v. 6-7).
This is the key to change. Biblical change is from the inside out instead of the outside in. We often get that backwards. We don’t change in order to get Jesus to accept us, but we change because He has accepted us and changed us. That is the difference between the gospel and religion. Trust Jesus and let Him give you a new heart. That is the beginning of change. This also speaks to us of the fact that we can’t claim to be forgiven and still go on pursuing sin. God’s grace empowers us not to sin instead of giving us a license to sin. If we have God’s nature, we will desire the things of God. Does the fruit of your life give evidence that you truly have a new heart?
Conclusion: Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Paul also wrote, “But by the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10a). Will you receive the grace of God today? Will you live out of the grace of God today? Will you let the grace of God change you today? Will you worship God for His grace today? That is what life is all about.
The Dress Made Dirty with Sin
The Dress Made Clean By Jesus
Introduction: One of the biggest responses we have received from this series has been people dealing with things from their past. God led us to add this message to the series so let’s look at what God’s Word says about leaving the past in the past.
1. In order to leave the past in the past, we must first become a Christian so we are forgiven of our sins. There is more to being a Christian than this statement, but the Lord’s question to Satan does at least partially describe a Christian. He said, “Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” How do you become a Christian? We must:
-Admit our sinfulness (Romans 3:23).
-Believe (personally trust) in Christ (John 3:16, Acts 16:31)
-He is the resurrected Son of God (Romans 1:4)
