1. The Benefits of Being a Christian Continued New Desires for New People

2. Introduction  The Christian life does not begin until one is buried in the waters of baptism and rises anew  Christ taught Nicodemus that he must be born again (Jn 3:1-7)  A new life is made possible by the shedding of Christ’s blood on the cross  Mt 26:28 “ 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”  1 Jn 1:7 “ 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

3. Introduction  New people have new desires  Things once desired hold no interest for them anymore  Phil 3:7-9 “ 7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ...”  This lesson will look at a couple of these new desires

4. Christians desire the Bible  They desire the “Pure milk of the word” (1 Pet 2:1-3)  The Bible plays a vital role in the new birth  1 Pet 1:23 “ 23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever”  The Bible supplies the nutrients needed for spiritual health  The Bible causes growth  “That you may grow thereby…”

5. Christians desire the Bible  Christians begin to see the Bible for what it truly is  God’s effective inspired word  1 Thess 2:13 “ 13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing,…you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.”  Is 55:11 “ 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”  Pure  Ps 12:6 “ 6 The words of the L ORD are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times.”

6. Christians desire the Bible  Christians begin to see the Bible for what it truly is  All we need to know God  Lk 16:29-31 “ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’”  True  Jn 17:17 “ 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”  Sweet like honey  Ps 19:10 “ 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.”

7. Christians desire the Bible  Christians begin to see the Bible for what it truly is  Food for the soul  Jer 15:16 “ 16 Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O L ORD God of hosts.”  Milk that nourishes  1 Pet 2:2 “ 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,”  A lamp to guide our life  Ps 119:105 “ 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”  Trustworthy  Prov 30:5b “…He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.”

8. Christians desire the Bible  Christians begin to see the Bible for what it truly is  Perfect  Ps 19:7a “ 7 The law of the L ORD is perfect, converting the soul;…”  Powerful  Jer 23:29 “ 29 “Is not My word like a fire?” says the L ORD, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?”  Heb 4:12 “ 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

9. Christians desire the Bible  Christians begin to see the Bible for what it truly is  The standard by which all teaching is tested  Acts 17:11 “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”  Not to be added to or taken from  Rev 22:18-19 “ 18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

10. Christians desire the Bible  Christians begin to see the Bible for what it truly is  A seed for salvation implanted in us  Jam 1:21 “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”  To be obeyed  Mt 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  Jam 1:22 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

11. Christians desire to be with other Christians  Christians “love the brethren”  1 Jn 3:14 “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.”  As taught by Peter  1 Pet 2:17 “Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”  The example and teaching of Paul  1 Thes 2:18 “Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us.”  The example of the early Christians (Acts 2:41-45)

12. Conclusion  Have you been born again?  If not, why not?  Are you displaying the new desires we have studied in this lesson?  If not, why not?  Now is the time to heed the words of Paul in 2 Cor 13:5:  “ Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.”