Walking in Newness of Life

Foundation Scriptures:
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 KJV

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  Romans 6:4 KJV

1. A New Creation.
If you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, and if with your mouth you confess Him as Lord, you are saved (Romans 10:9-10).
The moment you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you become a new creature – a new creation.
Not only are your sins forgiven, but He gives you a brand new heart.
Colossians 1:13 KJV – “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.”
You are translated out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of light.
He gives you a new identity.
You are no longer who the world, the devil, or your past says you are.
You are who Jesus says you are!

2. Identify With Christ.
See yourself as He sees you.
Begin to see yourself through the eyes of God‘s Word.
Begin to speak life and faith over yourself.
Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV – “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.”
WE have the choice of death or life.
God’s choice for us is life – the devil’s choice is death.
The enemy is a thief – killing, stealing and destroying.
Believers have a covenant with Almighty God and the devil has no more rights over us.
Jesus defeated the devil and we have to enforce his defeat in our own lives.
We need to activate God’s Word and His Promises by choosing life and speaking His Word and Promises over ourselves.
Proverbs 18:21 KJV – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

3. Speak Life.
Stop speaking death and start speaking life.
Speak God’s Word.
Romans 4:17 AMPC – “As it is written, I have made you the father of many nations. [He was appointed our father] in the sight of God in Whom he believed, Who gives life to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things that [He has foretold and promised] as if they [already] existed.”
Almighty God created the universe, out of nothing, with His faith and by His words.
He speaks things into existence.
He calls those things that are not as though they were.
He called Abraham a ‘father of many nations’ even though it was impossible in the natural.
Abraham and Sarah became parents because they believed and received the words that the Lord spoke over them.
He expects us to follow His lead – if He speaks a thing (even if it looks impossible) it will come to pass.
We need to come into agreement with His Word and speak it over ourselves.
Speak life. Speak health. Speak blessings.

4. Calling Things Into Being.
Call things that are not, as if they are.
You cannot call things that are, as if they are not.
For instance: If you are sick, you can’t say, “I’m not sick,” because that would not be true.
You CAN say, “By His stripes, I’m healed!” (1 Peter 2:24)
God’s Kingdom operates on laws.
There are laws that govern natural things.
God’s Laws supersede natural laws – His Law is higher than natural law.
Apply His Word to every area of your life.
Start speaking His words over yourself.

Confession of Faith:
I am who Jesus says I am.
I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21).
I have redemption through His blood, and forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7).
I give thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made me fit to share in the inheritance of the saints. He has translated me out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His dear Son (Colossians 1:12-13).
Through Jesus Christ, I have received abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness. I reign in life, through Him (Romans 5:17).
God is rich in mercy. Because of His great love, He has quickened me – made me alive, given me His life – and has raised me up together with Christ. I am seated in heavenly places with Christ (Ephesians 2:4-6).
Because I am in Christ, there is no condemnation. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:1-2).
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20).
Once, I was darkness. Now, I am light in the Lord. I walk as a child of the Light, as one native-born to the Light. Because of His Light in me, I walk in kindly goodness, uprightness of heart and trueness of life. Every day, I am learning more and more to please the Lord (Ephesians 5:8-10).
I am God’s own handiwork, His workmanship, recreated in Christ Jesus – born anew – that I may do those good works which He planned beforehand for me to do, that I should live the good life He prearranged and made ready for me to live (Ephesians 2:10).
I am His child. In Him I live and move and have my being (Acts 17:28).
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).
Greater is He who is in me, than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).
I am more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ – who loves me (Romans 8:37).
Jesus took my infirmities and bore my sicknesses (Matthew 8:17).
By His stripes I WAS healed; therefore I AM healed (1 Peter 2:24).
I give Jesus all the glory, because He is made unto me wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30-31).

The Stone the Builders Rejected

“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. 23 This is from the Lord and is His doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. Psalms 118:22-23 AMP

Jesus asked them, Have you never read in the Scriptures: The very Stone which the builders rejected and threw away has become the Cornerstone; this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? 43 I tell you, for this reason the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce the fruits of it. 44 And whoever falls on this Stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom It falls will be crushed to powder [and It will winnow him, scattering him like dust]. Matthew 21:42-44 AMP

The cornerstone is the foundation for the building. Without it, there would be no building, for it would fall apart. Jesus is the Cornerstone of the Church. Indeed, He is the Cornerstone and the plumb-line of ALL of Creation!

Out of him [Judah] shall come forth the Cornerstone, out of him the tent peg, out of him the battle bow; every ruler shall proceed from him. Zechariah 10:4 AMP

And He shall be a sanctuary [a sacred and indestructible asylum to those who reverently fear and trust in Him]; but He shall be a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15 And many among them shall stumble thereon; and they shall fall and be broken, and be snared and taken. Isaiah 8:14-15 AMP

The cornerstone is the guide or direction for the entire building. It is also the plumb-line. The cornerstone unites two walls at the corner of the building and binds the building together. Jesus said, “I will build My Church”. The Church is built on the foundation of Jesus and then upon the apostles and New Testament prophets. Jesus united Jews and Gentiles in the Church.

You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself the chief Cornerstone. 21 In Him the whole structure is joined (bound, welded) together harmoniously, and it continues to rise (grow, increase) into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, consecrated, and sacred to the presence of the Lord]. 22 In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you yourselves also are being built up [into this structure] with the rest, to form a fixed abode (dwelling place) of God in (by, through) the Spirit. Ephesians 2:20-22 AMP

This temple, the Body of Christ, is built on Jesus, the Cornerstone, and is “fitly framed together” (Ephesians4:16), so that every part accomplishes the purpose God has in mind.

Come to Him [then, to that] Living Stone which men tried and threw away, but which is chosen [and] precious in God’s sight. 5 [Come] and, like living stones, be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For thus it stands in Scripture: Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen (honored), precious chief Cornerstone, and he who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] shall never be disappointed or put to shame. 7 To you then who believe (who adhere to, trust in, and rely on Him) is the preciousness; but for those who disbelieve [it is true], The [very] Stone which the builders rejected has become the main Cornerstone, 8 And, A Stone that will cause stumbling and a Rock that will give [men] offense; they stumble because they disobey and disbelieve [God’s] Word, as those [who reject Him] were destined (appointed) to do. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God’s people; once you were unpitied, but now you are pitied and have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:4-10 AMP

The cornerstone was used as a base to make sure the other stones of the building were straight and level. In the same way, Jesus’ life and teaching is the church’s foundation. Jesus was the Chosen One – chosen to give His life and to save the world. He is the ONLY Way to the Father and the ONLY way to salvation. Those who receive God’s word and who believe in and receive Jesus enjoy the benefits, but those who reject Him and His word, have no hope. The “builders” were the Israelites, but they rejected Jesus. Instead of being their Rock, He became their stumbling black and rock of offence. They stumbled because they were disobedient and disbelieving. There are still those who stumble over Jesus because of disobedience and unbelief.

Whereas Israel, though ever in pursuit of a law [for the securing] of righteousness (right standing with God), actually did not succeed in fulfilling the Law. 32 For what reason? Because [they pursued it] not through faith, relying [instead] on the merit of their works [they did not depend on faith but on what they could do]. They have stumbled over the Stumbling Stone. 33 As it is written, Behold I am laying in Zion a Stone that will make men stumble, a Rock that will make them fall; but he who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] shall not be put to shame nor be disappointed in his expectations. Romans 9:31-33 AMP

Israel stumbled over Jesus, the Cornerstone, because they tried to achieve righteousness with God through works, rather than through faith. There is salvation through only one Name – the Name of Jesus! Jesus must become your Cornerstone!

This [Jesus] is the Stone which was despised and rejected by you, the builders, but which has become the Head of the corner [the Cornerstone]. 12 And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved. Acts 4:11-12 AMP